Job Details

Job Description

Republic of Zambia

MINISTRY OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AND SOCIAL SERVICES (MCDSS)

SOCIAL CASH TRANSFER PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION UNIT

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST

CONSULTING SERVICES – Individual Consultant Selection (Open; National)

COUNTRY: ZAMBIA

NAME OF PROJECT: GIRLS’ EDUCATION AND WOMEN’S EMPOWERMENT AND LIVELIHOODS FOR HUMAN CAPITAL PROJECT-GEWEL2

CREDIT NO: P181391

ASSIGNMENT TITLE: SELECTION OF INDIVIDUAL CONSULTANTS

REFERENCE NO: MCDSS/SCT/C/2025

The Government of Republic of Zambia, with support from the World Bank and the Global Financing Facility for Women, Children and Adolescent (GFF), is implementing the Girls’ Education and Women’s Empowerment and Livelihoods for Human Capital Project (GEWEL 2) with the main objective of promoting human capital development and productivity among poor and vulnerable girls and women, while strengthening adaptive social protection delivery systems. The project is being implemented across three Government Ministries, namely the Ministry of Community Development and Social Services (MCDSS), Ministry of Education (MOE), and Ministry of Health (MOH), as well as the Gender Division in the Office of the President. The project has four components, (i) the Foundational Social Cash Transfer and Nutrition (SCT) implemented by the Department of Social Welfare at MCDSS and MoH; (ii) Keeping Girls in School and Beyond (KGS) implemented by MOE; (iii) Supporting Women’s Livelihoods for Climate-Smart Productive Inclusion (SWL) implemented by the Department of Community Development at MCDSS; and (iv) the Institutional Strengthening and Systems Building for Cash ‘Plus’ Delivery (ISSB) implemented by the Department of Planning and Information at MCDSS and Gender Division.

Specifically, the Social Cash Transfer Project Implementation Unit (PIU) under the MCDSS will be responsible for implementation of Component 1 of the project which is, the Nutrition- Sensitive Foundational Social Cash Transfer. This component will ensure the continuity of the foundational SCT program for a cash ‘plus’ approach, with complementary activities for improved nutrition outcomes. It will invest in the SCT as the national social assistance program to continue strengthening household food security and resilience to climate and other shocks. It will provide nutrition cash top-ups to select eligible SCT households as part of complementary activities that are layered as a cash ‘plus’ approach for improved nutrition among poor households in the first 1,000 days of a child’s life, building on ongoing efforts. Together with MOH, the implementation of this component will follow an integrated approach focusing on both nutrition-sensitive’ and nutrition-specific’ activities for improved purchasing power, as well as demand creation and service provision.

To efficiently and effectively execute the implementation of this component, the SCT PIU seeks
the services of a SCT Communications Specialist.

2.0 SCT MONITORING AND EVALUATION (M&E) OFFICER (1)

Objective of the Job

• The SCT M&E Officer will support the SCT M&E Specialist in implementation of the SCT program by ensuring effective monitoring, data collection, analysis, and reporting of program activities and outcomes
• The SCT M&E Officer will play a key role in maintaining data quality, evaluating program performance, and contributing to decision-making processes that enhance program efficiency and impact.

Key Responsibilities

• Assist the SCT M&E Specialist in the development and implementation of the SCT M&E framework and production of relevant tools, including surveys and interview guides
• Support the SCT M&E Specialist in conducting routine monitoring of program activities at district and community levels
• Support the collection, validation, and management of data from various stakeholders, ensuring accuracy and reliability in coordination with the Data Management Officer
• Support the design and execution of SCT assessments and evaluations, including spot checks, data quality checks, and learning agendas of pilots introduced as part of the SCT program
• Document lessons learned and best practices to inform program improvement
• Provide training and mentorship to district staff and other relevant stakeholders on M&E processes
• Support the development of user-friendly manuals and guidelines for M&E
• Prepare regular progress reports for submission to the SCT M&E Specialist
• Ensure compliance with reporting timelines and data quality standards
• Collaborate with district officers, implementing partners, and community leaders to gather relevant data and feedback
• Participate in M&E-related meetings, workshops, and field visits
• Ensure data privacy and ethical standards are being met in all M&E activities
• Support the regular review of data collection tools and methodologies for consistency and relevance

Qualifications and Skills

• Bachelor’s degree in Social Sciences, Demography, Statistics, Development Studies, and M&E related field
• A Master’s degree is an advantage
• Minimum of three (3) years of experience in M&E, preferably in social protection or poverty alleviation programs
• Experience working with management information systems (MIS) and data visualization tools is a plus
• Strong knowledge of M&E frameworks and tools (e.g., logical frameworks, indicator tracking)
• Proficiency in data analysis software (e.g., SPSS, Stata, Excel)
• Familiarity with social protection programs and SCT operational mechanisms
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills
• Strong written and verbal communication abilities
• Ability to work collaboratively with diverse stakeholders
• High attention to detail and ability to multi-task.

Duration and Location

• The assignment is for an initial period of two years, with a possibility of extension based on performance and project needs
• The SCT M&E Officer will be based in Lusaka at the Ministry of Community
  Development and Social Services HQ, but may require occasional travel to districts and regions to provide technical support and monitor data collection

Reporting

The SCT M&E officer will report directly to the SCT M&E Specialist, working closely with the SCT Data Management Officer and District SCT personnel. S/he will also liaise with implementing partners, donors, and community leaders for data collection and sharing.

Performance Evaluation

• Annual performance evaluations will be conducted at the end of each year using established key performance indicators (KPI) based on targets as set in the Annual Work Plan and Budget, Project document and individual workplans.
• The consultant will be expected to meet the performance standards as agreed. Failure to meet these standards may result in performance improvement plans or other disciplinary actions.

Procurement/Hiring method

The Consultant will be hired and contracted as per the “Individual Consultant (IC)” Selection method of World Bank Procurement Regulation (PR), September 2023.

Further information can be obtained at the address below during office hours (ie. 09:00 to 1700 hours).

The Permanent Secretary,
Ministry of Community Development and Social Services
Private Bag W252
Community House
Lusaka.

Expressions of interest must be delivered in a written form (hard copy) by 17:00 hours on 23rd May, 2025.