Introduction

•   This request for expressions of interest follows the general procurement notice for this Project that appeared in the 18th and 20th November, 2010 edition of the Daily Graphic and Ghanaian Times respectively, the UN Development Business and dgMarket .
•   During the preparation of the National Social Protection Strategy (NSPS) as part of the sector development policy in 2007, the absence of a labour-based public works program as a key Social Protection instrument offering short-term employment to the poor was identified. The Labour Intensive Public Works (UPW) programme was therefore introduced as a key component of the IDA and GoG-funded Ghana Social Opportunities Project (GSOP) under the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development. The Original GSOP was a project, with IDA budget of US$88.6 million. With Additional Financing (AF), the project duration has been extended by 1 year at the revised total IDA budget of US$138.6 million.
•   The objective of the UPW program is to provide targeted rural poor households with access to employment and income-earning opportunities during the agricultural off season through rehabilitation and maintenance of public or community infrastructure and other community climate change mitigation related assets. The aim is to maximize local employment while rehabilitating productive assets, which have potential to generate local secondary employment effects and also protect households and communities against external shocks.

LIPW Implementation Procedures

•   Currently GSOP UPW is being implemented in 60 Districts in Ghana. These are among the most deprived Districts in Ghana. To avoid denying the impoverished subsistence farmer of his/her already meager potential income from farming activities, UPW is implemented in Ghana during the agricultural off season.
•   LPW is delivered through the decentralized local government structures with responsibilities for implementation assigned to the beneficiary District Assemblies (DAs).

GSOP Coordinating Offices

•   The entire LIPW delivery is facilitated by the GSOP Coordinating offices comprising the National Coordinating Office (NCO) in Accra and five (5) Regional Coordinating Offices (RCOs) located in Accra, Kumasi, Tamale, Bolgatanga and Wa.

Objectives of these Recruitments:

The overall objective of the assignments of which this EOI is being requested shall be to establish the staffing requirements to achieve a more effective and efficient management of the GSOP in the light of the changing management requirements

Key Responsibilities:

•   Lead the development of the Monitoring and Evaluation System of the project and ensuring that appropriate monitoring and evaluation procedures are established, implemented and co-ordinated.
•   Guiding project staff, collaborating agencies, departments and other relevant stakeholders to understand the project's M&E system.
•   Providing guidance for monitoring and documenting project implementation processes, procedures, achievements, challenges, lessons and outcomes/results at the various levels of implementation in relation to the performance milestones outlined in the M&E system.
•   Assisting in the preparation, co-ordination, and collation of Annual Workplans/ Budgets by the project implementing units and ensuring that this is done in a timely manner.
•   Providing relevant M&E input for the development of the project's database software so that it adequately captures data and generates needed reports for implementation management and performance analysis, as well as studies and surveys on the project.
•   Preparation of project progress reports, briefs and status updates.
•   Preparation of Concept notes/Terms of Reference and leading the unit in the identification and engagement of firms/consultants to conduct relevant socioeconomic surveys and studies.
•   Assisting the National Co-ordinator to provide secretarial services to the NPSC.
•   Performing any other duties that may be assigned by the National Co-ordinator from time to time.

Reporting Responsibility

•   As a member of the Project team, the Project Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) Specialist will be involved in the implementation of the various components of the project.
•   He/she will report directly to the National Co-ordinator and perform such functions as providing technical support and assistance to implementing agencies.
•   He/she shall work closely with the Planning Budgeting Monitoring and Evaluation Department (PBMED) of the MLGRD, the Decentralized Units under the LGSS and other relevant bodies.

Duration of Assignments

•   The assignments shall be for an initial period of fifteen (15) months from 1st April 2016 to 30th June 2017 with the likelihood of extension for an additional year.

Qualification Required & Experience

•   At least a Masters degree: Development studies, Planning, Social Policy, Social Science, Economics/Agric-Economics, Statistics, Business Admin or related field.
•   Recognised Professional Qualification in Monitoring and Evaluation.
•   At least Five (5) years professional experience in Monitoring and Evaluation within a project environment and two (2) years within the public sector.

Location: Accra

How To Apply For The Job

•   All interested individuals are requested to submit typewritten letters and curriculum vitae (CV) for the positions described above.
•   Only shortlisted individuals will be contacted. Letters of Interest clearly marked: "GSOP - STAFF Positions" must be delivered to the address below (in person, or by mail, or bye-mail) by 1700hrs on February 10, 2016.

The Chief Director
Ministry of Local Gov't and
Rural Development (MLGRD)
P. O. Box M. 50 Ministries,
Accra, Ghana

Tel: 00233-21-6636681
Fax: 00233-21- 682003
E-mail address: nco@gsop.gov.gh

Further enquiries on this REOl can be obtained from the National Coordinator, Ghana Social Opportunities Project,    Tel: 0302-770246.

Closing Date: 10 February, 2016