Request for Expression of Interest
(Consulting Services – Individual Consultant Selection)
Selection of Procurement Specialist to support the Program Implementation Unit
at the National ID program, Office of the Prime Minister - Ethiopia Digital ID for Inclusion and Services (P179040)
Country: Ethiopia
Project: Ethiopia Digital Foundations Project
Project ID: P171034
Credit No. IDA – 68560
Salary: Negotiable and Attractive
Assignment Title: Procurement Specialist to support the Program Implementation Unit
at the National ID program, Office of the Prime Minister - Ethiopia Digital ID for Inclusion and Services (P179040)
Reference No.: ET-MINT-362728-CS-INDV
The Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, Ministry of Finance (MoF), has received financing from the World Bank toward the cost of the Ethiopia Digital Foundations Project (“Digital Foundations”). The Ethiopian National ID Program is one of the beneficiaries of the project and intends to apply part of the proceeds for selecting of individual consultants.
National ID Program as part of the project is looking for an Individual Consultant to provide professional service that supports the program. Experienced individual procurement specialists who have relevant experience in the area of procurement management (knowledge and experience in the World Bank financed projects is a must) are invited to express their interest for the assignment.
The Procurement Specialist is mainly responsible for the overall Management of Procurement activities of the project/subproject and will ensure the compliance of the project/subproject to the World Bank and government procurement regulations and guidelines throughout the project/subproject life cycle.
Specific responsibilities for the Procurement Specialist will include, but are not limited to, the following core activities:
- The candidate should have a good working knowledge of the World Bank's STEP system by taking the online training.
- Ensure and control only activities approved in the PPSD and subsequently entered and approved through STEP procurement plan are processed under the project.
- Handle procurement communications with the Bank through the STEP system at all stages of the procurement process starting from planning to completion of each activity
- Enter and upload all procurement documents and information in STEP at each stage of procurement process of each activity for both post review and prior review cases.
- Enter and upload contract completion evidences including copies of inspection, testing, delivery and acceptance documents at contract closing stages of each activity
- The specialist should be versed in and work independently to apply the procurement guidelines of the government, World Bank and other financier to undertake
- Review procurement activities and prepare project Procurement strategy document (PPSD) for activities involve procurement under the projects
- Review of all procurement documentation, including procurement plans, expressions of interest, preparation and completion of requests for proposals, proposal evaluation reports and recommendations for award of contract, and contract preparation and negotiation, contract amendments to ensure full compliance with World Bank Group guidelines and the applicable legal agreements;
- Review, monitor and report on progress of selection for the Government of Ethiopia including establishing the timetable for the selection process and ensuring deadlines are met;
- Commercial review of selection documents, including basic proposal, design, technical specifications, cost estimations, project management and implementation;
- Review of technical, legal and commercial aspects of selection (in consultation with others as necessary) at all stages of the project cycle, including planning, design, implementation and management;
- Assist in resolution of complex procurement issues, including questions and complaints from firms; and Monitor completed procurements to ensure the contracted firms meet expectations; and
- Seek ways to streamline implementation.
- Contract management: The procurement specialist should handle contract through supervision day to day monitoring of progress, review deliverables, documentation of correspondence and other contract related activities necessary during the process.
Ministry of Innovation and Technology on behalf of Ethiopian National ID Program now invites potential Procurement Specialists to indicate their interest to provide the Services. Interested Candidates should provide information demonstrating that they have the required qualifications and relevant experience to perform the services for a period of one year with possibility of extension for additional period subject to outstanding performance and availability of budget. The shortlisting criteria include the following;
- Bachelor’s Degree (Master’s or above is preferred) in Business Management, Procurement Management, Logistics and Supply Chain Management, Marketing Management, Accounting, and related fields,
- At least 5+ years’ experience as a practicing procurement in Ethiopia or abroad (a mix of domestic and international experience is preferred), particularly working in procurement management of the technology sector with an international organization, a consultancy, or a telecommunications operator;
- The candidate must have prior experience in the competitive procurement of major consultancies, including preparation of tendering documents and completion of all aspects of the tendering process. Prior experience in procurement processing according to World Bank, and/or other major international institutions is a definite plus;
- The candidate should be familiar with the requirements for project planning, implementation and procurement set out by Ethiopian law and regulations;
- The candidate must be fluent in Amharic, and proficient in both spoken and written English language and should have good communication skills;
- The candidate needs to be able to work well within integrated teams and with other work groups, particularly procurement specialists, to foster and build productive relationships with the government, and to respond to the daily needs, queries and needs for advice and assistance;
- The candidate must have the highest levels of personal integrity, and a reputation for a transparent and systematic work style; and
- The candidate must be able to work under pressure situations, in order to meet demanding deadlines.
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” July 2016 (“Procurement Regulations”), setting forth the World Bank’s policy on conflict of interest. A Consultant will be selected in accordance with the Selection of Individual Consultant (Section V) method set out in the Procurement Regulations.
Expressions of interest (CV, cover letter and documentary evidence for fulfilling the qualifications) must be delivered in a written form to the address below in person, or preferably by email on or before July 10th, 2023. Further information can be obtained, by email at the below address during office hours from 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM Addis Ababa time:
Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia,
Ministry of Innovation and Technology (MInT)
Ethiopia Digital Foundations Project
Attn: Focal Person, Project Implementation Unit (PIU)
Address: Arada Sub-city, off Churchill Road, behind Lycée Guebre-Mariam,
E-mail: digital.foundation@mint.gov.et or tessedf@gmail.com or jermiyasy@gmail.com
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia