Multiple Positions – The Digital Zambia Acceleration Project (DZAP)

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST

(Curriculum Vitaes – Cvs)

(CONSULTING SERVICES – INDIVIDUAL CONSULTANT SELECTION)

COUNTRY: Zambia

NAME OF PROJECT: The Digital Zambia Acceleration Project (DZAP)

Loan No./Credit No./ Grant No.: P505094

Name of Implementing Agency: Smart Zambia Institute (SZI)

Assignment Title: Selection of Project Implementing Unit (PIU)

The Government of the Republic of Zambia (GRZ) has applied for financing from the International Development Association of the World Bank to accelerate country-wide digital transformation. The “Digital Zambia Acceleration Project” (henceforth referred to as the ‘the project’) will drive digital transformation throughout the country by enhancing access to technology and improving service delivery. The project will address key barriers that hinder demand for digital services, such as inadequate digital infrastructure, low digital literacy rates, access to digital devices and affordability issues.

The project in addition, will enable Zambia to leverage critical enabling digital platforms and data-driven solutions to improve the efficiency of public service delivery and expand the adoption of digitally enabled services.

The Project will be coordinated through the Electronic Government Division (EGD) – Smart Zambia Institute (SZI). A dedicated Project Implementation Unit (PIU) is thus being set up and operationalized at SZI that will have overall responsibility for supporting project preparation and implementation. The PIU will comprise six (6) staff, the Project Coordinator, Finance Specialist, Communication Specialist, Procurement Specialist, Environmental Specialist and Social Specialist.

1.0 PROJECT COORDINATOR (1)

Scope of Work for the Assignment

• Manage the PIU and provide effective steer in the development and implementation of the project.
• Maintain a strategic overview of all aspects of project design and implementation (fiduciary, M&E, technical, etc.) ensuring coherence and quality assurance, as well as timely delivery of key documents and outputs by the PIU, with input from other PIU members.
• Lead the needs identification, planning and budgeting process for the funded activities to be implemented, and ensure that all activities are planned, budgeted for, and executed in line with project agreements in a timely manner, meeting key project milestones established.
• Coordinate and manage the hired team of PIU experts and specialists, by ensuring appropriate performance management systems in line with GRZ policies, procedures and guidelines in place.
• Ensure the PIU team’s effective delivery of the project against the Financing Agreements, including the formulation and periodic review and update of the Project Implementation Plan, as needed, furnishing requisite reporting to the WB.
• Ensure adherence to World Bank guidelines and procedures and effective disbursement of project funds.
• Establish and maintain effective, inclusive, and collaborative coordination and working relationships with development partners and other key project stakeholders, serving as the main interlocutor on issues related to the overall project design and implementation.
• Promote activities enhancing awareness of the project and contribute to knowledge- sharing, representing the project in relevant internal and external for an as and when needed.
• Design an overarching risk mitigation plan for the project and regularly review the performance to ensure that risks are adequately identified, and that mitigation is effectively and promptly applied, including but not limited to those related to fiduciary, stakeholder engagement, environmental and social aspects of the project.
• Support the implementation of recommendations from the development partners and stakeholders’ assessments of the Project.
• Prepare overarching and annual project budget according to the planned activities as well as the cash flow plans.
• Establish a sound financial and internal control system and procedures for the projects and ensure that they are adhered to, in line with the GRZ Regulations and Donor Procedures.
• Prepare withdrawal applications on a regular basis and liaise with the World Bank disbursement team on any outstanding or emerging disbursement issues,
• Ensure that payments are made and recorded in a timely manner and in accordance with the approved budget/planned activities, and complies with Financial Management Manuals,the Financing Agreements,and other established accounting procedures and operational guidelines.
• Ensure that all payment vouchers are adequately supported with appropriate source documentation, duly authorized for payment, and properly filed to facilitate easy retrieval and referencing.
• Ensure that all expenditures made by the project through the Designated Account are documented regularly and reconciled with records in the client connection.
• Maintain the WB financed project books of account.
• Prepare periodical financial statements (monthly, quarterly and annual), as well as any other financial status reports required by stakeholders, in accordance with the GRZ public Financial Management policies and regulation, the project financial management procedures, and the WB funded project financial regulations.
• Maintain accurate assets register for all equipment, vehicles, and furniture purchased under the project.
• Support FM-related missions conducted by the WB fiduciary colleagues.
• Ensure timely submission of the audit report and related tasks on reporting Perform any other tasks assigned by the project coordinator.Academic

Qualifications

• A bachelor’s degree in finance, Accounting, Business Administration, or Management with specialization in Finance and Accounting.
• ACCA, CPA, CIMA or equivalent.
• A master’s degree in finance, Accounting or Business Administration will be an added advantage.Experience
• Minimum ten (10) years post qualification experience working in the field of accounting.
• Specific experience working on a World Bank financed project will be an advantage.Technical competencies
• Track record of supporting the financial management (FM) of projects of a similar scale and technical nature familiarity with donor-funded preferred and WB procurement processes and guidelines considered an asset.
• Demonstrated expertise in the management of finance in the public and/or private sector – financial management of ICT-related projects considered a distinct advantage.
• Extensive knowledge of different public financial management systems covering all dimensions of public expenditure management, audit, ICT use in the public sector.
• Demonstrated knowledge of concepts, principles, and practices with the financial management system of the GRZ.
• Proficiency in use of government accounting packages and use of the Government’s Integrated Financial Management System (IFMIS).
• Familiarity with financial internal control systems.
• Strong financial analytical and evaluative skills.
• Proven capacity to provide technical advice to senior government officials, development partners, and stakeholders in relation to FM matters.

