Anunțuri de Angajare

Republic of Moldova

Education Quality Improvement Project

Credit No. IBRD-9536-MD  

Reference No.: MD-PIU-NORLD-378847-CS-INDV

Assignment Title: PROJECT MANAGER will be hired to assist and provide technical support to the NORLD for overall successful implementation of the civil works Project activities, as well as monitor and evaluate activities related to „Education Quality Improvement Project”.

 The National Office for Regional and Local Development (NODRL) has received financing from the World Bank Group toward the cost of the Education Quality Improvement Project. Project Manager’s main role is to oversee Project implementation, including the achievement of project objectives under NORLD responsibility. To ensure smooth Project implementation and communication among the major stakeholders, the Project Manager acts as main liaison with the representatives of the NORLD and MoER. All communication on the day-to-day implementation of the Project between the MoER, NORLD and the Bank shall be made through the Project Coordinator under MoER, rather than other members of the Project Management Team (PMT). The Project Manager is responsible for (a) management of all PMT staff; (b) compile and deliver evidence of compliance to the MoER; (c) prepare project progress reports and environment and social framework (ESF) reports; (d) coordinate implementation of the civil works project activities; (e) timely collect all needed data to update the Project Results Framework; (f) provide to the NORLD all information required by MoER on Project matters.

The detailed Terms of Reference (TOR) for the assignment can be found at the following website: https://www.ondrl.gov.md or can be obtained at the address given below.

 The NORLD now invites eligible to indicate their interest in providing the Services. Interested persons should provide information demonstrating that they have the required qualifications and relevant experience to perform the Services.

The Project Manager shall:

• Oversee Project implementation, including the achievement of project objectives;
• Manage the PMT staff under NORLD;
• Represent the NORLD in its relations with the state and public organizations and with the Bank;
• Communicate with the MoER and the Bank;
• Administrate the assets and the financial resources of the Project under NORLD according to the Bank rules;
• Provide NORLD Director with all support required to sign the Project documents, which include civil works contracts and services contracts with consultants (design services and technical supervision of civil works, other goods and services), office correspondence, documents regarding withdrawals from Financing Accounts and payments from the Designated Accounts, and other documents required by local legislation;
• Distribute the tasks and responsibilities among the Project key persons and other employees of the NORLD involved in Project implementation;
• Employ staff based on minimal requirements described for each consultant under the Project, and their dismissing, determine the job obligations and work programs for them; and
• Coordinate the Grievance Redress Mechanism (GRM) at NORLD level.

The attention of interested Consultants is drawn to Section III, paragraphs, 3.14, 3.16, and 3.17 of the World Bank Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers – Procurement in Investment Project Financing. Goods, Works, Non-Consulting and Consulting Services dated November 2020 (hereinafter referred to as “Procurement Regulations”) setting forth the World Bank’s policy on conflict of interest and with the latest Guidelines on Preventing and Combating Fraud and Corruption in Projects Financed by IBRD Loans and IDA Credits. A Project Manager will be selected in accordance with the „Open Competitive Selection of Individual Consultants” method set out in the Procurement Regulations.

 Further information can be obtained at the address below during office hours 09 00 to 16 00 hours.

The applications should include letter of Expression of Interest, CV, and related recommendation letters, if any,

together with a copy of CV in WORD format. Expressions of interest must be delivered in a written form to the address below (in person, or by mail, or by fax, or by e-mail) by October 5, 2023, 16:00 o’clock, Moldova time, indicating the assignment title in the subject line.

P.I. National Office for Regional and Local Development,

Stefan cel Mare 124, 3th floor,

mun. Chisinau, Republic of Moldova MD-2004

Tel/fax: 022 27 91 21

E-mail: office@ondrl.gov.md

Annex 1: Terms of Reference

TERMS OF REFERENCE

PROJECT MANAGER

1. BACKGROUND

„Education Quality Improvement” Project (EQIP) is a World Bank (hereinafter “the Bank”) - financed Project to be implemented between June 2023 and December 2029.

The total cost of the Project is US$ 59.8million equivalent comprising (i) a non-concessional portion in the amount of EUR36.5 million (US$40 million equivalent), (ii) a concessional portion in the amount of US$10 million under the Global Concessional Financing Facility (GCFF) on a non-reimbursable basis (Loan No. IBRD 9536-MD), (iii) grant in the amount of US$5 million from the Early Learning Partnership Multi-Donor Trust Fund (TF0C1507) and (iv) a grant in the amount of US$4.8 million from the Global Partnership for Education Fund (TF0C1484).

The project development objectives are to: (i) improve the learning environment in Participating Institutions, with an emphasis on supporting Disadvantaged Students; and (ii) strengthen the capacity of the Ministry of Education and Research for sector management and refugee response. The Project is organized around four components and its objectives will be achieved through improved teacher practices, a learning recovery program for disadvantaged students, an improved learning environment in targeted schools and preschools, and the development of the institutional capacity to design, implement and evaluate education reforms and refugee response interventions. The proposed Contingent Emergency Response Component under fourth part will support the country’s future response in the event of a natural or manmade disaster or emergency.

The EQIP components are described below:

1. Component 1 - Improve Quality of Teaching Practices. This component aims to (i) improve the quality of teaching; (ii) develop, pilot, and implement a rapid formative assessment, a Learning Recovery Program, and a supplemental tutoring for Disadvantaged Students; and (iii) develop School Subprojects through the provision of School Grants to support in-service teacher professional development opportunities.
2. Component 2 ­– Improve the Quality of Learning Environment in Participating Institutions. This component aims to improve the learning environment of Participating Institutions through (i) equipping Participating Institutions with furniture and equipment; (ii) carrying out civil works for the rehabilitation of Participating Institutions and Selected ECEC Facilities; and (iii) construction of three (3) high schools in Priority Areas.
3. Component 3 – Strengthening the Capacity for Education Sector Management and Refugee Response. This component would support (i) improvement in planning, management, and evaluation of education reforms and (ii) Project Management.
4. Component 4 – Contingent Emergency Response. This component will provide immediate response to an Eligible Crisis or Emergency, as needed, in case a natural or man-made disaster or emergency arises.

The Ministry of Education and Research (MoER) would be responsible for overall Project implementation, while the National Office for Regional and Local Development (NORLD) would implement activities related to civil works.

In this context, a Project Manager will be hired to assist and provide technical support to the NORLD for overall successful implementation of the civil works Project activities, as well as monitor and evaluate its impact.

1. OBJECTIVE OF THE CONSULTANCY

Project Manager’s main role is to oversees Project implementation, including the achievement of project objectives under NORLD responsibility. To ensure smooth Project implementation and communication among the major stakeholders, the Project Manager acts as main liaison with the representatives of the NORLD and MoER. All communication on the day-to-day implementation of the Project between the MoER, NORLD and the Bank shall be made through the Project Coordinator under MoER, rather than other members of the Project Management Team (PMT). The Project Manager is responsible for (a) management of all PMT staff; (b) compile and deliver evidence of compliance to the MoER; (c) prepare project progress reports and environment and social framework (ESF) reports; (d) coordinate implementation of the civil works project activities; (e) timely collect all needed data to update the Project Results Framework; (f) provide to the NORLD all information required by MoER on Project matters.

1. SPECIFIC TASKS

The Project Manager shall:

• Oversee Project implementation, including the achievement of project objectives;
• Manage the PMT staff under NORLD;
• Represent the NORLD in its relations with the state and public organizations and with the Bank;
• Communicate with the MoER and the Bank;
• Administrate the assets and the financial resources of the Project under NORLD according to the Bank rules;
• Provide NORLD Director with all support required to sign the Project documents, which include civil works contracts and services contracts with consultants (design services and technical supervision of civil works, other goods and services), office correspondence, documents regarding withdrawals from Financing Accounts and payments from the Designated Accounts, and other documents required by local legislation;
• Distribute the tasks and responsibilities among the Project key persons and other employees of the NORLD involved in Project implementation;
• Employ staff based on minimal requirements described for each consultant under the Project, and their dismissing, determine the job obligations and work programs for them; and
• Coordinate the Grievance Redress Mechanism (GRM) at NORLD level.

1. DURATION

This is a full-time assignment expected to begin in September 2023. The contract will be signed for a period of 12 months. Subject to Consultant’s satisfactory performance, the contract may be renewed until the Closing Date of the project on December 31, 2029.

1. CONSULTANT’S REPORTING OBLIGATIONS

The consultant to be hired in accordance with the proposed assignment should prepare monthly reports on all activities performed. The consultant will report directly to NORLD Director, EQIP Project Executive Director and EQIP Project Coordinator.

The NORLD and Project team will provide the Consultant with necessary support to complete the assignment: project documents necessary for assignment accomplishment, necessary work conditions, including office space, telephone, fax and other office equipment and supplies.

1. QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS AND BASIS FOR EVALUATION (EVALUATION CRITERIA)

The Consultant should meet the following qualifications:

• A university degree and a master’s degree in relevant area (administration, economics, etc.)
• At least five years working experience in project management and planning, preferably in the education sector;
• Fluent in Romanian and English (both oral and written);
• Demonstrated ability to work in teams, communicating with all team members and coaching more junior members of the team;
• Demonstrate strong interpersonal skills and good written and oral communication skills in Romanian;
• High standards of personal integrity and ability to treat all individuals with fairness and respect;
• Experience working with Bank-supported projects will be an added advantage.

1. Confidentially statement

All data and information received from NORLD for the purpose of this assignment is to be treated confidentially and are only to be used in connection with the execution of these Terms of Reference. All intellectual property rights arising from the execution of these Terms of Reference are assigned to NORLD. The contents of written materials obtained and used in this assignment may not be disclosed to any third parties without the expressed advance written authorization of the NORLD.