Procurement management Specialist

Source: World Bank — Ethiopia Education and Skills for Employability Project

Request for Expression of Interest

(Consulting Services – Individual Consultant Selection)

Country: The Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia

NAME OF PROJECT: Education and Skills for Employment (EASE) Project

Project ID: P177881

CONSULTING SERVICES: Procurement Management Consultant - Individual Consultant

Credit No.:  IDA 74200

The Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia has received financing from the World Bank toward the cost of the Education and Skills for Employment (EASE) Project and it intends to apply part of the proceeds for consulting services.

The consulting services (“the Services”) include carrying out procurement activities as per the World Bank Procurement Regulations for an efficient implementation of EASE. The assignment will be initially for a period of one year, including 3-month probation period. At the end of one year, the assignment may be extended annually, depending on satisfactory performance.

The Education and Skills for Employment (EASE) Project under the Ministry of Labor and Skills (MoLS) now invites eligible Individual Consultants to indicate their interest in providing the Services. Interested Consultants should provide information demonstrating that they have the required qualifications and relevant experience to perform the services. The short-listing criteria are as indicated in the Terms of Reference below.

The attention of interested Consultants is drawn to Section III, paragraphs, 3.14, 3.16, and 3.17 of the World Bank’s “Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers” Fifth Edition, September 2023 (“Procurement Regulations”), setting forth the World Bank’s policy on conflict of interest.

A Consultant will be selected in accordance with the Selection of Individual Consultant method set out in the Procurement Regulations, Time Based Contract.

Interested and qualified consultants may obtain further information at the address below during office hours 08:00 to 12:00 & 14:30 to 17:00, Mondays to Thursdays; and 08:00 to 11:00 & 14:30 to 17:00 on Fridays.

Expressions of interest (CV, Cover letter and documentary evidence for fulfilling the qualifications) must be delivered in a written form to the address below in person, by 31 August 2024, 16:00 local time.

Address

Ministry of Labor and Skills

Around Lamberet bus station Opposite to Ministry of Mines, Near to Federal Technical Institute former Federal TVET Agency 5th floor room no 503.

Contact phone No: +251 913876694 / 0912109879

Email: abrahamasratbe@gmail.com / haftomease@gmail.com

Terms of Reference for

Consulting Services - Individual Selection

Procurement Management Consultant

1. BACKGROUND

Currently, the Ministry of Labor and Skills (MoLs) is implementing the Education and Skills for Employment (EASE). EASE is a national project The project aims to The Project focuses on practical, work-related skills to enhance employability of youth in Ethiopia while addressing skills constraints to respond and adapt to megatrends. Through a well-functioning TVET system, the project will support better alignment of skills supply and demand and adjust offerings to meet the demands of the changing labor market. The Project is thus expected to help Ethiopia meet the Sustainable Development Goal of “promoting sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all.”. The objectives and results of the project will be achieved through: 

• Strengthening public polytechnics for improved labor market outcomes
• Skills for Jobs Development Fund
• System Strengthening

1.  OBJECTIVE OF THE PROJECT

Establishing the National Project Implementation Unit (NPIU) is one of the primary tasks to coordinate and effectively implement the project, MoLS hereby invites applications from qualified candidates for the position of Procurement Management Consultant for successful implementation of the EASE. The appointment of the Consultant will assist the smooth start-up and increase the speed of the project implementation at the Ministry.

1. SCOPE OF SERVICES

Specific tasks to be carried out by the Procurement Management Consultant include but are not limited to the following components:

1. 1. Perform the essential duties.
   2. Plan crash program by identifying backlogs to compensate activities supposed to be done according to the approved plan.
   3. Support the process of recruitment and hiring of PIU coordinator, procurement Consultant, financial management specialist and other human resources as planned.
   4. Advise and support the activities of the project and transfer knowledge and skills to the project hosting organization. 
2. ESSENTIAL DUTIES

• The candidate shall have a good working knowledge of the World Bank's STEP system.
• Ensure and control only activities approved in the PPSD and subsequently entered and approved through STEP procurement plan are processed under the project.
• Handle procurement communications with the Bank through the STEP system at all stages of the procurement process starting from planning to completion of each activity.
• Enter and upload all procurement documents and information in STEP at each stage of procurement process of each activity for both post review and prior review cases.
• Enter and upload contract completion evidence including copies of inspection, testing, delivery and acceptance documents at contract closing stages of each activity.
• The consultant should be versed in and work independently to apply the procurement guidelines of the government, World Bank and other financier.
• Ensure that the procurement documents including Bidding Documents/ Request for Proposals, evaluation reports, contract documents etc. are prepared at the required quality standard following the agreed procedure.
• Ensure that comments received from the World Bank are addressed fully or clarification is provided before resubmitting the document for review.
• Provide hand holding support to junior procurement specialists, provide training and coaching to ensure the junior experts acquire the required skill and experience to work independently.  
• Review procurement activities and periodically update Project Procurement Strategy for Development (PPSD) for activities involve procurement under the projects.
• Review of all procurement documentation, including procurement plans, expressions of interest, preparation and completion of requests for proposals, proposal evaluation reports and recommendations for award of contract, and contract preparation and negotiation, contract amendments to ensure full compliance with World Bank procurement regulations and procedures, and the applicable legal agreements.
• Review, monitor and report on progress of selection for the Government of Ethiopia including establishing the timetable for the selection process and ensuring deadlines are met.
• Commercial review of selection documents, including basic proposal, design, technical specifications, cost estimations, project management and implementation.
• Review of technical, legal and commercial aspects of selection (in consultation with others as necessary) at all stages of the project cycle, including planning, design, implementation and management.
• Assist in resolution of complex procurement issues, including questions and complaints from firms; and monitor completed procurements to ensure the contracted firms meet expectations.
• Facilitate review of procurement documents by the World Bank or other actors assigned by the World Bank and ensure that action plan is prepared, and recommendation is implemented accordingly.
• Seek ways to streamline implementation.
• The procurement consultant should handle contract through supervision day to day monitoring of progress, review deliverables, documentation of correspondence and other contract related activities necessary during the process.
• Coach and train the project staffs working on the procurement on the procedures, on the Bank’s system, including the STEP, etc.
• Assist in the opening of Letter of Credit and other method of payment modalities.

1.  REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS 

The qualification and experience required for applicant who would like to apply for the service should possess the following minimum criteria:

• Minimum of bachelor’s degree in Procurement and Supplies Management, accounting, Marketing Management, and related fields,
• 8 years of experience as a practicing procurement in Ethiopia or abroad (a mix of domestic and international experience is preferred), particularly working in procurement management of the education and technology sector preferably with an international organization.
• Experience in the competitive procurement of Works, Goods and Non consulting and consulting services, including preparation of tendering documents. 
• Experience in procurement of World Bank or other international donors’ financed projects.
• Experience in the use of STEP system.
• The candidate should be familiar with the requirements for project planning, implementation and procurement set out by Ethiopian laws and regulations.
• The candidate must be fluent in both spoken and written English language and shall have good communication skills.

1.  DELIVERABLES

The Consultant must prepare monthly, quarterly, semi-annually, and annually reports in his/her work to the MoLs’s Finance department, the NPIU, MoF, and the World Bank.  

1. MANAGEMENT PROCEDURES

Contractually, the Consultant will be accountable to the Project Coordinator of EASE to whom all reports and deliverables as per the ToR should be submitted.

1.  DURATION OF THE ASSIGNMENT

The duration of the assignment will be a time-based contract and is for one year, but extendable depending on satisfactory performance. 

1.  INPUTS PROVIDED BY THE EMPLOYER

The employer will avail office furniture, office equipment, communication facilities and other materials required by the Finance specialist to perform his/her duties as specified in this TORs.

1.  LEVEL OF EFFORT AND TIMETABLE

It is expected that the assignment will start as soon as possible depending on availability. The Consultant will be based at MoLS with travel to regional cities as necessary.

Remunerations: Negotiable / dependent on qualifications and experience.