International Procurement Advisor

About Ministry of communication and IT:

The Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT), Islamic Republic of Afghanistan has received grant from the World Bank for Digital CASA Afghanistan Project and intends to apply part of the proceeds to hire qualified International Individual Consultant to work with Digital CASA Project Implementation Unit (PIU) to carry out the relevant assigned tasks.

This Consultancy Support will be provided to PIU/MCIT at Kabul, under the Digital CASA Afghanistan Project.

The major aims of Digital CASA Afghanistan Project are: 

(i)    To strengthen the Regional and expand National level broadband connectivity based on Optical Fiber Networks

(ii)  To boost up digital society and economy through e-Governance initiatives

(iii) To prepare an enabling environment and Regulation for the growth of ICT Sector in Afghanistan.

The project will do so by: (a) strengthening of broadband connectivity in the region; (b) expansion and strengthening of national broadband connectivity in Afghanistan; (c) Commissioning of a Network called “GovNet” to connect some of the Government Offices at Central and Provincial Government levels; (d) Automation of citizen-centric services through e-Governance initiatives; (e) Automation of e-Governance mechanisms and strengthening of e-Delivery Platforms; (f) framing up of Regulations, Policies, Strategies and Policies for growth of ICT Sector.

To contribute towards achievement of some of the above mentioned objectives of Digital CASA Afghanistan Project, MCIT has decided to avail the consultancy services of an Individual Consultant to work as International Senior Connectivity Expert with Digital CASA PIU for successful implementation of the project.

Job Summary:

The International procurement Advisor will also support the Digital CASA Procurement section as well as the MCIT procurement department in implementation of various procurement processes, procurement planning and provide technical assistance.

Skills Required:

FLOW-MATIC

Requires travel to provinces:

No

Skills Description:

1. The following facilities and support will be provided to the Consultant by the client (MCIT):

A suitable working space and a computer with Internet connectivity for the Consultant will be provided inside MCIT’s Main Building in Kabul;

Facilitation of entry visa, if required;

Relevant background documents;

Facilitation and arrangement for meetings with relevant stakeholders and partners;

Provide transportation in a shared vehicle in Afghanistan.

The Consultant will be paid on monthly basis, after submission of his monthly Invoice, the Attendance Sheet of the month and a brief Progress Report, all in English and Invoice translated to any one official language (Pashtu or Dari) of Afghanistan, duly approved by the Project Director of Digital CASA of the World Bank funded Project. Payments will be made within 45 days after the approval of invoice.

The consultant shall be paid for the days worked by the consultant from his/her own office/home or from MCIT office in Kabul.

The consultant shall be required to prepare and submit invoice with supporting documents at the end of each month, the number of days shall be calculated based on the days on which the consultant worked from his/her own office/home and those days on which the consultant worked in MCIT office in accordance with the daily remuneration rates for “Work from consultant’s office/home” and “Work from MCIT Kabul office”. The daily rates for both “Work from Consultant’s office/home” and “Work form MCIT Kabul office” shall be determined and agreed during the Contract negotiation with the consultant.

The total estimated working days per each six months is between 80 to 120 days. Where the consultant might be required to work 0 to10 days in a month in MCIT Kabul Office.

The number of days which the consultant is required to work in MCIT office and/or in his office/home shall be decided through joint consultation of Project Director and the Consultant each month.

Duties & Responsibilities:

Ø Providing advice on ensuring that all the procurement activities of the project conform and are compliant with Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan laws and World Bank Procurement Regulation;

Ø Draft/review the PPSD document for Digital CASA Project in consultation with the project procurement team and Project Director and inline with World Bank Procurement Guidelines.

