Financial Specialist at SADP II

Selibeng.com

April 6, 2023

768

KINGDOM OF LESOTHO

MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD SECURITY

LESOTHO SMALLHOLDER AGRICULTURE DEVELOPMENT PROJECT II

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSION OF INTEREST

(CONSULTING SERVICES- INDIVIDUAL CONSULTANTS SELECTION METHOD)

LOAN NO: P165228

CREDIT NO: IDA -64220 -LS

ASSIGNMENT TITLE: FINANCIAL SPECIALIST

REFERENCE NO: LS-MAFS- 354824-CS-CQS

DURATION: THIRTY-SIX MONTHS

DUTY STATION : PMU MASERU

BACKGROUND

The Government of Lesotho is implementing the Smallholder Agricultural Development Project (SADP) 2 with financial support from the World Bank, Government of Japan and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD). The project covers ten districts – Maseru, Leribe, Botha-Bothe, Mokhotlong, Thaba-Tseka, Berea Mafeteng, Mohale’sHoek, Quthing and Qacha’sNek. SADP is coordinated by the Project Management unit (PMU) based in Maseru. The project has four components:

Component 1. Promoting Climate Smart Agricultural Practices and Advisory Services. This component aims at strengthening the adaptive capacity of smallholder farmers to adjust and modify their production systems to minimize the potential future impacts from climate variability
Component 2. Improving Agricultural Commercialization and Nutrition. This component will build on Component 1 by addressing financial constraints in the agricultural sector so that the training and advisory services provided under Component 1 is complemented with much-needed financing to help the farming community undertake productive and profitable investments.
Component 3. Project Management, Coordination and Monitoring and Evaluation It is responsible for: implementation and coordination, financial management and procurement, communication, visibility and awareness programs, environmental management and safeguards, and monitoring and evaluation.
Component 4. Contingency Emergency Response Component (CERC). This is a zero allocation to partially cover emergency response via implementation of key activities by the appropriate agencies to respond to the emergency.

OBJECTIVES OF THE ASSIGNMENT

Reporting to the Project Director, the financial Specialist will provide assistance and serve as an expert in planning, budgeting, implementation and financial monitoring of the projects in accordance with the project documents. The Financial Specialist will be required to work closely with the accountants and the PIU team. Coordinate between the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security and stakeholder agencies to ensure all financial management of projects are carried out smoothly and on timely manner.

3. SCOPE OF SERVICES

The work of the Financial Specialist (FS) will include the following tasks, among others:

Shall be responsible for the overall financial management of SADP 2.
Liaise with the finance department of MAFS and accounting team of the World Bank for coordination of funds disbursement.
Provide inputs to the Project director and coordinators on all financial aspects of the projects, including coordination with other divisions within MAFS and other departments within Government of Lesotho, namely Ministry of Finance and development Planning or any other stakeholder organization.
Provide inputs in preparation and approval of budgets and financial cashflow projections/ forecasts for the project.
Assist in implementation of satisfactory financial and accounting policies and procedures for the projects, and ensure adherence to these policies and procedures in accordance to the finance regulations.
Provide inputs in ensuring development and operation of a satisfactory financial management system for the project.
Provide inputs in ensuring that an effective system of internal controls is operational and the internal audit system for the project is working satisfactorily. Ensure follow-up on issues arising out of internal and external audit.
Ensure smooth flow of funds to all levels of the projects’ organization, payments to various parties, and ensure adherence to service standards. Ensure effective cash management including short-term forecasting.
Ensure timely preparation of reports and other documentation needed and submission of appropriate requests to Government of Lesotho/ Ministry of Finance and Development Planning / Central Bank of Lesotho to ensure timely flow of funds to the projects.
Ensure timely preparation of financial management reports and financial statements, liaise effectively with auditors to ensure timely audit and publication of financial statements.
Preparation of project financial closing statements and reconciled with STEP.
Preparation of documents for external audit of the project accounts and submitting audit management notes and following management recommendations.
Maintain and update Financial standard procedures for Donor funded Project in Lesotho.
Maintain proper documentation of the projects, contracts as required by the laws and regulations of the Government of Lesotho.
Processing of vouchers for payment.
Preparing and submission of regular project financial reports to government institutions as required.
Conduct quarterly analysis of Expenditure.
Maintain and manage complete filing system for financial records of SADP 2.
Establish a complete and accurate fixed asset register, arising out of SADP 2.
Work with Project teams to ensure the financial data management is synchronized with the physical progress of the project components.
Any other work-related tasks assigned by the Project Director.

4.CONTRACT DURATION AND CONDITION

Contract duration is three years, but renewable upon satisfactory performance of the incumbent and subject to business continuity and availability of funds. The assignment is planned to condescendence by May/June 2023.

5. FACILITIES TO BE PROVIDED BY THE CLIENT

The Client shall render the Officer with all such facilities as may be reasonably required to enable the Officer to discharge his/her duties that is office space, laptop/computer, landline telephone, and transport related to the assignment delivery.