2.0 PROCUREMENT SPECIALIST (1)

Scope of Work for the Assignment

• Facilitate a detailed procurement capacity assessment to be carried out by the development partner, and support PIU coordinator and WB in the identification of related fiduciary risks.
• Prepare the Project Procurement Strategy for Development (PPSD) that describes how procurement will support the development objectives of the project and deliver value for money, given local market context.
• Prepare and support the implementation of procurement plans, spelling out the equipment, services needed to kick-start implementation of the project.
• Coordinate the preparation of Terms of Reference (TORS) and technical specifications for services/goods/works, in close collaboration with technical specialists and concerned stakeholders.
• Prepare other procurement and bidding documents, including Request for Proposals (RFP), Expressions of Interest (EOI), in close collaboration with technical specialists and concerned stakeholders.
• Publish invitations to bidders and prepare general notices, specific notices, and request for expressions of interest to be advertised.
• Plan procurement, record procurement transactions, and track key stages of the procurement process, using the WB Systematic Tracking of Exchanges in Procurement (STEP) System.
• Ensure timely bid-openings, the evaluation process of the technical and financial proposals, and preparation of evaluation reports.
• Assist in the drafting of contracts between the PIU and the successful bidders after obtaining the no-objection (if required) and follow up the signature process.
• In collaboration with the Contract Managers, ensure that goods/services/works are provided as stipulated in the contract provisions.
• Ensure timely reception of the goods/services/works of the various contracts financed by the project.
• Prepare periodical procurement reports.
• Manage any procurement-related information requests and complaints.
• Ensure that cross-cutting project priorities and policy commitment are reflected in procurement-related documents – e.g. stakeholder consultation, climate-smart, energy efficiency, and accessibility requirement.
• Perform any other tasks assigned by the project coordinator.

Academic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Procurement or Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply (CIPS) Certification.
• A master’s degree in Procurement will be an added advantage.

Experience

• Minimum five (5) years post qualification experience working in procurement.

Technical competencies

• Track record of managing procurement-related planning and selection processes for government and donor-funded projects of a similar scale and technical nature – familiarity with WB procurement processes and guidelines considered an asset.
• Technical knowledge of ICT-related procurement is considered a distinct advantage.
• Demonstrated detailed knowledge of Zambian public sector contracting laws, regulations, and procedures.
• Demonstrated experience in managing the preparation, evaluation, negotiation, and delivery of large technical contracts.
• Demonstrated experience in conducting procurement market assessments.
• Demonstrated experience in identifying and mitigating fiduciary risks related to procurement as well as managing procurement-related complaints.
• Demonstrated knowledge of business and purchasing practices, supply and price trends.
• Proven ability to work with individuals and teams in completing tasks that are urgent, high priority, and sensitive.
• Proven ability to think analytically and strategically.
• Proven ability to liaise and consult with multiple internal and external stakeholders in managing procurement-related processes.

3.0 COMMUNICATION SPECIALIST (1)

Scope of Work for the Assignment

• Writing content for the DZAP communication platforms, including the public website, as and when required.Writing impact and photo stories to highlight the good practices generated under the DZAP project.Writing case studies, project briefs and other materials, as and when required.
• Coordinate with Smart Zambia Institute to identify strategic opportunities to increase the visibility of the project.
• Editing reports and other project documentation.
• Editing media related pieces of content such as articles and press releases.
• Provide support to the SZI on media engagement. This includes creation of a network with relevant national and international journalists and media to increase project visibility.
• Organize the design, layout of publications
• Designing infographic content for both online and print materials
• Designing layout booklets, leaflets, pagers and posters
• Photo and video making and editing
• Perform any other tasks as requested by the Project

Academic Qualifications and Competencies

• Bachelor’s Degree or higher in public relations, Communications, marketing or related field.
• Excellent communication (oral and written) and presentation skills
• Planning abilities with the ability to prioritise multiple tasks and relationships.
• Fluency in English is essential and skill in relevant local language(s) (e.g., Bemba, Lozi, Kaonde, Lunda) will be an added advantage.
• Familiarity with local media, and established network of concepts with local journalists.
• Ability to communicate and express, clearly and concisely, ideas and concepts in written and oral form.
• Competent in the use of computer and internet software, use of desktop publishing software.

Experience

• At least 3 years of relevant work experience in the field of communication, marketing and/or communications sectors.
• Prior experience of developing communication strategy for a government project will be highly preferred.

4.0 SOCIAL SPECIALIST (1)

Scope of Work for the Assignment

• Ensure effective integration of social considerations into all aspects of the project which include identification, consultation, planning and implementation of activities.
• Supervise implementation of social requirements in the Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESMF), Environment and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA), Resettlement Policy Framework (RPF) and the Resettlement Action Plans (RAPS) prepared for this project component.
• Programming for gender inclusion and mitigation against risk of Gender Based Violence (GBV) and Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (SEA).
• Provide capacity in ensuring systems are in place for gender inclusion, prevention or GBV risks, and ensuring appropriate indicators are developed and monitored during project implementation.
• Lead in conducting consultations by ensuring inclusive engagement of key project stakeholders, including vulnerable persons.
• Review project documents for compliance on gender inclusion and GBV prevention. These include Environmental and Social Management Plans (ESMPs), Resettlement Action Plans (RAPS), Stakeholder Engagement Plans (SEPs), Labour Management Procedures (LMPs) and Environmental and Social Commitment Plans (ESCPs)
• Participate in field missions and provide regular reporting on implementation of social and gender considerations.
• Provide guidance to communities on sub-projects identification and ensure that the selection of sub-projects is done in accordance with the guidelines and procedures specified in the Project Implementation Manual (PIM) and align community priorities.
• Monitor implementation of an effective Grievance Redress Mechanism (GRM) and support formation and training of grievance redress committees (GRC) at the project site level.
• Ensure that social related modules are incorporated in the training and capacity building programs at all the levels targeted at direct project implementers and local level.
• Lead in the development of all social related reports for the project and ensure that progress across social indicators (as per the project results framework) are reported on a quarterly basis.
• Perform any other activities directly related to the project objectives that will be assigned by the Project-Coordinator.

Academic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in development related field (anthropology, geography, sociology, political economy, social development).

Experience

• Minimum five (5) years of experience with work related to social development, involuntary resettlement, stakeholder engagement, community driven development and broader social inclusion issues (disability inclusion gender, GBV etc.)
• Experience in successfully applying World Bank safeguard policies and standards in both high and low risk projects is an added advantage.
• Experience with analysing social risks and impacts on different population groups; coordination of transparent consultative processes; and integration of relevant planning instruments such as Resettlement Action Plans in overall project planning and implementation.
• Experience with Grievance Redress Mechanisms (GRM’s).Technical competencies
• Strategic skills, innovative and programmatic in social problem identification and livelihood improvement project’s implementation that actively shapes, drives, and provides high level contributions for effective management of the project.
• Strong and confident communication skills, particularly in high level discussions as well as strong relationship building and management skills.

5.0 ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST (1)

Scope of Work for the Assignment

• Provide technical guidance on environmental issues to the PIU, Government and third-party contractors’ staff to ensure that project activities are aligned with the national environmental policy, regulatory frameworks, Environmental WB policies as well as the Environmental and Social Commitment Plan (ESCP).
• Ensure effective mainstreaming of environmental issues into the implementation of project activities e.g. ensure that that inclusion and access infuses project design and implementation, considering dimensions such as geography.
• Conduct subproject environmental screening at the earliest opportunity in accordance with the requirements of the Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESMF).
• Support PIU and WB teams in identifying and mitigating environmental risks related to the project.
• Track commitment made in relation to environmental and social safeguards, in a consolidated Environmental and Social Commitment Plan (ESCP).
• 。 Land Acquisition, Restrictions on Land Use and Involuntary Resettlement.
• 。 Biodiversity Conservation and Sustainable Management of Living, Natural Resources.
•  Familiarity with the WB Environmental and Social Framework (ESF) considered a distinct advantage.
• Carry out other tasks as deemed necessary for project implementation.

Consultants will be selected through the ‘Individual Consultants Selection’ method using Open National Market Approach” in accordance with provisions in the World Bank’s “Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers” July 2016, Revised September 2023 (“Procurement Regulations”).

The attention of interested Consultants is drawn to World Bank’s “Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers” July 2016 revised September 2023 “Procurement Regulations”, setting forth the World Bank’s policy on conflict of interest.

Further information can be obtained at the address below during office hours from 08:00 hours to 13:00 hours and 14:00 hours to 17:00 hours Central African Time (CAT) or by email.

Expressions of Interest must be delivered in written form and deposited in the tender box at the address below (in person) or electronically submitted via the following link: dzap_procurements@grz.gov.zm by Wednesday 19th March, 2025 at 10:00 hours CAT to the address indicated below:

The National Coordinator

Office of the President, E-Government Division,

SMART Zambia Institute,

Corner of Nationalist Road and Independence Avenue

P.O. Box 31998,

Lusaka, ZAMBIA.

City: Lusaka

ZIP Code: 10101

Country: Zambia

Telephone: +260-211-254478, 253438,253652, 254599, 254657