Ø Assist in planning and management oversight for all procurement activities of the project;

Ø Support/assist the Digital CASA PIU in preparing the Procurement Plans and execution of all procurement related activities and not limited to the following;

o Preparation of Bidding documents for the procurement of works, goods, consultancy services and none consultancy services in accordance with activities defined in the Procurement Plan of the project;

o Preparing Shortlisting and Bid/Proposal Evaluation Reports and Award Recommendations for approval by the Authorities and WB and drafting of contracts;

o Provide support to Senior Procurement Specialist in all procurement related activities of Digital CASA project.

o Provide support to the Contract Management Specialist in preparing, execution, monitoring and follow up of the project contracts.

o Preparing documents for obtaining No-Objection from the World Bank for stages of procurement activities as required by World Bank regulation;

o Providing critical procurement advice to the Procurement Unit on commercial aspects of Terms of References (TOR), Request for Proposals (RFPs), evaluation of Expression of Interest (EOI) and Technical and Financial Proposals for selection of Consultants for Technical Assistance;

o Participate/Assist in the evaluation of EOI, Technical and Financial Proposals.

o Preparing and reviewing evaluation reports to submit for approval;

Ø Draft/review/analyse all aspects of procurement documents for giving subsidy to private firms for development/enhancement of OFC network in economically unviable areas, and to prepare necessary bidding documents for such contracts.

Ø Initiating, coordinating, and preparing updated Procurement Plans (PPs) and Procurement Activity Schedules (PAS) in consultation with the Procurement Unit and Senior Management of Digital CASA according to the latest needs, developments and progress of the project;

Ø Assist the PIU in establishing a comprehensive monitoring system to track progress including a procurement reporting capability;

Ø Assist the PIU in establishing the complaints mechanism as described in the World Bank funded projects Procurement Manual;

Ø Coordinating and responding to procurement queries, disputes, and complaints;

Ø Support and assist in preparing procurement reports for Financial Monitoring Reports (FMRs) for the World Bank, Withdrawal Applications and other donors and other procurement reports required by the Procurement Team and Senior Management of Digital CASA;

Ø Provide support to the MCIT procurement department in their procurement related activities and on the job capacity development of PIU procurement staff;

Ø Other tasks that may be assigned by the Project Director of Digital CASA.

Job Location:

Afghanistan, Kabul

Qualifications:

I. The Procurement Advisor is expected to have a Bachelor/Master’s Degree or higher in Procurement, Economics, Finance, Law, Commerce, Business Administration, Public Administration, Civil, Electrical/Telecom Engineering or any other related field.

II. Additional procurement qualification shall be given preferences;

III. Prior relevant experience in World Bank funded projects is required.

IV. Prior experience in Technology, ICT and Telecom related World Bank funded projects would be an advantage.

V. The Individual Consultant should have at least 7 years of relevant experience at international level in the field of Procurement and Contract Administration

VI. Demonstrated experience with procurement of goods, works & services; preferably, in the public sector;

VII. Has the ability to complete procurement of complex contract packages within the time schedule;

VIII. Demonstrated ability to work with, motivate and train national staff in procurement and contract management.

IX. The Consultant should have a world class experience in preparation of Strategies, Policies and Procedures relatively to the scope of assignments;

X. Proficiency in English Language (reading, writing, and speaking) is required.

XI. Proven inter-personal skills and good team work spirit.

Job Keywords:

1

Submission Guideline:

The Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT) now invites eligible Consultants to indicate their interest in providing the services. Interested Consultants must provide information indicating that they are qualified to perform the services (CV, Brochures, Description of similar assignments, experience in similar conditions and availability of appropriate skills etc.).

A Consultant will be selected in accordance with the procedures set out in the World Bank’s Guidelines: Selection and Employment of Consultants by World Bank Borrowers (January, 2011 edition).

Expressions of interest (Cover Letter and a detailed Resume) must be submitted by 8 February 2019, 16.00 Kabul time to the following email addresses:

Submission Email

To:

Applicants are requested to write the name of position International Procurement Advisor in the subject line of their email, otherwise the application will not be considered.

Females are highly encouraged to apply.

The vacancy announcement is open only for International Applicants.

APPLICATIONS RECEIVED AFTER THE DEADLINE WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED.

Submission Email:

   hr@digitalcasa.gov.af,shahir.ahmadzai@digitalcasa.gov.af