UGANDA CITIES AND MUNICIPALITIES INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT (UCMID) OPERATION -
RECRUITMENT OF THE OPERATION SUPPORT TEAM (OST)
UCMID ADVERT
The Government of Uganda (GoU), represented by the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development (MLHUD), is planning to launch a new program to support special urban needs for infrastructure improvement – the Uganda Cities and Municipalities Infrastructure Development (UCMID) Operation, which will be supported by a World Bank International Development Agency (IDA) Credit to the tune of US$540 million. The Operation will be for 6 years, (FY 2026/27-2031/32), and will encompass support to climate-smart urban infrastructure development, institutional strengthening and capacity enhancement, support to core Ministries related to these activities, as well as to program management arrangements and institutional strengthening.
The UCMID is designed using the Bank’s hybrid lending instruments – Investment Project Financing (IPF) and Program for Results (PforR), whereby disbursement is linked to actual results agreed upon and realized on the ground. To mitigate any capacity risks, the Government has decided to recruit an Operation Support Team (OST), which will assist the MLHUD and the participating sub-National entities in the implementation of the operation.
The OST within MoLHUD with a composition, mandate and terms of reference and resources satisfactory to the World Bank will include , a Finance and Accounting Specialist, a Procurement Specialist, a Local Economic Development Specialist, Engineering Specialists, a Social Development Specialist, an Environment Specialist, a Health and Safety Specialist, and a GIS Specialist. Administrative Secretary (1) , Accountant Assistant (1), ICT officer (1), Monitoring and Evaluation Officer (1).
These professionals will work alongside their departmental counterparts and report to the Commissioner for Urban Development/ Operation Coordinator, provide technical backstopping to Local Governments, and support the Ministry in fulfilling its coordination and oversight functions. The OST’s role will be transitional, with its functions gradually absorbed by MoLHUD staff as institutional capacity is strengthened through training, mentoring, and staffing adjustments. Members of OST who are recruited as contract staff will be placed on a two-year contract which is renewable only twice upon satisfactory performance.
The Operation Support Team (OST) for the Uganda Cities and Municipalities Infrastructure Development (UCMID) Operation utilizes a blended staffing structure that integrates recruited technical experts with existing government personnel. This institutional arrangement is designed to provide high-level technical backstopping while ensuring deep alignment with Ministry protocols and long-term sustainability.
Only Candidates with experience in externally funded specifically World bank Funded Projects will be shortlisted.
1. Oversee and guarantee that all project procurements at the central and Local Government (LG) levels strictly adhere to the Government of Uganda (PPDA) and World Bank Procurement Regulations to maintain market integrity, fairness, and high quality.
2. Support the preparation, consolidation, and continuously update comprehensive project procurement plans in total alignment with approved annual work plans and budgets at both central and Local Government levels.
3. Identify potential procurement risks, develop strategic mitigation measures, and immediately report any suspected fraud, corruption, or systemic governance issues directly to the Permanent Secretary.
4. Support the development of technical specifications based on end-user requirements, conduct market investigations to prepare shortlists, and drive competitive e-bidding document/RFP preparation.
5. Lead and coordinate the end-to-end procurement processes for goods, works, and consulting services— including Request for Quotations (RFQ), Invitation to Bid (ITB), Request for Proposals (RFP), bid openings, evaluations, and contract awards.
6. Prepare and route all necessary clearance documentation and submissions to the MLHUD Contracts Committee (via the PDU) and secure formal "No Objection" approvals from the World Bank (IDA).
7. Track the implementation of active contracts, reviewing any proposed contract variations, scope changes, or amendments before approval.
8. Monitor processing pipelines, identify bottlenecks or deviations from agreed schedules, and implement timely corrective actions in consultation with management.
9. Maintain an uncompromised, up-to-date, and legally compliant procurement and contract record-keeping system for all project activities.
10. Collaborate with PPDA to Provide direct, hands-on support to the PDU staff at MLHUD and the 49 UCMID Local Governments to ensure proper file management, plan preparation, and timely execution.
11. Collaborate with the PPDA to design and deliver targeted procurement capacity-building programs, training sessions, and mentorship for MLHUD and participating LG personnel.
12. Coordinate procurement audits, facilitate World Bank Post Procurement Reviews (PPR), and aggressively track the implementation of audit recommendations alongside the Operation Coordinator and Head PDU.
13. Draft and consolidate all periodic procurement progress reports, performance tracking metrics, and financial status updates for submission to the World Bank and Project Management.
14. Coordinate Procurement Audits in accordance with Government of Uganda and the World Bank regulations.
15. Facilitate Post Procurement Reviews (PPR) exercise and in collaboration with the Operation Coordinator and Head PDU follow up implementation of PPR recommendations
16. Monitor and track contracts being processed, identify constraints/ challenges/ issues especially deviations from agreed procurement schedules and seek to resolve them in a timely manner
