Background

In Dec 2023, the Government of Ethiopia and the World Bank Group signed the financial agreement for the Ethiopia Digital ID Project. Digital ID is a USD 350 million, five-year initiative (2023-2029). The Ethiopia Digital ID for Inclusion and Services Project (P179040) will support the Government of Ethiopia (GoE) to roll out Fayda, an inclusive and trusted digital foundational ID system and other digital public infrastructure. The Project will improve access to and delivery of public and private sector services and economic opportunities, especially for the most vulnerable, and to boost national resilience.

2. Context and objectives

The objective of this assignment is to support the PMU with the proper financial management issues for all activities under its scope of the Digital ID Project.

3. Scope of Services, Tasks, and Expected Deliverables

Specific tasks to be carried out by the Financial Officer include but are not limited to the following components:

Overall Management

• Be responsible for the overall financial management for the project consistent with agreements, manuals, and project documents;

• Coordinate with relevant departments regarding the setup and maintenance of financial management arrangements including budgeting, accounting, internal controls, fund flows, reporting, and audit reporting.

Budgeting and Planning

• Manage the preparation of all budgets, including annual planning and budgeting,

• Ensure that the project budget is proclaimed in the government budget;

• Ensure that budgets are disseminated on time;

• Maintain budget discipline;

• Report to management on variances from the established budget, and the reasons for those variances;

• Assist the submission of budget to secure the ‘No Objection’ from the development partners as appropriate;

Accounting and Reporting

• Design and implement adequate financial management systems and procedures to govern the implementation of the project;

• Ensure that books of accounts are maintained; Maintain up to date and documented accounting system and policies and procedures;

• Ensure the existence of adequate and capable financial management staffing;

• Produce periodic financial reports for development partners as well as for the government as per reporting requirements and formats.

• Follow up on the preparation of acceptable financial reports from implementing entities;

• Ensure that unaudited financial reports are sent to the financiers on time and up to standards;

• Ensure that audited financial statements of the project are sent to development partners on time.

Funds Management

• Ensure that sufficient funds are available to meet ongoing project and operational requirements;

• Ensure that resources are available to implementing entities; Forecast cash flow positions;

• Mitigate financial risks and maintain close liaison with key government counterparts involved in the project;

• Understand and implement development partners’ disbursement procedures for the project as per agreements/requirements;

• Follow up on disbursement issues timely with the development partners; Ensure fund requests are made as per procedures and agreements;

• Collect bank advice, and bank statements and prepare bank reconciliations on time.

Internal controls

• Ensure internal control arrangements are maintained consistently throughout the life of the program/project including proper controls in regard to approval and authorization;

• Ensure the establishment of the internal control system and segregation of duties and responsibilities;

• Establish an internal control system on petty cash and bank management;

• Safeguarding of assets and properties (including fixed assets and inventories);

• Handle monthly employee salary, manage income tax, and pension contribution

• Follow-up on the contract management of the project which is handled by MInT/PIU;

• Manage timely settlement of advances and prepayments and payables

• Timely report to the tax authority and other government organizations

External and Internal Audit

• Ensure that internal and external audits are arranged as per the agreements;

• Ensure that all documents are ready for auditors as the need arises

• Support both External and Internal auditors during the stay of the auditors

Financial Analysis

• Review financial performance of the program/project and report on key issues;

• Review administrative bottlenecks and recommend changes to improve efficiency and create additional analyses and reports as requested by management.

Job Requirements

4. Required Qualifications

• The candidate should have a minimum qualification of a Bachelor’s Degree (Master’s or above is preferred) in finance or accounting, and a minimum of 4+ years of progressively responsible experience for a major company, government, or non-government institution.

• The candidates should have prior experience in implementing World Bank-funded projects/programs for at least 3 years.

• Preference will be given to candidates with the Chartered Certified Public Accountant or Certified Management Accountant designations.

• Excellent communication skills are essential, particularly regarding presenting results of analyses to management.

• Ability to use Accounting Software such as IFMIS (Integrated Financial Management System), Peachtree accounting spreadsheets, and databases.

•  Fluency in English and Amharic languages.

• The candidate must have the highest levels of personal integrity, and a reputation for a transparent and systematic work style; and

• The candidate must be able to work under pressure and willing to work on additional assignments assigned by NIDP/PMU.

5. Duration of Services

The consultant will be hired full time initially for the contract period of twelve (12) months with possibility of extension based on performance and availability budget.

6. Salary

Attractive/Negotiable, and based on the new directive of the Government.

7. Reporting

The individual consultant will be directly reporting to the PMU Coordinator, National ID Program.

8. Selection Method

The selection method is based on para 7.36 and 7.37 of the World Bank’s Procurement Regulation.

The attention of interested individual is drawn to Section III, paragraphs, 3.14, 3.16, and 3.17 of the World Bank’s “Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers” July 2016 (“Procurement Regulations”) revised November 2017 and August 2018, setting forth the World Bank’s policy on conflict of interest.

An individual will be selected in accordance with the Selection of Individual Consultant (Section V) method set out in the Procurement Regulations.

How to Apply

Further information can be obtained, by email at the address below during office hours from 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM Addis Ababa time

Applicants should send expressions of interest, together with information demonstrating that they have the required qualification and relevant experience to perform the service (description of similar assignments, experience in similar conditions, qualifications, and so forth) by providing CVs, formal application letter and all supporting documents to the address below in person, or by mail, on or before July 20, 2024, but preferably by e-mail to be specified in the official announcement.

Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia,

National ID Program (NIDP)

Attn: Project Management Unit (PMU)

Address: Welosefer Bole, Ethio-China St, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia,