Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture of Georgia Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture of Georgia

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST
(CONSULTING SERVICES – SELECTION OF INDIVIDUAL CONSULTANTS)
GEORGIA

Climate Smart Irrigation Sector Development Program
Loan No. 4379 GEO

Assignment Title: National Project Manager
Reference No:  CSISDP/CS/ICS-01

Georgia has received financing from Asian Development Bank (ADB) toward the cost of Climate Smart Irrigation Sector Development Program (CSISDP) and intends to apply part of the proceeds of this loan to procure goods, civil works and consulting services under the Program.

The Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture of Georgia (MEPA) now invites the eligible individual consultants to express their interest for the following Consultancy Service: National Project Manager.

The objective of the assignment:

The main objective of the National Project Manager is to ensure successful implementation of the Climate Smart Irrigation Sector Development Program, including implementation of the contracts and other activities tentatively listed in the Procurement Plan under Loan 4379-GEO. Tasks assigned to the National Project Manager include general coordination and management of the Program through project team, active coordination with donor and stakeholders if deemed necessary, ensure timely implementation of the ongoing and upcoming civil works, supply of goods and consulting services contracts.

The National Project Manager will be responsible for overall management of the project cycle, ensuring compliance with ADB’s safeguard policy and other requirements, and monitoring and reporting implementation progress. The National Project Manager will represent MEPA and coordinate with all projects related stakeholders (consultants, contractors, suppliers and other stakeholders).

Duration: The estimated duration of assignment is 12 months (continuous) with possibility of contract extension.

Detailed inputs include, but are not limited to, the following tasks:

(i) Lead the Project Implementation Unit (PIU) team, comprising about 16 specialists, to ensure smooth and timely project implementation and oversee day-to-day management and implementation of the program.
(ii) Monitor the planned timeline and budget of the Program;
(iii) Oversee preparation/revision of the Procurement Plan, and manage and monitor implementation of it;
(iv) Develop a detailed project plan to monitor and track progress;
(v) Assist MEPA to implement project planning and monitoring process; 
(vi) Manage contracts and monitor timely and quality implementation of contract terms;
(vii) Evaluate and assess the risks associated with the implementation of the Plan, and if necessary, timely informing the Head of Hydro-Melioration and Land Management Development Department (MEPA) and the superior body about the risks and advise possible ways to solve or prevent relevant problems;
(viii) Control and monitor internal processes related to the implementation of the Program;
(ix) Supervise project consultants in order to ensure deliverables are received according to pre-agreed time and quality, and review and provide guidance for the consultants to improve/revise their deliverables timely;
(x) Communicate and consult with stakeholders based on needs of the Program;
(xi) In order to timely prepare and deliver the Program related reports, manage and coordinate specialists and concerned units/agencies involved in the Program implementation process;
(xii) Manage employees assigned to the Program, define their work priorities and evaluate work performed;
(xiii) Coordinate and liaise with related state government authorities, Local Government Authorities, beneficiaries and other stakeholders for implementing various activities under the program;
(xiv) Meet budgetary objectives and make adjustments to project constraints based on financial analysis, in order to maintain project quality NPM could make adjustments with the provisional sums of the project (surveys, stakeholder meetings, etc.);
(xv) Oversee the preparation/revision of TOR for planned projects;
(xvi) Monitor the compliance of the loan covenants and report the status of compliance to MEPA and ADB;
(xvii) Prepare and submit various reports required to ADB and MEPA, including quarterly progress report, environmental and social monitoring reports, and gender action plan implementation report; and
(xviii) Represent MEPA as appropriate in meetings and negotiations with donors and other stakeholders.

The successful applicant shall meet the following minimum requirements:

Qualification: At least bachelor’s degree in water resources engineering or management, rural engineering, hydrology, civil engineering, agronomy (irrigation specialty), economy, finance, or similar/equivalent. Master’s degree in similar field will be an asset.

General experience: At least 7 years of experience in general project management and team leadership. 

Specific experience: Previous experiences with investment projects financed by the European Investment Bank (EIB), World Bank, Agency Francaise De Development (AFD), ADB, European Union (EU) or any other internationally financed projects will be an advantage.

Management experience in the thematic field(s) of operation and rehabilitation of water supply, sanitation and/or irrigation utilities, agriculture or any related fields will be an advantage. 

Previous experience as Project Manager with satisfactory performance will be an asset. Skills Excellent leadership and interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to communicate, motivate and lead teams composed of international and national consultants, and create a strong working relationship with the executing and implementing agencies. 

Initiative, commitment, breadth of vision and capacity for innovative, lateral thinking.
Advanced language skills – reading, writing, speaking in English. 
Computer literacy in MS Office applications.

Excellent communication and strong inter-personal skills will be considered an asset.

Interested individuals shall follow the link to participate in the selection:

https://selfservice.adb.org/OA_HTML/adb/xxcrs/jsp/ADBCsrnFwd.jsp?sel=196704 

Deadline for submission of EOIs through ADB Consultant Management System is March 25, 2024. 

Selection will be done according to the recruitment of individual consultant selection method provided in Procurement Regulations for ADB Borrowers, Goods, Works, Non-consulting and Consulting Services (available at https://www.adb.org/documents/procurement-regulations-adb-borrowers).