Project Manager (36 months)

MINISTRY OF PUBLIC SERVICE AND HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST (REOI)

COUNTRY: Republic of South Sudan

NAME OF PROJECT: Building Institutional Foundations for an Effective Public Service (BIFEPS) Project

PROJECT ID: P500500

Grant No.: IDA-E3270

Assignment Title: Project Manager

Reference No.: SS-MPSHRD-450939-CS-INDV

Place of assignment: Juba, South Sudan

Closing Date: 4th October, 2024

• Background

The Government of South Sudan (GSS) through the Ministry of Public Service and Human Resource Development (MoPS&HRD) has received a grant from the World Bank towards the cost of implementing Building Institutional Foundations for an Effective Public Service (BIFEPS) Project.

The project development objective is to strengthen institutional and human resource capabilities in selected sectors. The project will focus on strengthening policies, procedures and systems for civil service management, institutional development to create sustainable public sector capacity, incentivizing the effective implementation of selected sector reforms, and change management.

A Project Management Unit (PMU) has been established within the MoPS&HRD with the primary responsibility of project management and overseeing the performance of consultants and service providers. Other tasks of the PMU include stakeholder outreach and communications, fiduciary and procurement management, community engagement, results management and risk management.

The MoPS&HRD is seeking to use part of the BIFEPS Project grant to finance an Individual Consultant to provide technical guidance and support in execution of the overall activities under the project in adherence and compliance to the World Bank and Government of South Sudan guidelines, regulations and procedures.

• Scope of Work and Responsibilities:

The Consultant shall be required in consultation with the PMU team and the Ministry of Public Service and Human Resource Development undertake tasks including but not limited to the following:

(i) Carrying out day-to-day project activities under the guidance of the Programme Coordinator by providing leadership to ensure that the Project Development Objective and intended outputs and outcomes including technical assistance are achieved. (ii) To implement the activities, the Manager will refer to the “BIFEPS Project Operations Manual” (POM) which provides strategies, rules, procedures and guidance for the implementation of the BIFEPS project. (iii) Lead in the regular reviewing and updating of the BIFEPS POM as and when needed in consultation with the World Bank and the Government. (iv) Stakeholder management by identifying stakeholders important for delivering the success of the project objectives in addition to those identified in the POM (PMU, with the PAC, PTC, Technical Implementation Teams, Public Service Reform Champions, Aid Coordination) and establishing a positive working relationship through managing effective communication within the team and information sharing at technical levels. (v) Planning and preparation of missions, scheduling of mission meetings, reporting on the mission objectives and follow up of relevant action points with Government and any other stakeholder for timely resolution. (vi) In consultation and under the guidance of the Program Coordinator, contributing to the identification of key issues for dialogue to be discussed in the PTC and PAC meetings and support in preparing agenda notes and minutes. (vii) Advise the client on issues that may impact the achievement of anticipated outcomes (including technical challenges, capacity and systems, relationship management with government and non-government counterparts, grievance or other concerns arising in implementation, progress against timelines, and general performance of the project within each component. (viii) Identification of short-term Technical Assistance (TA) needs through considering the foreseen activities for TA support as provided in the workplans. (ix) Recruit, train and appraise staff. Ensure opportunities and incentives exist for staff to share case studies, lessons learned and best practices on implementation of project activities. (x) Supervise and monitor all tasks carried out by the PMU staff and review and approve their progress reports. (xi) Provide feedback to PMU specialists and management staff on policy, relationship management with government counterparts, and project communications. (xii) Quality assuring the draft annual work plans before they are approved to ensure that identified key steps and activities are relevant to achievement of the targeted results in each component and that the work plans and budgets are prepared and approved on time. (xiii) Making recommendations to Program Advisory Committee and Program Technical Committee, through the Program Coordinator, on how to effectively implement the approved work plans. (xiv) Monitor and adjust implementation of approved project work plans including the establishment of milestones as required. (xv) With support from the Senior Financial Management Specialist and Senior Procurement Specialist, ensure that the project maintains high standards of fiduciary due diligence to facilitate efficient and economical use of funds for the intended purposes towards the achievement of the overall Project Development Objective. (xvi) Support the strengthening of the public service management evaluation monitoring systems including enhancing those identified in the POM. (xvii) Ensure preparation and timely submission of regular and ad hoc reports to the MoPS&HRD and the World Bank to facilitate efficient monitoring of the progress of project implementation. The scope of work is not considered exhaustive, and modifications will be considered during the course of the engagement. The project manager will make every effort to engage, work with and build the capacity of appropriate GOSS staff in these activities.

The Consultant will be required to undertake all tasks and deliver the outputs detailed in the terms of reference (TOR) that will be provided upon request through the email contact below or in person.

• Selection Criteria:

Selection shall be based on qualification and experience of the candidate and followed by an interview. The Consultant shall fulfil the following qualification and experience:

• Advanced University Degree in Project Management, International Development, Economics, or other related Social Sciences, with 10 years of relevant professional experience in Project Management, International Development, economics, or related social sciences, or other relevant discipline.

• At least 10 years’ direct experience working with or within civil service with at least 5 years of which have been acquired managing public sector reform projects as a team leader.

• Demonstrated knowledge and experience in core public service management areas such as civil service policy reform, public administration, change management, required.

• Experience working on civil service reform programmes in South Sudan or other conflict-affected countries in East Africa is an advantage.

• Experience working on projects financed by international organizations such as the World Bank, African Development Bank, etc., is an advantage.

• Strong management skills including ability to provide strategic guidance, technical oversight, mentor staff, develop work plans and manage budgets and project expenditures.

• Good interpersonal skills with experience in networking with partners at all levels (ministries, donors, private sector, NGOs and local community-based organizations)

• Experience working with international and donor organizations in the implementation of complex projects supported by multiple stakeholders.

• Demonstrated written, analytical, presentation, reporting and computing skills and familiarity with modern communication systems (internet, worldwide web, email etc.)

• Strong analytical skills, oral and written communication.

• Substantial experience in leading teams of national and international experts.

• Excellent working knowledge of English language, both writing and speaking.

The shortlisted candidates will be invited for oral interview. Consultant will be required to possess the skills and competences listed in the TOR.

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:

Duration of the assignment is 24 months, renewable based on 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 MoPS&HRD 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 the Curriculum Vitae (CV) in the prescribed form that will be provided with the TOR upon request through the e-mail given below.

• Submission of Applications and deadline:

Interested Consultants may obtain further information including a detailed TOR and the format for the CV from the below email.

An Expressions of Interest (EOI) and CV in the prescribed format with 3 reference persons must be sent to: [email protected] or delivered by ha