6. DELIVERABLES AND FINAL OUTPUTS

Accounting system Chart of Accounts.
Internal and external audit response and action
Annual budget Cash Flow projections
Filed accounting records financial reports
Timely Payment of invoices
Financial recommendations /advice report.

7. QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIRED EXPERIENCE

Minimum undergraduate degree in Finance, Accounting, Finance Management or related field.
Must have professional work experience of at least ten (10) years in the field of Finance including 7 years’ experience in Donor funded projects
Experience in providing expert advisory and/or consultancy services in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, or in a relevant field of the assignment.
Sound understanding of principles underlying good procurement practices and national and international procurement guidelines will be an added advantage
Sufficiently experienced to manage project finances, prepare essential financial management reports including annual financial statements and monitor project financial progress.
Experience in preparing budgets and cash flow statements is desirable.
Possess strong analytical, administrative and computer skills in spreadsheets and any other application.
Familiarity in dealing with annual audits will be an added advantage.
Previous experience in public finance related projects will be an added advantage.
Strong communication and coordination skills and ability to establish good working relationships with colleagues and stakeholders in a sensitive environment.
Experience in report writing in a concise, lucid, and comprehensible manner;
S/he must demonstrate strong interpersonal and motivational skills and sensitivity to the local environment as well as the ability to work with minimal supervision.
Willingness and ability to work effectively under pressure and ability to multi-task;
Strong conceptual and analytical skills and excellent interpersonal skills, strong verbal and written communication skills in Sesotho and English.

Skills/Abilities

Knowledge of/experience with Bank/other international development organizations’ Financial Management system would be an added advantage.
Good knowledge of the institutional, technical, and commercial aspects of financial management.
Worked as a finance specialist in a donor financed project.
Experience in delivering projects at international level.
Demonstrated high experience in contract management at managerial level.
Fluency in spoken English and ability to write lucid reports and documents in English is required.
Strong organization skills and ability to work in a team-oriented, dynamic, and diverse environment.
Proven track record in working effectively within multidisciplinary teams, recognize the value of sharing ideas, knowledge and information with others and takes personal responsibility for doing so.
Excellent interpersonal skills, sound judgment, communication skills, training experience, ability to identify and resolve policy and operational constraints.
Demonstrated computer skills, knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite especially, Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
Ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously, set priorities, and work independently, or under minimum supervision.
Demonstrated capacity for initiative and efficient decision making with competent analytical and problem-solving skills.
Demonstrated competence by the level of timeliness and accuracy the individual displays in carrying out his/her role, personal energy and enthusiasm and willingness to exceed expectations in his/her role.
Ability to plan and organize effectively and build alternative actions into plans, deploying
resources effectively and reviewing priorities.
A commitment to supporting counterpart staff to achieve the outcomes and objectives of the organizations.
Recognition and respect of peers, and a demonstrated ability to interact effectively and collegially with peers at all levels.
Demonstrated ability to make sound judgments on capacity issues that will require management referral and guidance.
Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a mentoring role.
Demonstrated ability to communicate ideas and analyses clearly and tactfully, both orally and in writing.
Demonstrated ability to assist and support the development of useful financial processes and procedures effectively.
Demonstrated ability to transfer skills and knowledge/ previous training or teaching experience is an advantage.
Demonstrated ability to adapt to challenges and changes in the workplace

8.CLIENT ASSIGNMENT MANAGEMENT AND REPORTING ARRANGEMENTS

The consultant is subject to an annual performance review. The performance evaluation shall be based on the work program/ plan prepared at the beginning of each rated period.
Project Director – SADP II is responsible for the coordination of activities acceptance and approval of the reports.

The short-listed candidate will be requested to participate in personal interviews and submit the names and contact details of personal referees who can attest to their abilities. A pre-employment screening and background check will be done on all short-listed candidates. The successful candidate must understand the objectives and delivery mechanisms of the projects’ portfolio. He/she must be willing to work in a team, be flexible to emerging or changing conditions, and undertake initiative in his/her broad field of actions.

The attention of interested Consultants is drawn to Section III paragraph 3.14 to 3.17 of THE WORLD BANK’S Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers, PROCUREMENT IN INVESTMENT PROJECT FINANCING Goods, Works, Non-Consulting and Consulting Services, Fourth Edition, November 2020, setting forth the World Bank’s policy on conflict of interest. A consultant will be selected in accordance with selection of Individual Consultants Method set out in Procurement Regulations.

SUBMISSION

Expressions of interest accompanied by detailed CV must be delivered in a written form to the address below by email by 12:00hrs local time on the 21^st APRIL 2023 clearly marked ‘’ Expression of Interest for FINANCIAL SPECIALIST”

To: Project Director SADP

Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security

Department of Livestock Services -Moshoeshoe 11

P.O. Box 24

Maseru 100 Lesotho.

Email: [email protected] copied to [email protected]

Only shortlisted candidates will be notified.