Procurement Specialist — Building Opportunities and Outcomes in Social Protection and Youth Employment

EQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST (REOI) COUNTRY: Federal Republic of Somalia (FRS) PROJECT ID: P507443 Project Name: Building Opportunities and Outcomes in Social Protection and Youth Employment Post Title: Procurement Specialist Reference No.: SO-MOLSA-540049-CS-INDV Duty Station: Mogadishu, Somalia BACKGROUND A Procurement Specialist is required by the Federal Government of Somalia (FGS) to support the implementation of a World Bank-funded project, Building Opportunities and Outcomes in Social Protection and Youth Employment (BOOST You) (P507443). The selected candidate will support the government’s National Social Protection Program (Baxnaano), established in 2019 and housed at the Federal Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs (MoLSA). The project development objective of Building Opportunities and Outcomes in Social Protection and Youth Employment (BOOST-YOU) is to enhance economic opportunities and strengthen resilience of the poor and vulnerable. The project directly contributes to strengthening Somalia’s social protection system, expanding coverage through its support to the jobs agenda and building greater resilience to shocks through robust adaptive social protection mechanisms. The project applies an integrated approach that moves beneficiaries along a continuum from protection to production. The project aims to support the poor and most vulnerable of the population by providing targeted interventions to improve their resilience and prepare for better jobs tomorrow, while providing job opportunities now by addressing key barriers to better income-generating opportunities. The project will reach about 123,000 households in particularly climate-exposed areas, which is equivalent to roughly 738,000 individual beneficiaries. OBJECTIVE AND SCOPE OF WORK: The overall responsibilities of the Procurement Specialist are (i) under the supervision of the Project Manager advise Baxnaano Staff on all procurement activities supported under the project; and (ii) He/she will be responsible for timely completion of all procurement activities (goods, consultancies and services) within the project in strict conformance to World Bank Procurement regulation and guidelines, (iii) The Procurement Officer will work with other officers in the project implementation unit to perform all necessary procurement. SELECTION CRITERIA Selection shall be based on the qualification and experience of the candidate and followed by an interview. The qualifications, experience and skills should include: Academic Qualifications Bachelor’s degree in Procurement, Business Administration, Accounting, Finance, Statistics, Engineering or equivalent; or An advanced degree with a major in a relevant discipline or professional qualification in Supply Management is an added advantage; Professional Experience A minimum of at least 10 years of direct relevant experience including broad expertise in the management of procurement in the public sector or private sector; Minimum of at least 5 years of experience in implementing procurement actions according to international organizations guidelines such as the World Bank, African Development Bank, the United Nations etc. for procurement of goods, services, and works; Excellent computer skills for Microsoft Office tools (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint) and Internet use; Experience of working in similar environment like that of Somalia; Excellent interpersonal communication, and presentation skills; and Proficiency in written and spoken English and Somali is required DURATION: The assignment will be undertaken over a period of twelve months with possibility for extension based on performance and requirement. REPORTING OBLIGATIONS The Procurement Specialist will directly report to the Project Manager. He/she will be expected to closely work with the Operations Team Leader to ensure effective and efficient procurement management under the project. The Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs now invites eligible Individual Consultants to indicate their interest in providing the above-mentioned services. Interested consultants must provide the following: (i) Curriculum Vitae (CV) with 3 references; (ii) copies of certificates of academic qualifications; and (iii) cover letter indicating that they are qualified to perform the services. SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS The attention of interested Consultants is drawn to section III, para 3.14,3.16 & 3.17 of the World Bank’s Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers: Procurement in Investment Projects Financing Goods, Works, Non -Consulting and Consulting Services, July 2016, revised November 2017, August 2018, November 2020, September 2023 and February 2025 (“Procurement Regulations”), setting forth the World Bank’s policy on conflict of interest. A Consultant will be selected in accordance with the Individual Consultant method set out in the World Bank Procurement Regulations. Interested applicants may refer further information including a detailed Terms of Reference in Annex I. Deadline : Expressions of Interest (EOI) and Curriculum Vitae (CV) must be submitted via email to procurement@baxnaano.gov.so , Info@molsa.gov.so with copies sent to Fardosa.Ahmed@baxnaano.gov.so and abdisalan.artan@baxnaano.gov.so . The deadline for submission is 13 July 2026 at 16:00 hours (Somalia time) . Applications received after the deadline will not be considered. The email subject line must be clearly marked as: “Procurement Specialist – REF: SO-MOLSA-540049-CS-INDV” Female