Job Vacancy For Monitoring & Evaluation Specialist At Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning



Background:
The Government of the Republic of Ghana (GOG) has applied for a credit from the International Development Association (IDA) towards the cost of the Ghana Public Private Partnership (PPP) Project and intends to apply part of the proceeds of this credit to payments under contracts for Individual Consultants to assist in project implementation.

The objective of the project is to assist the GOG tackle the binding infrastructure constraints that hamper firm productivity and employment generating growth. This project seeks to increase infrastructure service levels and quality through supporting private sector participation through a PPP financing model. Through the proposed components the project is thus designed to help implement the approved National Policy on PPP, June, 2011, thus supporting a conducive and enabling environment for PPPs.

The Ghana PPP Project has four primary components:

•  Component 1: PPP Institutional, Fiduciary and Legislative Capacity Building
•  Component 2: PPP Pipeline Preparation and Transaction Advisory Support
•  Component 3: Facilitating the Provision of Long Term Development Finance
•  Component 4: Project Management and Monitoring & Evaluation

The Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning (MOFEP) through its Public Investment Division (PID) which is leading project implementation now invites eligible Individual Consultants to indicate their interest in providing the relevant services described below.

Objectives of the Assignment:
The objective of this assignment is to establish the Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) function and system for the PID and especially with regard to Public Private Partnerships and effective operation through engagement of key stakeholders including implementing partners, primary project beneficiaries and other stakeholders. This will be undertaken through the joint development of a shared M&E system among key stakeholders. This will be supported by facilitating stakeholders to undertake their M&E activities and to link these into an overall assessment of project progress and needed actions. The M&E Specialist will thus guide the overall strategy and implementation of the M&E function and system and provide timely and relevant information to project stakeholders including the World Bank.

Scope of Work:
The M&E Specialist's detailed tasks include, but are not limited to the following:

•  Establish the indicator-based M&e plan and institutional framework, systems, and operations of the PID  and its objectives and strategy and National PPP Policy including detailed design of data collection, analysis, and reporting plan for each indicator, M&E implementation arrangements, roles and responsibilities work plan and budget and ensure that the M&E system is aligned to and supports the Management Information System (MIS) of MoFEP
•  Review the quality of existing social and economic data in the project area ;
•  Liaise with primary MDA and Private Sector stakeholders and other staff to ensure a two-way flow of information on implementation
•  Ensure that an effective and participatory M&E system and methodology are established consistent with robust M&E function;
•  Supervise implementation of approved M&E Work Plans and during implementation, if required, update and amend the M&E process following ongoing consultation with stakeholders, partners, and beneficiaries;
•  Generating and assessing information required for monitoring and reporting on key operational and performance indicators and outcome objectives established for the project as detailed in approved Work Plans and Results Framework
•  Promoting accountability by drawing on information on efficiency and effectiveness to assess and communicate whether project activities are likely to achieve expected results and/or realize its objectives;
•  Identifying and promoting the actions necessary to improve implementation;
•  Preparing and implementing an approved evaluation plan to ensure effective assessment of intermediate and project outcome evaluations;
•  Overseeing the preparation of quarterly progress reports, mid-term evaluation report, annual report and end-of-project evaluation report;
•  Develop simple reporting formats to be used in collecting data by the Contracting Authorities, MDAs, MMDAs for PPP projects which will be compatible with the available Management information Software
•  Ensure that all PPP contracts include specifications for internal monitoring and reporting, and the penalties for failure to report as specified;
•  Develop and maintain partnerships with implementing MDAs to assist int eh monitoring and evaluation of PPP projects;
•  Undertake regular visits to the field to support implementation of M&E and identify where adaptations might  be needed;
•  Conduct in house M&E training for PID staff & other key MDAs;
•  Supervise the activities of the M&E section of the PID;
•  Advise the PID Director and Project Coordinator on all M&E systems relating to the project;
•  Any other duties assigned by the PID Director

Conduct of Work:
The M&E specialist will operate at the PID within MOFEP in Accra. The assignment will be for one year, with the possibility of renewal annually subject to work requirements and satisfactory performance of the life of the Ghana PPP project.

The M&E Specialist will coordinate with the PFA and PAU of the PID as well as other project implementing MDAs to ensure coherent and standard M&E data gathering and reporting. The M&E Specialists will report to the Director, PID and will support PID to ensure the M&E requirements under the Ghana PPP Project are developed and implemented efficiently and effectively. Annual Work Plans will be prepared and approved by the PID and quarterly progress reports on assignment outputs as well as an end-of-assignment report that is to be signed off  by the PID Director.

The M&E Specialist will also establish close and cooperative working relationships with the World Bank M&E Specialist team based in the Country Office in Accra and World Bank Unit Office within MOFEP

Qualification Required & Experience

Competency and Expertise Requirements:
The successful candidate shall be highly technically accomplished professional, well organized with excellent communications skills and have the following qualifications, expertise & experience:

•  Post-graduate degree in a field related to development and/or management and experience in field research;
•  A minimum 8 years of proven experience in M&E
•  Knowledge & experience in logical framework approach and other strategic planning approaches including M&E methods and approaches (including quantitative, qualitative and participatory);
•  Experience with planning, design, implementation of M&E systems;
•  Experience in delivering capacity building & training in M&E development and implementation;
•  Leadership qualities, personnel and team management (including mediation and conflict resolution)
•  M&E working experience in relevant public and/or private sector settings and in providing advice to policy and programme decision makers
•  Proven track record working with different teams across institutions, particularly the Government of Ghana;
•  Analytically skills, ability to develop and implement M&E IT systems;
•  Knowledge of M&E software and applications;
•  Strong computer skills and experience in data processing;
•  Report writing and presentation skills;
•  Statistical skills are essential;
•  Integrity and Confidentiality;
•  Fluency in written and oral English is essential
•  Capacity to work under tight deadlines and to handle potentially controversial and/or very sensitive issues that require clarity, accuracy and speedy responses

How To Apply For The Job

Interested Individual Consultants must provide information (Detailed Curriculum Vitae and a Cover Letter) indicating that they are qualified to perform the services for the specific position described above.

Individual Consultants will be selected in accordance with the procedures set out in the World Bank Guidelines: Selection and Employment of Consultants under IBRD Loans and IDA Credits and Grants by World Bank Borrowers, January 2011 version.

Interested Individual Consultants may obtain further information at the address below from 0900 to 1700 hours, Monday through Friday (except public holidays)

Expressions of Interest must be submitted in five (5) copies (one original and four copies) in sealed envelopes clearly marked "Ghana PPP Project and the name of the position" and delivered at the address:

The Director, Public Investment Division
Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning
28th February Road
Post Office Box M40
Ministries, Accra
Fourth Floor (New Block) Room 419

Tel: +233-302-673431
Email: pid@mofep.gov.gh

Closing Date: 05 October, 2012