MINISTRY OF TECHNOLOGY AND SCIENCE
Request for Expressions of Interest
Country: Zambia
Project: Skills Training for Results and Industry-Valued Employment (STRIVE) Project
Project ID: P514247
(Consulting Services - Individual Consultant Selection)
PROJECT BACKGROUND AND INFORMATION
The Government of the Republic of Zambia is preparing and implementing the Skills Training for Results and Industry-Valued Employment (STRIVE) project (P514247) with support from the World Bank. STRIVE is proposed as a US$80 million IDA Grant and will be implemented as an Investment Project Financing (IPF) operation with Performance-Based Conditions (PBCs), as Phase 3 of the Skills for Economic Transformation and Jobs (SET4Jobs) Multiphase Programmatic Approach (MPA) in Eastern and Southern Africa.
The Project Development Objective is to strengthen the skills ecosystem for increased job creation in priority value chains, with a focus on increasing access to job-relevant skills for Zambian youth. The project prioritizes mining, agribusiness, and hospitality and emphasizes employer co-design, outcomes and employability, sustainability of core financing mechanisms, and future-oriented innovations, including digital, blended learning, and AI-enabled tools.
The project will be implemented through three components:
(1) Building industry-led skills systems, including the development of a TEVET Management Information System and a strengthened Labour Market Information System, and support to sector management and coordination functions such as quality assurance, occupational standards, and instructor supply (including selected PBC-supported reforms);
(2) Preparing youth for better jobs, including performance-oriented institutional grants for TEVET institutions (including Centres of Excellence and hybrid learning for ZQF Levels 5-7), competitive grants to improve the quality of programs up to Level 4, a pilot TEVET student loan scheme, and results-based contracts for short-term skilling; and
(3) Growing employment opportunities in value chains, including support to business development services and sector-specific upskilling for firms.
IMPLEMENTATION ARRANGEMENTS
The Ministry of Technology and Science (MoTS) will be the lead implementing agency for STRIVE. Day-to-day coordination will be carried out through a dedicated Project Coordination Unit (the 'STRIVE PCU') hosted by MoTS. Implementation will require close coordination with the Technical Education, Vocational and Entrepreneurship Training Authority (TEVETA), the Ministry of Labour and Social Security (MoLSS), the Ministry of Small and Medium Enterprise Development (MSMED), the Higher Education Loans and Scholarships Board (HELSB), and other relevant stakeholders.
The project will be supported by a high-level Steering Committee, chaired by the Minister of Technology and Science, to provide strategic oversight and ensure cross-agency and private sector coordination. The Steering Committee will include, inter alia, the Ministry of Finance and National Planning, MoLSS, MSMED, TEVETA, HELSB, and private sector representatives. Technical working groups and/or component-level committees may be established to provide technical oversight and support results monitoring.
The core functions of the STRIVE PCU will include: preparation of annual work plans and budgets; monitoring and evaluation and periodic progress reporting; coordinating Steering Committee and technical working group meetings; supporting recruitment and management of technical assistance; preparing required financial reports and disbursement documentation; facilitating internal and external audits; providing procurement planning and contract management support consistent with the World Bank Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers and use of STEP; coordinating implementation support missions and preparation of mission documentation; ensuring compliance with legal covenants; ensuring implementation of environmental and social risk management measures under the World Bank Environmental and Social Framework (including stakeholder engagement and grievance redress); and implementing a communications approach for internal and external stakeholders.
The STRIVE PCU will be headed by a Project Coordinator, who will provide oversight for day-to-day management and coordination of the project and supervise PCU staff and consultants supporting fiduciary, M&E, environmental and social risk management, communications, and technical implementation functions.
The Ministry of Technology and Science (MoTS) has received financing from the World Bank toward the cost of the Skills Training for Results and Industry-Valued Employment (STRIVE) Project and intends to apply part of the proceeds for 'Individual Consulting Services'.
MoTS now invites suitably qualified and experienced individuals ("Consultants") to indicate their interest in providing the Services for the consultancy position of Project Coordinator
Interested Consultants should provide information demonstrating that they have the required qualifications and relevant experience to perform the Services.
MAIN DUTIES OR ACCOUNTABILITIES
Key Result Area
Principal Accountabilities
Project co-ordination and management
Provide overall oversight/coordination of PCU staff;
Facilitate a holistic and integrated approach to implementing the project to ensure that all planned activities are implemented according to plan and on time
Coordinate implementation across key agencies and stakeholders, including TEVETA, MoLSS, MSMED, HELSB, and private sector partners, consistent with project agreements;
Identify project needs, procure and manage specialised services (e.g. hiring of consultants) required for effective project implementation;
Closely work with Deputy Coordinator(s)/Component Coordinator(s) (as applicable), and serve as secretariat to the Steering Committee and any technical committees/working groups established for STRIVE.
Work plans, budgets and disbursements
Coordinate with Deputy Coordinator(s)/Component Coordinator(s) (as applicable) to:
Ensure preparation and consolidation of annual, quarterly and monthly work plans, reports, budgets, and procurement plans, and submit the same to the World Bank for no-objection in a timely manner;
Ensure smooth fund flow, including preparation of cash forecasts, Interim Financial Reports (IFRs), Withdrawal Applications, and supporting documentation for eligible expenditures and PBC-linked disbursements;
Ensure all required approval processes (e.g. budgets) are obtained on time.
