Financial Management Specialist

Ministry of Agriculture

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST
(CONSULTING SERVICES-INDIVIDUAL CONSULTANT)

Country: Malawi
Project Name: Sustainable Agriculture Production Programme II
Assignment title: FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT SPECIALIST.
Reference no.: 019/SAPP 11/FMS/INDCO_2/2025/26

1.0 Background

The Sustainable Agriculture Production Programme II (SAPP II) is a 7 years programme with a start date of 13thMarch, 2024 and a completion date date of 31st March, 2031 and closing date of 30 September 2031. The programme is financed by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), European Union (EU), Adaptation Fund, United States Agency for International Development (USAID), Malawi Government, Private Sector and Beneficiaries. The total programme cost is US$53.336 million. IFAD finances USD 18.05 million (34%) of the total programme cost through a grant. The Government of Malawi (GOM) finances USD 8 million (15%) of the total programme cost through taxes, office spaces and staff salaries.

SAPP II builds on the lessons and achievements of the first phase, and will promote increased production and productivity of climate smart and nutrition sensitive smallholder farming systems (both crops and livestock), sustainable use of natural resources, and effective marketing through private sector engagement. SAPP II will focus on increasing productivity beyond subsistence levels with a commercialization drive. The programme will be implemented in Mzimba North and South, Dowa East and West, Lilongwe East and West and Balaka districts.

The Sustainable Agriculture Production Programme II intends to apply part of the proceeds to procure the services of a highly motivated and experienced Financial Management Specialist

2.0 Tasks and Responsibilities

The Financial Management Specialist will be responsible for overseeing financial management activities of SAPP II as well as for financial management related capacity assessment and capacity building activities in implementing agencies for project-based interventions. She or he will be responsible for all
accounting, internal controls and other financial management within the Project Implementation Team as well as supervision of the finance unit staff therein and at the Implementing Partners level. She or he will work as a team with the implementing agency accounting staff, under the supervision of the Project
Coordinator. It is expected that the FMS will work closely with his or her government counterpart staff and ensuring that the counter part is exposed to international financial management practices, that the FMS transfers his/her skills, and ultimately ensures that the counterpart is fully capacitated to perform the financial management function. Progress in this area will be the main criteria against which the performance of the FMS will be assessed. The financial management specialist will focus on capacity building at both central and decentralized level.

The specific duties will include but not limited to:

i. Liaise with appropriate Government offices and IFAD in overseeing and managing the special and project bank accounts established for the implementation of activities under the project.
ii. Establish and maintain the financial management system, including a grant/ loan accounting system, for the project to ensure the smoot flow and constant availability of financial resources to the Project.
iii. Prepare the project financial procedures manual, including the manuals for the provincial project
implementation unit and the matching grant program
iv. Ensure compliance with accounting policies and practices as stipulated in the accounting regulations and procedures agreed for the Project.
v. Periodically review the performance of control functions to ensure that internal controls are sufficient and functioning correctly.
vi. Supervise and conduct in-house financial management and accounting training for Project Staff.
vii. Provide necessary support for the Implementing Agencies and District Councils in carrying out their responsibilities, and devise routine checks and controls to ensure timely accountability from recipients of funds (line ministries, provinces, etc) and compliance with project accounting and reporting requirements or procedures.
viii. Establish the Project Coordination Office central accounting filing system, and ensure all project
documents are properly retained in accordance with GOM and IFAD requirements.
ix. Prepare, analyse and consolidate reports in accordance With the agreed reporting schedules ensuring correlation between implementation progress and financial performance.
x. Ensure timely preparation and submission project financial reports, including Interim Financial Reports (IFR), annual financial statements and withdrawal applications (WA’s).
xi. Review the bank reconciliation statements and other controls necessary to monitor financial and non-financial assets of the project.
xii. Participate in annual work planning and budgeting exercises.
xiii. Perform budget analysis and manage the project cash flow requirements.
xiv. Supervise the activities of the Project Coordination Office (PCO) finance unit, and any other decentralized finance functions.
xv. Coordinate as necessary with Internal and External Auditors, GOM and IFAD Supervision Missions,
including attending and following up on findings and recommendations.
xvi. Advise the Project Coordinator and Implementing Agencies on all financial and control considerations of the project.
xvii. Review and enhance the TOMPRO accounting system to include other functionalities and linkages to the Government accounting system.
xviii. Devolve the TOMPRO accounting system to District Councils and Implementing Agencies to ensure a coordinated financial reporting system
xix. Ensure that financial reports are automated in the accounting software
xx. Monitor and control all Implementing Agencies to ensure adherence to the Financial Management procedures of the project and follow up on the implementation of recommendations from supervision missions and the external auditors.
xxi. Any other duties assigned by IFAD or GOM to address financial management issues.

3.0 Key Qualifications and Experience Eduction

1. Minimum: Bachelor’s Degree in accounting, Economics or Finance-related areas OR a professional qualification/designation/certification in finance-related areas (i.e. accounting/economics/auditing/financial management) issued by an internationally recognized body (i.e. CPA, CA, CPFA, CFA, CIMA, CIIA).
2. Desirable: Bachelor’s/Advanced degree in accounting, economics or finance-related areas AND/OR a
professional qualification/designation/certification in accounting/auditing/financial management issued by an internationally recognized body (i.e. CPA, CA, CPFA, CFA, CIMA, CIIA).
3. Areas of focus: Finance (i.e. accounting / economics /auditing / financial management)
4. Degree(s) must be from an accredited institution

Work experience

5. Minimum: At least 5 years of relevant professional experience in areas with direct exposure to international standards in public financial management (including accounting and auditing), financial accounting and financial controls in international organizations or donor-financed development projects.
6. Desirable: At least 8 years of relevant professional experience in areas with direct exposure to international standards in financial management (including accounting and auditing), financial accounting and financial controls in international organizations or donor-financed development projects.
7. At least 4 years experience with IFAD funded projects or other international financial institutions, audit firm, NGO with global outreach or other relevant institution is considered an asset.

4.0 Location of Employment

The Financial Management Specialist will be based at the SAPP II PMU Offices in Lilongwe.

5.0 Duration of Assignment

The assignment is for a period of Six (6) years with an initial contract period of 12 months. The appointment will be subject to annual renewal based on satisfactory performance.

6. SELECTION METHODS.

A consultant will be selected in accordance with the individual consultant selection (ICS) method set out in Module F2 section 7 of the IFAD Project Procurement Handbook.

7. Method of application

Expression of Interest with detailed Curriculum Vitae (CV) and copies of supporting qualification documents including names of three traceable references must be delivered in written form to the address below (in person or be email or by mail NOT later than 26th May 2025.

Address for submission by email is rexbaluwa@sapp.mw / saleemdimas@gmail.com

The Chairperson
Internal Procurement and Disposal Committee
The Ministry of Agriculture
Capital Hill
Box 30134
LILONGWE 3