e-GP Project Manager

e-GP Project Manager

Project Background:

The Palestinian Liberation Organization has received a grant from the International Development Association (IDA) in the amount of USD 20 million for the benefit of the Palestinian Authority (PA) to finance the Digital West Bank & Gaza Project (the Project). The Project will seek to produce concrete and tangible results for the Palestinians through increased access to high-speed broadband services and increased access to selected e-services to citizens and businesses. The project will focus on key points to unleash digital transformation in WB&G addressing some of the bilateral challenges allowing digital transformation to achieve its full potential. It will strengthen the digital resilience of WB&G and the ability of the PA to respond to shocks, such as COVID-19.

The project takes a multi-disciplinary approach to support the digital transformation, Covid recovery and resilience of West Bank and Gaza. The project will be implemented and overseen by the Ministry of Telecommunications and Information Technology (MTIT). Individual activities are to be implemented by MTIT and the High Council on Public Procurement Policies (HCPPP), over a 5-year period.

The Project has the following four components:

1. Enabling legal and regulatory environment for Digital Economy; mainly institutional development including the development of a Palestinian Telecommunications Regulatory Authority and root Certificate Authority; legal and regulatory framework; and capacity building.
2. Implementing Digital Infrastructure Solutions for Emergency Response, Recovery and Resilience which includes development of an emergency response center and expanding internet connectivity. 
3. Fostering User Centered E-Service Delivery; which includes the establishment of a whole of government digital transformation strategy, support for a digital public platform and prioritization, simplification and digitization of services, launch of pilot e-services, and implementation of a first phase of an e-Government Procurement (e-GP) System; and
4. Project Management which will support the establishment of a project management unit in MTIT

e-Government Procurement System:

Building on the progress towards establishing a modern public procurement system by the Palestinian Authority, sub-component 3.3 of the Project will support the development of a first phase of an e-GP System by supporting the development of priority functionalities and their implementation in selected high spending agencies. The project will finance (i) software development; (ii) upgrading of existing software; (iii) hiring of technical experts to support HCPPP in developing software reference architecture, business process engineering and in managing e-GP development and implementation; (iv) capacity development and training of target agencies and the private sector entities; (v) e-GP communication and awareness campaign; (vi) help desk service; (vii) development of e-GP business model; and (viii) development of sustainable procurement policy. 

Priority functionalities will include: (i) Digitization of National Standard Bidding Documents (SBDs) for various types of procurement (works, goods, consultants' services, non-consulting services and SBDs for Framework Agreements of Common-Use Goods) recently approved by the Cabinet; (ii) Payment for Documents, Registration or Other Services; (iii) Tender Preparation; (iv) Tender Submission; (v) Receipt of Tenders; (vi) Tender Opening; (vii) Tender Evaluation Workflow; (viii) Notice of Awards; (ix) Acceptance and Signing of Contract; and (x) Contract Tracking. In addition, an e-Catalogue module which provides information on commonly procured goods and services and facilitates on-line ordering from selected suppliers, will be developed and shall be built on one of the common international classification codes (e.g. United Nations Standard Products and Services Code -UNSPCS). 

This sub-component will be implemented by the HCPPP, through a dedicated Project Implementation Team (PIT) to be established under the Project. The PIT will be housed in HCPPP and it will responsible for the day-to-day implementation of the e-GP sub-component in coordination with HCPPP staff and other relevant stakeholders. It will prepare and submit periodic progress and financial reports to the PMU in MTIT, which would then consolidate and submit to the Bank. The PIT will comprise an e-GP Project Manager, a Procurement Specialist, an ICT Specialist, and an Administrative Officer. Other technical experts in procurement, business process re-engineering (BPR), change management, communications, etc. will be hired throughout implementation. 

In addition to the PIT, a multi-agency advisory technical team chaired by HCPPP and comprised of procurement and ICT officials (Champions) from key government agencies will be to advise on planning, development and implementation of e-GP system.

Assignment Objective:

HCPPP is considering the appointment of e-GP Project Manager as part of Project Implementation Team (PIT). 

The e-GP Project Manager will lead the day-to-day implementation of sub-component 3.3, and will report to HCPPP Chairman.

Responsibilities of the e-GP Project Manager

The e-GP Project Manager is tasked with managing and co-ordinating experts and other staff of the PIT, as well as overseeing the sub-component 3.3 and ensuring its timely preparation and implementation. The e-GP Project Manager also ensures co-ordination between the PIT and relevant ministries and government agencies and other stakeholders with the overall aim of ensuring appropriate design and implementation of the e-GP system, expenditure of funds, and timely reporting to the PMU in MTIT, in form and timeframe required by the World Bank.

The e-GP Project Manager will be required to ensure that the e-GP system to be developed is consistent with the TOR for the system and that risks are recognized and able to be managed. The scope of responsibilities of the e-GP Project Manager will include communications with stakeholders, supervising the development of the system that will address all procurement functionality and e-GP technical issues including standards, BPR, S/W and H/W architecture.  The e-GP Project Manager will manage the contracts under which developments are undertaken and ensures that the e-GP provider performs according to contractual specifications and signs off on performance payments or imposes penalties on a service provider as required.

