Shire Valley Transformation Programme (SVTP)
REPUBLIC OF MALAWI
MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE
SHIRE VALLEY TRANSFORMATION PROGRAMME (SVTP)-2
REQUEST FOR EXPRESSION OF INTEREST FOR YOUNG OFFICERS
Country: MALAWI
Name of Project: SHIRE VALLEY TRANSFORMATION PROGRAMME-2
Credit No: 71350-MW
1.0 Introduction
The Programme development objective for the Shire Valley Transformation Programme (SVTP) is to increase agricultural productivity and commercialization for targeted households in the Shire Valley; and to improve the sustainable management and utilization of natural resources. The project development objective of SVTP is to provide access to reliable gravity fed irrigation and drainage services, secure land tenure for smallholder farmers, and strengthen management of wetlands and protected areas in the Shire Valley.
The SVTP is a 14-year programme (2017-2031) structured around three coordinated pillars: (i) Providing reliable, professionally managed and sustainably financed irrigation service to a large number of irrigators in a phased construction of the Shire Valley Irrigation Project scheme and providing multiple services including water supply (ii) Support farmer organization within a comprehensive land use plan; supporting land tenure strengthening and consolidation; as well as natural resources management; and iii) establishment of smallholder owned commercial farm enterprises transitioning into commercial agriculture from subsistence farming and integrating them into commercial value chains. These pillars all contribute to the overarching goals of the programme and build on each other in a phased approach. There are three Phases to the SVTP:
- Phase I (SVTP-I) initiated the process on all pillars, with a major focus on irrigation service provision to the SVIP-I area, land tenure, farmer organization and natural resource management;
- SVTP-II shifts investment focus to agricultural investment, private sector and value chain support, as well as investments in bulk infrastructure for the SVIP-II area;
- SVTP-III is the scale-up phase of investments to the SVIP-II area.
The SVTP is managed by a Project Management Team (PMT) consisting of various technical specialists headed by a Project Coordinator. The Ministry of Agriculture intends to recruit young officers to join the PMT for a period of one year with possibility of contract renewal.
The recruitment will be on an individual consultancy basis. Facilities to be provided by the client shall include office space, furniture, and office equipment, communication, and internet facilities. For all field related assignments, the Project shall provide transport and costs and other expenses (per Diems etc.) related to the field work. All officers will be based at the PMT Office in Blantyre.
The Ministry now invites applications from suitably qualified and interested candidates to fill the positions of young officers to be recruited as individual consultants.
ASSISTANT PROCUREMENT OFFICER
i. The Objective of this Assignment:
The Shire Valley Transformation Programme is seeking the services of Assistant -Procurement Officer to assist the Senior Procurement Specialist (SPS) and Procurement Specialist (PS) in managing the procurement activities in accordance with the World Bank’s Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers.
ii. The Position
The Assistant Procurement Officer is part of SVTP Project Management and Coordination Team, which comprises the Project Coordinator, other specialists and support staff.
The Assistant Procurement Officer has the following responsibilities:
- Timely processing of service providers’ selections, procurement of goods, works and contract
management for the implementation of the Project in accordance with the project legal documents) - Ensure that all indications of unethical practices in procurement/contract management, and/or signs of inconsistencies with the legal documents) and the World Bank’s Procurement Regulations are addressed and as needed brought to the attention of the Project Coordinator.
iii. Scope of the Assignment
Assist the SPS and PS in carrying out routine procurement activities, record keeping and documentation in line with the World Bank procurement procedures and regulations.
Specifically, Assistant Procurement Officer will perform the following duties:
- Assist the SPS and PS in managing the Procurement function of the Project.
- Assist in ensuring that the World Bank Procurement Tracking System for monitoring of the Project procurement activities (STEP) is updated and used in real time through uploading of new and old procurement documents in STEP
- Assist with the timely procurement of goods, non-consulting services and works through preparation of all procurement documentation including Request for Quotations, RFQ Opening and Evaluation sessions and preparation of Bid Evaluation Reports;
- Assist in preparation of documents for submission for approvals.
- Assist in ensuring proper and systematic project document filing
- Assist in providing secretarial services to Shortlisting, technical/financial evaluation and during contract negotiation meetings;
- Assist in preparation of evaluation reports, contracts, award notices and other procurement and contractual documents as required;
- Receiving and recording goods procured and delivered
- Assist with maintenance of procedures for the receiving, inspecting, testing and acceptance of goods.
- Assist in ensuring compliance with procurement methods and prior review thresholds applicable to the project;
- Assist in facilitating timely payments to suppliers, contractors and consultants and also ensuring their contractual.
- Assist with maintenance of a central procurement filing system, and ensure all related documents are included in the respective files.
- Assist with maintenance and updating of ethics. procurement databases and contract register with complete “paper trail” of the procurement process;
- Assist with maintenance of a performance monitoring database for all suppliers and consultants, and ensure timely updates of the system;
- Assist to prepare Procurement Post Review registers and attending Procurement Post Review meetings and response to comments on issues raised;
- Undertake procurement processes using Shopping procedures and any other procurement methods as assigned from time to time; and
- Assist to prepare Monthly, Quarterly and Annual Procurement progress reports.
- Undertake other functions as assigned.
iv. Performance Criteria
The following performance criteria will be used to
assess the performance of the Assistant Procurement Officer annually and based upon these assessments the contract with the Project may be continued or terminated:
- Quality and timeliness of STEP uploads
- Quality of procurement filing
- Quality of documentation submitted during post reviews
- Quality and timeliness of required reports
v. Reporting Requirements
The Assistant Procurement Officer will be directly reporting to the Procurement Specialist in managing procurement activities under the project to ensure adherence with the World Bank procurement procedures.
vi. Qualifications and Experience
The Assistant Procurement Officer should meet the following minimum qualifications:
- A minimum of a first degree in Procurement, Business Administration, Economics, Engineering or Public Administration obtained between 2020 and 2024
- A minimum of two (2) years of work experience in procurement
- Good computer skills and proficient in the use of Microsoft Office (Excel, Word and PowerPoint, etc.);
- Experience and knowledge of the World Bank procurement system;
- Highly motivated with excellent planning, analytical, communications and interpersonal skills as well as a high level of diplomacy; and
- Upholding of anti-corruption and anti-bribery ethics.
The attention of interested Consultants is drawn to Section Ill, paragraphs, 3.14, 3.16, and 3.17 of the World Bank’s “Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers” dated September 2023 (“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.
Further information can be obtained at the address below during office hours from 7:30hrs to 12:00hrs and from 13:00hrs to 17:00hrs except on Weekends and Public Holidays.
Expressions of interest including detailed updated Curriculum Vitae and copies of professional and academic qualifications must be delivered in a written form to the address below (in person, or by mail, or by e-mail) by 14th March, 2025.
The Director of Irrigation Services,
Department of Irrigation,
Off Paul Kagame Road,
P.O. Box 30797,
Lilongwe
Malawi
(Attention: The Principal Human Resources Management Officer)
Alternatively, applications may be emailed to: enakoma@yahoo.com; cc: mmaoni.doi@svtp.gov.mw; mtewete.doi@svtp.gov.mw; mwalabu2005@yahoo.co.uk;