candidates are encouraged to apply. Annex I: Terms of Reference Procurement Specialist Building Opportunities and Outcomes in Social Protection and Youth Employment BACKGROUND A Procurement Officer is required by the Federal Government of Somalia (FGS) to support the implementation of a World Bank-funded project, Building Opportunities and Outcomes in Social Protection and Youth Employment (BOOST You) (P507443). The selected candidate will support the government’s National Social Protection Program (Baxnaano), established in 2019 and housed at the Federal Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs (MoLSA). Project Overview The project development objective of Building Opportunities and Outcomes in Social Protection and Youth Employment (BOOST-YOU) is to enhance economic opportunities and strengthen resilience of the poor and vulnerable. The project directly contributes to strengthening Somalia’s social protection system, expanding coverage through its support to the jobs agenda and building greater resilience to shocks through robust adaptive social protection mechanisms. The project applies an integrated approach that moves beneficiaries along a continuum from protection to production. The project aims to support the poor and most vulnerable of the population by providing targeted interventions to improve their resilience and prepare for better jobs tomorrow, while providing job opportunities now by addressing key barriers to better income-generating opportunities. The project will reach about 123,000 households in particularly climate-exposed areas, which is equivalent to roughly 738,000 individual beneficiaries. The program supports poor and vulnerable households through following components: Component 1: Connecting Youth and Women to Better Jobs Today: Supports 28,000 youth (60% women & 5% disable persons) in urban areas with limited job opportunities and prolonged periods of inactivity, benefit from economic inclusion activities (wage and self-employment activities). contributing directly creating jobs and strengthening households’ resilience. C o mponent 2: Investing in People for Better Jobs Tomorrow: The component will deliver regular cash transfers to 50,000 of the poorest households to meet basic needs, enhance climate-challenged food security, and prevent negative coping strategies during climate shocks, which in turn helps safeguard the human capital necessary for productive participation in the labor force. Approximately 10,000 shock affected poor and vulnerable households will be supported with emergency cash transfers as part of a contingent financing arrangement in case of climate shocks. 30,000 pregnant women and mothers with children under two will receive health- and nutrition-linked co-responsibility cash transfers (CCTs) to promote maternal and child health, reduce malnutrition, and improve early childhood development, strengthening the human capital necessary for future workforce productivity whilst mitigating adverse climate impacts. An education CCT program will target 5,000 children from the poorest and most climate-affected households, helping build the foundation required for long-term employability by increasing school enrollment and attendance. Component 3: Adaptive Social Protection Systems and Project Management: Supports enhancement of an adaptive social protection system, the National Socio-Economic Survey and project management including institutional capacity building for MoLSA. The objective of this support is to create a robust, efficient, and responsive social protection infrastructure. By strengthening institutional capacity, enhancing data management, strengthening the delivery system and registering the population in the USR, this component lays the foundation for sustainable and effective social protection and multisectoral poverty targeted investments. Under this component National Socio-economic Survey (NSES) will register 12 million people in Somalia in the USR collecting socio-economic data to inform targeting for pro-poor programs in the country. The component also provides support for effective project management, capacity building and oversight of project activities. MoLSA seeks to recruit a Procurement Officer, reporting directly to the Project Manager, to support all procurement activities within the project. OBJECTIVE AND SCOPE OF WORK: The overall responsibilities of the Procurement Officer are (i) under the supervision of the Project Manager advise Baxnaano Staff on all procurement activities supported under the project; and (ii) He/she will be responsible for timely completion of all procurement activities (goods, consultancies and services) within the project in strict conformance to World Bank Procurement regulation and guidelines, (iii) The Procurement Officer will work with other officers in the project implementation unit to perform all necessary procurement. The duties of the Procurement Officer include: Ensure strict compliance with World Bank Procurement regulations and guidelines. Ensure adherence to the Baxnaano Operations Manual. Ensure timely preparation/updating, and submissions of the project procurement plan, seeking necessary approvals from the Project Manager and MoLSA leadership prior to submission for review and approval by the World Bank. Verify that procurement requests are in accordance with the approved procurement plan. Support PIU staff develop strong Terms of Reference for various operational activities under the project. Prepare and publish general and specific procurement notices/ invitation for bids and work closely with user departments to ensure that Terms of Reference or technical specifications are obtained