Republic of the Marshall Islands Urban Resilience Project: Implementation Support Officer

Project ID: P177124

Project Title: Republic of the Marshall Islands Urban Resilience Project

Borrower Bid Reference: MH-DIDA-283920-CS-INDV

Published Date: 01-Mar-2023

Details:

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST

(INDIVIDUAL CONSULTING SERVICES)

Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI)

RMI Urban Resilience Project (RMIURP)

Grant No.: D996-MH 

Assignment Title: Implementation Support Officer

Reference No.: MH-DIDA-283920-CS-INDV

The Government of the Republic of Marshall Islands has applied for financing from the World Bank toward the cost of the RMI Urban Resilience Project and intends to apply part of the proceeds for consulting services.

The consulting services (“the Services”) include: (a) support the implementation, management, monitoring and review of RMIURP activities; (b) support communication and logistics for RMIURP as required; (c) critically review key project outputs, including progress reports, procurement activities and financial management. The detailed scope of services is indicated in the Terms of Reference (TOR) for the assignment, herewith attached.

This consulting assignment is a full-time position to be located in Majuro, RMI and is expected to start by May 2023. The duration will be for 24 months with a possibility of extension based on performance.

The Division of International Development Assistance (DIDA) of the Ministry of Finance now invites eligible individuals (“Consultants”) to indicate their interest in providing the Services.

Interested Consultants should provide information demonstrating that they have the required qualifications and relevant experience to perform the Services (attach curriculum vitae with description of experience in similar assignments, similar conditions, etc. including a Cover Letter of no more than four (4) pages addressing individually the mandatory and desirable experience and qualification requirements below). Firms’ staff may express interest through the employing firm for the assignment and, under such situation, only the experience and qualifications of individuals shall be considered in the selection process. The criteria for selecting the Consultant are provided in the Terms of Reference. 

The attention of interested Consultants (including firms) is drawn to paragraph 3.14, 3.16 and 3.17 of the World Bank’s Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers, Fourth Edition November 2020 (“the Regulations”), setting forth the World Bank’s policy on conflict of interest.

Further information can be obtained at the address below during office hours; 0900 to 1700 hours local time.

Expressions of interest must be delivered in a written form to the address below (in person, or by e-mail) by March 17, 2023.

Jerry Nathan

Program Manager

Central Implementation Unit

jerrynathan09@gmail.com  copy to: filipesefeti@gmail.com and rillorolito@gmail.com

  

The Government of the Republic of Marshall Islands (GoRMI)

Ministry of Works, Infrastructure and Utilities (MWIU) 

RMI Urban Resilience Project (RMIURP) - P177124

TERMS OF REFERENCE

Position:                                Implementation Support Officer (Individual Consultant)

Location:                               Majuro, Republic of the Marshall Islands

Hiring agency:                      Ministry of Ministry of Works, Infrastructure and Utilities (MWIU), Government of RMI

Duration:                               24 months; may be extended based upon needs and  

                                               performance of the consultant.  

Expected start date:             May 2023

1. Background

The Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI) is one of the world’s smallest, most isolated, and vulnerable nations. The nation is a small-island, large-ocean state, comprised of 29 coral atolls and 5 single islands, with a total land area of only 182 km2, spread across over 2 million km2 of ocean. There are 24 inhabited atolls and islands, which are mostly remote and lie merely 2 m above sea level on average. Its population is estimated at approximately 60,000 with over 70 percent living in the rapidly urbanizing areas of Majuro (Majuro atoll) and Ebeye (Kwajalein atoll), which are among the most densely populated urban centers globally. These atolls and islands form two groups: the Ratak Chain and the Ralik Chain.

Uncontrolled urbanization is occurring across the Pacific region and the GoRMI needs targeted strategies and investment planning tools to address these risks. RMI’s primary urban centers offer increased prosperity through economic, health and education opportunities, yet rapid uncontrolled development increases the risk from natural hazards to people, assets, and infrastructure. Rapid urbanization, if not planned strategically and regulated, creates additional risks and growing exposure to natural hazards through the increased concentration of people and assets. The vulnerability of building assets in these urban areas, including approximately 5,800 buildings in Majuro and 1,800 buildings in Kwajalein atoll, is exacerbated by increasing densification of built-up areas and limited building code compliance and regulation. In addition, the lack of formal development controls and spatial plans lead to uncontrolled development, with new developments often exposed to coastal and other natural hazards.