Technical assistance and capacity building
Provide internal technical assistance to PCU staff and external support to all stakeholders as needed, including TEVET institutions and training providers, relevant regulatory bodies, and industry/sector partners, for the accomplishment of project tasks;
Coordinate with Deputy Coordinator(s)/Component Coordinator(s) (as applicable) on execution of capacity building activities in a timely manner as described in project documents.
Fiduciary and procurement
Provide strong oversight on financial management and procurement activities, and manage risks to ensure adherence to financial and procurement standards under STRIVE;
Ensure procurement is conducted in line with the World Bank Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers and relevant project documents (including the PPSD and Procurement Plan), and that procurement processes are managed through STEP as required;
Oversee contract management and support timely audit follow-up and resolution of fiduciary issues.
Social and environment safeguards
Closely work with Deputy Coordinator(s)/Component Coordinator(s) (as applicable) and designated officers to ensure that environmental and social risk management measures are fully implemented as prescribed in the project;
Support preparation, disclosure, and implementation of required instruments under the World Bank Environmental and Social Framework (ESF), including the ESMF, SEP, Labour Management Procedures, SEA/SH Action Plan, and operation of the GRM;
Ensure that civil works, where applicable, comply with good practice on occupational health and safety and waste management, and that stakeholder engagement is implemented throughout the project lifecycle.
Collect and present Performance-Based Conditions (PBCs) evidence to the World Bank
Coordinate to ensure collection, quality assurance, and timely submission of evidence for Performance-Based Conditions (PBCs), in line with agreed protocols;
Coordinate any independent verification arrangements (as applicable) and ensure that verified PBC evidence is submitted to the World Bank in a timely manner.
Supervision missions and reporting
Closely work with Deputy Coordinator(s)/Component Coordinator(s) (as applicable) to coordinate and facilitate bi-annual and intermittent supervision and implementation support missions launched by the Bank jointly with the Government;
Prepare the required reports for the above missions;
Provide information to the Bank as required;
Report on compliance with the mission's recommendations.
Synergy building
Build synergies between STRIVE, other World Bank projects, and other counterparts' projects, including cooperating partners, to maximise programme outputs and outcomes.
External Partners engagement
Build and maintain working relationships with various partners including industry/private sector, cooperating partners/development partners, civil society and non-governmental organisations.
Dissemination and visibility of project achievements
Ensure the dissemination and visibility of project achievements and support mechanisms for exchange of information, experience and lessons learned at the local and national levels.
Any other duties
Undertake any other tasks as assigned by the Ministry of Technology and Science (MoTS) and the World Bank task team.
REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS
The Project Coordinator reports to the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Technology and Science (MoTS) and provides regular updates to the STRIVE Steering Committee, as required.
Contacts: The Project Coordinator will maintain contacts with all MoTS designated officers and PCU staff. It is also expected that external contacts, especially with TEVETA, MoLSS, MSMED, HELSB, and other members of the STRIVE Steering Committee, are maintained.
OUTPUTS AND REPORTING OBLIGATIONS
The main deliverables for the assignment are:
AWPBs prepared for STRIVE
All project activities are implemented timely according to plan
Project performance regularly monitored
Implementation of STRIVE components and key activities coordinated across agencies (including information systems, institutional grants, student loans, results-based contracts, and firm capability support).
Environmental and social instruments implemented and the grievance redress mechanism operational throughout project implementation.
Periodic progress reports on project implementation prepared
Internal and external technical assistance to the PCU and all stakeholders provided
Financial and procurement standards during implementation of activities strongly adhered to
Third party verification reports
Good synergies with other World Bank projects and other counterparts' projects
Annual PCU staff appraisal reports
Serve as secretariat to the STRIVE Steering Committee and technical committees/working groups, as applicable.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Safety and health of others: Nil
Responsibility for Government resources: responsible for office equipment under job holder charge
Level of Authority and Decision Making: makes operational and Technical decisions
Consequence of Error: error on the part of the job holder will result in disruption of operations in the project; delayed implementation of project activities; and financial and material loss.
KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS REQUIREMENT
Minimum professional qualification:
Master's degree in a relevant field such as;
Project Management,
Engineering
Public Administration,
Economics,
Development Studies,
Business Administration,
Education/Skills Development or related disciplines.
Professional qualification in any of the following;
Professional qualification in Monitoring and Evaluation or equivalent.
A PhD will be an added advantage.
Minimum Relevant Experience:
At least 10 years of progressively responsible experience in programme or project management, with significant experience leading large, complex, multi stakeholder initiatives.
Demonstrated experience in planning, coordinating, and delivering multi-stakeholder projects, preferably within the public sector, development sector, or large institutions.
Proven track record in project cycle management, including planning, budgeting, implementation, monitoring, and reporting.
Experience working with multiple stakeholders, including government institutions, private sector, development partners, and/or civil society.
Strong experience in results-based management, performance tracking, and preparation of technical and progress reports.
Demonstrated experience in managing teams and coordinating multidisciplinary professionals and consultants.
Experience in financial oversight and procurement processes within projects or programmes.
Familiarity with policy implementation, institutional coordination, or sector-wide programmes especially in the TEVET sector is highly desirable.
Experience working on donor-funded projects such as European Union, World Bank, African Development Bank, etc.