Recruitment of Operations Manager for the RISE Project

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST

Assignment Title: Recruitment of Operational Manager for the RISE Project

Reference No. GM-PPPPE-399566-CS-INDV

• Background information The Gambia, with its vibrant youth population and commitment to development, is poised for a promising future, yet faces several challenges. In the realm of basic education, the focus is on improving learning outcomes, particularly in the early grades, to ensure every child acquires necessary foundational skills. Especially for the youth, technical and vocational education, and training (TVET) must be of higher quality and relevance to meet labor market demands, a challenge recognized and prioritized by the Government of The Gambia. For the large population living in poverty, the goal is to provide a second chance through access to social protection measures, skills training, and income-generating opportunities. These challenges, while significant, are being addressed with determination and a vision for a resilient, inclusive, skilled, and equitable Gambia.

To address these challenges, The Gambia Resilience, Inclusion, Skills, and Equity Project (The Gambia RISE Project – P197233) is a multi-sectoral, five-year initiative of The Government of The Gambia, funded by the World Bank. The project aims to increase the foundational skills of students in early grades, provide job-relevant training to youth, and boost income-generating opportunities, including for the poor and vulnerable, in The Gambia. The planned activities are closely aligned with the Education Sector Strategic Plan (ESSP) 2016-2030 and The Gambia National Social Protection Policy (NSPP) 2015-2025.

• Objective of the assignment The objective of hiring an operational manager is to provide an oversight function in supporting the implementation activities of the CPCU. Under the supervision of the CPCU Coordinator, the Operations Manager will provide a leadership role to ensure coordinated, efficient, and effective operational support from the CPCU. The aim is to ensure that the establishment of CPCU is supporting the Implementation Entities in as effective and efficient possible way, ensuring high quality, compliant, and timely operational support.

PROJECT COMPONENTS

The Gambia Resilience, Inclusion, Skills, and Equity Project is divided into four components:

• Component 1: Improve foundational learning outcomes in literacy and numeracy.
• Component 2: Increase access to labor-market relevant TVET programs
• Component 3: Expand and enhance social safety nets to improve the incomes and productivity of the poor.
• Component 4: Support project management, communications, and capacity-building

• The role of the Operational Manager: The operational manager shall support the Project Coordinator of the CPCU in all aspects of the operations of the project, including financial management, procurement, environmental and social safeguards, monitoring and evaluation, etc. This will be done during the implementation phase of the project through the organization and supervision of the RISE project activities. Under the supervision of the Project Coordinator, his/her the specific roles include, but are not limited to, the following identified tasks:

• Assure that inputs for project implementation are provided on behalf of the implementing entities to the Coordinator in a timely manner as outlined in the Project’s Operational Manual.
• Oversee procurement related activities to ensure timely procurement of goods and services in accordance with Bank rules and procedures.
• Provide expert input into procurement activities, including subcontracts for goods and service as per World Bank Procurement Guidelines.
• Review and advise the coordinator on the work and reports of Area Technical Specialists for endorsement.
• Review and provide feedback on any proposed changes to the procurement plan
• Review and comment on project activities as requested by the Project Coordinator
• Review and comment on consultants’ deliverables including reports, TORs, etc. as requested by the coordinator.
• Provide a supervisory role for the management and coordinator of the CPCU activities particularly as it relates to the RISE to ensure timely delivery of high-quality outputs.
• Support the Project Coordinator regarding the recruitment of individual consultants for various fields as envisaged in Project Operational Manual based on World Bank approved evaluation and selection criteria.
• Support the coordinator in leading the organization of meetings, workshops, and seminars to raise awareness about the project and to disseminate lessons learnt from the project to a wider audience, as appropriate.
• Support the Coordinator to develop and facilitate the development and/or utilization of required operational guidelines and manuals for RISE.
• Support the Coordinator in leading the project preparation advance (PPA) initiative to identify a sustainable solution to human capital development in Gambia. This would be coordinated with the Technical Specialists of the respective sectors.
• Monitor and maintain project’s cost-effectiveness, timeliness, and ensure high quality project deliverables (adaptive collaborative management).
• Manage financial resources, monitor expenditures and ensure that the project proceeds in compliance with World Bank guidelines and procedures
• Monitor the project implementation status, identify potential risks and propose mitigation measures to the coordinator for consideration and decision on possible actions if required; update the status of these risks by maintaining the project risks log
• Supervise and work closely with the project staff to ensure delivery and achievement of project results and objectives as required.

• Qualification and Experience • The Operational Manager shall have a minimum degree of master’s in development studies, Education, Economics, and other related field of which focus on social sciences and development

• She/he must have at least 7 years of working experience in human and social development or managerial positions. Experience in project management and/or administration, as a Project Manager/Project Lead role would be preferred.
• Experience in managing, coordinating, monitoring and evaluation of development projects will be an added advantage.
• Must possess specific experience in specifically in designing and implementing sector projects in either finance, health, education, and social protection in Gambia.
• Specific experience in providing technical assistance and capacity building to stakeholders in sector on access to education, employment, and health services.
• Proven work experience in the government social and financial sectors and understanding of the challenges in the sector (e.g financial and technical barriers); (b) Other required skills and competencies include:

• Strong planning, organization and time management skills and ability to
• manage multiple tasks.
• As an active member of a multi-disciplinary team, capable of offering
• recommendations based on observations.
• Proficiency in preparing and presenting professional reports and analytical.
• papers.
• Fluency in read, spoken and written English.
• Very good interpersonal and communication skills, ability to manage relations with development partners, work under pressure and handle politically- and culturally sensitive issues.
• Submission of Expressions of Interest: The Gambia Fiscal Management Development Project now invites eligible individual consultants to express their interest in the role of Operational Manager. Interested Consultants should provide information demonstrating that they have the required qualifications and relevant experience to perform the services.

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” dated September 2023 (“Procurement Regulations”), setting forth the World Bank’s policy on conflict of interest.

A Consultant will be selected in accordance with the Individual Consultants (IC) selection method set out in the Consultant Guidelines. Further information (Terms of Reference) can be obtained at the address below or via email during office hours from 09:00 to 16:00 Monday to Thursday and 09:00 to 12h30 on Friday.

Expressions of interest should be delivered in a written form to the address below (in person, or by mail) on or before 5th February 2024 at 12h30 GMT

Gambia Fiscal Management Development Project GFMDP

Royal Insurance Building

2nd Floor, Kotu Bertil Harding Highway

The Gambia ,

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