Procurement Advisor for National ID Project at National ID Program (NIDP)

Source: World Bank — Ethiopia Digital ID for Inclusion and Services Project

Expression Of Interest (EOI)

(CONSULTING SERVICES – INDIVIDUAL CONSULTANT)

Procurement Advisor to Support the Digital ID Program for Inclusion and Services Project.

The Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia,

Digital ID Project

1. Background

In Dec 2023, the Government of Ethiopia and the World Bank Group signed the financing agreement for the implementation of Ethiopia Digital ID Project. Digital ID is a USD 350 million, five-year initiative (2023-2029). The Ethiopia Digital ID for Inclusion and Services Project (P179040) will support the Government of Ethiopia (GoE) to roll out Fayda, an inclusive and trusted digital foundational ID system and other digital public infrastructure. The Project will improve access to and delivery of public and private sector services and economic opportunities, especially for the most vulnerable, and to boost national resilience. The project includes various complex and high value contracts to meet its objectives.

2. Context and objectives

The objective of this assignment is to obtain the services of a highly qualified individual consultant who will advise NIDP in leading the procurement management in an efficient , professional and effective manner as well as to provide all the necessary capacity building  for the procurement of goods, works and non-consulting services and consulting services required for the project.

3. Description of the Assignment

The key role of the procurement advisor is to ensure that quality, completeness and timeliness of the procurement management of the project. Under the overall guidance of the project coordinator, the Procurement advisor has an advisory role with clear responsibility to check and ensure that quality and complete procurement plan, procurement documents, evaluation reports, draft contracts and progress reports are prepared and ensure that the planned procurement activities are implemented without any delays.

4. Scope of Services, Tasks, and Expected Deliverables

The Advisor will be expected to produce the following deliverables, among others include but are not limited to the following components:

• The advisor should be versed in and work independently to ensure the procurements are conducted in accordance with the World Bank’s Procurement Regulation (recent edition) and the financing agreement.
• Coordinate with the project coordinator and ensure that suitable procurement and contract management organization and system is established in the project office.
• Leading and managing the procurement management of the Project for procurement of goods, works and non-consulting and consulting services in accordance with agreed procurement procedures for the project.
• Ensure that the PPSD is regularly reviewed considering the changes and needs during the implementation of the project by analyzing the market situation and any changes that require the revision of the PPSD.
• Review all procurement documentation, including procurement plans, ToRs, Request for expressions of interest, Invitation of Bid, Bidding documents, Request for Proposals, shortlisting reports, technical and combined proposals evaluation reports, negotiated contracts and ensure quality and completeness of these documents
• Review of technical, legal and commercial aspects of procurement (in consultation with others as necessary) at all stages of the project cycle, including planning, reasonable of cost estimate, contract duration, design, implementation and management;
• Lead, initiate and coordinate training for implementing agencies in procurement with particular focus on the World Bank procurement regulations.
• Lead the development of  procurement processing, monitoring and reporting system and   taking a lead in the preparation of quarterly reports on the status of procurement activities in the Project.
• Attending and contributing to procurement enquiries and complaints by bidders/consultants and ensue appropriate responses on time are provided to the complainants.
• Carry out a review to identify constraints and opportunities to the effective and efficient procurement and contract administration of works, goods and consultancies required for the project  and an implementation capacity assessment to identify gaps.
• Participate in different supervision and support missions; lead consolidation of complete progress report, procurement challenges and recommendation to improve the implementation of procurement.
• Lead and carry out effective coordination and timely delivery of and put in place systems to guide procurement management and monitoring the performance of procurement activities of the project.
• Producing compiled reports on regular basis in accordance with reporting requirements to be forwarded to the concerned stakeholders.
• Ensure planned procurement activities are initiated timely and all milestones are performed in accordance with the timelines indicated in the procurement plan
• Assist in resolution of complex procurement issues, including questions and complaints from firms; and Monitor completed procurements to ensure the contracted firms meet expectations; and
• Oversight the uploading of complete and quality procurement documents in STEP at each stage of the procurement process. 
• Assist in the preparation of procurement related activities of the project;
• Ensure that all supporting documents in respect of procurement are adequately authorized and has correct information;
•  Oversight the procurement processes and contract administrations of each activity and ensure they are performed timely, in quality and with the estimated/contract amount.
• Carries out any other tasks required by NIDP Management

5. Required Qualifications 

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

• A Master’s degree in Marketing Management, Engineering, Procurement and Supplies Management, accounting, Law, and related fields,
• 8 years of progressively responsible experience in public procurement, especially in the projects financed by the Multilateral financiers
• Knowledge on the Government procurement rules and procedures.
• Prior experience in implementing World Bank funded project/programs,
• knowledge on the World Bank Systematic Tracking of Exchanges in Procurement (STEP) and experience working on STEP is an added advantage,
• Working experience on the IT procurement is an added advantage.
• Excellent communication skills are essential, particularly in regard to presenting results of analyses to management,
• Fluency in English and Amharic languages
• The candidate must have the highest levels of personal integrity, and a reputation for a transparent and systematic work style; and
• The candidate must be able to work under pressure situations, in order to meet demanding deadlines.

6. Duration of Services

The consultant will be hired full time initially for the contract period of twelve (12) months with possibility of extension based on performance and availability budget.

7. Remuneration

Attractive/Negotiable and depends on qualification and experience of the candidate.

8. Reporting:

The individual consultant will be directly reporting to the NIDP Executive Director and working closely with the PMU Coordinator at National ID Program.

9. Selection Method

The selection method is based on para 7.36 and 7.37 of the World Bank’s Procurement Regulation.

The attention of interested individual is drawn to Section III, paragraphs, 3.14, 3.16, and 3.17 of the World Bank’s “Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers” July 2016 (“Procurement Regulations”) revised November 2017 and August 2018  (September 2023), setting forth the World Bank’s policy on conflict of interest.

An individual will be selected in accordance with the Selection of Individual Consultant (Section V) method set out in the Procurement Regulations.

Further information can be obtained, by email at the address below during office hours from 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM Addis Ababa time.

Applicants should send expressions of interest, together with information demonstrating that they have the required qualification and relevant experience to perform the service (description of similar assignments, experience in similar conditions, qualifications, and so forth) by providing CVs, formal application letter and all supporting documents to the address below in person, or by mail, on or before Aug. 05, 2024, but preferably by e-mail to be specified in the official announcement.

Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia,

National ID Program (NIDP)- Digital ID for Inclusion and Services Project

Attn: Project Management Unit (PMU)

Address: Welosefer Bole, Ethio-China St, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, INSA Building, 15th Floor

Tele- +251 911 791462    E-mail: mesfin@id.gov.et

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia