Consultancy to develop an operational manual on social protection funds — The Gambia RISE Project

Request for Expressions of Interest for Consulting Service

Country: The Republic of the Gambia

Project Title: The Gambia Resilience, Inclusion, Skills, and Equity (RISE) Project

Project ID No: P179233

Assignment Title: Recruitment of an Individual Consultant for the Development of an Operations Manual for The Gambia Social Protection Fund

Procurement Method: Individual Consultant (IC)

Reference No. GM-CPCU - MOFEA-556571-CS-INDV

• Background:

The Government of The Gambia has made significant progress in strengthening its social protection system over the past decade. Building on the National Social Protection Policy (2015–2025), the recently approved National Social Protection Policy (2026–2035) provides a comprehensive framework for establishing an inclusive, integrated, and resilient social protection system that addresses poverty, vulnerability, and exposure to shocks across the life cycle. Despite progress, poverty and vulnerability remain significant challenges. A substantial proportion of the population continues to face multidimensional deprivations, particularly in rural areas, with increasing exposure to climate-related and economic shocks. Existing social protection interventions, while impactful, remain fragmented, limited in coverage, and often constrained by short-term and unpredictable financing. In response, the Government has prioritized the establishment of sustainable and institutionalized financing mechanisms as a cornerstone of the social protection system. The Social Protection Act 2024 provides the legal basis for the establishment of the Social Protection Fund (the Fund), which serves as a central financing instrument to support the implementation of priority interventions under the national policy framework.

Against this backdrop, the development of a comprehensive Operations Manual for the Fund is essential to operationalize the provisions of the Act, strengthen governance and accountability, and ensure that resources are allocated and utilized effectively in alignment with national priorities

• Objectives

The primary objective is to develop a comprehensive, user-friendly, and practical Operations Manual for the Fund that covers all aspects of the Fund’s administration, project financing, and financial management.

2.1 Specific Objectives:

• Document the policy framework, institutional arrangements and operational procedures governing the Fund
• Develop clear, transparent procedures for fund administration that align with the Social Protection Act and existing regulations
• Define clear decision-making criteria and processes that ensure alignment with the Fund’s objectives
• Establish linkages between the Fund and coordination tools like the GamSR for targeting and beneficiary identification, GRM, monitoring etc. Tools that support fund.
• Clarify the relationship between the Fund and existing programmes
• Define the conceptual positioning of the ASP sub-window within the Fund, including its strategic role and linkages to national shock response systems
• Provide guidance on the 1% contingency reserve including permitted and prohibited uses
• Ensure the manual promotes transparency, accountability and efficient fund utilization
• Qualification and Experience Requirements

The individual consultant should possess the following:

• An advanced degree (master’s degree or higher) in social policy, public administration, development economics, or a related field.
• At least 7 years of professional experience in social protection programme design and implementation.
• Demonstrated experience in developing operations manuals or comparable institutional documents.
• Strong knowledge of social fund operations and international best practices.
• Proven expertise in results-based management, monitoring, and evaluation.
• Excellent writing and communication skills in English.
• Experience in facilitation, training, and stakeholder engagement 3.1 Desirable Qualifications

• Previous experience in West Africa or The Gambia, or a developing economy
• Knowledge of Gambian social protection system and policies
• Experience with social registries and targeting systems
• Knowledge of financial management and procurement procedures
• Familiarity with MIS for social programmes
• Assignment Duration:

The consultancy shall be completed within approximately 10 weeks (50 - 55 working days) from the date of contract signing.

• Submission of Expressions of Interest:

Expressions of interest should be delivered in a written form to the address below (by email) on or before 1st July 2026 at 12h30 GMT.

Full TOR Availability Notice: The full Terms of Reference (TOR) will be made available upon request. Please send your request via email to the addresses provided below:

The Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs (MoFEA) through the Gambia Resilience Inclusive Skills and Equity Project (RISE), now invites eligible 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 attention of interested Universities is drawn to Section III, paragraphs, 3.14, 3.16, and 3.17 of the World Bank’s “Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers” dated February 2025 (“Procurement Regulations”), setting forth the World Bank’s policy on conflict of interest. A University will be selected in accordance with Individual Consultant Selection (IC) method set out in the Consultant Guidelines. Further information and Terms of Reference can be obtained at the address below during office hours from 09:00 to 16:00 Monday to Thursday and 09:00 to 12h30 on Friday.

Central Project Coordination Unit

Royal Insurance Building

2nd Floor, Kotu Bertil Harding Highway

The Gambia

Email: [email protected] , [email protected], [email protected], [email protected]