REQUEST FOR EXPRESSION OF INTEREST

 

Republic of Tajikistan

Learning Environment – Foundation of Quality Education Project 

Consulting services

Contract No MOES/LEARN/IC/2023-09

 

CONSULTANT FOR DEVELOPING A PROJECT OPERATIONAL MANUAL 

Issuance date: 31/10/2023

Closing date/time: 16/11/2023

 

BASIC FUNCTION OF POSITION:

The Government of the Republic of Tajikistan has received grant funding in the amount of US$50.0 million from the World Bank for the implementation of the "Learning Environment – Foundation of Quality Education Project” (the Project, LEARN) during 2023-2029. The Project will be implemented by the Ministry of Education and Science (MOES), and in close coordination with the Agency for Supervision in the Sphere of Education and Science (ASSES). 

The Project Development Objective is to enhance the quality of teaching and learning environments in selected general secondary schools.

“Teaching and Learning environment” in this project refers to the complete physical, social, and pedagogical context in which learning is intended to occur. The teaching and learning environment in this project is defined as consisting of the skills and competencies of teachers and physical learning spaces where learning occurs . It is school settings (not just classrooms) and contexts in which students learn and teachers teach within the school premises.

 

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

The objective of this consultancy is to develop a POM that serves as a practical and user-friendly guide for the project’s operation, management and implementation. The consultant engaged in this task will coordinate closely with the MOES, and relevant consultants (e.g. procurement, financial management and etc). The consultant will review all documents related to Project LEARN, prepare and submit the draft version of Project Operational Manual in Russian language for MOES review and finalize the final draft after comments and recommendations for the Bank’s concurrence (“no – objection”). 

Under the supervision of the Director and Project Coordinator, the Consultant on developing Project Operational Manual will:

(a) Conduct a thorough review of all project documents for the Learning Environment – Foundation of Quality Education Project (LEARN) Project E -1560 -TJ, including Project Appraisal Document, Project Implementation Plan and relevant guidelines, legal agreement, project procurement strategy for development, procurement plan, disbursement and financial information letter, and relevant environmental and social instruments and documentation;

(b) Improve the structure for the draft Project Operational Manual document;

(c) Conduct necessary meetings with the relevant MOES departments and ASSES, hired project specialists on planning activities of Components 1,2 and 3;

(d) Improve a draft version of the POM, incorporating inputs from relevant specialists, ensuring consistency across different chapters/sections, and agree it with the project team;

(e) Conduct a roundtable presentation of the draft POM and make changes to the document based on the results of discussions;

(f) Submit the final POM draft for MOES and WB recommendations and suggestions;

(g) Finalize the final draft of the POM based on the MOES's and WB's recommendations and suggestions for obtaining a "no objection" agreement from the WB;

(h) Ensure that the POM will be clear and easy to navigate, include appropriate headings, subheadings, tables, figures and logical structure to facilitate quick reference.

 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED FOR THIS POSITION:

It is expected that the selected candidate will conform to the following qualifications and experience profile:

 

(a) Higher education in development and management studies, social sciences or related fields.Master’s degree in the mentioned fields will be an asset; 

(b) At least five years of experience in developing technical documents and project operational manuals;

(c) Proven experience in developing project operation manuals for similar projects, preferably in the context of donor – funded projects;

(d) Strong understanding of project management principles, methodologies and best practices. Familiarity with the World Bank guidelines and requirements for project implementation is an advantage;

(e) Project management experience will be an asset;

(f) Experience in conducting presentations and round tables to staff according to developed and prepared documents; 

(g) Good problem solving and creative thinking skills, ability to multi-task and quick reaction;

(h) Knowledge of legislative and regulatory documents of the Republic of Tajikistan in terms of developing documents and reports;

(i) Computer literacy: Windows XP, Excel, Word and ability quickly master new systems;

(j) Excellent analytical and writing skills, with the ability to present complex information in clear manner in English, Russian and Tajik languages. Knowledge of English will be an advantage.

 

ASSIGNMENT DURATION, LOCATION AND REPORTING:

The Consultant on developing Project Operational Manual is expected to be available for this assignment from November, 2023. This assignment is for 2 months (or 8 weeks) (Nov – Dec, 2023), starting from the contract signing date.

 

APPLICATION AND SELECTION: 

The Consultant(s) will be selected in accordance with the procedures set out in the World Bank’s Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers November 2020 (Procurement Regulations).

 

Qualified applicants are requested to send the CV and cover letter in Russian and English via e-mail: procurement.learn@maorif.tj c/c director.learn@maorif.tj 

 

Please, include the position title in the subject of the email.

 

For more information, please call: (+992 37) 2274502 from 8:00 to 17:00 

 

The deadline for submitting documents is 16 November 2023, before 15:00 (Dushanbe time).