HIGHER EDUCATION COMMISSION PAKISTAN

Higher Education Development in Pakistan (HEDP)

Terms of Reference (TORs) for Contract Management Specialist

BACKGROUND:

Pakistan Vision 2025 has set an ambitious target for Pakistan to revive economic growth and become among the world’s top 25 economies by year 2025. Knowledge economy has been identified as one of the key pillars for growth. Higher Education Development in Pakistan (HEDP) will contribute directly to knowledge economy by addressing these issues through the higher education system in Pakistan. This project will directly support selected areas of HEC Vision 2025. This project will support interventions aimed at improving quality and relevance of second and third tier higher education institutions and encouraging research and innovation in tier 1 Universities of the country.

PROJECT DESCRIPTION:

The project supports the implementation of a subset of activities from the Higher Education Commission’s (HEC’s) Vision 2025, which is in line with the broader development framework for Pakistan as envisaged in the Government’s Vision 2025. The project will be implemented over a five-year period of 2019/20 – 2023/24. The project is a combination of Investment Project Financing (IPF) with Disbursement Linked Indicators (DLIs). The project has five components. Components 1, 2 and 4 are completely results-based financing and funds will be disbursed against agreed Eligible Expenditure Programs (EEPs) on the achievement of DLI targets. Components 3 and 5 are IPF with input-based financing modality on agreed activities. 

In essence the objectives of the project are to support research excellence in strategic sectors of the economy, improve teaching and learning, and strengthening governance, in the higher education sector. More information on HEDP can be found here: http://projects.worldbank.org/P161386?lang=en.

CORE RESPONSBILITIES:

The Contract Management Specialist will be a part of the Project Coordination Unit (PCU) and will be responsible for carrying out contract management of contracts specified in the Procurement Plan for the Project and support Contract Management of various contracts. She/he will be responsible for ensuring the smooth implementation of contracts procured as per the terms of contract.

 She/He will report to the Project Coordinator. Under the direct supervision of Project Coordinator and in close coordination with the Procurement Specialist, the key responsibilities of the Contract Management Specialist shall include, but not limited to the following:

• Prepare and maintain contract Roaster of all the Services, Goods and Non- Consulting services procured under the Project. Manage the contracts as per the applicable regulations/policy and terms of the contracts.
• Keep a close track of contract proceedings, monitoring deliverables, processing payments, and identifying any delays.
• Assessment of variation orders and Extension of Time (EOT) proposals as per the applicable clauses of the contract.
• Drafting addendums for the contracts where required and obtaining necessary approvals.

• Facilitate a technical dialogue between HEC, Consultant/s; with a view to achieve closure on divergent interpretation of contractual clauses.
• Act as a focal person on behalf of HEC for contract administration issues that may accrue liabilities for the project.
• Support HEC in checking the quality of procured services upon provision by Service Providers/Consultants
• Monitor progress of contracts implementation to ensure that it abides by the stipulated standards, procedures, and planned timelines.

• Provide support to Procurement Specialist in maintain the record for the contracts procured under the project.
• Develop TORs in consultation with the component owners and maintain data base of expressions received against the floated Consulting Positions.
• Processing of invoices of consultants and contractors in coordination with the procurement specialist as per the terms and conditions of the respective contract.
• Coordinating with HR division of HEC for all recruitments.
• Support HEDP for drafting ToRs of staff position.

QUALIFICATIONS:

The Consultant will possess the following qualifications:

• A Bachelor’s/Master’s degree (16 years of education) from a reputable national/international university.
• 5 years’ experience (after acquiring stipulated qualification) with at least two years of working in public contracts management.

• Proficiency in the usage of computers desktop application MS Office (Word, Excel, and Power Point) and office software packages (word processing, spreadsheet etc) and experience in handling of web-based data and information management systems
• Demonstrates good oral and written communication skills in substantive and technical areas
• Excellent writing, editing and analytical skills and capability of working independently

SELECTION PROCESS:

• An individual consultant will be selected in accordance with process stipulated in accordance with “World Bank: Procurement Regulations for Investment Project Financing Goods, Works, Non-Consulting and Consulting Services” (July 2016) revised November 2017 & August 2018.