BACKGROUND
Digital Economy Enhancement Project (DEEP) is a World Bank assisted project with the objective of enhancing the Government's capacity for digitally enabled public services delivery for citizens and businesses. Ministry of IT & Telecom (MoITT) is the Executing Agency of the project with implementation support from (i) Board of Investment (BoI), (ii) National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA), (iii) Ignite – National Technology Fund and (iv) National IT Board (NITB).
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
DEEP aims to develop a framework and technology to promote digital services across Pakistan, significantly transforming citizen centric unified services nationwide. The project will support the development of digital public infrastructure including for responsible data exchange, digital authentication, and verifiable credentials and digitalization of public services (including to make them available through a new national citizen portal), which will improve the accessibility and delivery of services, economic opportunities, and social protection.
In addition, DEEP will support a transition towards a digital inventory of administrative procedures and the development of an electronic single window—the Pakistan Business Portal (PBP)—integrated across all three layers of government for new and existing businesses to apply, renew, pay, and meet all their compliance needs. It will also promote civic innovation and digital inclusion.
OBJECTIVES OF THE ASSIGNMENT
The objective of this assignment is to ensure effective contract management, vendor payment verification, and vendor management for activities implemented under the Citizen-Centric Services component of the Digital Economy Enhancement Project (DEEP). The assignment aims to strengthen implementation discipline, ensure value for money, maintain compliance with contractual and regulatory requirements.
The responsibilities include (but are not limited to) the following:
1. Support effective administration of works, goods, and consultancy contracts related to DEEP.
2. Review contractual provisions and ensure implementation activities are carried out in accordance with approved contracts.
3. Monitor contractor’s performance against contractual obligations, milestones, and deliverables.
4. Review and provide input on variation requests, amendments, and extension of time (EOT) claims, SLA monitoring as applicable.
5. Review and verify the Payments, invoices, and payment claims submitted by contractors, vendors, and consultants.
6. Ensure that payments are linked to verified progress, approved deliverables, and contractual provisions.
7. Coordinate with the DEEP Finance and Procurement teams to facilitate timely processing of payments.
8. Maintain proper records and documentation for all contractual payment and obligations to support audits and reviews.
9. Act as the primary focal point for coordination with vendors, facilitating smooth communication, information exchange, and alignment on project-related activities.
10. Manage day-to-day engagement with vendors, identify operational issues, and support timely resolution through coordination with relevant project teams.
11. Monitor implementation progress from a contracts, payments, and vendor perspective.
12. Prepare review notes, compliance summaries, and inputs for periodic project progress reports.
13. Maintain organized records of contracts, variations, payments, and other correspondence.
14. Participate in review meetings related to contract performance, payment status, and other related matters.
15. Support resolution of contractual, payment issues through structured analysis and coordination.
SCOPE OF THE ASSIGNMENT
The scope of work includes providing hands-on expertise and managerial support in the following areas:
1. Vendor and contractor management including but not limited to administration and monitoring of contracts related to works, goods, and consultancy contracts.
2. Verification and processing of vendor invoices, payments, and claims against contractual milestones and approved deliverables.
3. Monitoring compliance with agreed procedures, internal controls, and applicable donor and government requirements.
4. Coordination with technical, procurement, and finance teams to resolve contract, payment, and other issues.
5. Identification of implementation risks and recommendation of corrective and preventive actions.
QUALIFICATION AND EXPERIENCE
1) Master’s or Bachelor’s Degree equivalent to at least Sixteen (16) years of education from a reputable/HEC recognized university in Engineering, Law, Finance, Business Administration, Supply Chain Management, or a related field.
2) Minimum 10 years of documentary verifiable post-qualification professional experience in vendor and contract management in large scale projects.
3) Proven experience in administration of multiple contracts, including review of variations, claims, and extensions of time.
4) Experience of working with multidisciplinary teams, contractors, consultants, and multiple stakeholders.
5) Familiarity with contract management of IT-enabled services, digital platforms, and enterprise-level ICT solutions is highly desirable.
ADDITIONAL SKILLS / EXPERTISE
1) Strong analytical skills with high attention to detail, particularly in contract provisions and payment verification.
2) Sound understanding of vendor management principles and compliance-based implementation.
3) Ability to identify risks, non-compliance issues, and recommend practical corrective measures.
4) Strong coordination and communication skills for working across vendors, finance, and procurement teams.
5) Ability to prepare clear review notes, summaries, and management briefs.
6) Proficiency in MS Word, Excel, and PowerPoint for reporting and documentation purposes.
SCHEDULE FOR THE ASSIGNMENT
The Consultant will be appointed on a contract basis for an initial period of one year. Extension of the position is contingent to project lifecycle and the budget availability.
REMUNERATION AND OTHER BENEFITS
1) The consultant will receive remuneration as per the scope of work defined and based on the World Bank guidelines applicable to individual consultants for this position.
2) Travel expenses as approved by the World Bank and the Government of Pakistan.
3) This is a consulting-based appointment and does not offer medical or other benefits.
REPORTING OBLIGATIONS
1) This position is based at Islamabad, Pakistan.
2) The Specialist will report to the Project Director Citizen Services, Digital Economy Enhancement Project (DEEP).
3) The Specialist is required to follow all rules and directives of the World Bank and the Government of Pakistan for successful implementation of the project.
SELECTION CRITERIA
Procurement will be carried out in accordance with the Open Competitive Selection of Individual Consultants in accordance with the World Bank’s “Procurement in Investment Project Financing, Goods, Works, Non-Consulting and Consulting Services, Fifth Edition, September 2023” (“Procurement Regulations”).
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