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:

•   Ensuring timely project assistance to the RPCUs, DPCUs, ACs, Communities, NGOs and other Service Providers, and making sure that Regional staff are providing a high degree of technical and other relevant support to the Project as specified in his/her Terms of Reference
•   Ensuring that Annual Workplans developed from the District Development Plans are carried out in a timely manner, implemented expeditiously, and monitored.
•   Supervising Regional staff to deliver on their mandate as prescribed in their individual Terms of Reference.
•   Ensuring that disbursement of District UPW Grant Allocation is done in accordance with the country's legal provision on Financial Administration and the'. World Bank Financial Management Guidelines. Exercise oversight for work programmes of project staff in the region and also ensure that input of service providers to project related activities are timely.
•   Ensuring that the MIS of the project is used to capture and analyse Project information and data, at District and Regional levels.
•   Ensuring that all established procedures and policies of the NCO and its Regional Offices including those governing staff rules, financial and assets management, internal controls, etc. are properly followed.
•   Ensuring that an appraisal is carried on the performance of all staff in the Regional Office
•   Ensuring the preparation and submission of Quarterly Progress Reports to the National Co-ordinator
•   Advising the National Co-ordinator and other Unit Heads on Project related issues within his/her area of jurisdiction
•   Ensuring effective collaboration with Project Stakeholders within his/her jurisdiction i.e. RCCs DAs, ACs Community Groups GIDA, DRF, EPA etc.
•   Managing efficiently all assets of the regional office and ensuring that they are used for the purpose for which they were procured.
•   Generally ensuring efficient management of all LlPW sites and prompt payment of beneficiaries as prescribed in the Project Operational Manual
•   Ensuring the prudent use of Project resources in the region and that Financial Reports are prepared and submitted to the National Co-ordinator on a timely basis.

Reporting Responsibility

•   In the discharge of his/her duties, The Regional Coordinator will report directly to the National Coordinator and oversee Regional Community Animator, Regional Engineer, Regional Accountant and other support staff     '

Duration of Assignment

•   The assignment 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

•   The Regional Coordinator should possess a good Second Degree in any social Science discipline, Development Studies, Planning, Engineering or related field.
•   In addition to five to seven (5-7) years' working experience in Project Management and Social Work at the management level (regional experience/exposure is preferable), the RC should also be familiar with Social Protection and decentralized structures.

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