Project Management Specialist (PMS)

Background:

The Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT), Islamic Republic of Afghanistan has received financing from the World Bank towards the cost of the ICT Sector Development Project amounting to estimated cost of 50 Million USD and intends to apply part of the proceeds to hire a qualified Consultant to work as Project Management Specialist (PMS) of the Afghanistan ICT Sector Development Project(ICTDP), being implemented by MCIT, Kabul, Afghanistan. The Consultant will be the Project Director of the World Bank funded Project of MCIT responsible for implementation of Afghanistan ICT Sector Development Project, funded by the World Bank.

The aim of the Afghanistan ICT Sector Development Project is to expand broadband connectivity, mainstream use of mobile applications across the Government and develop the capacity of the IT sector to facilitate improved service delivery across Afghanistan while accelerating job creation and economic growth.  The project will do so by: (a) Creating the enabling environment and making strategic investments for the development of Afghanistan’s backbone and broadband infrastructure; (b) Supporting the mainstreaming of mobile applications across Government by supporting innovations and creation of cross cutting enablers; and (c) Developing local IT infrastructure and capacity in the public and private sectors.

Objectives of the Consultancy Assignment:

The main objectives of this assignment are to provide project management and coordination support to the MCIT staff  and others involved in the management of the project, and in planning, procurement, disbursement, accounting and financial management, and other project matters;

The aim is to meet the objectives of the on-going project, implement the various components in a timely and efficient manner, and to help build project management capacity of the MCIT.

Scope of Work (For further details, refer to Terms of Reference (TOR), as given below this REOI):

The consultant will be the Project Director of Afghanistan ICT Sector Development Project and he will generally provide all necessary management and technical support to MCIT as may be required by the PICU, for all components. More specifically the consultant will assist the PICU in the implementation and monitoring of the project as below:

• Efficient overall implementation of the project and ensuring smooth implementation of each activity;

• Ensuring effective communication and consultations with all stakeholders; and facilitating the preparation and public release of project information;

• Undertaking the monitoring and evaluation of performance indicators and outcomes against the targets, as agreed with the Bank;

• Ensuring that all legal covenants of the project are met;

• Proposing necessary steps or measures to overcome any critical delays in project implementation;

• Handling planning, technical aspects, procurement and financial management, disbursement, and auditing issues arising from implementation of the various project activities;

• Monitoring and facilitating full compliance of all components with the implementation, legal, procurement, financial and technical requirements of the project;

• Ensuring quality and transparency in procurement and financial management, and facilitating smooth and speedy implementation of the program.  In addition, coordinate with the government counterparts to ensure overall integration of plans and reports into the Government’s program;

• Assisting the PICU in ensuring that procurement arrangements are consistent with project implementation and development objectives and, as needed, discuss options and possible solutions with the PICU;

• Ensure that all procurement is conducted transparently and on time (details are given in the TOR);

• Supporting PICU in financial management, preparing project’s budget and allocating funds to subcomponents;

• Supervising the preparation of project accounts;

• Arranging the quarterly review and annual audit of accounts;

• Training Head of PMO, PMO(Project Management Office) and PICU staff in project management, procurement and financial management;

• Preparing requisite periodic reports for the government and donors as required;

• Transferring knowledge to Head of PMO, PMO’s Staff and to MCIT’s nominated staff, so that they develop a cadre of trained staff, having the necessary experience, and appropriate skills, to enable them to be capable of managing its program. This transfer of knowledge and skills will be both through working closely with PICU staff as day to day tasks are carried out, formal training (e.g. small classes, workshops, etc.) and regularly review of duties of PICU staff and their implementation;

• Other tasks as defined by the MCIT from time to time.

Qualification Requirements of the Consultant:

Successful applicant will have a strong background in project management.  It is important that the applicant has good knowledge of government and business operations in Afghanistan, the Government’s ICT sector, administrative, procurement and accounting policies and procedures, and knowledge of and experience with World Bank financed project management, including procurement and financial management.    The consultant should have:

• An Engineering Degree in Electronics & Communications/Telecom/IT from any well recognised University;

• A Graduate or Masters degree in Management Sciences/Project Management/Finance/ Business Administration/ Accounting;

• Have at least 10 years of experience in managing ICT projects preferably in developing countries;

  • Have at least 3 years of direct experience as a Project Manager for any Telecom or ICT sector Project financed by the World Bank or any other major Donor in Afghanistan;

• Good understanding and previous work experience in all aspects of project management;

• Fluency in English (reading, writing, speaking). Some knowledge of Dari or Pashto would also be an advantage;
• Proven inter-personal skills;
• High integrity and accountability, leadership and good team work spirit. 

To ensure impartiality, the consultant (including his home office, if any) must not, in any way, be affiliated with business entities that are currently providing or are seeking to provide goods or services to the project.

Request for Expressions of Interest (REOI) by MCIT:

The Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT) now invites eligible Individual 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).

For further details, Interested Consultants are requested to refer to the Terms of Reference (TOR) given below this REOI for this Assignment and may also obtain further information (if required) at the address given below, during office hours from 0800 to 1600 hours:

Foreign Procurement Department (FPD) (Attn: Mr. Samimullah Samim)

General Manager for External Procurements;

Procurement Department, Ministry of Communications and IT (MCIT)

Mohammad Jan Khan Watt; Kabul, Afghanistan

Phone: Office: +93 20 210 37 41; Cell: +93 700 222 009;

Email:fpd@mcit.gov.af

Web site: www.mcit.gov.af

Any queries on the position may also be addressed to the above mentioned email address (fpd@mcit.gov.af), with CC to b.hassam@mcit.gov.af; azizsafi@mcit.gov.af and nadir.soroush@mcit.gov.af; soroushmnadir@yahoo.com, latest one week before the deadline for submission of expression of interest.

Expressions of interest, including detailed Resumes must be delivered (by E-Mails) by

17^th November, 2015, to the E-Mail IDs as given below:

1. Foreign Procurement Department (FPD) (Attn: Mr. Samimullah Samim)

   General Manager for External Procurements

   Procurement Department, Ministry of Communications and IT (MCIT)

   Mohammad Jan Khan Watt; Kabul, Afghanistan

   Email:fpd@mcit.gov.af

2. Engineer Baryalai Hassam;

   Deputy Minister-Technical; Ministry of Communication and IT;

   Islamic Republic of Afghanistan; Mohammd Jan Khan Watt, Kabul Afghanistan

   Email: b.hassam@mcit.gov.af

3. Dr. Aziz-ur Rehman Safi; Director-Planning and Policies Department of MCIT                                    Email: azizzsafi@mcit.gov.af

1. Dr. Nadir Soroush; Logistics Officer and Acting Procurement Officer of the PMO-ICTDP-MCIT; E-Mail ID: nadir.soroush@mcit.gov.af