Ethiopia Digital ID for Inclusion and Services Project

Expression of Interest (EOI)

(CONSULTING SERVICES – INDIVIDUAL CONSULTANT)

Financial Management Specialist to support the Program Management Unit (PMU) at the Digital ID for Inclusion and Services Project (P179040).

The Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia,

Digital ID Project

1. 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 Management Specialist include but are not limited to the following components:

Overall Management

• Be responsible for the overall Financial Management arrangements of the project/program and will ensure the maintenance of sound arrangements throughout the life of the project/program consistent with agreements, manuals and project document;
• Coordinate with relevant implementing entities in regard to the set up and maintenance of financial management arrangements including budgeting, accounting, internal controls, fund flows, reporting, and audit reporting.

Budgeting and Planning

• Manage and/or participate on the preparation of the project/program annual or other budget in consultation with relevant stakeholders;
• Ensure that the project/program budget is proclaimed in government budget;
• Ensure that budgets are disseminated to all relevant stakeholders on time;
• Maintain budget discipline; report to management on variances from the established budget, and the reasons for those variances;
• Submit budget and secure the No objection of the development partners as appropriate;
• Assist PMU management in the formulation of its overall strategic direction.

Accounting and Reporting

• Design and implement adequate Financial Management systems and procedures to govern 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 FM 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 program/project are sent to development partners on time.

Funds Management

• Ensure that sufficient funds are available to meet ongoing project/program 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/program as per agreements/requirements; Follow up on disbursement issues timely with the development partners; Ensure fund requests are made as per procedures and agreements;
• Manage project/program bank accounts; Conduct 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; segregation of duties; cash and bank management; safeguarding of assets and properties (including fixed assets and inventories); payroll management; taxes obligations; contract management; advances and prepayments; payables are in place; reconciliations, etc.

External and internal Audit

• Ensure that internal and external audits are arranged as per the agreements; Ensure relevant accounting information is made available to them; Address their queries.

Financial Analysis

• Review financial performance of the program/project and report on key issues to the respective management body and project/program stakeholders;
• Review administrative bottlenecks and recommend changes to improve efficiency. Create additional analyses and reports as requested by management.

4. Required Qualifications 

The qualification and experience required for applicant who would like to apply for the service should possess the following minimum criteria:

• The candidate should have Master’s or above in finance or accounting, , and related fields,
• Minimum of 6+ 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 project/programs for at least 4 years, sufficient knowledge on managing the Client  Connection system of the World Bank,
• Preference will be given to candidates with the Chartered Certified Public Accountant or Certified Management Accountant designations, and.
• Excellent communication skills are essential, particularly in regard to presenting results of analyses to management,
• Specific technical knowledge related to World Bank related projects,
• Proficient use and knowledge of electronic spreadsheets and database.
• 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 situations, in order to meet demanding deadlines.

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,

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. 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)- Digital ID for Inclusion and Services Project.

Attn: Project Management Unit (PMU)

Address: Welosefer Bole, Ethio-China St, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, INSA Building, 15th Floor.

Tele- +251 911 791462, E-mail: mesfin@id.gov.et

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia