Recruitment of Procurement Specialist — Health Sector Transformation Project (HSTP) — Ministry of Health, Republic of South Sudan

REPUBLIC OF SOUTH SUDAN

MINISTRY OF HEALTH

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSION OF INTEREST (REOI)

COUNTRY: Republic of South Sudan

NAME OF PROJECT: Health Sector Transformation Project (HSTP)

PROJECT ID: P181385

Assignment Title: Procurement Specialist

Reference No.: SS-MOH-418628-CS-INDV

Place of assignment: Juba, South Sudan

Closing Date: 19th April 2024

Start Date: 1st July 2024

Background

The South Sudan Health Sector Transformation Project (HSTP) will strengthen MoH capacity in management of health services and will contribute to the sustainability of the program. The project is to (i) provides a package of basic health and nutrition services based on the principle of continuum of care throughout the lifecycle (childhood, adolescence/adulthood, pregnancy, childbirth, postnatal period), and among the models of service delivery (including clinical care settings, outreach, and household and communities); and (ii) supports the primary care facilities nationwide with the basic inputs for maintaining their operational capacity.

A Project Management Unit (PMU) will be established at the Ministry of Health (MoH) to manage the overall project implementation including health service contracting and the day-to-day engagement with relevant government institutions, management organizations (UNICEF and WHO), and donors. To this effect, the PMU will deploy qualified staff including procurement, environmental and social staff (one Procurement, one Environmental Risk Management Specialist, one Social Risk Management Specialist, and one GBV specialist with expertise of gender), and focal points at the local level, and allocate resources to support management of procurement, environmental, social, health and safety (ESHS) risks and impacts of the Project. All these will also enable the PMU to have a functional environmental and social risk management organizational structure throughout Project implementation.

The Ministry of Health intends to apply part of the proceeds of the grants towards recruitment of a Snr. Procurement Specialist to support the project management functions in the Project Management Unit (PMU) established under the MoH.

Scope of the Assignment and Key Responsibilities

The Snr Procurement Specialist will generally provide procurement management support to the Project Implementation Unit. He or she will oversee all the procedures for the procurement of goods, services, and civil works in accordance with the World Bank procedures and guidelines. The Snr. Procurement Specialist shall be required to carry out the following duties:

• In close collaboration with users, the Procurement Specialist will prepare, review, adjust (where applicable) and monitor the implementation of procurement plan.

• Ensure timely preparation/updating, and submissions of the project procurement plan for review and approval by World Bank.

• In consultation with users, prepare bidding documents for acquisition of goods, works and non-consulting services, and the REOI and RFP for consulting services.

• Ensure that procurement procedures as prescribed in the Programme Implementation Manual are followed.

• Lead the bidding and selection processing, including organizing pre-bid or pre-proposal meetings, providing clarifications, coordinating the Receipt of bids/proposals, leading and participating in the opening of bids/proposals/expressions of interest.

• In close consultation with users, participate in evaluation of expression of Interest, Quotations, bids and Proposals.

• In close consultation with the user departments, prepare and make submissions to the Contracts Committee.

• Coordinate/make arrangements and participate in contract negotiations for consultancy services and technical discussions for goods and works where applicable to provide technical guidance.

• Prepare draft contracts for Contracts Committee and development partner review, and clearance of the Attorney General and ensuring timely signing of contracts.

• Verify that Procurement requests are in accordance with the approved Procurement Plans

• Prepare and publish general and specific procurement notices/ invitation for bids.

• Work closely with the users to ensure that Terms of Reference or technical specifications are obtained in a timely manner.

• In consultation with the user departments preparation of bidding documents, request for proposals, consultant’s shortlists and other documents based on relevant procedures for the procurement of goods, works and on consultant services and for the selection of consulting services.

• Prepare and circulate to all users and contracts committee members the schedule for pre-bid meetings, and expected deadline for submission respectively.

• Support capacity building in procurement management of staff that deals with procurement issues with emphasis on World Bank and other financing institutions as well as PPDA Guidelines.

• Ensure that clearance/No-objection(s) from World Bank are obtained, if required.

• Preparation of Procurement progress reports at a minimum on a monthly basis, highlighting among others the progress on processing various contracts, constraints met and any other issues that require Management attention.

• Ensure that the reports are delivered to MoH and World Bank in a timely manner.

• Tracking the expiry dates of contracts as well as their advance payment and performance guarantees and ensuring that these are extended timely and at least one month before expiry.

• Enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of the Procurement Data Management system and in particular set up a filing and record keeping system that ensures that procurement records are easily retrievable and available for procurement audits; Maintain complete procurement files and records including all correspondence related to procurement activities; Prepare quarterly procurement progress reports.

• Monitor and track contracts being processed, consult and work closely with Contract managers to identify constraints/challenges/issues especially deviations from agreed procurement schedules.

• Facilitate the Post Procurement Reviews (PPR) exercise, and work with management to follow up implementation of PPR recommendations.

• Prepare and update the Procurement/Contract Register (List of all procurement contracts signed).

• Report immediately any noted fraud and corruption or governance issues with procurement or other staff, bidders and consultants.

• Any other duties that may be assigned by his/her superiors from time to time in furtherance of the above responsibilities.

Selection Criteria and Qualifications Requirements:

• A Master’s Degree in Procurement, Economics, Business Administration, Engineering/ Law, Project Planning and Management. or any related field.

• Chartered Institute of Supply and Management (CIPS) or similar international Certification is a distinct advantage.

• At least eight (8) years’ general experience in procurement with at least 5 years working on projects funded by World Bank or other Multilateral Development Banks.

• Knowledge of World Bank or Multilateral Development Bank procurement Rules and Procedures.

• Working knowledge in the South Sudanese Procurement Law and Regulations will be added advantage.

• Experience in handling high value contracts, works, goods and services that require International competitive bidding.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills and fluency in English.

• A high level of interpersonal and management skills and ability to work with teams in the organisation at all levels and under pressure and tight deadlines.

• Computer knowledge and skills in MS Word, MS excel, and internet/email is a mandatory requirement.

• Proven integrity and confidentiality in handling public resources.

The shortlisted candidates will be invited for oral interview. Consultant will be required to possess the skills, concepts, knowledge, and principles required to carry out the job tasks.

Government officials or civil servants will not be considered unless: (i) they are on leave of absence without pay or have resigned or retired six months prior to the date of the advert; and (ii) their employment will not create Conflict of interest.

Duration:

The assignment shall be for a period of twenty-four (24) months, and renewable subject to satisfactory performance and availability of funds.

The attention of interested individual consultants 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 revised November 2017, July 2018 and November 2020 [Procurement in investment Project Financing; Goods, Works, Non-Consulting and Consulting Services], setting forth the World Bank’s policy on conflict of interest.

A Consultant will be selected in accordance with the Individual Consultants Selection method set out in the World Bank’s Procurement Regulations.

The MOH now invites eligible Individual Consultants to indicate their interest in providing the above-mentioned services. Interested Consultants must provide information indicating that they are qualified to perform the services and furnish their EOI and Curriculum Vitae (CV) in the prescribed form that will be provided with the TOR upon request from the e-mail address given below).

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for interviews.

Submission of Applications and deadline:

A signed Expressions of interest (EOI) and CV with 3 reference persons must be sent to MOH by Friday 19th April 2024 at 16:00 hours (Juba local time). The packages must be clearly marked as “Application for Senior Procurement Specialist” and submitted to the address below:

Director General for International Health and Coordination

Ministry of Health

Ministerial Complex

POBOX 88

Juba, Republic of South Sudan

Or by Email to:

Email: [email protected]