ANNOUNCEMENTS OF VACANCIES

26-04-2023
MINISTRY OF EDUCATION AND SCIENCE OF THE REPUBLIC OF TAJIKISTAN
 
TECHNICAL AND VOCATIONAL EDUCATION AND TRAINING PROJECT IN THE MOUNTAINOUS REGIONS OF TAJIKISTAN (TJK-1035) 
ANNOUNCEMENTS OF VACANCIES 
 
The Ministry of Education and Science, on behalf of the Republic of Tajikistan, received funding from the Islamic Development Bank (IDB) in the amount of 17.15 million US dollars to finance the Technical and Vocational Education and Training Project in the Mountainous Areas of the Republic of Tajikistan. The project will improve the vocational training environment and the effectiveness of educational services by: (i) improving access to vocational training; and (ii) Improving the quality and relevance of vocational education and training.  
The Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Tajikistan is recruiting multiple positions for the new project implementation group for the Technical and Vocational Education and Training Project in the Mountainous Areas of the Republic of Tajikistan:
 
Position 1 – Project Director
 
Specific Responsibilities 
Under the supervision of the Deputy Minister for economic issue and in close cooperation with Department of primary and secondary vocational education of the MoES, and the IsDB, the Project Director will:
- Be responsible for day-to-day management of the project, ensuring timely implementation of all project activities. Ensure that the Project is implemented in compliance with the Project legal agreements, IsDB procurement and financial management regulations, Project Operational Manual (POM), including design and implementation schedule and the Environmental and Social Commitment Plan (ESCP);
- Ensure regular communication with the Minister and Deputy Minister for primary and secondary vocational education of the MoES, and IsDB to inform them of the implementation progress, raise any critical issues that may impede project implementation, and follow on agreed actions;
- Monitor and ensure an effective and transparent utilization of the Project funds in accordance with the procurement plan and costing table;
- Serve as a key liaison to ensure strong communication between the MoES and the IsDB;
- Ensure synergy of all Project’s components and sub-components by working closely and collaborating with the heads and focal staff of the MoES’s relevant departments/units, and primary and secondary vocational education; 
- Support relevant technical units/agencies to develop TOR for needed consultancies;
- Manage and coordinate the work of technical consultants contracted to support project implementation, review and ensure the quality of their outputs/reports;
- Supervise monitoring and evaluation activities to ensure conformance of actual results to planned results, in accordance with the FA and results framework;
- Supervise the work of the project team, including the procurement consultant and financial management specialist hired under the project, and ensure that the project implementation plan (PIP), procurement plan (PP) and financial plan (FP) are up-to-date and submitted to the IsDB on time;
- Coordinate reporting inputs for all project components and sub-components from MoES and project leadership and undertake the analysis and interpretation of these inputs in the preparation of consolidated project progress reports, and a final completion report, to be submitted in a timely manner to the Minister and Deputy Ministers of the MoES, the MoF and IsDB; 
- Based on the evidence concerning the Project’s implementation progress, propose changes and/or calibrations as needed to the POM to be approved by the Minister and Deputy Ministers of the MoES, and submitted to the IsDB for no-objection;
- Represent the Project and its interests in dealing with government, local organizations, forums and on-time reporting public events, as necessary;
- With inputs from relevant members of the Project Management Team, develop an overall plan for project’s communication campaign, prepare communication materials and roll out a project communication campaign;
- Maintain close communication with all of project’s key stakeholders and partners;
- Ensure that the Project GRM is implemented as per the agreed procedures.
- Facilitate the assignment of individuals responsible for receiving and documenting complaints at each of the GRM up-take points.
 
Key Results/ Performance Indicators
1. Technical and Vocational Education and Training Project in the Mountainous Areas of the Republic of Tajikistan is efficiently and effectively coordinated and managed with appropriate day-to-day follow-up and monitoring;
2. Effective management of the project team working in support of the Technical and Vocational Education and Training Project in the Mountainous Areas of the Republic of Tajikistan;
3. Necessary actions taken to respond to any changes during the project implementation;
4. Progress is being made against Project objectives and targets;
5. Regular and clear reporting on progress, including project finances, to MoES’s senior management and IsDB.
6. The Project M&E system and internal quality control are implemented as per the POM and Project M&E OM
7. Documents (TORs, PIP, PP, FP, survey methodologies etc.) submitted to the MoES and IsDB on time and of adequate quality.
 
Essential Skills, Experience and Qualifications 
- Higher education in the field of management, public administration, economics, education or relevant areas;
- At least 8 years of experience in managing a work of multitasked professional teams preferably in education sector
- At least 5 years of experience in managing donor funded projects; especially in the education sector, is an advantage;
- Good knowledge and experience in education system of Tajikistan (of primary and secondary education);
- Good knowledge of project cycle, procurement and financial management; 
- Ability to think strategically and translate ideas into plans and actions;
- Strong verbal communication and report writing skills;
- Strong staff management and activity coordination skills;
- Excellent written and oral communication skills in Tajik and Russian. Knowledge of English will be an advantage. 
- Computer literate: Windows XP, Excel, Word, and ability to learn new systems quickly. 
 
Competencies:
- Communication skills: the ability to convey relevant and accurate information in written and oral format;
- Concern for accuracy and attention to details: the ability to ensure and maintain a high degree of accuracy and quality in work, including work under pressure and multiple assignments;
- Problem solving: ability to make reasonable judgment and take initiative in all operational processes and propose practical and realistic solutions to address them;
- Planning and organizing: ability to operate independently with minimum control, prioritize and schedule workload. Effectively manage high volume of multiple tasks;
- Team work: building effective communication and relationships both within and outside the team. Sharing knowledge, information and best practices with others;
- Results orientated: ability to ensure the goals and operational targets are achieved; constantly seeking to improve operational processes.
 
Contractual Conditions
- The duration of the contract will be the project implementation period (four years) subject to annual performance evaluation.
- Wages will be paid monthly in accordance with the concluded Contract and the PIU salary scale, which will be approved by the Minister of Education and Science and agreed by the Ministry of Finance.
- The position may require travel to project sites within Tajikistan. Travel expenses such as daily allowance, accommodation, etc. will be reimbursed in accordance with the relevant procedures.
- The Project Director will be accountable to the Deputy Minister on Economic Issues (DMEI) of the MoES on day-to-day project activities.
- The place of work of the Project Director - Dushanbe city.
 
Required documents:
• CV and cover letter in Russian and English;
• University diplomas along with translation into English;
• Other relevant certifications.
 
Position 2 – Deputy Director
 
Key Responsibilities and Deliverables:
- Organization of Project activities in relation to the Executive Agency, investors, as well as Consultants, and Contractors;
- Close work with the relevant departments of city and district authorities and other state institutions on issues related to the implementation of the project;
- Close work with the relevant departments/institutions of the MoES to ensure the quality of deliverables;
- Conducting systematic meetings with all Project Consultants in order to ensure prompt resolution of issues that have arisen and the efficient use of the time allotted for the implementation of the project;
- Organization of meetings of IsDB missions and proper negotiations with mission members;
- General coordination of the project implementation;
- Control the proper implementation of all types of Contracts concluded for the implementation of the project;
- Making necessary and timely proposals for improving the work within the framework of the project;
- Participation in all meetings and events related to the project; 
- Acceptance and study of all types of necessary reports submitted by the Project Consultants and, on their basis, the preparation of synthesis reports for submission to the relevant state bodies of the Republic of Tajikistan and the IsDB; 
- Supervision of the daily activities of the Project related to project management and implementation;
- Quick solution to all emerging issues and disputes;
- Participation in solving problem issues of the PMU; 
- Providing the Project Director with weekly and, if necessary, daily information on the progress of the project;
- Performing other duties assigned by the Project Director;
- Performing duties of the Project Director during his absence.
 
Essential Skills, Experience, and Qualifications:
- Higher education in the field of management, public administration, economics, education or relevant areas;
- Minimum ten years of experience in project management in the education sector financed by international financial institutions (IFIs);   
- Good problem-solving skills and the ability to think creatively, the ability to perform multiple tasks and respond quickly;
- Knowledge of the local educational environment, good communication, and interpersonal skills;
- Strong writing skills; experience writing reports and proposals for donors;
- Knowledge of legislative and regulatory documents of the Republic of Tajikistan in the field of education; 
- Computer literate: Windows XP, Excel, Word, and ability to learn new systems quickly;
- Excellent written and oral communication skills in Tajik and Russian. Knowledge of English will be an advantage.
 
Competencies:
- Communication skills: the ability to communicate appropriate and accurate information in written and verbal formats;
- Concern for accuracy and attention to detail: the ability to ensure and maintain a high degree of accuracy and quality in work, including work under pressure and multiple assignments;
- Problem-solving: the ability to make reasonable judgments, take initiative in all operational processes, and propose practical and realistic solutions to address them;
- Planning and organizing: the ability to operate independently with minimum control, prioritize and schedule workload. Effectively manage a high volume of multiple tasks;
- Teamwork: building effective communication and relationships both within and outside the team. Sharing knowledge, information, and best practices with others;
- Results orientated: the ability to ensure the goals and operational targets are achieved; 
constantly seeking to improve operational processes.
Contractual conditions: 
-   The duration of the contract will be the project implementation period (four years) subject to annual performance evaluation;
-   Wages will be paid monthly in accordance with the concluded Contract and the PIU salary scale, which will be approved by the Minister of Education and Science and agreed by the Ministry of Finance;
-   The position may require travel to project sites within Tajikistan. Travel expenses such as daily allowance, accommodation, etc. will be reimbursed in accordance with the relevant procedures;
-   The place of work of the Deputy Director - Dushanbe city.
 
Required documents:
• CV and cover letter in Russian and English;
• University diplomas along with translation into English;
• Other relevant certifications.
 
Position 3 – Financial Management Specialist
 
Key Responsibilities and Deliverables
- Maintain project financial statements and accounting of all financial resources within the framework of the Project;
- Manage disbursement related issues and the withdrawal applications;
- Organize necessary conditions for the comprehensive functioning of the project accounting;
- Approve and sign of all financial documents of the Project, including banking, cashier documents and documents related to salaries, and is fully responsible for the correct, reliable submission of financial documents for signing to Project Director; 
- Prepare all project payments orders and internal vouchers for the project;
- Ensure proper and targeted use of project funds in accordance with the requirements of the legislation of the Republic of Tajikistan and the IsDB;
- Participate in planning, budgeting for the implementation of the Project; 
- Monitor and ensure effective use of project funds, according to IsDB procedures and legislation of the Republic of Tajikistan; 
- Prepare transactions related to wages, travel, advance payments and maintenance of advance accounts; 
- Verify invoices and other payment documents for compliance with the contract terms and agreements; 
- Control and authorization of all banking and cash transactions; 
- Correctly fill out all financial documents (bank, cash, invoices, payment documents, travel documents, advance invoices, etc.); 
- Maintain regular accounting of fixed assets purchased during the Project implementation; 
- Prepare the Quarterly Interim Unaudited Financial Reports (IFRs) and their timely submission to the IsDB; 
- Perform monthly cash and bank reconciliations;
- Control preparation of monthly, quarterly financial reports and quarterly reports by districts to be presented to the Ministry of Finance, State Committee on Investments and State Property Management, State Committee on Statistics of the Republic of Tajikistan; 
- Prepare and submit of tax reports to the Tax Committee and the local tax authority; 
- Prepare other additional reports and information, as necessary, for the Ministry of Finance and other government agencies related to investments; 
- Timely preparation of annual financial plans and cost estimates jointly with other Project team;
- Manage external audit of project financial statements and follow-up on audit recommendations;
- Implement other instructions of the Project Director related to Project financial management.
 
Essential Skills, Experience and Qualifications
- Higher education in Accounting/Finance/Business management/Public Administration; a post graduate degree will be an advantage;
- Minimum of five years of professional experience in project financial management and accounting;
- Experience in donor-funded projects is an asset; knowledge of IsDB requirements will be preferable;
- The ability to supervise accounting and other financial functions, and report relevant financial information to the various project stakeholders;
- Sound knowledge of government of Tajikistan’s accounting and financial management system;
- Strong computer skills and practical experience with the 1C Accounting Software;
- Strong communication skills;
- Fluent in English, Russian and Tajik languages.
 
Competencies
- Communication skills: the ability to communicate appropriate, concise and accurate information in written and verbal formats;
- Concern for accuracy and attention to details: the ability to ensure and maintain a high degree of accuracy and quality in work, including work under pressure and multiple assignments;
- Problem solving: ability to make reasonable judgment and take initiative in all operational processes and propose practical and realistic solutions to address them;
- Planning and organizing: ability to operate independently with minimum control, prioritize and schedule workload. Effectively manage high volume of multiple tasks;
- Team work: building effective communication and relationships both within and outside the team.         Sharing knowledge, information and best practices with others;
- Results orientated: ability to ensure the goals and operational targets are achieved and exceeded; 
- Сonstantly seeking to improve operational processes.
 
