Islamic Republic of Afghanistan

Ministry of Commerce & Industries

Human Resources Directorate

Expression of Interest for National or International Financial Management Specialist under Afghanistan New Market Development Project

Ministry of Commerce and Industries, Afghanistan

Islamic Republic of Afghanistan

Afghanistan New Market Development Project

Consultant Service: Private Sector Development (Individual Consultant)

Project ID Number: P118053

EOI #: PSD/MOCI/C-6

Advertising Date: August 15^th, 2011

Closing Date: September 3^rd, 2011, 16h00

The Islamic Republic of Afghanistan represented by the Ministry of Commerce and Industries (MoCI) has applied for a grant from the International Development Association (IDA) toward the cost of Afghanistan NewMarket Development Project (ANMDP) and intends to apply part of the fund to cover the eligible payments under the Individual Consultancy Services contract for Financial Management Specialist.The project is likely to commence from early June 2011 where the project document is anticipated to be signed.

The Ministry of Commerce & Industries intends to utilize a part of the proceeds of the Grant to engage a national or international consultant to assist MOCI with the financial management and capacity development of its staff for a 3 months probationary period with the possibility of extension to a further two years.

Duties and Accountabilities:

The Financial Management Specialist (FMS) will develop and implement efficient financial management system and procedures for MoCI and develop and implement financial plan in accordance with the Government of Afghanistan and World Bank Guidelines.

The FMS is expected to provide support at two levels. He/she has overall responsibility to build financial and expenditure management systems in MoCI and to establish relationship with the Ministry of Finance.He/she will ensure that MoCI meets general financial management obligations and controls imposed by the MoF and Donors; and strive to prepare MoCI financial and audit staff in meeting those controls.

The consultant will also work closely with the Admin & Finance directorate and will report to the project director of ANMDP on the following areas:

i) Supporting MoCI generic financial activities such as budget preparation, expenditure management and financial systems integration

• Jointly interpret budget instructions from the Ministry of Finance and ensure that the MoCI senior officials are aware of the responsibilities.

• Assist in overall budget preparation that include preparing estimatesof core and development budgets. Provide mechanisms for coordinating and developing periodic budgets (including annual and midterm budgets)for externally aided projects.

• Process of consultants' and suppliers' invoices for payments i.e. preparation of M16 forms (payment of orders) for the PMU staff

• Maintain relevant accounting records for the PMU operations under theproject

• Prepare budget and financial management manuals as required.

• Monitor development and core budgets expenditures and set up necessary financial management information systems. Monitor expenditures relating to various donor supported programs (not channeled through Ministry of Finance) and provide necessary advice on efficient use of donor funding.

• Track monthly and quarterly actual performance variances from the budgeted performance, and ensure that relevant line departments take measures to correct variances in the following month/quarter.

• Develop and internalize key aspects of accounting, internal controls,record keeping, financial reporting and monitoring including practices for preparation and maintenance of transaction vouchers and updatingof accounting data, as and when the transactions occur. Ensure that the mechanism provides for expenditures in accordance with various donor and fiduciary requirements, and that the accounting meets applicablegovernment and donor standards. Work closely with the Internal Audit and Control Department.

• Prepare the quarterly un-audited financial statements and reports (financial monitoring reports) required by the World Bank for all the projects it is supporting; and any other financial reports that may be required by other donors. Ensure that the quarterly un-audited financialreports required by the World Bank are submitted within the required time limit of forty-five (45) days after the end of each quarter.

• Provide capacity building to staff working on budget and expenditure within MoCI, including advice to ensure adherence to varied Governmental accounting policies and financial requirements,

• Implement Financial Information Systems (FIS) at the level of projects and integrate them at the MoCI level. Provide necessary monitoring tools at all levels. The FIS should also be integrated with the overallbudget of MoCI.

• Provide mechanisms catering to internal as well as external reconciliations of expenditures on a regular basis.

• Coordinate with the Auditor General's office to facilitate the annualaudit of the projects funded by the Bank as per legal agreement requirements.

ii) Supporting ANMDP in establishing Financial and Expenditure management systems

• Establish financial and expenditure management systems in the ProjectManagement Unit consistent with standards as laid out in the Government procedures.

• Ensure that the expenditure controls are in place and provide overallsupervisory support by acting as Project Finance Manager. Develop andimplement accounting policies for individual projects, in line with the covenants set out in the funding agreements, as per the guidelines of external agencies. Ensure expenditures are incurred only after all requisite approvals are obtained and the procurement guidelines applicable to the project have been adhered to.

• As a financial expert, provide necessary support to project's programimplementation at field level, if required.

• Prepare necessary budget and financial management manuals and implement an information system.

• Train and coordinate with the Financial Officer recruited by MoCI forthe ANMDP.

• Develop and institutionalize a Fixed Asset Management system, including policies and procedures for recording, reporting and valuation of fixed assets. Develop procedures for preparation and maintenance of Fixed Assets Register in respect of the Fixed Assets owned by MoCI, whichwould also include assets purchased or created out of externally aided projects.

• Set out procedures for timely preparation and submission of financialreports, including provision of necessary supporting documentation necessary for undertaking external audits. The framework should enable maintenance of accurate and updated accounting records and documents, including vouchers, ledgers, bank statements, agreements and receipts.

• Development of a simple data base which should meet requirements of Financial Management of Contracts issued under the Project.

• Develop recording/accounting arrangements of M-16 for facilitating reporting and reconciliation with the accounts maintained by the treasury.

• Any other tasks assigned by the supervisor

Knowledge/Experience, Qualifications/Skills and Abilities Required

Knowledge/Experience

At least 5 years experience in the financial management of development programs (10 years preferred);

Experience in the design and implementation of financial management systems for the delivery of development projects;

Accounting experience;

Experience with Management Information Systems such as: FreeBalance; ATLAS; and SQL;

Experience in the financial management of World Bank funded projects is highly desirable;

Knowledge of procurement systems;

Experience working in Afghanistan is desirable;

Proven experience in building capacity of national staff in a challenging operating environment.

Qualifications/Skills

Advanced degree in with a relevant financial management focus, (chartered accounting qualification is preferable)

Proven financial systems management skills including the developing and institutionalization of policies and procedures for financial control of development activities;

Fluency in English (ability to speak Dari and/or Pashto languages helpful);

Excellent communication skills: speaking, writing, and listening;

Excellent computer skills including Microsoft Office tools (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint) and Internet, and accounting software applications;

Demonstrated interpersonal and negotiation skills including diplomacyand tact;

Abilities

Ability to communicate effectively with persons of various cultures and disciplines;

Ability to determine and review priorities and meet deadlines;

Ability to work in a high pressure environment;

Ability to multi-task and work under pressure;

Ability to work independently and also as an effective team member

Professionalism in appearance and demeanor;

MOCI invites eligible consultants to indicate their interest in providing the services outlined above. Interested consultants must provide information indicating that they are qualified to perform the services(CV, brochures, and description of similar assignments, experience insimilar conditions and relevant references).

A Consultant will be selected in accordance with the procedures set out in section V of the World Bank's Guidelines: Selection and Employment of Consultants by World Bank Borrowers (revised in January 2011).

Expressions of interest must be delivered to the following addresses below before 1600 hours on September 3^rd, 2011.

Note: Candidates applied before, no need to re-apply, their applications + CVs will be considered.

Afghanistan Reconstruction & Development Services (ARDS), Ministry of Economy, 4 ^th Floor and 5 ^th Floor, Malik Asghar Square, Kabul, Afghanistan

E-mail:ards.procurement@ards.org.af

Mobiles: 0799385712, 0774855775