Consulting Services for the role of Deputy Project Coordinator (Delivery Unit) — Skills Training for Results and Industry-Valued Employment Project

MINISTRY OF TECHNOLOGY AND SCIENCE Request for Expressions of Interest Country: Zambia Project: Skills Training for Results and Industry-Valued Employment (STRIVE) Project Project ID: P514247 (Consulting Services – Individual Consultant Selection) PROJECT BACKGROUND AND INFORMATION The Government of the Republic of Zambia is preparing and implementing the Skills Training for Results and Industry-Valued Employment (STRIVE) project (P514247) with support from the World Bank. STRIVE is proposed as a US$80 million IDA Grant and will be implemented as an Investment Project Financing (IPF) operation with Performance-Based Conditions (PBCs), as Phase 3 of the Skills for Economic Transformation and Jobs (SET4Jobs) Multiphase Programmatic Approach (MPA) in Eastern and Southern Africa. The Project Development Objective is to strengthen the skills ecosystem for increased job creation in priority value chains, with a focus on increasing access to job-relevant skills for Zambian youth. The project prioritizes mining, agribusiness, and hospitality and emphasizes employer co-design, outcomes and employability, sustainability of core financing mechanisms, and future-oriented innovations, including digital, blended learning, and AI-enabled tools. The project will be implemented through three components: (1) Building industry-led skills systems, including the development of a TEVET Management Information System and a strengthened Labour Market Information System, and support to sector management and coordination functions such as quality assurance, occupational standards, and instructor supply (including selected PBC-supported reforms); (2) Preparing youth for better jobs, including performance-oriented institutional grants for TEVET institutions (including Centres of Excellence and hybrid learning for ZQF Levels 5-7), competitive grants to improve the quality of programs up to Level 4, a pilot TEVET student loan scheme, and results-based contracts for short-term skilling; and (3) Growing employment opportunities in value chains, including support to business development services and sector-specific upskilling for firms. IMPLEMENTATION ARRANGEMENTS The Ministry of Technology and Science (MoTS) will be the lead implementing agency for STRIVE. Day-to-day coordination will be carried out through a dedicated Project Coordination Unit (the 'STRIVE PCU') hosted by MoTS. Implementation will require close coordination with the Technical Education, Vocational and Entrepreneurship Training Authority (TEVETA), the Ministry of Labour and Social Security (MoLSS), the Ministry of Small and Medium Enterprise Development (MSMED), the Higher Education Loans and Scholarships Board (HELSB), and other relevant stakeholders. The project will be supported by a high-level Steering Committee, chaired by the Minister of Technology and Science, to provide strategic oversight and ensure cross-agency and private sector coordination. The Steering Committee will include, inter alia, the Ministry of Finance and National Planning, MoLSS, MSMED, TEVETA, HELSB, and private sector representatives. Technical working groups and/or component-level committees may be established to provide technical oversight and support results monitoring. The core functions of the STRIVE PCU will include: preparation of annual work plans and budgets; monitoring and evaluation and periodic progress reporting; coordinating Steering Committee and technical working group meetings; supporting recruitment and management of technical assistance; preparing required financial reports and disbursement documentation; facilitating internal and external audits; providing procurement planning and contract management support consistent with the World Bank Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers and use of STEP; coordinating implementation support missions and preparation of mission documentation; ensuring compliance with legal covenants; ensuring implementation of environmental and social risk management measures under the World Bank Environmental and Social Framework (including stakeholder engagement and grievance redress); and implementing a communications approach for internal and external stakeholders. The STRIVE PCU will be headed by a Project Coordinator, who will provide oversight for day-to-day management and coordination of the project and supervise PCU staff and consultants supporting fiduciary, M&E, environmental and social risk management, communications, and technical implementation functions. The Ministry of Technology and Science (MoTS) has received financing from the World Bank toward the cost of the Skills Training for Results and Industry-Valued Employment (STRIVE) Project and intends to apply part of the proceeds for ‘Individual Consulting Services’. MoTS now invites suitably qualified and experienced individuals (“Consultants”) to indicate their interest in providing the Services for the consultancy position of Deputy Project Coordinator Interested Consultants should provide information demonstrating that they have the required qualifications and relevant experience to perform the Services. MAIN DUTIES OR ACCOUNTABILITIES Key Result Area Principal Accountabilities Project co-ordination and management Support the Project Coordinator to provide day-to-day oversight and coordination of STRIVE PCU operations; Facilitate a holistic and integrated approach to implementing STRIVE, ensuring that project outputs and associated work packages, activities and milestones are implemented according to plan and on time; Coordinate implementation of project outputs across key agencies and stakeholders, including TEVETA, MoLSS, MSMED, HELSB, and private sector partners, consistent with project agreements and annual work plans; Support identification of project needs and management of specialised services (e.g., hiring of consultants) required for effective project implementation; Coordinate