Saint Vincent the Grenadines
OECS Regional Tourism Competitiveness Project
IDA Credit.: 6001-VC
Procurement and Contract Management Specialist
SVGRTCP-C-IC-11
The attention of interested Consultants is drawn to paragraph 1.9 of the World Bank’s Guidelines: Selection and Employment of Consultants under IBRD Loans and IDA Credits & Grants by World Bank Borrowers, January 2011 Revised July 2014 (“Consultant Guidelines”), 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 Consultant Guidelines.
Further information can be obtained at the address below during office hours 9:00 am and 3:30 pm.
Expressions of interest must be delivered in a written form to the address below (in person, or by mail, or by fax, or by e-mail) by November 9th, 2018.
Economic Planning and Sustainable Development Division,
Ministry of Finance, Economic Planning, Sustainable Development and Information Technology
Attn: Decima Corea
The Director of Planning (Ag)
1st Floor, Administrative Building
Kingstown
St. Vincent and the Grenadines
Tel: 784-457-1746 / 784-457-2182
E-mail: cenplan@svgcpd.com; medwards-john@svgcpd.com; rjohn@svgcpd.com; scstewart@svgcpd.com; sfrancis@svgcpd.com ;ssutherland@svgcpd.com; edfpmcu@svgcpd.com
Download:
Request for Expressions of Interest
Terms of Reference
Image: Mike Lawrence (flickr)
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REGIONAL DISASTER VULNERABILITY REDUCTION PROJECT
Request for Expressions of Interest
Individual Consultant – Contract Management Assistant
SVGRDVRP-C-IC-39a
The Government of Saint Vincent & the Grenadines has received funding from the International Development Association (the World Bank) towards the Regional Disaster Vulnerability Reduction Project, and intends to apply part of the proceeds for consulting services.
The consulting services will support the administrative and monitoring procedures for the associated works, services and goods contracts financed under the project. The consultancy will be for a period of twenty four (24) months with an anticipated start in November/December, 2018.
The minimum required qualification and experience are:
a. A Bachelors degree in management, law, civil engineering, architecture, or related field.
b. Experience with Microsoft Project (or similar software), donor programs, and standard contracts used by multilateral or bilateral donors (e.g. World Bank, Caribbean Development Bank, European Union, etc.) would be considered an advantage.
The detailed Terms of Reference for the consultancy can be found under the web classified section of www.gov.vc and can be obtained from the address below.
Expressions of interest must be delivered in a written form below (in person, or by mail, or by fax, or by e-mail) by November 16, 2018 to:
Director of Economic Planning
Ministry of Finance, Economic Planning, Sustainable Development and Information Technology
1st Floor, Administrative Building
Kingstown, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Tel: 784-457-1746 / 784-457-2182
Email: cenplan@svgcpd.com, edfpmcu@svgcpd.com, rmacleish@svgcpd.com, and jquow@svgcpd.com
Downloads:
Request for Expressions of Interest
Terms of Reference
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GOVERNMENT OF JAMAICA
MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND SOCIAL SECURITY
PROGRAMME OF ADVANCEMENT THROUGH HEALTH AND EDUCATION (PATH)
REQUEST FOR CURRICULUM VITAE
Individuals are being invited to submit a Letter of Interest and full Curriculum Vitae for the position of:
PROJECT ADMINISTRATOR
JOB PURPOSE
To monitor, coordinate and assist in the implementation of all
activities related to Technical Corporation Projects by working
closely with all the units within the Project Department, Implementing
Agencies and International Development Partners
KEY OUTPUTS
• Administrative work plan for the programme developed
• Records and correspondence of all communication with other stakeholders maintained
• Terms of Reference for Consultants of the Programme developed
• Meeting schedule for internal and external meetings. Responsibility Areas
• Assist the Project Director to oversee the day-to-day activities of the Project Unit to ensure that targets are met
• Assist in the coordination of activities in all areas of the Project: Training, Public Education, Operations and Monitoring
• Work with the Procurement Specialist to source consultants for the Project as the need arises
• Develop Terms of references for short-term consultancies needed by theProject
• Arrange and attend meetings, seminars, study tour, symposiums and other events related to the project efforts
• Prepare briefs, articles, proposals, journals and other technical documents
• Work with the various units of the Project to prepare their budgets
• Liaise with representatives from the International Lending Agencies (World Bank, Inter-American Development Bank) on aspects of the Project
• Liaise with stakeholders such as Planning Institute of Jamaica, Ministries of Health and Education in order to ensure collaboration
• Ensure operational plans, quarterly review and input to budget are completed within established formats and timeframe to support the objective of the Project
• Ensure operational guidelines, policy and procedures are documented and current.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE
• First Degree in Arts or Social Sciences
• Training in International Relations
• At least two weeks project implementation experience
COMPETENCY SKILL REQUIREMENTS
• Interpersonal skills
• Leadership skills
• Good oral and communication skills
• Ability to work without supervision
• Computer literate.
DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION
Responses should be submitted in hard copy or via email on Tuesday, November 13, 2018 to the attention of:
Project Director, PATH
Ministry of Labour and Social Security
14 National Heroes Circle
Kingston 4
Telephone: 876-967-0420
Email: consultancy@mlss.gov.jm
Image: PublicDomainPictures.net
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GOVERNMENT OF JAMAICA
MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND SOCIAL SECURITY
PROGRAMME OF ADVANCEMENT THROUGH HEALTH AND EDUCATION (PATH)
REQUEST FOR CURRICULUM VITAE
Individuals are being invited to submit a Letter of Interest and full Curriculum Vitae for the position of:
MONITORING AND EVALUATION MANAGER
JOB PURPOSE
The Monitoring and Evaluation Manager’s primary objectives are to plan, monitor, organize, direct and control the work of the Monitoring and Evaluation Unit to ensure the effective implementation activities of the Social Protection Project, the Integrated Social Protection and Labour Programme and the Support to the Jamaica Social Protection Strategy.
ASSIGNMENT OBJECTIVES
The Monitoring and Evaluation Manager shall:
• Manage the operations of the Monitoring and Evaluation Unit for the effective implementation of the Social Protection Projects
• Ensure that the aims of the World Bank/GOJ and the IDB/GOJ
Projects are in consistent with those of the Ministry and the Government of Jamaica
• Plan, monitor and evaluate the social assistance programmes to ensure the attainment of targets (e.g. poverty reduction and other social development goals
• Conduct site visits to Parish Offices, Schools, Health Centres to assess the implementation status for various aspects of the Projects
• Attend and participate in meetings convened by the National Social Protection Programmes
• Evaluate the performance of the Social Protection Projects in relation to the achievement of its objectives
• Design and maintain the reporting system which ensures that the work of the Social Protection Projects (World Bank/GOJ Projects and /GOJ Projects are kept up to date and deadlines maintained
• Prepare Cabinet Submissions, Briefs, Notes, etc. for the Minister on matters which fall within the sphere of influence of the Projects
• Prepare reports on the work of the Social Protection Projects Director, Chief Technical Director, Director, Social Security and the Permanent Secretary.
• Analyze survey findings, prepare and submit reports on various baseline, interim and ex-post surveys
• Develop Terms of Reference to contract services of external consultants to carry out monitoring and evaluation exercises for the two Projects
• Prepare three (3) year Corporate Plans, One (1) year Operational Plan, Quarterly reviews (MLSS), Annual Action Plans (World Bank and IDB), four (4) monthly Progress Reports (World Bank), Half yearly reports (IDB), monthly reports and any other ad hoc reports on request
• Participate in the recruitment of staff for the Monitoring and Evaluation Unit
QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE
• Master’s Degree in the Social Sciences, preferably Economics or Development Studies
• Specialized training in Research Methods and experience in conducting Programme Evaluations
• Experience in the operations of internationally funded Projects would be an asset.
COMPETENCY SKILL REQUIREMENTS
• Excellent knowledge of research methods and data analysis
• Proficiency in the use of relevant computer applications
• Excellent presentation, oral and written communication skills
• Good problem-solving skills
• Good leadership and interpersonal skills
• Ability to lead and work in teams.
DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION
Responses should be submitted in hard copy or via email on Tuesday, November 13, 2018 to the attention of:
Project Director, PATH
Ministry of Labour and Social Security
14 National Heroes Circle
Kingston 4
Telephone: 876-967-0420
Email: consultancy@mlss.gov.jm
Image: Free Images (flickr)
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Concerns abound regarding the Government of Jamaica’s continued dealings with Chinese company, China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC), as dozens of road and building projects valued at billions of dollars are doled out and local contractors sidelined. Coupled with the recent ramblings by Jamaican workers, it seems that this company may be violating labour laws, much to the chagrin of those who wish for fair treatment and fair dealing in how scarce resources are allocated.
Presently, CHEC is working on a new road being built in Kingston to alleviate traffic congestion on Spanish Town Road in the vicinity of the Three Miles area. The new road will link Chesterfield Drive off Spanish Town Road to Marcus Garvey Drive. While the Government should be commended for its drive in improving the main thoroughfares and alleviating citizens of the traffic congestion daily, there must be an equalling of the playing field as regards to the contracts which are given to CHEC.
A report year ending 2017 by the National Works Agency, (NWA) shows that a major infrastructure development programme valued at US$352.941 million jointly financed by the China Eximbank and the Government of Jamaica (GoJ) since 2013, has secured contracts for CHEC.
Of that amount, US$220 million worth of contracts is to be undertaken by CHEC itself, while medium-sized works totalling US$82.941 million is to be undertaken by Jamaican contractors under sub-contracts with CHEC.
Further, JEEP works totaling US$50 million is to be undertaken by most small Jamaican contractors under subcontracts with CHEC. The focus of this component is minor infrastructure works including repair to gratings, sidewalks, drains, walls etc.
As we can see, the playing field is not level here. China is giving 85 per cent for these loans and so the works all go to CHEC. In addition, the questions to be asked is one, does CHEC have other agreements that they have received from the Government? And, two, have these been procured following established guidelines for procurement of Government contracts?
The problem with giving one company contracts is that there is a risk of workers’ rights being sabotaged. Presently, relations are strained between the CHEC and Jamaican workers. Strikes were undertaken by the workers regarding matters relating to lack of adequate protective gear being supplied to employees, lack of potable water made available to employees, provision of safety equipment, and equitable salaries and pay for work on holidays and weekends.
At the risk of sounding crass, we are welcoming to foreign investors but they must not be allowed disrespect our laws and get away with it. China Harbour Engineering Company has enjoyed major benefits under partnership with the Jamaican Government, and these include concessions for imports on materials and other means of repayment such as prime real estate lands. In 2014 it was revealed that the Chinese were to receive the Roaring River lands in Ocho Rios as part of an agreement with the Jamaican Government to construct the North-South link of Highway 2000, so the company was to receive 1200 acres of land in St Ann as payment for works on the north-south highway.
The other issue is that roads used by CHEC in transporting materials etc, are often left in disrepair. These include roads such as the threadways road in north west St Catherine and others along the new highway.
In 2016 the accountant general, in a special audit report on the Jamaica Development Infrastructure Programme, said the loan agreement application for the Preferential Buyer’s Credit facility with the China Eximbank allowed for the engagement of a Chinese contractor by competitive tender. However, the Ministry of Transport and Works opted to utilise the sole source procurement methodology in awarding the contract to CHEC which “may have deprived the Government of the ability to achieve value for money and maintain transparency and fairness in the process”.
Along with other irregularities by the NWA, the accountant general said contrary to the provisions of the GoJ procurement guidelines, the NWA used the sole source method to award a contract to CHEC for US$1.2 million, approximately $102 million, to refurbish its corporate offices without the required approval of the National Contracts Commission. “The NWA did not determine if the option of sole source would earn or deny the entity any financial and qualitative gains, which could be garnered by using the competitive tender method. The required contractors levy of approximately US$24,000 or $2,040,000 was also not deducted and remitted to Tax Administration of Jamaica in accordance with sections 3 and 4 of the Contractors Levy Act.”
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