Recruitment of Procurement Specialist

REPUBLIC OF THE GAMBIA

Ministry of Agriculture

Central Projects Coordinating Unit

Gambia Inclusive and Resilient Agricultural Value Chain Development Project (GIRAV)

Old Cooperative Building

Marina Parade, Banjul

Tel: 4222440 / 1

Request for Expressions of Interest for Consulting Service (Procurement Specialist - National Only)

Country: The Republic of the Gambia

Project Title: Gambia Inclusive and Resilient Agricultural Value Chain Development Project (GIRAV).

Grant Number: IDA-D9190

Project ID NO: P17307

Assignment Title: Recruitment of a Consultant for The Position of Procurement Specialist - National Only.

Procurement Method: Individual Consultant

Reference No: GM-CPCU-3896-CS-INDV (as per Procurement Plan):

The Government of The Gambia, through the Ministry of Agriculture, has received financing from the World Bank toward the cost of the Gambia Inclusive and Resilient Agriculture Value Chain Development Project (GIRAV). Part of the proceeds will be applied to engage a qualified individual consultant to serve as Procurement Specialist to support the implementation and management of the GIRAV project.

The Central Project Coordinating Unit (CPCU) under the Ministry of Agriculture now invites eligible individual consultants to express their interest in providing these services. Interested individuals must provide updated CVs and relevant supporting documentation demonstrating that they possess the required qualifications and experience to successfully perform the assignment.

Interested consultants are advised to take note of the World Bank’s policy on conflict of interest as outlined in Section III, paragraphs 3.14, 3.16, and 3.17 of the Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers (September 2023 Edition).

A consultant will be selected in accordance with the Individual Consultant Selection (ICS) method set out in the above-mentioned Procurement Regulations.

The full Terms of Reference (TOR) and any additional information can be obtained upon request by contacting the email addresses listed below during office hours:

Monday to Thursday: 08:00–16:00 GMT

Friday: 08:00–12:30 GMT

Expressions of Interest (EOI), including a detailed CV and relevant documents, must be submitted in hard copy or electronically (email) clearly marked:

“Expression of Interest for the Position of Procurement Specialist”

The deadline for submission is Friday, 20th June 2025 at 4:00 PM GMT.

Submissions and inquiries should be directed to:

Abdoulie Touray

Central Project Coordinating Unit (CPCU)

Ministry of Agriculture

14 Marina Parade, Banjul, The Gambia

Tel: +220 9968841 / 3296755

Email: [email protected] / [email protected]

Key Responsibilities of the Procurement Specialist

• Under the direct supervision of the CPCU Project Coordinator, the CPCU’s Procurement Specialist shall assume full responsibility for the overall procurement activities of the project. As a key member of the Project Management Team (PMT); s/he ensures that procurement activities are carried out in accordance with the World Bank requirements and in requirements with the requirements of Gambia Public Procurement Authority (GPPA) Regulation. In case of conflict between the Bank requirements and requirements set out in the GPPA Regulation, the requirements of the Bank shall be followed.

• In detail the scope of work of the Procurement Specialist shall include but not limited to the under-listed:

• Supporting the PIU in the preparation and advertisement of the General and Specific Procurement Notices.

• Supporting the PIU in the preparation of the technical specifications, the Request For Bids and Requests For Proposals;

• Conducting proper communication with bidders, including drafting responses to bidders’ queries.

• Maintains the list and contact details of all suppliers, Contractors, consultancy firms, and individuals that have received invitations for quotation and/or bidding documents and request for proposals and provide a quotation/bid or an expression of interest;

• Assist in establishing bid evaluation committee(s) under the PIU

• Training and advising CPCU staff on conducting bid/proposal opening session, bid/proposal evaluation, technical and commercial evaluation of bids and proposals, preparing Bid/Proposal Evaluation Reports with recommendations for contract awards.

• Negotiating, finalizing and management of contracts with winning bidders/consultants.

• Timely submitting to the Bank through the Project Coordinator approvals/no objection notices for prior review contracts as may be required;

• Setting up a procurement tracking system in CPCU for monitoring project procurement activities.

• Use STEP for all procurement transactions;

• Preparing and updating procurement plan.

• Maintaining procurement filing system to ensure proper record keeping of all procurement-related documentation/records and their availability for the review;

• Preparing relevant inputs into regular implementation progress reports especially on parts relating to procurement activities;

• Ensure quality in all procurement activities, addressing specific procurement challenges and providing managerial solutions.

• Liaise with the Project Coordinator, Operations Director, M&E Specialist and Financial Controller to harmonize procurement plans and financial reports.

• Prepare annual work programs and budgets for various procurement plans, updating them quarterly for project management and World Bank.

• Maintain proper records of procurement documentation and develop a procurement monitoring and reporting system.

• Establish and maintain an updated database of materials and equipment suppliers for both local and international sources.

• Track procurement progress, advise the Project Coordinator on delayed activities, and collaborate with the GIRAV team to resolve issues.

• Ensure adherence to approved standards and procurement procedures, especially in line with the World Bank procurement guidelines.

• Establish criteria for bid evaluation in consultation with the Project Director and Ministry of Agriculture’s Contracts Committee.

• Ensure that all bidding documents comply with the Project Implementation Manual/Protocols on Procurement.

• Publish procurement notices for the selection of consultants, contractors, and service providers, and monitor the progress of procurement activities.

• Conduct inspections to ensure that goods procured meet the correct quantities and specifications.

• Maintain an updated inventory of all goods procured under the project, ensuring compliance with the World Bank procurement guidelines and procedures.

• Ensure adherence to GPPA and World Bank procurement procedures and assist in resolving any procurement-related issues.

• Collaborate with all Procurement Specialist of projects under CPCU and MoA Contracts Committee to establish an internal contract management committee, responsible for monitoring the progress of signed contracts for works, services, and goods.

• Conduct site verification and monitoring visits to assess physical contract execution and provide recommendations to management.

Education

• A Master’s Degree in Procurement, Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Economics, or a related field. A Master’s degree or professional certification in procurement (e.g., CIPS or equivalent) is an added advantage.

Experience

• At least 10 years of relevant professional experience in procurement, with at least 3 years working on projects funded by international organizations, such as the World Bank, African Development Bank, IFAD or other multilateral institutions.

• Proven experience in public procurement processes and familiarity with donor procurement guidelines, especially World Bank or AFDB guidelines.

• Experience in managing procurement for large-scale development projects, preferably within the agricultural sector.

• Experience in bid preparation, evaluation, and contract management.