Request for Expressions of Interest
Consulting Services – Individual Consultant Selection
Position: Financial Management Specialist, PAU
Project: Technical Assistance to the SAPP (RETRADE SAPP)
Background
The Southern African Power Pool (SAPP) is a regional platform for coordinated power system planning, system operations, and cross-border electricity trading among its 12 member countries. Its operational hub, the SAPP Coordination Centre (SAPP CC) in Harare, oversees day-to-day market and system operations, as well as regional planning.
The Project Advisory Unit (PAU) was established within the SAPP CC in 2015, with support from the World Bank, to coordinate and facilitate the development of selected regional energy projects from early-stage preparation through to bankability.
In November 2025, the World Bank approved a grant for the Technical Assistance to the SAPP (the “Project”)¹, known as RETRADE SAPP. The Project forms part of the Regional Energy Transmission, Trade and Decarbonization in Southern Africa Multi-Phase Programmatic Approach (RETRADE‑SA MPA) Program, which also finances several interconnector investments in the SAPP region.
With the objective to increase and expand the regional electricity market in the SAPP, the Project provides technical assistance to SAPP and the Southern African Development Community’s (SADC) energy institutions—namely, the SADC Secretariat, the Regional Energy Regulators Association of Southern Africa (RERA), and the SADC Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (SACREEE)—through three components:
- Component 1 equips these regional institutions with technical experts, laying the foundation for the implementation of Components 2 and 3;
- Component 2 supports upstream preparation for selected regional energy projects and private sector mobilization, including the operationalization of the Regional Transmission Infrastructure Financing Facility (RTIFF); and
- Component 3 finances analytical work, stakeholder engagement, and capacity building activities essential for advancing regional energy infrastructure development and cross-border power trade.
While the PAU is funded by the Project to carry out its mandate of advancing the preparation of selected regional energy projects — focusing on cross-border transmission but also potentially including in-country backbone projects and other energy investments such as renewables and battery storage supporting regional trade — it also plays a central role in the overall implementation of the RETRADE SAPP Project.
Invitation for Expressions of Interest
SAPP now invites suitably qualified and experienced individuals (“Consultants”) to indicate their interest in providing the Services for the consultancy position of Financial Management Specialist, to be based at the SAPP CC Offices in Harare, Zimbabwe.
Interested Consultants should provide information demonstrating that they have the required qualifications and relevant experience to perform the Services.
Key Responsibilities
- Ensure effective and efficient use of FM software (SAP S4 HANA) and tools to ensure accurate, complete, and timely recording, analysis, and reporting of financial transactions related to PAU activities and all Project funds and accounts.
- Ensure that the RETRADE SAPP Project is onboarded onto the FundsChain² blockchain system and thereafter all transactions are consistently recorded through the platform.
- Maintain sound FM arrangements to support the efficient, effective, and economical use of Project resources, in coordination with the Finance & Administration Manager of the SAPP CC.
- Ensure a robust internal control system is in place to maintain accountability at all levels.
- Prepare, review, and periodically update the financial management section of the Project Operations Manual, ensuring alignment with the SAPP CC FM system and software.
- Prepare the Project’s annual budget and quarterly cash forecasts based on the Annual Workplans and Procurement Plans and thereafter monitor budget implementation.
- Review and verify monthly disbursement requests to ensure propriety and eligibility.
- Prepare and process electronic Withdrawal Applications for advances, replenishments, direct payments, reimbursements, or special commitments, fully supported with appropriate documentation to the World Bank, and follow up with the Bank and SAPP CC as required.
- Process payments to suppliers, contractors, and consultants upon authorization by the PAU’s Programmes Manager and confirmation of fund availability.
- Ensure that all documentation supporting eligible expenditures is complete, properly filed, and compliant with World Bank requirements.
- Manage the Project Designated Account (DA) in compliance with Project financial covenants and World Bank guidelines and ensure timely completion of monthly bank reconciliations.
- Monitor the utilization of payments through desk and on-site reviews, and report findings to the Programmes Manager.
- Maintain accurate and up-to-date accounting records and ledgers for all Project financial transactions.
- Prepare monthly management accounts to support financial oversight and decision making.
- Prepare quarterly Interim Financial Reports (IFRs), incorporating the physical progress report of the Project, while ensuring proper reconciliation with the World Bank Client Connection.
- Prepare annual financial statements of the Project within three months of the end of each fiscal year and present them to Project auditors.
- Submit audited financial statements of the Project within six months of the end of each fiscal year, in line with the financing agreement with the World Bank.
- Liaise with internal and external auditors and follow up on audit queries and issues raised in Bank’s management letters.
- Supervise the Accounts Officer within the PAU.
Qualifications & Experience
- Should be a professional accountant (ACCA, CIMA, CPA, CA or equivalent).
- Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance or equivalent.
- Master’s degree in any of these fields is an added advantage.
- Corporate membership in a recognized professional accounting body is desirable.
- Minimum of 10 years’ relevant experience in financial/accounting, including at least 3 years at supervisory level.
- Knowledge of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) and International Public Sector Accounting (IPSAS) is highly desirable.
- Familiarity with accounting packages such as SAP.
- Experience in disbursement procedures and FM of World Bank or other multilateral development bank’s credits/grants is highly desired.
- Proven track record in working effectively within multi-disciplinary teams.
- Good communication skills coupled with a good command of spoken and written English.
- Eligible and free from any conflict of interest, in accordance with the World Bank Procurement Regulations.
Submission
Interested candidates are requested to submit the Application, relevant experience and qualification accompanied by a comprehensive CV.
The attention of interested Consultants is drawn to Section III, paragraphs 3.14, 3.16, and 3.17 of the World Bank’s Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers, 7th edition, September 2025, setting forth the World Bank’s policy on conflict of interest.
A Consultant will be selected in accordance with the Individual Consultant Selection method set out in the World Bank Procurement Regulations.
Further information can be obtained at the address below during office hours (0800 to 1630 hours Central African Time).
A TOR can be found at the following website: www.sapp.co.zw, or can be obtained at the address given below.
Expressions of interest must be delivered in a written form to the address below (in person, or by mail, or by e‑mail) by 10 April 2026.
Contact Details
The Executive Director
Attn: Chrispen Zifuke, Human Resources Specialist
Southern African Power Pool Coordination Centre
24 Golden Stairs Road
P.O. Box EH52
Emerald Hill
Harare
ZIMBABWE
Tel: (263)-242-(335517, 335468, 335558, 782708798/9)
E-mail: [email protected] or [email protected]