Background

The Government of Malawi through the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning and the National Statistical Office (NSO) is implementing a SADC Regional Statistics Project funded by the World Bank Group.

This project is in line with the World Bank’s new statistical capacity building initiative – Data for Policy (D4P) and the World Bank/Africa Union initiative for the harmonization of statistical methods under the framework of regional institutions. D4P aims to strengthen national statistical systems and building capacity in SSA countries by means of closing gaps on a core set of economic, social, and sustainability statistics key for designing, monitoring and evaluating National Development Plans and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

To achieve this objective, the D4P initiative:

• supports the collection of timely and high-quality data on a core set of statistical operations to inform policy-making;
• promotes open access and data utilization by governments and citizens; and,
• adopts a regional approach to promote the harmonization of methods and statistics, and facilitate the implementation of innovations in collection, management and dissemination of data across countries.

The National Statistical Office (NSO), the Implementing Agency, intends to apply part of the proceeds of this financing to eligible payments under the contract for hiring a Financial Management Specialist.

Position Title: Financial Management Specialist (1 Position)

Time Commitment: 100%

Accountable: Project Manager

Duration of Assignment: 2 years

The Main Objective of the Assignment

The main purpose of this assignment is to perform efficient and effective financial supervision and management of funds allocated to Malawi from the SADC Regional Statistics Project and other related responsibilities as may be assigned from time to time.

Scope of the Assignment

This position is part of the Project Implementation Unit (PIU) of the project, which comprises the Project Manager, other Procurement and Social and Environmental Specialists, and other support staff. The Finance Management Specialist has the following responsibilities:

• Set up Internal Control procedures of the Project Implementation Unit (PIU)
• Review, develop and implement appropriate financial and accounting systems of the project to meet the requirements of Government of Malawi and World Bank
• Based on issues identified during financial management assessment, recommend financial control and other measures (e.g. training and institution strengthening) that could be undertaken during project implementation to ensure that proceeds of the grant are used only for the purposes for which they were provided
• Aid the PIU in compiling and consolidating accounts and preparing audited and unaudited project accounts within the stipulated dates for each fiscal year as per Finance Agreement
• Provide implementation support and carry out supervision work to ensure that project financial management systems are functioning appropriately
• Prepare Accounting Manual whenever needed by the project and train Project staff in adopting sub-project accounting and financial monitoring systems
• Provide auditors with all the relevant information necessary to carry out their engagement
• Develop strategy for follow up of issues highlighted in audit reports and regular bank reconciliations
• Monitor financial disbursements, utilization, and all administrative procedures in line with the Government of Malawi and World Bank
• Prepare accounting and budget changes, maintain financial, cost and budget accounting and keep accounting records
• Assist in project planning and budgeting while taking a leading role in the financial plan and budget and ensuring that the assumptions, parameters, guidelines and policies in planning are adhered to
• Collaborate with stakeholders (World Bank, other Development Partners) on financial matters for project implementation
• Review and approve quarterly Interim Financial Reports (IFRs) prepared by the project Accountant within 30 days from the end of the quarter
• Perform any other duties as shall be assigned by the Project Manager

Reporting

The Finance Management Specialist will report to the Project Manager for his/her everyday responsibilities.

Qualifications and Experience

The Finance Specialist should meet the following minimum qualifications:

• Must have a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting and Finance, Business Administration, Economics, Finance, or equivalent
• A Masters or PhD in any of those subjects will be an added advantage
• Must be professionally qualified (certified) from the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), Chartered Accountant (CA) or equivalent, and a member of Institute of Chartered Accountants in Malawi (ICAM)
• Prior participation in short training courses on the World Bank/African Development Bank accounting and familiarity with accounting policies, knowledge of preparation of specific documents based on standard World Bank documents and reporting would be an advantage
• Must have a minimum of five years of accounting experience working on a donor-financed project such as those funded by the World Bank or African Development Bank
• Proficiency in Computerized Financial Management Information Systems
• Good command of English (speaking and writing)
• Good report writing skills
• Must have a working knowledge of Government of Malawi and World Bank accounting guidelines, laws and procedures
• Good computer skills in using office applications
• Skills of working in a team and in a multi-cultural environment

Salary

The Financial Management Specialist will be paid a monthly salary of MK5,500,000 Malawi Kwacha (Fixed) with deductions of relevant Government Taxes.

Duration of the Assignment

The Financial Management Specialist will be recruited for 2 years, but the contract shall be renewable annually based on satisfactory performance.

Location of Employment

The Financial Management Specialist will be based in the NSO’s project office in Zomba, but he/she will be required to travel to the project areas.

Services and Facilities to be Provided by the Client

The following shall be provided by the Client:

• Office space
• Furniture
• Office equipment
• Communication and internet facilities
• For all field-related assignments, the Project shall provide transport and costs and other expenses (per diems etc.) related to the field work

• Set up Internal Control procedures of the Project Implementation Unit (PIU)
• Review, develop and implement appropriate financial and accounting systems of the project to meet the requirements of Government of Malawi and World Bank
• Based on issues identified during financial management assessment, recommend financial control and other measures (e.g. training and institution strengthening) that could be undertaken during project implementation to ensure that proceeds of the grant are used only for the purposes for which they were provided
• Aid the PIU in compiling and consolidating accounts and preparing audited and unaudited project accounts within the stipulated dates for each fiscal year as per Finance Agreement
• Provide implementation support and carry out supervision work to ensure that project financial management systems are functioning appropriately
• Prepare Accounting Manual whenever needed by the project and train Project staff in adopting sub-project accounting and financial monitoring systems
• Provide auditors with all the relevant information necessary to carry out their engagement
• Develop strategy for follow up of issues highlighted in audit reports and regular bank reconciliations
• Monitor financial disbursements, utilization, and all administrative procedures in line with the Government of Malawi and World Bank
• Prepare accounting and budget changes, maintain financial, cost and budget accounting and keep accounting records
• Assist in project planning and budgeting while taking a leading role in the financial plan and budget and ensuring that the assumptions, parameters, guidelines and policies in planning are adhered to
• Collaborate with stakeholders (World Bank, other Development Partners) on financial matters for project implementation
• Review and approve quarterly Interim Financial Reports (IFRs) prepared by the project Accountant within 30 days from the end of the quarter
• Perform any other duties as shall be assigned by the Project Manager

• Proficiency in Computerized Financial Management Information Systems
• Good command of English (speaking and writing)
• Good report writing skills
• Good computer skills in using office applications
• Skills of working in a team and in a multi-cultural environment

• Must have a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting and Finance, Business Administration, Economics, Finance, or equivalent
• A Masters or PhD in any of those subjects will be an added advantage
• Must be professionally qualified (certified) from the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), Chartered Accountant (CA) or equivalent, and a member of Institute of Chartered Accountants in Malawi (ICAM)
• Prior participation in short training courses on the World Bank/African Development Bank accounting and familiarity with accounting policies, knowledge of preparation of specific documents based on standard World Bank documents and reporting would be an advantage
• Must have a working knowledge of Government of Malawi and World Bank accounting guidelines, laws and procedures