Project Manager

GOVERNMENT OF SAINT LUCIA/ HUMAN CAPITAL RESILIENCE PROJECT

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST: PROJECT MANAGER

The World Bank’s Board has approved US$20 million credit from the International Development Association (IDA) of the World Bank Group to finance the Saint Lucia Human Capital Resilience Project (SLHCRP).The Project seeks to strengthen the resilience of Saint Lucia’s population by using a two-pronged approach to strengthen human capital.

The Project includes a component on Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), which focuses on the promotion of higher quality technical and socio-emotional skills and the transformation of the TVET sector from a supply-driven system to a demand-driven system that responds to a dynamic labour market.

The Social Protection (SP) component concentrates on strengthening SP Policy Frameworks and improving the implementation of flagship social programs with an emphasis on increasing the efficiency and coverage of the Public Assistance Program (PAP), Saint Lucia’s main cash transfer program.

The Project will be implemented through a Project Implementation Unit (PIU) that will carry out the activities in pursuit of accomplishing the objectives. The PIU will be headed by a Project Manager (PM) who reports to the Permanent Secretary (PS), Department of Education, Innovation and Gender Relations.

The Department of Education, Innovation and Gender Relations, the Project Executing Agency, now invites interested eligible individuals to submit Expressions of Interest for the position of Project Manager.

The Project Manager shall be responsible for the overall implementation and day-to-day management of the Project.

The duration of the assignment is expected to be for a period of sixty (60) months. Contracts will however be offered for one (1) year, and will be subject to renewal based on job performance.

Expressions of Interest will be evaluated based on the following: expertise, qualifications and experience in undertaking similar assignments. The Expressions of Interest should include the Consultant’s updated curriculum vitae including: (i) personal and technical skills, (ii) experience in working with similar projects in developing countries, and (iii) the names of at least three (3) references with contact information (e-mail address, telephone or fax numbers).

In the evaluation of submissions, consideration will be given to technical competence, qualifications and experience – as delineated in the attached Terms of Reference for this position,- local and regional experience on similar assignments, and existing commitments.

Following the assessment of submissions, the most technically capable and appropriately experienced applicants will be invited to an interview. The Department of Education, Innovation and Gender Relations reserves the right to accept or reject late applications or to cancel the present invitation partially or in its entirety. The Department will not be bound to assign any reason for not shortlisting any applicant, and will not defray any costs incurred by any applicant in the preparation and submission of Expressions of Interest.

Applications must be submitted in English to the address below and reach the Office of the Permanent Secretary, Department of Education, Innovation and Gender Relations no later than 4:30 pm local time on Friday, July 03, 2020.

Permanent Secretary

Policy & Administration Unit

Department of Education, Innovation & Gender Relations

4^th Floor, Francis Compton Building

Waterfront, Castries

SAINT LUCIA

Please note that the sealed envelope containing each submission should include the name and address of the applicant, and shall be clearly marked “Human Capital Resilience Project- Title of Position”.

Further information including details of the project may be obtained by contacting 468 5285/5259 between 9:00 am and 4:00 pm local time, Monday to Friday, or by emailing cpusecretary@education.gov.lc

Saint Lucia Human Capital Resilience Project –P170445

PROJECT MANAGEMENT DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES, SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS

Terms of Reference for Project Manager

Background

The World Bank’s Board has approved US$20 million credit from the International Development Association (IDA) of the World Bank Group to finance the Saint Lucia Human Capital Resilience Project (SLHCRP). The Project aims to strengthen the resilience of Saint Lucia’s population by using a two-pronged approach to strengthen human capital. The components of the Project are as follows:

1. Strengthening of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (“TVET”) through enhanced enabling environments and course offerings for TVET, which will focus on the promotion of more and higher quality technical and socio-emotional skills and the transformation of the TVET sector from a supply-driven system to a demand-driven system that responds to a dynamic labour market.

2. Strengthening the Social Protection (SP) System through the enhancement of SP Policy Frameworks and improving the implementation of flagship social programs with an emphasis on increasing the efficiency and coverage of the main cash transfer program – the Public Assistance Program (PAP).

1. Provision of technical assistance, capacity building, TVET equipment and furniture, and Project Management support.

The Ministry of Education, Innovation, Gender Relations and Sustainable Development (MoE) and the Ministry of Equity, Social Justice, Local Government and Empowerment (MoEQ) will work closely with the Project Implementation Unit (PIU) for the implementation of Project activities. The services of a Project Manager are hereby being sought.

Objective:

The Project Manager is expected to provide effective leadership to the implementation team and oversee the overall operation and day-to-day management of the SLHCRP. The Project Manager will therefore assume overall responsibility for managing the Project and will work closely with implementing agencies to ensure project implementation, compliance and accountability. 

Terms of Assignment

The Project Manager will be appointed by and will report to the Permanent Secretary, Department of Education, Innovation and Gender Relations. The Project Manager will work closely with the Permanent Secretary, MoEQ. He/she will also be expected to operate with autonomy and initiative in overseeing the implementation of the Project and be the key counterpart in communication between the World Bank and the Government of Saint Lucia on day-to-day project matters. This post shall be a scheduled traveling officer’s post. It must be noted that this post does not include relocation allowance.

Duties and Responsibilities:

The duties/responsibilities of the Project Manager include, but are not limited to:

Project Leadership

• Supervise the PIU, with oversight of its day-to-day operations;
• Coordinate all components and activities of the Project including the planning, implementation, monitoring, evaluation and reporting, as stipulated by the Project’s Financing Agreement, Project Appraisal Document (PAD), and Project Operational Manual (POM);
• Provide technical and intellectual leadership for the TVET component of the Project in working with the MoE senior leadership, TVET Unit, and Saint Lucia Council for TVET;
• Provide guidance and support to the Technical Coordinator for the effective execution of Component 2 of the Project;
• Organize training for project personnel at various levels, as needed;

Reporting and Stakeholder Management

• Serve as a liaison and interface with the World Bank, Implementing Agencies, other ministries and stakeholders;
• Organize, prepare for, and attend the Project’s Inter-Ministerial Steering Committee meetings to be held on (at least) a quarterly basis;
• Ensure that end-of-activity reports are submitted and commented on in a timely manner;
• Prepare monthly and quarterly reports on the status of project execution for the Bank and Government of Saint Lucia by the dates stipulated (in the Loan Agreement) in each year;
• Liaise with the World Bank on all technical and administrative aspects of the Project;

Implementation of Component 1

• Coordinate the implementation of Component 1 which speaks to Technical and Vocational Education and Training;

Contract Supervision

• Oversee all contracts for services and goods under the Project in collaboration with the Procurement Officer, Finance Officer and other staff as appropriate;
• Seek the necessary Bank clearance on all Project activities that require such clearance (prior No Objection as the case may be) and ensure that such clearance is received before authorizing execution of the related activities;
• In collaboration with Ministries receiving technical assistance under the Project, co-ordinate the preparation of Terms of Reference and identify potential consultants (experts) to carry out such assistance;
• Organize the consultant selection criteria and scoring guidelines in collaboration with Implementing Agencies for each Evaluation Committee for selecting the most appropriate candidate(s) for the consultancy services under consideration;
• Represent the Government of Saint Lucia in negotiations with the consultants;
• Ensure compliance with Project Management procedures- as delineated in the Terms of Reference for the respective Loan Agreement and other relevant documents- in respect of all implementation activities that are to be financed under such Agreement; and
• Submit the Audited Annual Financial Reports prepared by the Government’s Audit Department accompanied by a Management Report to the World Bank and the Ministry of Finance.

Skills and Qualifications (Minimum Requirements):

Master’s or Higher Degree in Education, Project Management, Social Development or a relevant field from an accredited institution;

OR

Bachelor’s Degree in Project Management, Education, Social Development or a relevant field from an accredited institution along with a minimum of five (5) years’ experience;

Certification in Project Management would be an asset;

Excellent time management skills and communication skills;

Highly organized and capable of working independently;

Proven ability to effectively implement change management initiatives and influence others in the decision-making process with demonstrated leadership skills;

Knowledge and experience in the Education sector, and experience in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) strongly preferred;

Knowledge and experience with the social sector and/or Social Protection would be an asset;

Strong interpersonal and writing skills; and

Demonstrated resourcefulness and initiative.

Selection Criteria:

1. Strong background knowledge in the procedures and operations of the World Bank;
2. Knowledge of Government’s project implementation process in Saint Lucia;
3. Experience in the implementation or coordination of World Bank projects in the Eastern Caribbean;
4. Training and experience in Project Management;
5. Experience in the management of public sector procurement activities;
6. Ability to analyze issues relevant to Education and Social Protection;
7. Suitable academic qualifications; and
8. Should be eligible to work in Saint Lucia.

Duration

The Project Manager’s contract will be for a period of one year initially, and will be subject to renewal based on measurable performance in satisfying the objective of this position.