Recruitment of Project Officer

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST

CONSULTING SERVICES – Individual Consultant Selection (Open; National)

COUNTRY: ZAMBIA

NAME OF PROJECT: GIRLS' EDUCATION AND WOMEN'S EMPOWERMENT AND LIVELIHOODS FOR HUMAN CAPITAL PROJECT

Credit No: P181391

Assignment Title: Selection of Individual Consultants

Reference No.: ……………………

The Government of the Republic of Zambia has prioritized social protection as a mechanism to address poverty and vulnerability in the country. This prioritization is demonstrated through increased budgetary allocations, particularly to unconditional social assistance delivered through the Social Cash Transfer (SCT) program. The support for social assistance was furthered through the promotion of human capital initiatives using a “cash plus” approach primarily through the Girls’ Education and Women’s Empowerment and Livelihood (GEWEL) project by providing secondary school girls opportunities to complete their schooling. This was done through the Keeping Girls in School (KGS) component of the GEWEL project.

The Project Development Objective (PDO) of GEWEL 2 is “to promote human capital development and productivity among poor and vulnerable girls and women, while strengthening adaptive social protection delivery systems”.

The human capital development aspect of the PDO will be measured through results in three interrelated areas: (a) the SCT as the foundational national social assistance program as an enabler for human capital development, with complementary activities aimed at (b) enhanced educational attainment at the upper primary and secondary school level by vulnerable adolescent girls and (c) improved nutrition outcomes among poor children and women in selected districts. Productivity will be measured through activities aimed at increasing earnings and economic inclusion of adult women to build climate adaptation and shock resilience, while strengthened adaptive SP systems.

GEWEL 2 is comprised of four components to achieve the PDO, to be implemented over a four-year period from 2025 to 2028. These are: (a) Foundational Social Cash Transfer (SCT) and Nutrition; (b) Keeping Girls in School and Beyond (KGS); (c) Supporting Women’s Livelihoods for Climate-Smart Productive Inclusion (SWL); and (d) Institutional Strengthening and Systems Building for Cash ‘Plus’ Delivery (ISSB).

The KGS component will target poor and vulnerable girls from SCT households to access upper primary (4-6) and secondary schools (7-12) in a cash ‘plus’ approach and provide the girls with financial support to school related costs and fees, while also scaling other support services, to increase access to school, improve retention, progression, and transition to tertiary and/or work.

The Government of the Republic of Zambia has therefore, received financing from the World Bank toward the cost of the Project under Girls' Education and Women's Empowerment and Livelihoods for Human Capital Project – Keeping Girls in School (KGS) and Beyond, and intends to apply part of the proceeds for consulting services as below:

• PROJECT OFFICER

Job Summary

The Project Officer supports Management and implementation of KGS activities acting as a key member of the project team responsible for ensuring the effective delivery of project activities that align with the projects and Ministry mission and objectives.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Coordinate and compile the preparation of annual work plans and budgets for assigned regions;

• Preparation and tracking of activity budgets and expenses;

• Manage the KGS enrolment process by coordinating all implementing structures to ensure timeliness and effectiveness in the administering of payment checklists, verification and validation;

• Receive KGS-MIS Checklist from assigned districts and accordingly validate them in readiness for payment of school fees;

• Compile implementation reports in assigned Districts;

• Collaborate with monitoring and evaluation team in tracking KGS indicators in KGS districts;

• Collaborate with other specialists in effectively and efficiently delivering on KGS mandate;

• Lead, motivate and supervise all provincial and district attached staff of the project in the implementing regions according to the project guidelines;

• Ensure a flow of regular and complete information on the status of the activities planned and implemented in the implementing regions;

• Manage the organization of conferences, seminars, workshops, training sessions and meetings in collaboration with the technical support of experts and represent the project in various meetings in regions of jurisdiction;

• Check the status of the project on daily basis in assigned Districts;

• Draft and disseminate project - related communication, including emails, memos, activity guidelines and timelines;

• Support the Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist in monitoring the progress and performance against key indicators;

• Support the GRM/GBV/E&S Specialist to ensure the operation of the harmonized GRM;

• Perform other duties as assigned by the immediate supervisor as part of the implementation of the project.

Qualification, Experience and Key Attributes

• Degree in Economics, Development or Gender studies or equivalent field;

• Master’s degree in Economics and relevant field, Project management, Business Administration will be an added advantage;

• At least 5 years’ experience in project Management or related field;

• Strong organizational, planning, and coordination skills;

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills;

• Ability to work effectively in a team and independently;

• Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines;

• Experience in project implementation on large scale;

• Prior experience in managing projects with Government, multilateral or bilateral donors, and experience working in similar World Bank project is desired;

• Experience in project implementation using a Management Information System;

• Experience and knowledge working on social protection projects.

REPORTING LINE: The Project Officers will be reporting to the Assistant Project Coordinator

Duration and Location

• The assignment is expected to last for an initial period of two years, with the possibility of renewal based on performance and project needs.

• The Project officer will be based at the Ministry of Education Headquarters in Lusaka, with occasional travel to Provincial and district Offices.

Performance Evaluation

Annual performance evaluations will be conducted at the end of each year using established key performance indicators (KPIs) based on targets as set out in the AWPB, Project document and Individual workplans. The consultant will be expected to meet the performance standards as agreed. Failure to meet these standards may result in performance improvement plans or other disciplinary action.

Procurement method

The Consultant will be hired and contracted as per the “Individual Consultant (IC)” Selection method of World Bank Procurement Regulation (PR), September 2023.

The Ministry of Education through the GEWEL 2 – KGS and Beyond, 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 shortlisting criteria are: Educational qualification, experience (general & specific) and knowledge in project management of World bank projects.

The Consultants will be selected through the ‘Open Competitive Selection of Individual Consultants’ method in accordance with World Bank’s “Procurement Regulations, Revised September, 2023 (“Procurement Regulations”).

The attention of interested Consultants is drawn in particular to:

• Section III, paragraphs, 3.14, 3.16, and 3.17 of the Procurement Regulations setting forth the World Bank’s policy on Conflict of Interest, and

• Section III, paragraphs, 3.21-3.24 of the Procurement Regulations setting forth the World Bank’s policy on Eligibility, including the specific pre-requisite conditions to be met for the eligibility, on exceptional basis, of Government officials and civil servants of the Borrower’s country under consulting contracts in the Borrower’s country.

Individuals who are currently working as consultants on another World Bank-financed project may also compete in this selection process, but if they are selected they will be required before signing the proposed contract to provide documentary evidence of having satisfactorily complied with their existing contract’s requirements with respect to early termination of the contract by the consultant, including advance notice period, to avoid disruption in implementation of that project.

Further information can be obtained at the address below during office hours [i.e. 08;00 to 17;00 hours].

Expressions of interest must be delivered in hard copy to the address below by 15:00 hours Zambian Time on 20th November 2024.

The Permanent Secretary – Administration

Ministry of Education

89 Corner of Chimanga & Mogadishu Roads

P.O. Box 50093,

LUSAKA-ZAMBIA