and manage assigned STRIVE PCU staff, and act as focal point for follow-up on day-to-day implementation issues; Support the Project Coordinator to serve as secretariat to the Steering Committee and any technical committees/working groups established for STRIVE, as delegated. Work plans, budgets and disbursements Lead, in coordination with the Project Coordinator and PCU team, the preparation and consolidation of annual, quarterly and monthly work plans (for each output including work packages, activities, milestones, indicators, means of verifications and timelines), reports, budgets, and procurement plans, and submit the same to the World Bank for no-objection in a timely manner; Work with the Project Accountant/Finance staff to ensure smooth fund flow, including timely preparation of cash forecasts, Interim Financial Reports (IFRs), Withdrawal Applications, and supporting documentation for eligible expenditures and PBC-linked disbursements; Track implementation of approved work plans and budgets and support timely resolution of bottlenecks to disbursement; Ensure all required approval processes (e.g., budgets, activity clearances, and World Bank no-objections) are obtained on time. Technical assistance and capacity building / skills development Provide internal technical assistance to STRIVE PCU staff and external support to implementing agencies and stakeholders as needed for accomplishment of project tasks; Provide overall technical quality assurance of the Project’s deliverables / products. Coordinate, as delegated, the planning and delivery of capacity building / skills development activities (including for implementing agencies and beneficiaries) in a timely manner as described in project documents. Assist in the on-boarding of new project staff and / or consultants as may be requested by the Project Coordinator Fiduciary and procurement Support the Project Coordinator in providing strong oversight on financial management and procurement activities and managing associated risks to ensure adherence to applicable standards under STRIVE; Coordinate with the Procurement Specialist(s) and Finance team to ensure procurement is conducted in line with the World Bank Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers and relevant project documents (including the PPSD and Procurement Plan), and that procurement processes are managed through STEP as required; Support contract management, including monitoring implementation milestones and deliverables, and timely processing of payments; Support timely external and internal audits and follow-up on audit recommendations and fiduciary issues. Social and environment safeguards Work closely with designated environmental and social specialists and implementing agencies to ensure that environmental and social risk management measures are fully implemented as prescribed in project instruments; Support preparation, disclosure, and implementation of required instruments under the World Bank Environmental and Social Framework (ESF), including stakeholder engagement and operation of the grievance redress mechanism (GRM); Support coordination of E&S reporting and incident/accident reporting, as required, and follow-up on corrective actions. Collect and present Performance-Based Conditions (PBCs) evidence to the World Bank Coordinate with component leads and implementing agencies to ensure collection, quality assurance, and timely submission of evidence for Performance-Based Conditions (PBCs), in line with agreed protocols; Support any independent verification arrangements (as applicable) and ensure that verified PBC evidence is submitted to the World Bank in a timely manner. Supervision missions and reporting Coordinate and facilitate bi-annual and intermittent supervision and implementation support missions launched by the World Bank jointly with the Government, as delegated by the Project Coordinator; Prepare and/or coordinate preparation of required pre- and post-mission documentation, including status updates, aide-memoires inputs, and follow-up matrices; Provide information to the World Bank as required and track implementation of mission recommendations. Synergy building Build synergies between STRIVE, other World Bank projects, and other counterparts' projects, including cooperating partners, to maximise programme outputs and outcomes. External Partners engagement Build and maintain working relationships with various partners including industry/private sector, cooperating partners/development partners, civil society and non-governmental organisations. Dissemination and visibility of project achievements Support dissemination and visibility of project achievements and mechanisms for exchange of information, experience and lessons learned at local and national levels. Any other duties Undertake any other tasks as assigned by the Ministry of Technology and Science (MoTS) and the Project Coordinator, in consultation with the World Bank task team. REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS The Deputy Project Coordinator reports to the STRIVE Project Coordinator. As delegated by the Project Coordinator, the Deputy Project Coordinator may represent the PCU in technical meetings and provide updates to MoTS management and the STRIVE Steering Committee. Contacts: The Deputy Project Coordinator will maintain close working contacts with MoTS designated officers and PCU staff. It is also expected that external contacts, especially with TEVETA, MoLSS, MSMED, HELSB, and other members of the STRIVE Steering Committee, are maintained. OUTPUTS AND REPORTING OBLIGATIONS The main deliverables for the assignment are: Annual Work Plans and Budgets (AWPBs) and procurement plans prepared and submitted for World Bank no-objection, in coordination with the Project Coordinator and PCU team Day-to-day coordination of project implementation, with timely follow-up on agreed actions across implementing agencies and stakeholders Project performance regularly monitored, with issues escalated and resolved in a timely manner Performance-Based Conditions (PBC) evidence packages coordinated and submitted on time (including any independent verification documentation, as applicable) Environmental and social instruments implemented and the grievance redress mechanism operational, with required E&S reporting coordinated Periodic progress reports on project implementation prepared and shared with the Project Coordinator and relevant committees Internal and external technical assistance to the PCU and stakeholders coordinated, as required for implementation Financial management and procurement processes supported and monitored to ensure adherence to agreed standards and timely processing of transactions Good synergies with other World Bank projects and counterparts' projects, including cooperating partners, facilitated Secretariat support to the STRIVE Steering Committee and technical committees/working groups provided, as delegated by the Project Coordinator Inputs to annual PCU staff appraisal reports prepared, as required Implementation support mission documentation and follow-up matrices maintained, and mission recommendations tracked to completion Project coordinator support to ensure that all the project deliverables/projects are technically quality assured in line with the World Bank requirements RESPONSIBILITIES Safety and health of others: Nil Responsibility for Government resources: responsible for office equipment under job holder charge Level of Authority and Decision Making: makes operational and Technical decisions Consequence of Error: error on the part of the job holder will result in disruption of operations in the project; delayed implementation of project activities; and financial and material loss KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS REQUIREMENT Minimum professional qualification: Master's degree in a relevant field such as; Project Management, Public Administration, Economics, Engineering Development Studies, Business Administration, Education/Skills Development or related disciplines. A PhD or post-graduate qualification in the relevant field will be an added advantage. Professional qualification in Monitoring and Evaluation will be an added advantage. Minimum Relevant Experience: Minimum 7 years post-qualification experience in project management. At least 3 years in a senior coordination, supervisory, or management role Demonstrated experience in: Project planning, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation Managing multi-stakeholder programmes involving government and private sector Preparing technical and operational reports Experience in donor-funded projects (preferably World Bank-funded) is an added advantage Experience in skills development/TVET systems will be an added advantage Experience supporting results-based financing instruments (e.g., PBCs/DLIs) is desirable Communication skills: Written Skills: must possess excellent writing skills Oral Skills: must possess good oral communication skills Other skills/Attributes: Good team player Self-starter Ability to work under minimum supervision Maintenance of good relationships and Project management skills KEY COMPETENCIES Project Coordination & Execution: Strong ability to support planning, implementation, and delivery of complex programmes Leadership & Team Support: Ability to supervise teams, resolve challenges, and deputize effectively Strategic Thinking: Ability to align day-to-day implementation with broader project objectives Stakeholder Engagement: Strong interpersonal skills with ability to work across government, private sector, and development partners Analytical & Problem-Solving Skills: Ability to interpret data and address implementation bottlenecks Fiduciary Awareness: Understanding of procurement, financial management, and compliance frameworks Communication Skills: Excellent written and oral communication skills ICT Proficiency: Ability to leverage digital tools for project management and reporting Results Orientation: Strong focus on achieving targets and delivering impact PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES High level of integrity and professionalism Self-starter with ability to work with minimal supervision Strong organizational and coordination skills Ability to work under pressure and meet tight deadlines Team-oriented with strong relationship management skills SUPERVISION The Deputy Project Coordinator shall be supervised by the STRIVE Project Coordinator. CONTRACT DURATION The appointment for this position is five years, renewable annually subject to satisfactory performance. PERFORMANCE EVALUATION AND RENEWAL OF CONTRACT This position is performance based. Therefore, the incumbent's performance will be evaluated by a committee set up by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Technology and Science (MoTS), with inputs from the STRIVE Project Coordinator, and may include the Director of Planning and Information and the Director responsible for skills development/TEVET (or equivalent). Based on the satisfactory recommendation of the committee, the contract will be annually renewed. Submission Interested candidates are requested to submit the Application, relevant experience and qualification accompanied by a comprehensive CV. The attention of interested Consultants is drawn to Section III, paragraphs, 3.15, 3.16, and 3.17 of the World Bank’s “Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers” September 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 Selection’ method set out in the Procurement Regulations (World Bank’s “Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers” September 2025). Further information can be obtained at the address below during office hours (from 8:00 hours to 17:00 hours) Expressions of interest must be delivered in written form by person (or by mail, or by e-mail) at the address below by 19th June, 2026 Ministry of Technology and Science Attn: Director Human Resource and Administration Maxwell House, Los Angeles Boulevard P.O Box 50464 E-mail: George.matulula@mots.gov.zm ; mundubi.magolo@mots.gov.zm