timely from relevant technical departments and beneficiaries. Lead the bidding and selection processing, including organizing pre-bid or pre-proposal meetings, providing clarifications, coordinating the Receipt of bids/proposals, leading and participating in the opening of bids/proposals/ expressions of interest. Prepare bidding documents for acquisition of works and the Request for Expressions of Interest (REoIs) and Request for proposal (RFP) for consulting services, consultant’s shortlists and other documents based on relevant procedures for the procurement of consultant services. In close consultation with User Departments, participate in Evaluation of Expression of Interest, Quotations, Bids and Proposals. Participate and provide guidance to the evaluation process and the preparation of Bid/Proposal Evaluation Report and Award Recommendations. Coordinate/make arrangements and participate in contract negotiations for consultancy services and technical discussions for works where applicable to provide technical guidance. Prepare draft contract for Bank’s consideration ensuring timely signing of contracts, ensuring timely clearance of procurement documents by the Bank. Prepare requests for No-objection for the World Bank for stages of procurement activities as required by Bank Guidelines. Provide guidance to contract management oversight for goods and consulting services to be procured and associated ancillary services. Prepare Procurement progress reports at a minimum on monthly basis, highlighting among others the progress on processing various contracts, constraints met and any other issues that require management attention. Participate in contract monitoring and administration, liaise with the technical teams to ensure procurement contracts are efficiently managed, monitored and executed on time in order to get the value for money. Monitor and track contracts being processed, identify constraints/challenges/issues especially deviations from agreed procurement schedules and seek to resolve issues in a timely manner in appropriate consultation with Management. Ensure that complete documentation is maintained on all procurement cases and coordinate and respond to procurement queries, disputes, and complaints. Maintain complete procurement files and records including all correspondence related to procurement activities. Prepare and update the Procurement/Contract Register (List of all procurement contracts awarded). Enhance efficiency and effectiveness of the Procurement Data Management system and in particular set up a filing and record keeping system that ensures that procurement records are easily retrievable and available for independent procurement reviews or procurement audits. Prepare procurement inputs to project quarterly progress reports, facilitating the Post Procurement Reviews (PPR) exercise, and follow up implementation of PPR recommendations. Establish a central procurement filing system, and ensure all related documents are included in the respective files. Support capacity building efforts and mentor colleagues by sharing knowledge on procurement of works and services. Provide procurement skills development and transfer to Government staff / Civil servants involved in Procurement activities. Report immediately to the Project Manager any noted fraud and corruption or governance issues with staff, bidders and consultants, and pass to the manager if not addressed. Carry out any other duties as may be assigned from time to time. STATEMENT OF QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE: The candidates should have the following desired qualifications: Bachelor’s degree in Procurement, Business Administration, Accounting, Finance, Statistics, Engineering or equivalent; or An advanced degree with a major in a relevant discipline or professional qualification in Supply Management is an added advantage; A minimum of at least 10 years of direct relevant experience including broad expertise in the management of procurement in the public sector or private sector; Minimum of at least 5 years of experience in implementing procurement actions according to international organizations guidelines such as the World Bank, African Development Bank, the United Nations etc. for procurement of goods, services, and works; Excellent computer skills for Microsoft Office tools (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint) and Internet use; Experience of working in similar environment like that of Somalia; Excellent interpersonal communication, and presentation skills; and Proficiency in written and spoken English and Somali is required. CONDUCT OF WORK: Reporting: The Procurement Officer will directly report to the Project Manager. He/she will be expected to closely work with the Operations Team Leader to ensure effective and efficient procurement management under the project. Work plans: The assignment will be managed through a work plan process allied to the quarterly program work plan. Procurement Officer will need to be available for quarterly project reviews either in country or in Nairobi. Language: Reports and other documents shall be submitted in English. Duration of assignment: The Procurement Officer shall be contracted for an initial one-year period, with possibility for extension based on performance and requirement. Facilities to be provided: The PIU will provide the Procurement Officer with office facilities, essential utilities, office services, stationery and office supplies and use of a computer, and printer. Location of assignment: The duty station is Mogadishu, Somalia. The Procurement Officer will be based in the PIU within the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs.