COUNTRY: Kingdom of Lesotho
PROJECT: Basic Education Strengthening Project – P175065
SECTOR: Education
- 1. INTRODUCTION
The Government of the Kingdom of Lesotho through the Ministry of Education and Training has secured the Education Sector Program Implementation Grant (ESPIG) from Global Partnership for Education amounting to US$7.1m. As of February 2022, the approved grant had 3 years implementation period. The World Bank is the Grant Agent.
The proposed project under the ESPIG will focus on key activities that are priorities for the MoET within the context of its Education Sector Strategic Plan and build on lessons learned and opportunities arising from ongoing projects, including LEQEP and LBEIP. These include:
(i) improving transition to and retention of students in junior secondary education; (ii) scaling up online teacher training program for junior secondary teachers in Mathematics and Science; and (iii) strengthening the delivery of ECCD services, including by piloting and evaluating the revised ECCD curriculum and mapping ECCD service providers to improve monitoring and accountability.
The Ministry of Education and Training (MOET) now wishes to recruit a Procurement Specialist to be part of the Project Facilitation Unit (PFU) which is responsible for facilitating the implementation of projects.
- OBJECTIVE OF THE ASSIGNMENT
The overall objective of the assignment is to provide procurement technical assistance services and procurement advisory services to the central procurement function of MoET; with a view to implementation of the various procurement activities. The aim is to ensure that delays experienced at procurement stage which hinder smooth implementation of the project are avoided, so that the project can be completed within the agreed time frame. The goal is to expedite implementation, disbursement and therefore attainment of agreed objectives. In so doing, the Procurement Specialist shall, in addition to quality assurance, also provide assistance to the Ministry’s Procurement Unit and Planning Department in capacity building.
- APPLICABLE PROCUREMENT RULES
All procurement will be undertaken in compliance with the relevant procurement rules and procedures.
- SCOPE OF WORK AND SPECIFIC TASKS
Reporting to Director Department of Planning, and in close liaison with the component managers, the Procurement Unit and Project Coordination, the Procurement Specialist shall have overall responsibility to:
- facilitate proper implementation of procurement policies on the procurement of goods and services for the project
- monitor implementation of procurement standards and best practices and in particular,
- support the central procurement function in ensuring that the procurement of all professional consultancy services, goods and services for the project preparation facility is done in accordance with the appropriate procurement guidelines of the Bank and ensure compliance
- take due account of the Government of Lesotho guidelines, ensure availability of procurement information and ensure transparency in the award of procurement contracts.
The specific tasks and responsibilities are as follows:
- Develop and implement a procurement process planning and tracking system, in order to organise the work of the Unit
- Develop and implement a procurement documentation and records system, in order to ensure completeness, auditability, and efficient operations
- Consolidate projects’ procurement plan
- Monitor procurement plan implementation and suggest remedial action, including alternative approaches to quicker project implementation
- Provide overall technical procurement advisory service to the Procurement Unit for projects’ implementation
- Provide support to client departments in the preparation of various procurement documentation such as: terms of reference for consultancies, standard bidding documents for goods and services, specifications, general and specific procurement notices, bid evaluation reports, draft contracts.
- Support and provide advice on contract administration and management processes and recommend improvement where necessary
- Participate in bid openings, evaluations and recommendations for contract awards
- Conduct market surveys for key goods to ensure cost effectiveness in procurement
- Provide quality assurance on the procurement process through the review of procurement documents and ensure compliance to the relevant donor requirements such as procurement methods and thresholds
- Liaise with the component managers on procurement issues that may arise from time to time
- Participate in the overall preparation activities for the new project (if any), and provide necessary guidance and support
- Coordinate responses to procurement queries, draft contracts,
- Report on compliance to all relevant procurement requirements
- Assist in the identification of capacity constraints and recommend appropriate training
- Mentor, train and help develop the skills of the staff of the Procurement Unit
- Any other tasks that may be assigned by the Director Planning Department
- EXPECTED OUTPUTS AND DELIVERABLES
The Procurement Specialist shall deliver the following outputs for the duration of the assignment:
- Procurement plans and updates with budgets
- Bidding documents and Procurement notices
- Draft and final contracts
- Procurement reports – bid opening reports, evaluation reports, minutes of negotiations etc.
- Periodic procurement monitoring reports – weekly/monthly as may be agreed/ necessary
- Supplies and deliveries of all project related procurement items – goods and services.
- Final report at end of assignment
- QUALIFICATIONS AND WORK EXPERIENCE
University/College Degree in Procurement/Business Administration/ Law/ Architecture/Economics plus at least an advanced Diploma in Purchasing and Supply from a recognized accredited institution. The incumbent should have a minimum of five (5) years professional work experience in procurement.
The following will be an added advantage:
Post-Graduate Degree in any of the above fields or project management
Academic or professional qualifications in procurement management and contract management, Membership to a professional procurement association or body such as the Professional Management Institute of Purchasing and Supply
Prior experience with World Bank projects and a thorough understanding of World Bank procurement procedures
Experience in and other donor financed projects and an adequate understanding of policies and goals of development assistance.
- DURATION OF ASSIGNMENT
The services of the Procurement Specialist will be contracted for an estimated period of sixteen (16) months, Starting from 1 November 2023 – 28 February 2025.
- REPORTING
The Procurement Specialist will report to the Projects Coordinator, Ministry of Education and Training and provide briefings to the Director Planning as and when need arises.
Submission:
Interested candidates should submit their detailed and updated Curriculum Vitae (CVs) indicating names and contact details of at least two (2) referees. Applications should enclose certified copies of educational and professional certificates. Applications must be addressed to the office of Director Human Resource and submitted to the following address on or before Friday 13th October, 2023 at 4:30 p.m.:
Ministry of Education & Training,
P. O. Box 47,
Maseru 100,
Lesotho
Email: [email protected]
Submissions must be clearly titled (including on the submission envelope where applicable): “Application for Procurement Specialist Position (WB/BESP/C38)’’