The issues of rapid urbanization and poor-quality housing stock in RMI will be further exacerbated by the long-term effects of climate change and natural disasters.  For example: (i) sea level rise will cause property damage, displace urban residents, and damage transport networks in low-lying Marshallese settlements; (ii) increasing frequency and intensity of tropical cyclones will further disrupt city services and economic activity, as well as cause loss of life and damages to assets; (iii) heavier precipitation events will cause serious flood in urban areas, often already subject to poor urban drainage and unregulated over-development; (iv) increasing frequency of freshwater shortages during the dry season that limit access to safe freshwater resources year-round; and (v) increasing occurrence of extreme heat events that may become intensified by the overuse of impermeable surfaces in urban areas, increasing urban air temperatures

Integrated land planning on a national and local level has been identified as critical to managing the issues related to urbanization and climate change. This will require strong participatory processes with relevant stakeholders (e.g., landowners, public authorities, private sector and local communities) to look at how to better manage current land use as well as building the capacity for sustainable land management in light of climate change adaptation.

The Government of the Republic of the Marshall Islands (GoRMI), through the Ministry of Works, Infrastructure and Utilities (MWIU), is implementing the RMI Urban Resilience Project (RMIURP), a World Bank-funded project aimed at strengthening the resilience of select urban areas in the Republic of the Marshall Islands to the impacts of natural hazards and climate change. The project includes four components[1] as set out below:

• Component 1 - Risk-informed adaptation planning: This component will strengthen the Government’s institutional and technical capacity on risk-informed adaptation planning through enhanced spatial planning, capacity building support for implementation and compliance of the building code, and development control policies or guidance that consider disaster and climate risks
• Component 2 - Coastal resilience investments: This component will finance targeted coastal resilience measures which will protect select government infrastructure and/or prioritized assets in Majuro.
• Component 3 - Resilient public facilities: This Component will finance investments that are demonstrative of resilient, inclusive, and sustainable standards that may be achieved in future public facilities in RMI.
• Component 4 - Project management and implementation support: This component will support day-to-day coordination, management, and implementation of the project, while building institutional capacity to sustain investments beyond the project’s closure such as through technical training

1. Implementation Arrangements

The Implementing Agency (IA) for the project is the MWIU. Other key stakeholders include the Ministry of Finance (MoF), the National Disaster Management Office (NDMO) and the Office of the Chief Secretary (OCS).

A PIU will be established within MWIU to support the ministry to manage and implement key project-related tasks including project planning, coordination, financial management, technical, procurement and contract management, environmental and social risk management, and monitoring and reporting throughout the project implementation period. The CIU, established under the Ministry of Finance will support the MWIU. The CIU support will focus on provision of services related to the preparation of project documents and management of fiduciary functions (procurement and financial management) and Environmental and Social risk management.

The PIU is entrusted with the overall coordination functions for the RMIURP. The PIU will be headed by the Project Manager and will initially include an Engineer, Contracts Manager, Implementation Support Officer (this position) and Project Officer. Further positions will be included as the project progresses based on the actual needs.

1. Purpose of the Assignment

The purpose of the consultancy is to provide implementation support to the RMIURP. The Consultant will support the PIU Project Manager and other RMIURP personnel in the planning, implementation, management, monitoring and review of RMIURP. The Consultant will work closely with all stakeholders, including the MWIU, the Steering Committee, the Division of International Development Assistance (DIDA), other consultants in the RMIURP PIU, the CIU the World Bank Task Team, media and the community. This role may act as the Project Manager in the absence of the Project Manager while on leave or duty travel.

1. Objectives of the Assignment

The main objectives of this assignment are for the Consultant to provide implementation support to the RMIURP.  The Consultant will: (a) support implementation, management, monitoring and review of RMIURP activities; (b) support communication and logistics for RMIURP as required; (c) critically review key project outputs, including progress reports, procurement activities and financial management.

