Project Agricultural Infrastructure Specialist (AIS)

Job description

GOVERMENT OF SOMALILAND

MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT

SOMALILAND FOOD SYSTEMS RESILIENCE PROJECT (SL-FSRP)

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSION OF INTEREST (REOI)

Individual Selection of Consultant

Country: Government of Somaliland

Project ID No: P177816

Name of Project: Food Systems Resilience Program for Eastern and Southern Africa (Phase 3) FSRP

Consulting Service: Project Agricultural Infrastructure Specialist (AIS)

Individual/firm: Individual

Duty Station: Hargeisa, Somaliland  

Deadline: 20th August 2025

Ref Number: SO-MOAD-SL-474506-CS-INDV

1.       BACKGROUND OF THE PROJECT

Somaliland Food Systems Resilience Project (SL-FSRP) is part of a regional initiative by the World Bank to provide a comprehensive framework for intervention at both the national and regional levels. This Multi-phase Programmatic Approach (MPA) aims to tackle the underlying structural challenges of food insecurity and reduce beneficiaries' vulnerability to unpredictable climate, crisis, and conflict events

The Project Development Objective (PDO) of the project is ‘to increase the resilience of food systems and the Somaliland’s preparedness for food insecurity in project target areas. The project has six components namely: Component 1: (Re-)Building Resilient Agricultural Production Capacity; Component 2: Supporting the Sustainable Development of Natural Resources for Resilient Agricultural Landscapes; Component 3: Getting to Market; Component 4: Promoting a Greater Focus on Food Systems Resilience in National and Regional Policymaking; Component 5: Contingent Emergency Response Component; Component 6: Project Coordination and Management. 

The Somaliland FSRP will directly benefit an estimated 65,000 of small farmers, agro-pastoralists, and nomadic pastoralists, at least 30 percent of which will be women. In addition, the project will support value chain stakeholders including women-owned agribusiness enterprises, financial services providers, disruptive Agriculture Technology start-ups, agricultural research and extension institutions. Within the public sector, the project will also build the capacity of Ministry of Agriculture Development, Ministry of Livestock and Rural Development and Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, and other institutions to implement resilience- focused policies. Therefore, the Ministry of Agricultural Development (MoAD) invites suitably qualified individuals to apply for the position of Agricultural Infrastructure Specialist for this Project funded by the World Bank.

The Agricultural Infrastructure Specialist (AIS) will oversee the design, supervision, and implementation of civil works under the Somaliland Food Systems Resilience Project (SL-FSRP). This includes irrigation systems, markets, warehouses, and other agriculture-related infrastructure. The AIS will prepare tender documents, ensure compliance with environmental and social safeguards, and promote climate-resilient construction practices. The role also involves developing contracts, monitoring tools, and contributing to annual planning and budgeting.

The Ministry of Agricultural Development (MoAD) seeks to recruit a qualified individual for this position in line with the project’s Terms of Reference (ToR).

2.       RESPONSIBILITIES: The Agricultural Infrastructure Specialist (AIS) will collaborate closely with the Project Coordination Unit (PCU), project focal persons, and development partners to ensure the smooth implementation of project activities. Key responsibilities include:

• Oversee the preparation of tender documents for the studies, supervision, and construction/rehabilitation of irrigation infrastructures, aggregation centers, markets, pack houses, institutional buildings, warehouses, as well as other related civil works;
• Review and develop specific project contracting guidelines for staff on civil works;
• Supervise civil works activities in the Project and report on progress to the PC;
• Ensure project civil works comply with environmental and social safeguards requirements and sustainable climate change adaptation;
• Develop contracts and MoUs related to Project civil works;
• Develop tools for monitoring of Project interventions related to civil works;
• Participate in planning and preparation of Annual Work Plans and Budgets (AWPBs);
• Undertake any other duty assigned by the PC

Skills and qualifications

1.       SELECTION CRITERIA: The selection will be based on the qualifications, experience, and skills of the candidate, followed by an interview. The criteria include:

• A bachelor’s degree in structural/rural civil/agricultural Engineering. A Master's degree from a recognized University will be an added advantage;
• A valid professional registration by the Engineering Registration Board;
• At least 5 years of relevant work experience in rural engineering, managing civil works projects related to irrigation infrastructure, market facilities, and other agricultural structures, with at least 2 years in World Bank projects;
• Proven experience in developing specific construction and management guidelines for market and irrigation infrastructure, including design standards and bills of quantities for various agricultural structures such as abattoirs, warehousing, and storage facilities. Knowledge of sanitary and phytosanitary standards is essential.
• Experience in providing standard technical advice to private sector operators at the local level, with the ability to collaborate effectively with diverse stakeholders.
• Strong understanding of environmental and social safeguards requirements, with the ability to ensure compliance in project implementation.
• Ability to develop tools for monitoring project interventions related to civil works and provide regular progress reports to senior management.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to engage effectively with diverse stakeholders.

2.       REPORTING

The Agricultural Infrastructure Specialist will report directly to the Project Coordinator at the Ministry of Agricultural Development.

3.       DURATION OF ASSIGNMENT

The Consultant will be contracted for a period of eight (8) months, with the possibility of extension for up to twelve (12) additional months based on satisfactory performance, need for the role and availability of funding.

4.       SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS

The Ministry of Agricultural Development now invites eligible Individual Consultants to express their expression of interest in providing the above-mentioned services. Interested candidates must submit the following documents: (i) an updated Curriculum Vitae (CV) with at least three professional reference contacts; (ii) copies of academic qualification certificates; and (iii) a cover letter demonstrating their suitability for the assignment.

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, 2018, 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. 

How to apply

Interested applicants may obtain further information including the detailed Terms of Reference from the Ministry in person or by e-mail to the address given below during office hours from 8.00 a.m.– 3.00 p.m. Saturday to Thursday. The ToR is also available on our website: https://sl-fsrp.org/vacancies-and-tender/.

Deadline: Expressions of Interest (EOI) and CV must be delivered to the address below by hand, mail, courier or email on or before 20th August 2025 at 3:00 PM East Africa Time (EAT). The subject line of the email should clearly state: “Agricultural Infrastructure Specialist - Expression of Interest.”

Project Coordination Unit (PCU)
Ministry of Agricultural Development (MoAD)
East of Assod Hotel, Sha’ab Area, Hargeisa, Somaliland

Attn: Mrs. Zamzam Ahmed, Procurement Specialist

Email address: Procurement@sl-fsrp.org with a copy to Procurement.copy@sl-fsrp.org