Annex 1

EDUCATION QUALITY IMPROVEMENT PROJECT NATIONAL OFFICE FOR REGIONAL AND LOCAL DEVELOPMENT

TERMS OF REFERENCE ENGINEER

A.    BACKGROUND

„Education Quality Improvement” Project (EQIP) is a World Bank (hereinafter “the Bank”) - financed Project to be implemented between June 2023 and December 2029.

The total cost of the Project is US$ 59.8million equivalent comprising (i) a non-concessional portion in the amount of EUR36.5 million (US$40 million equivalent) and (ii) a concessional portion in the amount of US$10 million under the Global Concessional Financing Facility (GCFF) on a non-reimbursable basis (Loan No. IBRD 9536-MD), (iii) a grant in the amount of US$5 million from the Early Learning Partnership Multi-Donor Trust Fund (TF0C1507) and (iv) a grant in the amount of US$4.8 million from the Global Partnership for Education Fund (TF0C1484).

The project development objectives are to: (i) improve the learning environment in Participating Institutions, with an emphasis on supporting Disadvantaged Students; and (ii) strengthen the capacity of the Ministry of Education and Research for sector management and refugee response. The Project is organized around four components and its objectives will be achieved through improved teacher practices, a learning recovery program for disadvantaged students, an improved learning environment in targeted schools and preschools, and the development of the institutional capacity to design, implement and evaluate education reforms and refugee response interventions. The proposed Contingent Emergency Response Component under fourth part will support the country’s future response in the event of a natural or manmade disaster or emergency.

The EQIP components are described below:

1. Component 1 - Improve Quality of Teaching Practices. This component aims to (i) improve the quality of teaching; (ii) develop, pilot, and implement a rapid formative assessment, a Learning Recovery Program, and a supplemental tutoring for Disadvantaged Students; and (iii) develop School Subprojects through the provision of School Grants to support in-service teacher professional development opportunities.
2. Component 2 – Improve the Quality of Learning Environment in Participating Institutions. This component aims to improve the learning environment of Participating Institutions through (i) equipping the Participating Institutions; (ii) carrying out civil works for the rehabilitation of Participating Institutions and Selected ECEC Facilities; and (iii) construction of three (3) high schools in Priority Areas.
3. Component 3 – Strengthening the Capacity for Education Sector Management and Refugee Response. This component would support (i) improvement in planning, management, and evaluation of education reforms and (ii) Project Management.
4. Component 4 – Contingent Emergency Response. This component will provide immediate response to an Eligible Crisis or Emergency, as needed, in case a natural or man-made disaster or emergency arises.

The Ministry of Education and Research (MoER) would be responsible for overall Project implementation, while the National Office for Regional and Local Development (NORLD) would implement activities related to civil works. The project would support minor civil works for renovation of 15 schools and 15 kindergartens, as well as construction of 3 high schools.

In this context, an Engineer will be hired to assist and provide technical support to the NORLD Project Management Team (PMT) in order to perform all relevant financial procedures related to the Project under NORLD responsibility and to ensure systematic financial arrangements during the project implementation.

B.     OBJECTIVE OF THE CONSULTANCY

The main objective of the consultancy is to provide technical support and assist the NORLD in activities related to Project activities under NORLD responsibility in accordance with the Project Implementation Plan (PIP). Together with NORLD and Executive Committee will decide on financial and technical issues related to the implementation of schools' construction/rehabilitation following its internal procedures. The two Civil engineers are the ones responsible for the complete construction, functionality, and safety of the projects.

C.    SPECIFIC TASKS

The two selected Engineer Specialists are expected to:

• Prepare and plan the architectural studies and construction works.
• Organize and supervise the design procedures.
• Work closely with the Procurement Specialist on the design and civil works bidding documents.
• Organize and monitor the technical evaluation of the institution’s rehabilitation/construction within the Project.
• Supervise the contract documents signed between NORLD and the construction companies, as well as between NORLD and the technical supervisor (TS).
• Organize the technical supervision of the institutions rehabilitation/construction implementation and monitor the schedule of school rehabilitation implementation by the contractor, the payments and the quality of the executed works.
• Regularly reports the issue that arise to the Executive Committee of the NORLD during the implementation of the institution's rehabilitation/construction and, if necessary, presents proposals to improve the problematic situations.
• Monitors the payments to be paid for the executed works.
• Manages the process of creating the database of unit costs in construction and market prices. Is a member of the Bids Evaluation Commission within the NORLD for the activities under the Project.
• Is a member of the Executive Committee of the NORLD for the activities under the Project.

D. DURATION

This is a full-time assignment which is to begin in February 2024. The contract will be signed for the period until December 31, 2024. Subject to Consultant’s satisfactory performance, the contract may be renewed until the Closing Date of the project on December 31, 2029.

E. CONSULTANT’S REPORTING OBLIGATIONS

The two consultants to be hired in accordance with the proposed assignment should prepare monthly reports on all activities performed. The consultants will report directly to NORLD Project Manager (PM) and will also assist the Project Coordinator (PC) and count on the Project Management Team (PMT). The NORLD and Project team will provide the Consultants with necessary support to complete the assignment: project documents necessary for assignment accomplishment, necessary work conditions, including office space, telephone and other office equipment and supplies.

F. QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS AND BASIS FOR EVALUATION (EVALUATION CRITERIA)

The Consultants should meet the following mandatory qualifications:

• Higher technical education: engineering and management in construction, construction and civil engineering, architecture, and urbanism.
• Minimum five years of experience as a specialist in the construction field, experience in civil engineering and architecture, working with international organizations.
• Proven experience of technical supervision of construction works of social objects costing at least 2 million MDL per object, in the last 5 years.
• Good knowledge of Romanian.
• Knowledge of English would be an asset.
• Developed organizational capabilities, good communication skills, high level of responsibility, creative approach in problem solving, experience in planning and analyzing the work done, good computer knowledge.

G. CONFIDENTIALITY STATEMENT

All data and information received from NORLD for the purpose of this assignment is to be treated confidentially and are only to be used in connection with the execution of these Terms of Reference. All intellectual property rights arising from the execution of these Terms of Reference are assigned to NORLD. The contents of written materials obtained and used in this assignment may not be disclosed to any third parties without the expressed advance written authorization of the NORLD.