Specifically, the e-GP Project Manager will have the following scope of work:

1. Project Planning and Implementation Arrangements:
1. Effective management of the PIT, including prioritization and work plans and engagement of experts such as for public sector procurement, Help Desk, BPR, database management, etc. for the delivery of the key Business Requirements.
2. Developing a comprehensive annual plan for project implementation, specifying progress targets, strategies and risk identification and management as the basis for monitoring and evaluation.
3. Implementation arrangements with regard to regulations and approved planned activities including training, collaborating with other agencies to ensure project progress and risk management.
4. Arranging inter-agency working groups, workshops, consultations / committees to advance various aspects such as BPR. Departmental task teams should be established in targeted agencies, as agreed by the Advisory Technical Team. 
5. Effective management and proper functioning of the BPR Committee, the PIT and the Advisory Technical Team.
2. Procurement and Contract Management 
1. Leading the development, review and acceptance of concept documents, technical requirements, terms of reference, bidding documents for the procurement of consulting firms/individual consultants to implement the e-GP system. 
2. Leading the selection process of consulting firms/individual consultants for the delivery of the e-GP system and related services, including, evaluation of proposals, leading the project implementation team in compiling the evaluation report, and leading contract negotiations. 
3. Overseeing the implementation of business process re-engineering (BPR) and the digitization of selected re-engineered services/processes according to agreed timeframes, quality criteria. 
4. Monitoring and evaluating service providers’ and consultants’ performances as specified in the contract(s) on progress, risk, quantity and quality of the contract.
5. Negotiating variations in scheduling and specifications as required.
6. Reviewing and approving all deliverables submitted by consulting firms/individual consultants, with inputs from relevant staff and experts, and ensuring consistency with signed contracts and acceptance quality criteria. 
3. Monitoring, evaluation and periodical reporting:
1. Supporting any system audit required by the HCPPP.
2. Arranging monitoring and evaluation of project performance in line with the e-GP project plan.
3. Review and provide feedback on existing results framework to validate the availability of baseline data and collection methods/tools for project KPIs, to ensure the impact of e-GP can be properly monitored and measured. 
4. Preparing periodic and ad hoc reports on project development and implementation for HCPPP Chairman, the Advisory Technical Team and the PMU in MTIT, as required.
4. Ensuring the accomplishment of the following key specific tasks:
5. Design, Develop, Test, Install and Commission the e-Procurement System to satisfy the requirements described in “e-Government Procurement System Functional and Performance Requirements” and “Technical Requirements” documents.
6. Supply, Install and Commission the required Security system, Computer Hardware, Software and Communication Infrastructure required for the e-GP System in any the Data Centre at MTIT, including the upgrade of any Data Centre with all required equipment and partitions.
7. Prepare comprehensive User and Technical Training and Documentation.
8. Provide Maintenance and Support Services of e-GP System and e-GP Data Centre for an agreed term after operational acceptance of the System. 
9. Provide help desk services on e-GP System operation during the pilot implementation after operational acceptance of the system.

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Essential Required Qualifications, Skills, knowledge and Competencies:

The e-GP Project Manager should bring together three types of skills, namely (i) Project Management, (ii) Public Procurement, and (iii) Information Technology. He/She should possess the following:

• Graduate Degree in Public Procurement, Public Administration, Computer Software Engineering, Software Programming and Development, Business Administration or other relevant field. 
• At least 10 years’ experience in project management and leadership of significant public sector transformation initiatives, including experience in information technology related activities.
• Capability in management of end-to-end information technology solutions for public sector.
• Solid knowledge of the government procurement environment and different stakeholders.
• Not less than three years of relevant professional experience in the projects of international financial institutions 
• General knowledge of procurement and financial management procedures of international financial institutions.
• "Must have the capacity to analyse “AS IS” and conceive the “TO BE” state for public sector business operations.
• Must have the capacity to prioritize and lead change-management and co-opt change-drivers in procuring entities.
• Must be a good communicator, and a capacity to influence independently managed procuring entities and other stakeholders.
• Personal qualities of integrity, credibility, and commitment to project objectives.
• Strong critical thinking and problem-solving skills with ability to develop solutions for complex issues.
• Fluent in both Arabic & English languages.
• Regional & International experience is a plus.
• Possession of PMP (Project Manager Professional) or Prince 2 – will be considered as an advantage.

Time Frame and Contract

The duration of the assignment is one year on a full-time basis, extendable on a yearly basis to the full length of the project (5 years), subject to satisfactory performance. The expected start date for the position is Oct 1, 2021.

An individual Consultant shall be selected for the above-mentioned post in accordance with the World Bank's procedures as specified in the World Bank's Procurement Regulations for Borrowers under Investment Project Financing dated July 1, 2016 revised November 2017 and August 2018 (“Procurement Regulations").

Interested candidates are requested to send their CVs and a cover letter to the High Council for Public Procurement Policies, Finance and Administration Department, at this email address: [email protected].

The closing date for applying is Sep 18, 2021.