REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST (REOI)(INDIVIDUAL CONSULTING SERVICES)Country:

Federated States of Micronesia (FSM)

Name Of Project:

FSM Skills and Employability Enhancement Project (P176965)

Grant No.:

IDA-V381

Assignment Title:

SEE Project Manager

Reference No.:

FM-DOFA-257497-CS-INDVThe Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) has received financing from the World Bank (WB)
toward the cost of the FSM Skills and Employability Enhancement Project, and intends to apply
part of the proceeds for consulting services. The FSM Skills and Employability Enhancement
Project (SEE) aims to improve the quality of and equitable access to secondary vocational
education and skills trainings, and to improve access to and effectiveness of employment support
programs.
The consulting services (“the Services”) as the Project Manager include provision of leadershipand results-based management of the SEE project in maximizing the impact of project
development objectives and ensure quality and success in implementation of all projectinterventions. The SEE Project Manager will be based in Palikir, Pohnpei, Federated States ofMicronesia for an initial period of twelve months on fulltime basis. Contract extension will be
subject to a performance and availability of funds.
The detailed Terms of Reference (TOR) for the assignment may be obtained through the Federated
States of Micronesia Department of Finance & Administration website (www.dofa.gov.fm) or canbe obtained by e-mailing address indicated in this REOI.
The FSM National Government Department of Finance and Administration (DoFA) now invites
eligible individual Consultants to indicate their interest in providing the Services.
Interested Consultants should provide information demonstrating that they have the required
qualifications and relevant experience to perform the Services (attach curriculum vitae withdescription of experience in similar assignments, similar conditions; detailed description ofleadership positions held, description of use of software application to perform work related
assignments etc. and the details of two references). Firms’ staff may express interest through theemploying firm for the assignment and, under such situation, only the experience andqualifications of individuals shall be considered in the selection process.

The criteria for selecting the Consultant are:Mandatory● Degree in management (business or project), social science, engineering, law or a relatedfield● Minimum of five (5) years of experience in project management.
● Excellent technical, diagnostic, and troubleshooting skills.
● Strong leadership and organizational abilities.
● Excellent communication, motivational, and interpersonal skills.
● Experience with project management tools and software including Microsoft suites andcloud services, Microsoft Project (or equivalent, especially for the development of Ganttcharts)
Desirable Experience● Master’s Degree in education or relevant social science discipline.
● Minimum of five (5) years of experience in project management, preferably in the socialsector, specifically in vocational education and training and/or other related project.
● Technical training in Project Management (Project Management Professional (PMP) or
Agile Certified Practitioner (ACP). Demonstrated experience in monitoring and evaluation
within a development context.
● Experience in working in an island nation environment and familiar with cultural differencesand expectations in the FSM.
The attention of interested Consultants is drawn to Section III, paragraphs, 3.14, 3.16, and 3.17 of
the World Bank’s “Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers” Fourth Edition, November 2020(“Procurement Regulations”), setting forth the World Bank’s policy on conflict of interest.
Further information can be obtained at the address below during office hours 0900 to 1700 Pohnpei
Time (Local Time).
Expressions of interest must be delivered in a written form to the email addresses below by Friday,
June 10th 2022 to:Secretary, Department of Finance and Administration,
Attn:
Mr. Kwame Shiroya
CIU Program Manager
Central Implementation Unit
Department of Finance & Administration
Palikir, Federated States of Micronesia (FSM)
Email: kwame.shiroya@dofa.gov.fm
And CC to:Central Implementation Unit: ciu.dofa@gov.fm

