REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST

Procurement Consultant (part-time)

within

Education Quality Improvement Project (EQIP)

Republic of Moldova Education Quality Improvement Project Credit No. IBRD-9536-MD

Reference No.: MD-NORLD-442144-CS-INDV

Date: August 06, 2024

Assignment Title: Part-time (subject to 4 days or 32 hours per month) Procurement Specialist to provide technical support and assist the NORLD in the procurement process that will purchase from the companies’ services for the development of project documentation and construction works for the „Education Quality Improvement Project”.

The National Office for Regional and Local Development (NODRL) has received financing from the World Bank Group toward the cost of the Education Quality Improvement Project EQIP), and intends to apply part of the proceeds for individual consulting services.

The detailed Terms of Reference (TOR) for the assignment can be found at the following https://ondrl.gov.md/categorie/functii-vacante/ or can be obtained at the address given below.

The NORLD now invites eligible Individual Consultants (“Consultants”) to indicate their interest in providing the Services and demonstrate that they have the required qualifications and relevant experience to perform the Services.

The attention of interested Consultants is drawn to Section III, paragraphs, 3.14, 3.16, and 3.17 of the World Bank Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers – Procurement in Investment Project Financing. Goods, Works, Non-Consulting and Consulting Services dated November 2023 (hereinafter referred to as “Procurement Regulations”) setting forth the World Bank’s policy on conflict of interest and with the latest Guidelines on Preventing and Combating Fraud and Corruption in Projects Financed by IBRD Loans and IDA Credits.

A Consultant will be selected in accordance with the „Open Competitive Selection of Individual Consultants” method set out in the Procurement Regulations. Further information can be obtained at the address below during office hours 09:00 to 16:00.

The applications should include letter of Expression of Interest, CV, and related recommendation letters, if any, delivered in a written form (Word or PDF) to the address below (in person, or by e-mail, or by mail,), indicating the assignment title in the subject line: Procurement Consultant NORLD (part-time), by August 21, 2024, 16:00 o’clock, Moldova time, to the address below:

National Office for Regional and Local Development

124 Stefan cel Mare bd, 3^th floor, 343 office

Chisinau, Republic of Moldova MD-2004

Tel: +37360217776  Tel/fax: 022 27 91 21

E-mail: eqip@ondrl.gov.md copy to elenaiftode32@gmail.com

 

Annex 1: TERMS OF REFERENCE Procurement Consultant (part-time)

NATIONAL OFFICE FOR REGIONAL AND LOCAL DEVELOPMENT

Education Quality Improvement Project (EQIP)

A. BACKGROUND

„Education Quality Improvement” Project (EQIP) is a World Bank (hereinafter “the Bank”) financed Project to be implemented between June 2023 and December 2029.

The total cost of the Project is US$ 59.8 million equivalent comprising (i) a non-concessional portion in the amount of EUR36.5 million (US$40 million equivalent) and (ii) a concessional portion in the amount of US$10 million under the Global Concessional Financing Facility (GCFF) on a non-reimbursable basis (Loan No. IBRD 9536-MD), (iii) a grant in the amount of US$5 million from the Early Learning Partnership Multi-Donor Trust Fund (TF0C1507) and (iv) a grant in the amount of US$4.8 million from the Global Partnership for Education Fund (TF0C1484).

The project development objectives are to: (i) improve the learning environment in Participating Institutions, with an emphasis on supporting Disadvantaged Students; and (ii) strengthen the capacity of the Ministry of Education and Research for sector management and refugee response. The Project is organized around four components described below:

1. Component 1 - Improve Quality of Teaching Practices. This component aims to (i) improve the quality of teaching; (ii) develop, pilot, and implement a rapid formative assessment, a Learning Recovery Program, and a supplemental tutoring for Disadvantaged Students; and (iii) develop School Subprojects through the provision of School Grants to support in-service teacher professional development opportunities.
2. Component 2 ­– Improve the Quality of Learning Environment in Participating Institutions. This component aims to improve the learning environment of Participating Institutions through (i) equipping the Participating Institutions; (ii) carrying out civil works for the rehabilitation of Participating Institutions and Selected ECEC Facilities; and (iii) construction of three (3) high schools in Priority Areas.
3. Component 3 – Strengthening the Capacity for Education Sector Management and Refugee Response. This component would support (i) improvement in planning, management, and evaluation of education reforms and (ii) Project Management.
4. Component 4 – Contingent Emergency Response. This component will provide immediate response to an Eligible Crisis or Emergency, as needed, in case a natural or man-made disaster or emergency arises.

The Ministry of Education and Research (MoER) would be responsible for overall Project implementation, while the National Office for Regional and Local Development (NORLD) would implement activities related to civil works under Component 2: Improve the Quality of Learning Environment in Participating Institutions.

B. OBJECTIVE OF THE CONSULTANCY

The main objective of the consultancy is to provide technical support and assist the NORLD Project Management Team (PMT) in the activities related to the preparation of documentation for the procurement of services of design and civil works of construction companies in accordance with the World Bank rules and to ensure systematic procurement arrangements in World Bank Systematic Tracking of Exchanges in Procurement (STEP) during the project implementation and based on Project Procurement Strategy for Development (PPSD), Project Procurement Plan and the Project Implementation Plan (PIP).

C. SPECIFIC TASKS

The individual consultant to be hired based on these Terms of Reference shall:

1. In cooperation with the Project Management Team (PMT) and implementing departments submit on a regular basis the documentations for the procurement of services of design and civil works of construction companies to the Bank for review and approval through the Systematic Tracking of Exchanges in Procurement (STEP);
2. Advise Project Manager (PM) and NORLD Director and relevant staff on the procurement related matters and assist the PM with communicating to the Project Coordinator on the issues related to procurement;
3. In cooperation with NORLD carry out the related procurement activities in accordance with the World Bank “Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers: Procurement in IPF of Goods, Works, Non-Consulting and Consulting Services”, dated November 2020 (the Procurement Regulations), as well as with the latest Guidelines on Preventing and Combating Fraud and Corruption in Projects Financed by IBRD Loans and IDA Credits;
4. Liaise with beneficiary departments and institutions to finalize technical specifications for goods and services to be procured for them and assure that technical specifications are vendor neutral.
5. DURATION

This is a part-time assignment (subject to 4 days or 32 hours per month) which is to begin after effectiveness of the project, expected in September 2024. The contract will be signed for a period of 12 months. Subject to Consultant’s satisfactory performance, the contract may be renewed until the Closing Date of the project on December 31, 2029.

D. CONSULTANT’S REPORTING OBLIGATIONS

The consultant to be hired in accordance with the proposed assignment should prepare monthly reports on all activities performed. The consultant will report directly to NORLD Project Manager. The NORLD and Project team will provide the Consultant with necessary support to complete the assignment: project documents necessary for assignment accomplishment, necessary work conditions, including office space, telephone and other office equipment and supplies.

E. QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS AND BASIS FOR EVALUATION (EVALUATION CRITERIA)

The Consultant should meet the following mandatory qualifications:

• Higher education degree in economics, law, public administration, or related field;
• Proven expertise and knowledge of the Bank or similar international organizations/agencies procurement rules and procedures;
• At least 3 years of working experience in the field of procurement in projects financed by the Bank or other international organizations or agencies;
• Knowledge of STEP is mandatory;
• Practical experience of procurement in public institutions and organizations or enterprises will be considered an advantage;
• Excellent knowledge of Romanian (both written and oral);
• At least intermediate level of English language proficiency;
• Excellent knowledge of common PC office tools.

F. CONFIDENTIALLY STATEMENT

All data and information received from NORLD for the purpose of this assignment is to be treated confidentially and are only to be used in connection with the execution of these Terms of Reference. All intellectual property rights arising from the execution of these Terms of Reference are assigned to NORLD. The contents of written materials obtained and used in this assignment may not be disclosed to any third parties without the expressed advance written authorization of the NORLD.