Project Focal Point (5 – Vacancies)

Federal Government of Somalia

Ministry of Education, Culture and Higher Education

Somalia Empowering Women Through Education and Skills (Rajo kaaba) Project                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSION OF INTEREST (REOI)

Individual Selection of Consultant

Project Focal Point (5 – Vacancies)

Project ID No. P176898

Name of the Project: Somalia Empowering Women Through Education and Skills (Rajo kaaba) Consulting Service: Project Focal Point

Individual/Firm: Individual

Duty Station: Mogadishu, Kismayo, Baidoa, Jowhar, Dhusamareb.

Deadline: Jan 10, 2025

1.       BACKGROUND OF THE PROJECT

The Ministry of Education Culture & Higher Education is implementing the Somalia Empowering Women Through Education and Skills (Rajo kaaba) financed by the World Bank. The Project Development Objective (PDO) is to improve literacy and numeracy skills of women in selected areas and to prepare women for leadership roles. To achieve these objectives the project is comprised of the following three components: Component 1. Skills for Life and Labor Market Success. This component will support adolescent girls and women to acquire basic literacy and numeracy skills, cross-cutting socio-emotional and life skills, and skills to improve their livelihoods. Component 2: Higher Skills Development for Women’s Leadership. This component will create a consortium of women’s colleges and women’s development centers to expand women’s higher education access and leadership development opportunities; and Component 3: Technical Assistance and Project Management. This component aims at supporting systems strengthening efforts, technical assistance, and project management, including on data systems, policy, and strategy development, remote delivery of services, monitoring and evaluation, and capacity building at federal and state level. 

The Ministry of Education intends to hire a qualified Five (5) Project Focal Points based in Banadir, Jubbaland, Southwest, Hirshabelle and Galmudug. The focal points will be responsible for leading and managing the overall project activities. This includes ensuring the timely and efficient implementation of project plans and activities, assisting in developing and monitoring work plans, budgets, and timelines, and coordinating with various stakeholders.

Responsibilities: The Project Focal Points will be responsible for Establishing and maintaining strong working relationships with key stakeholders, including State Ministries of Education (MoE), local government authorities, community leaders, and other relevant organizations. Ensuring effective communication and collaboration through facilitating stakeholder meetings. Design and implement project activities in line with the project’s goals and objectives. The Project focal point will ensure that project activities are delivered on time, within scope, and within budget. Coordinate with technical teams to develop and adapt project methodologies and approaches. He/She will provide operational leadership and oversight of project activities at respective FMS level for both the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) and Scholarship. Ensure compliance with project policies, procedures, and standards. Address and resolve any operational issues that arise. S/he will undertake all the other specific tasks detailed in the Terms of Reference (TOR) that can be found at the following website https://moe.gov.so/en/jobs/or can be provided upon submission of the application

1.       Selection Criteria: The selection shall be based on the qualifications, experience and skills of the candidate and followed by an interview. The qualifications, experience and competencies include:

·         Master’s degree in project management, education, public relations or a related field.

·         Minimum of 6 years of experience in managing complex projects in a developing country context, preferably in the education or women’s empowerment sectors Strong experience in stakeholder engagement and communication.

·         Proven experience in monitoring and evaluation of development projects.

·         Proven experience in managing World Bank or other donor-funded projects.

·         Strong understanding of the social and cultural context of Somalia, particularly issues related to gender and education.

·         Excellent understanding of project budgeting and procurement procedures.

·         Fluency in English and Somali.  

NB: “Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position given the relevance of the project to the women empowerment agenda”.

2.       REPORTING

The Project Focal point will report to the Project Coordinator of the Rajo Kaaba PIU, and will closely work with the FGS Project Manager. He/she will also work under the guidance of the Director General, of the respective Ministry of Education/Education Directorate.

3.       TIMING Duration of Assignment:

The Project Focal Point shall be contracted for an initial one-year period.

The Ministry of Education now invites eligible Individual Consultants to indicate their interest in providing these services. Interested Individual Consultants must submit the following: (i) Curriculum Vitae (CV) with 3 reference persons; (ii) copies of certificates of academic qualifications; and (iii) cover letter indicating that they are qualified to perform the services.

The attention of interested Consultants is drawn to section III, para 3.14,3.16 & 3.17 of the World Bank’s Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers: Procurement in Investment Projects Financing Goods, Works, Non -Consulting and Consulting Services, July 2016, revised November 2017, August 2018 and November 2020, and September 2023, (“Procurement Regulations”), setting forth the World Bank’s policy on conflict of interest.  

A Consultant will be selected in accordance with the Individual Consultant method set out in the World Bank Procurement Regulations. 

Interested Consultants may obtain further information at the address given below from 8:30 to 3.30 pm Mogadishu time (Excluding public holidays).

The Expressions of interest (EOI), CV with 3 reference persons and certificates of academic qualifications must be delivered (in person to the address below or by clicking the following link: https://jobapplication.moe.gov.so/  and Select the FMS you’re interested in applying to from the dropdown list. The deadline for applications is 10, Jan 2025 at 12:00 Hours (Mogadishu Time) – marked clearly as “Project Focal Point- Somalia Empowering Women Through Education and Skills (Rajo kaaba)”. 

 Ministry of Education

Mogadishu-Somalia