TERMS OF REFERENCESEEP Project Manager
FSM National Government
The National Department of Education (NDOE) of the Federated States of Micronesia hasreceived World Bank support to strengthen its technical-vocational education and training (TVET)
institutions and employment services. The FSM Skills and Employability Enhancement Project
aims to improve the quality of and equitable access to secondary vocational education and skills
trainings, and to improve access to and effectiveness of employment support programs, throughthe following four components:
Component 1: Improving equitable access to vocational education and training. The objectiveof this component is to ensure TVET access to all – especially the poor and vulnerable youth,
girls/women, young adults with disabilities, and geographically disadvantaged groups such as
students or trainees from outer islands. The component aims to achieve this by expanding theavailability of quality skills training while providing information, incentives, and support toincrease participation of under-represented and disadvantaged groups in TVET.
Component 2: Improving the relevance and quality of TVET. The objective of this component
is to enhance the relevance and quality of training offered by TVET institutions by establishingoccupational standards and upgrading the training curricula; improving the quality of trainers; andmaking provisions for independent testing and certification of skills. The enhanced training will
be delivered through a high quality, flagship TVET institution, namely the FSM Skills Academy(FSA), to be revitalized through project support. The project will also help improve the relevanceand quality of TVET in other key TVET institutions in the country, specifically in designated highschools across the nation, by giving access to the enhanced training curricula, providing training
opportunities to trainers, and supporting the skills testing and certification of graduates. In parallel,
it will also support NDOE in preparing a 10-year national TVET development plan for prioritizing
and guiding the activities in this subsector (including an expenditure review and planning of sector
financing to prepare for the post-2023 period).
Component 3: Improving labor market information and employment services in FSM. This
component aims to establish capacity within the government to provide labor market informationand employment support services to relevant government units involved in job search assistanceas well as to TVET institutions, with a view to improve labor market outcomes among potentialworkers – including TVET graduates – in FSM. Activities will be established with a primary focus
on domestic jobs, but they will also facilitate jobseekers’ access to labor migration opportunities.
Component 4: Project Management. The objective of this component is to support project
management, including monitoring and evaluation (M&E) of project activities. It will finance theestablishment costs and incremental operating expenses of the Project Implementation Unit (PIU).
Headed by a Project Manager- the PIU will be an integral part of NDOE. The PIU will include aSenior Project Officer, TVET Education Specialist, Gender Safety Officer, and M&E Specialist tosupport project operations. The PIU will be responsible for overall project management andcoordination as well as day-to-day activities including financial management (FM), procurement,environmental and social safeguards, monitoring and evaluation (M&E), and project grievance
redress.
A. Objective of the Assignment:
The objective of the assignment is to provide leadership and results-based management of the SEE
project to maximize the impact of project development objectives. To lead the implementation ofthe SEE project and ensure quality and success in implementation of all project interventions.
B. Scope of Work, Duties, and Responsibilities:
Responsible for achieving the project's goals and objectives and achieving targets in line with theProject Appraisal Document and with the NDOE strategic plan, by managing and coordinating theproject components. More specifically, the Project Manager will be responsible for the following
core project management areas1:
Project Integration Management
2. Project Scope Management
3. Project Time Management
4. Project Cost Management
5. Project Quality Management
6. Project Human Resource Management
7. Project Communications Management
8. Project Risk Management
9. Project Procurement Management
10. Project Stakeholder coordination
More specifically, the PM will undertake the following responsibilities:
1.

Staff Supervisory Responsibilities● Coordinates the hiring process and trains members of the project staff.
● Assigns duties and responsibilities and oversees workflow of project staff.
● Conducts staff performance evaluations that are timely and constructive.
● Handles discipline and termination of employees as needed and in line with humanresource policies.
● Designs, establishes, and maintains an organizational structure and staffing to effectively
accomplish the project’s goals and objectives.
1

For detailed description of the ten knowledge areas see: https://www.projectmanager.com/blog/10-projectmanagement-knowledge-areas

