REOI –
Individual Consultants
REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST
(Individual Consultants: Project Accountant)
LESOTHO
GAFSP
Assignment title: Recruitment of Project Accountant
Reference no. (as per procurement plan): LS-2000002563-006-NP-STAFF-TORS
The Ministry of Agriculture Food Security and Nutrition under SADPII Project has received financing from the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) towards the cost of GAFSP and intends to apply part of the proceeds for the recruitment of consulting services provided by an individual consultant as part of the post of recruitment of Project Accountant.
The use of any IFAD financing shall be subject to IFAD’s approval, pursuant to the terms and conditions of the financing agreement, as well as IFAD’s rules, policies and procedures. IFAD and its officials, agents and employees shall be held harmless from and against all suits, proceedings, claims, demands, losses and liability of any kind or nature brought by any party in connection with GAFSP.
The consulting services (“the services”) include Engagement of Project Accountant, for 24 months
This request for expressions of interest (REOI) follows the general procurement notice that appeared on the IFAD website on 4thApril 2024, on UNDB on 4th April 2024 and on Lesotho local newspapers on 4th April 2024.
The attention of interested consultants is drawn to IFAD’s Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism Policy and the Revised IFAD Policy on Preventing Fraud and Corruption its Activities and Operations . The latter sets forth IFAD’s provisions on prohibited practices. IFAD further strives to ensure a safe working environment free of harassment, including sexual harassment, and free of sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA) in its activities and operations as detailed in its IFAD Policy to Preventing and Responding to Sexual Harassment, Sexual Exploitation and Abuse.
Interested consultants shall not have any actual, potential or reasonably perceived conflict of interest. Consultants with an actual, potential or reasonably perceived conflict of interest shall be disqualified unless otherwise explicitly approved by the Fund. Consultants are considered to have a conflict of interest if they a) have a relationship that provides them with undue or undisclosed information about or influence over the selection process and the execution of the contract, or b) have a business or family relationship with a member of the client’s board of directors or its personnel, the Fund or its personnel, or any other individual that was, has been or might reasonably be directly or indirectly involved in any part of (i) the preparation of the REOI, (ii) the selection process for this procurement, or (iii) execution of the contract. Consultants have an ongoing obligation to disclose any situation of actual, potential or reasonably perceived conflict of interest during preparation of the EOI, the selection process or the contract execution. Failure to properly disclose any of said situations may lead to appropriate actions, including the disqualification of the consultant, the termination of the contract and any other as appropriate under the IFAD Policy on Preventing Fraud and Corruption in its Projects and Operations.
The Ministry of Agriculture Food Security and Nutrition Lesotho under SADPII Projectnow invites eligible Individual consultants (“consultants”) to indicate their interest in providing the services. Interested consultants should provide information demonstrating that they have the required qualifications and relevant experience to perform the services in the form of a curriculum vitae (CV). A consultant will be selected in accordance with the individual consultant selection (ICS) method set out in IFAD’ Project Procurement Handbook that can be accessed via the IFAD website at www.ifad.org/project-procurement. Interviews willbe conducted as part of the selection process.
The shortlisting criteria are:Qualifications, Specific and General experience as stipulated in the TORs
Any request for clarification on this REOI should be sent via e-mail to the address below [email protected] later than 11th April 2024 , 16:00hrsand Harare Pretoria time zone. The client will provide responses to all clarification requests by 18th April 2024, 16:00hrs and Harare Pretoria time zone.
Expressions of interest in the form of curriculum vitae (CV) must be delivered in a written form to the address below ( by mail [email protected]) by 24thApril 2024 , 16:00hrs.
Attn: Project Director
Ministry of Agriculture Food Security and Nutrition SADPII Project
P.O. Box 24
Livestock Offices Moshoeshoe II , Maseru
100,
Lesotho
Tel:+266 22312578
E-mail: [email protected]
TERMS OF REFERENCE
The project Accountant will be responsible for ensuring proper accountability for the financial management of project funds (From both IFAD and the Government of Lesotho). Working in harmony with the SADP II Finance team, he will ensure timely disbursements of funds to all beneficiaries to enable the project to achieve its objectives.
POSITION/ASSIGNMENT: Project Accountant
REPORTING TO: Financial Management Specialist
DUTY STATION : Maseru
BACKGROUND OF THE ASSIGNMENT
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
a. Reporting to the Financial Management Specialist, the Project Accountant will work within the SADP 2 financial management team aiding and support in financial planning, budgeting, implementation, and financial monitoring of the projects in accordance with the project documents.
b. Under the supervision of the Financial Management Specialist, the Accountant Officer will be required to work closely with the financial management team and the entire PMU team.
c. Ensure that all the financial management requirements of projects are carried out smoothly and on timely manner.
SCOPE OF SERVICES
a. The work of the Project Accountant (AO) will include the following tasks, among others:
i. Shall be responsible for the overall financial management of GAFSP component of SADP 2.
ii. Under the supervision of the Financial Management Specialist, liaise with the finance department of MAFSN and accounting team of the IFAD/World Bank for coordination of GAFSP funds disbursement.
iii. Provide inputs to the Project director, through the Financial Management Specialist, and Component Leads on all financial aspects of SADP 2.
iv. Provide inputs in preparation and approval of budgets and financial cashflow projections/ forecasts for the project.
v. Assist in implementation of satisfactory financial and accounting policies and procedures for the projects, and ensure adherence to these policies and procedures in accordance with the finance regulations.
vi. Provide inputs in ensuring development and operation of a satisfactory financial management system for the project.
vii. Provide inputs in ensuring that an effective system of internal controls is operational and the internal audit system for the project is working satisfactorily.
viii. Support the Financial Management Specialist in ensuring the timely follow-up on issues arising out of internal and external audit.
ix. Ensure smooth flow of funds to all levels of the projects’ organization, payments to various parties, and ensure adherence to service standards.
x. Ensure effective cash management including short-term forecasting.
xi. Make necessary and 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.
xii. Support the Financial Management Specialist in ensuring the timely preparation of financial management reports and financial statements, liaise effectively with auditors to ensure timely audit and publication of financial statements.
xiii. Preparation of project financial closing statements and reconciled with STEP as well as IFAD financial management tools.
xiv. Support the preparation of documents for external audit of the project accounts and submitting audit management notes and following management recommendations.
xv. AS instructed by the Financial Management Specialist, maintain and update Financial standard procedures for Donor funded Project in Lesotho.
xvi. Maintain proper documentation of the projects, contracts as required by the laws and regulations of the Government of Lesotho.
xvii. Processing of vouchers for payment.
xviii. Through the office of the Financial Management Specialist, prepare the submission of regular project financial reports to government institutions as required.
xix. Conduct quarterly analysis of Expenditure.
xx. Maintain and manage complete filing system for financial records of SADP 2/GAFP.
xxi. Establish a complete and accurate fixed asset register, arising out of SADP 2/GAFSP.
xxii. Under the direction of the Financial Management Specialist, work with the Project teams to ensure the financial data management is synchronized with the physical progress of the project components.
xxiii. Any other work-related tasks assigned by the Project Director and/or the Financial Management Specialist.
CONTRACT DURATION AND CONDITION
a. Contract duration is 24 Months from the date of signature, subject to a satisfactory performance during the probationary period of Four(4) months of the incumbent and subject to business continuity and availability of funds.
b. The assignment is planned to condescendence by September 2026.
FACILITIES TO BE PROVIDED BY THE CLIENT
a. 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:
i. office space,
ii. laptop/computer,
iii. landline telephone, and
iv. transport related to the assignment delivery.
DELIVERABLES AND FINAL OUTPUTS
a. Accounting system Chart of Accounts.
b. Internal and external audit response and action.
c. Annual budget Cash Flow projections.
d. Filed accounting records financial reports.
e. Timely Payment of invoices.
f. Financial recommendations /advice report.
QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIRED EXPERIENCE
a. Minimum undergraduate degree in Finance, Accounting, Finance Management or related field.
b. Must have professional work experience of at least seven (7) years in the field of Finance including 5 years’ experience in Donor funded projects.
c. Experience in providing expert advisory and/or consultancy services in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, or in a relevant field of the assignment.
d. Sound understanding of principles underlying good procurement practices and national and international procurement guidelines will be an added advantage.
e. Sufficiently experienced to manage project finances, prepare essential financial management reports including annual financial statements and monitor project financial progress.
f. Experience in preparing budgets and cash flow statements is desirable.
g. Possess strong analytical, administrative and computer skills in spreadsheets and any other application.
h. Familiarity in dealing with annual audits will be an added advantage.
i. Previous experience in public finance related projects will be an added advantage.
j. Strong communication and coordination skills and ability to establish good working relationships with colleagues and stakeholders in a sensitive environment.
k. Experience in report writing in a concise, lucid, and comprehensible manner.
l. 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.
m. Willingness and ability to work effectively under pressure and ability to multi-task.
n. Strong conceptual and analytical skills and excellent interpersonal skills, strong verbal and written communication skills in Sesotho and English. Skills/Abilities.
o. Knowledge of/experience with Bank/other international development organizations’ Financial Management system would be an added advantage.
p. Good knowledge of the institutional, technical, and commercial aspects of financial management.
q. Fluency in spoken English and ability to write lucid reports and documents in English is required.
r. Strong organization skills and ability to work in a team-oriented, dynamic, and diverse environment.
s. 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.
t. 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.
u. Ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously, set priorities, and work independently, or under minimum supervision.
CLIENT ASSIGNMENT MANAGEMENT AND REPORTING ARRANGEMENTS
a. 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.
b. The Project Director – SADP II is responsible for the coordination of activities acceptance and approval of the reports.
c. A consultant will be selected in accordance with the selection of Individual Consultants Method set out in the IFAD Procurement Framework, including IFAD procurement guidelines and IFAD Procurement Handbook.
d. 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.
e. A pre-employment screening and background check will be done on all short-listed candidates.
f. The successful candidate must understand the objectives and delivery mechanisms of the projects’ portfolio.
g. 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.