Contractual conditions
- The duration of the contract will be 12 (twelve) months starting from the contract signing date and renewable annually based on the Financial Management Specialist’s performance and project needs;
- Financial Management Specialist is expected to work full time (office hours);
- Wages will be paid monthly in accordance with the concluded Contract and the PIU salary scale, which will be approved by the Minister of Education and Science and agreed by the Ministry of Finance;
- The position may require travel to project sites within Tajikistan. Travel expenses such as daily allowance, accommodation, etc. will be reimbursed in accordance with the relevant procedures;
- The place of work of the Financial Management Specialist - Dushanbe city.
 
Required documents:
• CV and cover letter in Russian and English;
• University diplomas along with translation into English;
• Two reference letters from the most recent employers;
 
 
Position 4 – Procurement Consultant
 
Responsibilities and Scope of Work 
The Procurement Consultant will provide support to the MoES and its Unit for Marketing, Property and State Procurement (UMPSP) in carrying out the project procurement activities. The Procurement consultant will oversee all steps of procurement process under the Project on procurement related matters and monitoring their procurement to ensure compliance with the IsDB guidelines and procedures. The Procurement consultant will assist the UMPSP of the MoES to:
a. Plan and coordinate procurement activities under the project;
b. Prepare and regularly update procurement plan;
c. Prepare Special Procurement Notices (SPNs), Requests for Expression of Interest (REOIs), contract award notices and publish through in local media and websites;
d. Ensure due procurement governance process through: registering and addressing complaints related to the procurement process; ensuring that the implementing agency personnel involved in the procurement process do not have a conflict of interest;
e. Coordinate the bids opening meetings, prepare the minutes of the bids opening and collect the signatures of the members of the bids evaluation committee based on the standard evaluation form of the IsDB;
f. Prepare procurement documents, evaluation reports, contracts and communications related to procurement processes;
g. Together with specialists from the relevant MoES’s departments monitor and manage the progress of the execution of signed contracts. Verify payment documents under contracts for the supply of goods, works and services;
h. Support the MoES in acceptance of the goods, customs clearance, and secure delivery to the appropriate final destinations;
i. Maintain adequate procurement filing system (both hard copy and electronic copy)
j. Prepare procurement-related reports when required;
k. Assist the IsDB in conducting ex-post reviews of procurements that are not subject to prior review;
l. Develop and update the procurement section of the Project Operational Manual, as required;
m. Train related MoES staff, Project team and Evaluation Committee members on the IsDB procurement rules and procedures; advice those on appropriate areas related to procurement and contract management.
 
Essential Skills, Experience and Qualifications 
a. Higher education in business administration, law, economics and other relevant fields (civil engineering, industrial management, business administration, finance);
b. At least 5 years of work experience in procurement of goods, works and services under the international development organizations’ procurement procedures;
c. Received training on international procurement procedures, including IDB procedures in procurement of goods and works and selection of consultants;
d. Knowledge of the public procurement law;
e. Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.) and advance knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages;
f. Experience in the use of the Bank’s online procurement planning and tracking tool;
g. Fluency in English and Tajik and/or Russian languages. 
h. Two reference letters from the most recent employers
Contractual conditions
- The duration of the contract will be 12 (twelve) months starting from the contract signing date and renewable annually based on the Procurement Consultant’s performance and project needs;
- Procurement Consultant is expected to work full time (office hours);
- Wages will be paid monthly in accordance with the salary scale agreed between the IsDB, Ministry of Education and Science and Ministry of Finance;
- The position may require travel to project sites within Tajikistan. Travel expenses such as daily allowance, accommodation, etc. will be reimbursed in accordance with the relevant procedures;
- The place of work of the Financial Management Specialist - Dushanbe city.
 
Required documents:
• CV and cover letter in Russian and English;
• University diplomas along with translation into English;
• Two reference letters from the most recent employers
 
Interested applicants must submit the required documents in printed or electronic form by 5:00 p.m. local time 03 May 2023 (documents submitted after this deadline are not subject to review) at the following address:
 
Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Tajikistan
Attention: Unit for Marketing, Property and State Procurement
 
734024, Republic of Tajikistan, Dushanbe city,
13а Nisorмuhammad Street 
Tel: +992 37 221-45-23; Fax: +992 37 227-45-02;
E-mail: maorif-marketing@mail.ru with copy to idbroa@isdb.org 
Website: www.maorif.tj