Project delivery
 Sets and tracks project milestones; manages and accounts for unforeseen delays and otherrisks, then realigns schedules and expectations as needed. Escalates issues to theappropriate authorities where necessary
 Establishes and implements project communication plans, providing status updates toaffected staff and stakeholders.
 Collects, analyzes, and summarizes information and trends as needed to prepare projectstatus reports.
 Coordinates strategic planning and goal development for the project; monitors
achievement of goals and objectives and provides reports.
 Leads the development of the implementation plan and project timelines through thedevelopment of annual project workplan and budget that includes:
o Plans for each subcomponent of the project, ensuring each is delivered in atimely manner and considering and managing riskso Develops and manages operating budgets as appropriate and performs periodic
cost and productivity analyses.
 Manages procurement process of the project including:o Leads the NDOE on all phases of the procurement of consultant services, goods,works, and non-consulting services in accordance with the World Bank
procurement policies and procedureso Managing and updating the procurement plan and administration of STEPo Prepares/refines concept notes,
o Prepares and negotiates contracts for the engagement of experts/consultants andservice providers for various services to be procured adhering to the WB andGovernment of the FSM procurement regulations.
o Shepherds the contracts through the World Bank and GoFSM approval process
o Develops, maintains, and revises TORs for project consultants, including
objectives, scopes of work, timelines, deliverables, and reporting; Provides oversight and accountability for all project consultants and service providers.
 Responsible for the management and delivery of:o The Environmental and Social Commitment Plano Environmental and Social Management Plano Stakeholder engagement plan
 Develops, supports and coordinates capacity building in the areas fiduciary, social andenvironmental management, administrative and operational, monitoring and evaluation,information, communication, and engagement activities.
 Ensures that the project is proceeding according to timelines, meeting targets andexpectations, and adhering to established operating parameters; negotiates changes inproject resources as necessary to achieve objectives and timelines.

General Duties and Responsibilities● Interacts with National Department of Education staff, senior management, andadministrators within Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) programs
at high schools and colleges and, as appropriate, within industry and government, topresent and promote the development and achievement of the strategic goals of the project.
● Builds relationships with key project participants (teachers/ counselors/ students/ industry)and ensures they are fully accessing and engaging with the project.
● Builds relationships with other stakeholders within the education sector and other sectors
relevant to the project (e.g. local authorities, funders, consultants, education providers,employers, business associations).
C. Reporting Obligations● Submit monthly briefing reports to the Secretary of the National Department ofEducation;● Submit quarterly reports on project progress to NDOE stakeholders for feedback andapproval; then send to World Bank counterparts.
D. Required skills:
Academic Background and Relevant Experience
Required:● Degree in management (business or project), social science, engineering, law or a
related field.
● Minimum of five (5) years of experience in project management.
● Excellent technical, diagnostic, and troubleshooting skills.
● Strong leadership and organizational abilities.
● Excellent communication, motivational, and interpersonal skills.
● Experience with project management tools and software including Microsoft suites andcloud services, Microsoft Project (or equivalent, especially for the development ofGantt charts)
Desired:● Master’s Degree in education or relevant social science discipline.
● Minimum of five (5) years of experience in project management, preferably in thesocial sector, specifically in vocational education and training and/or other relatedproject.
● Technical training in Project Management (Project Management Professional (PMP)or Agile Certified Practitioner (ACP). Demonstrated experience in monitoring andevaluation within a development context.
● Experience in working in an island nation environment and familiar with culturaldifferences and expectations in the FSM context in an added advantage.Required Competencies● Strong communication skills and persuasiveness in presenting, discussing, andresolving difficult issues with tact, both orally and in writing.
● Ability to identify complex issues and to respond and handle them accordingly; does
not add unnecessary complexity to tasks or projects.
● Ability to deal sensitively in multi-cultural environments and build effective business
relationships with clients and colleagues.
● Qualification and competencies in effective leadership and management techniques.
● Clear understanding of project management, project objectives, results framework,
implementation challenges, monitoring and evaluation of performance.
● Demonstrated ability to function effectively in multi-disciplinary teams.
● Demonstrated ability to prioritize tasks to meet deadlines, resource allocation to meetbudget and quality expectations, and conflict resolution.
● Self-motivated to have personal work ethics and to travel as needed by the project● Ability to manage a project across remote geographic regions, especially across islands
E. Duration, Location, and Conditions of Assignment
This is a full-time position for an initial period of Twelve (12) Months, based in Palikir, Pohnpei,
and may be extended based on satisfactory performance and availability of funding.
Domestic travel may be required from time to time, including overnight travel away from the homeoffice. The National Department of Education will provide office space, general office supplies,
and office equipment.