REQUEST FOR EXPRESSION OF INTEREST (CONSULTANT SERVICES) FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT SPECIALIST

COMMONWEALTH OF DOMINICA
DISASTER VULNERABILITY RISK REDUCTION PROJECT (DVRP)
Project ID No. P129992

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSION OF INTEREST
(CONSULTANT SERVICES)
FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT SPECIALIST

The proposed Disaster Vulnerability Risk Reduction project for Dominica forms the third phase of a Horizontal Adaptable Program Loan (APL 3) that covers four OECS member countries, to date.  The entire regional APL consists of individual lending operations in four OECS countries, including Grenada, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Saint Lucia and Dominica. It is expected to be implemented over a period of 5 years, and supports four mutually reinforcing components. The individual operations would finance national level investments and technical assistance (TA) interventions as well as regional TA and knowledge exchange activities that support regional agencies and interested government agencies in developing capacity and tools to assess and communicate disaster risk to the general public and to decision makers in different sectors, as well as facilitate Disaster Risk Management (DRM) data management and sharing for improved decision-making.

The Project Financial Management Specialist will be responsible for:

• Building financial management capacity in the office of the Accountant General and the concerned line ministries.
• The management of Project Financial matters as part of the Project implementation arrangements, in accordance with the relevant Government of Dominica [GoD] and International Bank for Reconstruction and Development [IBRD] financial management requirements.
• Together with the Ministry of Environment/Ministry of Finance or in the Project Coordinating Unit (PCU) building the financial management capacities of MoE/MoF and of the Project implementing entities..

MAIN TASKS

1. Building sustainable financial management capacity in the office of the Accountant General.
2. Maintain the accounting system for the Project, utilizing standard accounting procedures, which will ensure full documentation and recording of sources and uses of funds.
3. Preparation of quarterly financial reports (expenditure and revenue) for the Government of Dominica (GoD) and quarterly Financial Management Report for the World Bank (Project budgetary control and input into Project progress reports).
4. Review and certify receipts and cash transfer sheets regarding Sale of Tender Documents.
5. Preparation of quarterly status reports for Implementing Agencies and GoD.
6. Preparation of interim unaudited reports.
7. Review and check withdrawal applications prepared for draw down of the World Bank funds for all activities.
8. Review and verify accuracy of information on payment vouchers for signing of checks.
9. Verify and ensure the availability of funds before checks are written.
10. Prepare payment vouchers before checks are written for all Projects.
11. Manage Project expenditures, ensuring full compliance with project rules and procedures (as per the Project Operational Manual, IBRD/IDA Project Guidelines) agreed between the Bank and GoD for the Project.
12. Assist in the Preparation of Budget estimates/allocation for Project activities.
13. Prepare monthly/quarterly reports for donor Agencies.
14. Review accuracy of payment vouchers and checks.
15. Review, verify and certify monthly and special financial statements and reports, including expenditure reports and bank reconciliation statements
16. Assist in the preparation and updating of the Project Operational Manual
17. Review receivables and payables and ensure prompt settlement of payables to the Project's suppliers and contractors
18. Attend Project review meetings with donor agencies and Implementing Agencies.
19. Liaise with  Accountant General during the preparation of the Annual Financial Statements
20. Review and certify Bank Reconciliation Statements for the Project
21. Report and liaise with the accountants and financial analysts of the concerned ministries.
22. Liaise with Implementing Agencies
23. Monitor closely the work of the team involved in the maintenance of the Cashbook
24. Build financial management capacities in Government Ministries and in the Project implementing entities
25. Any other duties assigned by the Project Coordinator or Project Manager

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE:

1. Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration or related field with at least three years related working experience
2. Internationally recognized accounting qualification (e.g. CA, ACCA, CPA, etc.)
3. Direct experience of working with the donor-financed (preferably World Bank financed) projects
4. Knowledge of the government accounting procedures for Dominica or any Caribbean countries. Preferably, direct working experience with the government or international organizations.

Specific knowledge

1. Government of Dominica Finance and Audit  Act and Financial Regulations
2. Basic principles and procedures for Procurement and Selection of Consultants
3. Financial Management and Accounting
4. Financial Reporting for major donors
5. International Accounting and Auditing Standards
6. Labor Laws
7. Planning and Forecasting
8. Required Skills and Specialized Techniques
9. Analytical skills, ability to develop and implement accounting systems
10. Supervisory Skills
11. Conflict Management skills
12. Knowledge of public sector accounting procedures and exposure to lender / donor agency procedures
13. Report writing skills
14. Integrity and Confidentiality
15. Communication, interpersonal skills and time management
16. Use of computerized accounting system such as, Smart Stream and the development of accounting reporting tools in consultation with the Accountant General.

TERMS OF ASSIGNMENT

The contract will be for an initial period of two years, with a possibility of extensions, starting from the date of signing the contract agreement with MoF/MoE. A six month probation period will be included.

CONTRACT DURATION

Two (2) years; annually renewable, subject to satisfactory performance

COMPENSATION PACKAGE

Salary is negotiable and will depend on qualifications and experience

EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST

The Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources, Physical Planning b& Fisheries now invites eligible candidates to express their interests in providing the service. Interested individual consultants must provide information indicating that they are qualified to perform the services (CV’s; similar assignments, experience in similar conditions, clients references, etc.)

Expressions of interests together with CV’s and other documents may be sent via, mail, email, or fax and delivered to the address below by 18 July 2014 to:

Harold Guiste
Permanent Secretary
Ministry of the Environment, Natural Resources, Physical Planning & Fisheries
Government Headquarters
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