1. Scope of Services

The Consultant will provide the following services (but not limited to):

• Under the guidance of the Project Manager, and working with the Project Officer, assist in the development and maintenance of the Project operations manual, budget, procurement plan and financial management of activities;
• Assist the Project Manager in the development and maintenance of the Project workplan;
• Assist in the preparation of project reports (financial and programmatic) including progress reports and completion reports;
• Assist the Project Manager in the development and maintenance of the Project Procurement Plan and assist in the uploading and management of procurement activities in the Systematic Tracking of Exchanges in Procurement (STEP) the World Bank’s online procurement system;
• Assist the Project Manager in the maintenance of reporting against the Project Results Framework;
• Work with the Division of International Development Assistance (DIDA) and Central Implementation Unit (CIU) on joint activities;
• Assist in the preparation and dissemination of project information to internal and external stakeholders (including regular project communications reporting on achievement towards results);
• Assist with the implementation of follow-up actions resulting from World Bank technical and implementation support missions, regular teleconferences, and progress reports;
• Be familiar with, advise on, and help to ensure RIMURP implementation complies with, relevant World Bank policies and procedures including on fiduciary and environmental and social aspects, as well as with relevant project documents (including the Project Appraisal Document, environmental and social instruments, Project Operations Manual, Financing Agreement, Project Procurement Strategy for Development, etc.);
• Coordinate stakeholder engagement with technical consultants and oversee training and capacity development activities;
• Assist in recruitment of new project consultants as needed and support the briefing, induction process;
• Represent RMIURP at meetings, workshops, trainings, and forums as required; and
• Other duties applicable to the Implementation Support Officer as delegated by the Project Manager.

1. Reporting Obligations

The Consultant will report to the RMIURP Project Manager. The deliverables of the Consultant will include but not be limited to:

• Progress reports on specific activities that require the Implementation Support Officer’s inputs as required;
• Monthly Progress reports, and completion reports on implementation support activities;
• Input to the Project’s Six-monthly report, as directed by the Project Manager
• Provide input to project reporting including the project workplan, progress reports, financial management and procurement plan; and
• Effectively coordinate stakeholder engagement activities including trainings capacity building workshops.

1. Duration of Assignment

The Implementation Support Officer will initially be recruited for 24 months, with a possible extension subject to performance appraisal.  It is anticipated that the Implementation Support Officer will commence by May 2023 on a full-time basis.  A time-based contract will be signed in which both parties will agree on a monthly rate.

The position would be subject to a probationary period of three months, with a performance review by the Implementing Agency to determine whether the contract would be renewed.

The position is based in Majuro but may require travel to the outer islands for site visits to project activities.

1. Performance of the Consultant

During the term of engagement, the Consultant shall work during office hours (8.00 am to 5:00 pm Monday to Friday) and shall diligently and effectively perform required duties to highest acceptable standard.  Extra hours may need to work during site visits and any urgent situations.

MWIU reserves the right to evaluate the Consultant’s performance and to maintain a record of the performance evaluation to refer to if the Consultant is considered for re-engagement.

The consultant will be required to keep detailed time sheets showing inputs and deliverables resulting from each input. In evaluating the consultant’s invoices for payment, the PIU will pay particular attention to whether time claimed for each input matches the level and quality of deliverable.

1. Data, services, and facilities to be provided to the consultant

MWIU will provide to the Implementation Support Officer, the World Bank Mission Reports, Project Appraisal Document, Project Procurement Strategy for Development (PPSD) document, World Bank Guidelines and all the existing reports and materials related to the RMIURP.  The Government will provide the office space, including office furniture, access to the IT equipment, stationery, internet, communications, and related utilities for the Consultant.

The Consultant is fully responsible for their cost of local transportation (e.g., to/from the office). If required to travel to outer islands or other countries, this would be funded by the project.

1. Qualifications, Experience and Skill Requirements

The Consultant will be expected to possess the following education, skills, and experience:

Mandatory:

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant discipline OR at least 10 years of relevant experience;
• At least 6 years of work experience in project management and/ or contract management in infrastructure projects in developing countries;
• Computer proficiency including knowledge of project management software and MS Office software packages (Word, Excel, Power Point, and other applications); and
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.

Desirable:

• Prior experience living or working in a developing country context or on Small Island Developing States (Marshall Islands experience highly regarded);
• Prior experience working on projects funded by multilateral funding agencies such as the World Bank or ADB; and
• Working knowledge of World Bank or other international donors’ procurement rules and regulations.

[1] World Bank. (2022). Marshall Islands – RMI Urban Resilience Project. Available at: https://documents.worldbank.org/en/publication/documents-reports/documentdetail/285091651270771293/marshall-islands-rmi-urban-resilience-project

Organization/Department: Division of International Development Assistance-MOF

Name: Malie Tarbwilin

Address: PO Box D, Majuro 96960 Republic of Marshall Islands

City:

Province/State:

Postal Code:

Country: Marshall Islands

Phone: 692-625-5968

Email: mtarbwilin@gmail.com

Website: