Republic of Zambia Ministry of Education
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.: MCDSS/SWL/C/2024

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 Supporting Women’s Livelihoods (SWL) 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) Supporting Women’s Livelihoods and Beyond (SWL), (c) Supporting Women’s Livelihoods for Climate-Smart Productive Inclusion (SWL); and (d) Institutional Strengthening and Systems Building for Cash ‘Plus’ Delivery (ISSB).

The SWL 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 – Supporting Women’s Livelihoods (SWL) and Beyond, and intends to apply part of the proceeds for consulting services as below.

ASSISTANT PROJECT MANAGER (1)

Job Summary

The Assistant Project Manager supports the Project Manager and the SWL team in planning implementation, and monitoring of the project. He/ She acts as a support role to the Project Coordinator and the team, helping to ensure effective project implementation, coordination and administration at all levels of SWL intervention.

Description of Assignment:

Assist the Project Manager in the planning, implementation and monitoring of the SWI activities in line with the government policy, rules and regulations, and the World Bank project requirements;
Assist in the management of day-to-day operations to ensure the project implementation within the scope, schedule and budget as per project requirements;
Support in coordinating and supervising consultants, seconded and attached staff in the SWL PIU to maintain a high-performing project team,
Liaise with the World Bank task team leader of GEWEL 2 project and other key stakeholders to ensure effective coordination with other project components,
Contribute to continuous progress reviews, situation reports and programmatic/operational updates to the Ministry Management and cooperating partners; to enable informed decisions;
Assist the Project Manager to 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,
Assist to interface with other Ministries implementing GEWEL 2 on issues related to project implementation;
Assist to ensure the delivery of quality technical inputs, including qualitative and quantitative research in line with World Bank guidelines.
Assist to prepare the Annual Work Plan and Budget (AWPB), progress reports and ad hoc reports on the status of project planning and implementation for submission to government and the cooperating partners;
Assist in monitoring and evaluating project performance against key indicators;
Assist in monitoring the operation of the harmonized GRM.
Ensure high-level communications to increase project’s visibility at the national level;
Manage the payments to vulnerable households,
Assist in the preparation for the financial reports and ensure compliance with financial policies and regulations, and facilitate the process of annual audits.
Develop project guidelines and Terms of References as maybe needed during the course of project implementation;
Perform other duties as may be assigned by the Supervisor.
Qualification, Experience and Key Attributes

Degree in Economics, Business Administration, Development/Gender studies or equivalent;
Master’s degree in Economics or Development Studies will be an added advantage;
5 years’ relevant working experience in the field of Social Protection, Gender or Education;
Working experience on similar World Bank project for the past three years.
Experience in managing cash payment systems to beneficiaries.
Experience in managing Projects/Programmes under the Cash Plus Initiative;
Experience in scaling up projects;
Team player;
Analytical;
Highly motivated,
Decision making skills;
Good Communication skills;
Good Leadership skills,
Trustworthy & Ethical;
Results orientated;
Problem solving skills;
Good Organizational skills;
Ability to maintain good working relationships with all project stakeholders;
Ability to work under time pressure and meet deadlines;
Proficient in basic computer software (Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Adobe Reader) and ability to use other software packages required by the Office,
Ability to work independently with a minimum of supervision,
Ability to prepare quality reports.
REPORTING LINE:

The Assistant Project Manager will be reporting to the Project Manager

Duration

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

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.

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 work plans. 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-SWL 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:

(i) 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

(ii) 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].