Puntland State of Somalia

Ministry of Interior, Federal affairs and Democratisation (MOIFAD) 

BULSHO PROJECT - Strengthening Community Institutions for Social Cohesion, Inclusion and Resilience.

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSION OF INTEREST (REOI)

Individual Selection of Consultant

Country: Federal Government of Somalia

Project ID No. P508408

Name of the Project: Bulsho Project - Strengthening Community Institutions for Social Cohesion, Inclusion and Resilience

Consulting Service: PIU Bulsho Project Manager  

Individual/Firm: Individual

Duty Station: Garowe, Puntland Somalia (with potential travel to the target Districts and Cities of Bulsho Project). 

Deadline: 18th November, 2025

1.         BACKGROUND OF THE PROJECT

The Bulsho Project – Strengthening Community Institutions for Social Cohesion, Inclusion and Resilience (P508408) is under the lead of the Ministry of Interior, Federal Affairs and Reconciliation – MoIFAR of the Federal Government of Somalia and responsible for the national program called Bulsho, the Somali word for society. The Bulsho Program puts citizens and communities at the center of the government’s action.  The Bulsho Program is a Somali government-led initiative designed to strengthen community and local institutions, fostering social cohesion, inclusion, and resilience. As Somalia continues its recovery from two decades of civil war, the program places a strong emphasis on enhancing service delivery, rebuilding the social contract, and promoting community-centered governance. This uniquely Somali-owned and -driven initiative underscores government ownership and leadership at Puntland Government, and district levels, ensuring institutional sustainability and the realization of key policy outcomes. 

The Ministry of Interior of Puntland Government have established Project Implementation Units - PIUs, headed a State Project Managers, which have the responsibility for the activities that take place in their states.

The PIUs are responsible for managing project activities at state-level and to liaise with districts. Specifically, the PIUs are responsible for: (i) Verifying eligibility of districts, appraising districts’ request to participate – this includes allocation of Bulsho packages and conducting lottery for each package and verifying the fulfilment of district commitments. (ii) Preparing state-level procurement plans. (iii) Preparing annual project work plans and budgets for state-level activities. (iv) Carrying out procurement for state-level activities. (v) Managing the contract with the logistic firm. (vi) Delivering capacity building activities and providing quality assurance and technical backstopping to districts - this includes trainings of district officials and staff. as well as community entities that play a role in the project. (vii) Preparing requisitions for funds to be transferred to districts, as per the project workplan, and in accordance with the grant agreement/sub-agreements and this POM and its annexes. (viii) Preparing quarterly narrative and financial reports for project activities taking place in their states. (ix) Verifying technical and E&S appraisal of local investments (Component 3) as well as other E&S actions as per the Environment and Social Management Plan. (x) Verifying the soundness of sustainability plans for the local investment prepared by the districts, including Operations & Maintenance (O&M) plans and the Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) for the management of local infrastructures; and (xi) Preparing security management plans and applying security protocols in partnership with the security firm. 

The Ministry of Interior of Puntland State of Somalia is seeking to use a portion of the Bulsho Project to finance the recruitment of a Project Manager to lead the Puntland Project Implementation Unit - PIU. 

2) Responsibilities: For the Bulsho Project activities, the PIU Project Manager will work in close coordination with the Bulsho National Project Coordinator and close consultation with and use the support of the External Assistance Fiduciary Section (EAFS) unit within the Office of the Accountant General of Puntland State of Somalia. The Project Manager will engage other World Bank funded PIU’s active in Puntland State to provide support on Financial Management, Procurement, and where necessary other functions. The State PIU Project Manager is responsible for day-to-day management of Bulsho activities within the state, providing leadership to the PIU team, liaising with districts, and ensuring compliance with the Project Operations Manual (POM), financing agreements, and government regulations. 

The State PIU Project Manager will lead the day-to-day management of the PIU and ensure effective delivery of Bulsho activities in Puntland State of Somalia. The Project Manager will coordinate and work closely with the National Project Coordinator and PCU Specialist, the FMS PIUs and the World Bank to ensure project compliance with the all Government and the World Bank regulations, policies and procedures and the Bulsho POM.

The State PIU Project Manager will perform the following key areas: -

1.     Project Planning and Implementation: Lead annual work planning, budgeting, and execution of project activities at the FMS and District levels in line with the POM and Financing Agreement

2.     Financial Management and Procurement: Ensure compliance with World Bank and national fiduciary standards, including procurement, financial reporting, and audit requirements.

3.     Environmental and Social Safeguards: Oversee implementation of the ESCP, including stakeholder engagement, grievance redress, and risk management (GBV, SEA/SH, labor, land, biodiversity).

4.     Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning: Supervise M&E activities, ensure timely data collection and reporting, and support third-party monitoring and learning forums.

5.     Stakeholder Engagement: Facilitate participatory planning, community consultations, and communication with local authorities, civil society, and development partners.

The Project Manager will also support the facilitating and leading on districts selection process, coordinate cross-sectoral actions as well as other key identified activities in coordination with the PCU National Project Coordinator and participate in the Senior Management Teams – SMT of the Ministry of Interior, Federal affairs and Democratisation (MOIFAD) of Puntland State of Somalia respectively.

3) Selection Criteria: The selection shall be based on qualification, experience and skills of the candidate and followed by an interview. The qualifications, experience and competencies include:

1. Educational Background

-          University’s degree in Governance, Political Science, International Relations, Public Administration, Development Studies, Project Management, or a related field. A master’s degree in related field is an advantage.

1. Professional Experience

-          Minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible experience in project management, coordination, or implementation.

-          At least 5 years of experience managing or coordinating large-scale government or donor-funded programs in local governance, institutional building, or service delivery, preferably in fragile or conflict-affected settings specially Somalia.

-          Proven experience working on community empowerment, participatory governance or community driven development projects is an added advantage.

-          Demonstrated professional knowledge of Puntland Government and the Local Governments including their structures, functions and operational framework. 

1. Skills and competencies

-          Strong leadership, team management, financial management, procurement, M&E, and stakeholder engagement skills.

-          Demonstrate commitment to gender inclusion (target: 30% women in staffing and decision-making), social inclusion, and engagement with marginalized groups (e.g., minority clans, IDPs, youth). 

-          Demonstrate professional knowledge of Puntland Government and local governments (districts and Cities).

1. Knowledge

-          Proven ability to work effectively in multicultural environments and under challenging conditions.

-          In-depth knowledge of Somalia’s governance structures, political dynamics, and local context.

-          Familiarity with the role of international development partners in Somalia, particularly in community development, social cohesion, and local governance (e.g., World Bank, UN).

1. Language skills/requirement.

-          Excellent command of Somali language, e.g., reading, writing and presenting is essential

-          Excellent command of English language, e.g., reading, writing and presenting is essential.

3. REPORTING

The Puntland Bulsho PIU Project Manager will report to the Director General of the Ministry of Interior of Puntland State of Somalia and Coordinates with the Bulsho National Project Coordinator.

4.         TIMING Duration of Assignment:

The Project Manager shall be contracted for up to 12 months with 3 months of probationary period) and renewable upon satisfactory performance.

The Ministry of Interior, Federal affairs and Democratization (MOIFAD) of Puntland Government of Somalia now invites eligible Individual Consultants to indicate their interest in providing the above-mentioned services. Interested consultants must provide the following (i) Curriculum Vitae (CV) with 3 reference persons; (ii) copies of certificates of academic qualifications; and (iii) cover letter indicating that they are qualified to perform the services.

5.         SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS

The attention of interested Consultants is drawn to section III, para 3.14,3.16 & 3.17 of the World Bank’s Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers: Procurement in Investment Projects Financing Goods, Works, Non -Consulting and Consulting Services, July 2016, revised November 2017, August 2018, November 2020 and September 2023 (“Procurement Regulations”), setting forth the World Bank’s policy on conflict of interest.  

A Consultant will be selected in accordance with the Individual Consultant method set out in the World Bank Procurement Regulations. 

Interested candidates should submit their applications, including a detailed updated CV and cover letter, outlining their experience and qualifications in relation to the role marked with the subject title of the position by the following email address: [email protected] and copy to [email protected] latest by 18th  November, 2025 at 04:00 PM Mogadishu time.

Attention:

Bulsho PIU Project Manager

Ministry of Interior, Federal affairs and Democratisation (MOIFAD)

Puntland Government

Garowe, Puntland, Somalia