The Ministry of Agriculture now invites eligible Individual Consultants (“Consultants”) to indicate their interest in providing the Services. Interested Consultants should provide information demonstrating that they have the required qualifications and relevant experience to perform the Services.

The Consultant shall ensure a minimum of twenty (20) hours per working week.

Qualifications and Experience

a) Key activities related to assignment (40 pts)

- A minimum of 6 years’ experience in financial management. (15 pts /40 pts)

- A minimum of five years’ experience working with donor-funded projects (World Bank, European Union, IFAD, UN, etc.). (15 pts /40 pts)

- Good experience with Government of Lebanon regulations and procedures. (5 pts /40 pts)

- Familiarity and experience in use of accounting software. (5 pts / 40 pts)

b) Qualifications (20 pts)

- A minimum of university degree in finance and accounting. (10 pts / 20 pts)

- A professional certification is an advantage (10 pts / 20 pts)

The minimum passing grade for a consultant to be shortlisted for an interview is set to be    (40 pts /60 pts).

c) Interview (40 pts)

- Technical test (15 pts / 40 pts).

- Good command of Arabic and English, both oral and written. (5 pts /40 pts)

- The ability to work as part of a team. (10 pts / 40 pts)

- Good communication skills. (10 pts / 40 pts)

To be considered technically qualified for the job, the Consultant should score (75 pts/100 pts) or more, following the interview.

The Consultant will be selected in accordance with the Consultant Qualifications Selection (CQS) method set out in IFAD’ Project Procurement Guidelines – September 2010. The top ranked consultant will be invited to submit a proposal in due course.

The Expert in financial management and accounting for donor-funded projects will be recruited on competitive basis. The appointment is subject to a six-month probation period to be extended to 24 months (2 years). Performance will be assessed by MoA, and will include concrete measurable deliverables and achievements relevant to ensuring the efficient and effective implementation of the project.

Terms of Reference

The Expert in financial management and accounting for donor-funded projects is responsible for managing, reviewing and monitoring the financial system of AgriCAL Project, in accordance with IFAD financial and procurement rules and regulations. He / She will work under the direct supervision of, and be accountable to the AgriCAL Project Coordinator and the PCU. He / She will have the following responsibilities:

• Take a leading role, with the support and contribution of Project Coordinator and Components Senior Experts, on financial aspects of Annual Work Plan and Budgets (AWBPs) preparation and consolidation.

• Ensure timely uploading of the Project budget over the accounting system.

• Master IFAD key documents such as, the disbursement handbook, procurement guidelines and handbook, IFAD guidelines for project audits, the Financing Agreement (FA) and the Letter to the Recipient.

• Work closely with the accounting system developer on customizing and maintaining an efficient accounting system and reliable internal control procedures and guidelines for financial reporting and recordkeeping.

• Ensure compliance with all legal and statutory financial and accounting reporting requirement in Lebanon.

• Ensure that all financial accounts are managed with respect to disbursement and replenishment in accordance with the approved IFAD procedures.

• Prepare, review and monitor AgriCAL budgets including financing plan, and, procurement plan (together with the Procurement Officer).

• Take prompt and definite action on non-compliance with procedure and practices. Verify all withdrawal applications for submission to IFAD, and ensure the funds availability for all planned activities.

• Prepare and provide annual financial reports including the sources and uses of funds statement, incurred expenditures by component, expenditure category, designated account reconciliation statement, fixed asset list and cash flow forecast, statement of advances etc. for submission to the PCU, MoA and IFAD on a quarterly, semi and annual basis, and maintain all records in a form appropriate for audit and clear audit trail.

• Prepare financial reports, including monthly funds reconciliation, and monthly, quarterly, semi-annual and annual expenditure statements; Prepare and analyze monthly financial reports for the AgriCAL Coordinator indicating financial performance of the Project compared with the annual work plan and budget.

• Coordinate between ministries such as the Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Finance, … and Central Bank of Lebanon and AgriCAL Project.

• Act as focal point for all related AgriCAL financial correspondences.

• Develop and maintain a system of financial control over all expenditure incurred by the project.

• Monitor the level of advances/funds to AgriCAL Components to ensure both that there are sufficient funds to implement the programme activities and that the level of advances/fund are adequate and there are no idle funds.

• Monitor compliance with the Financing Agreement for IFAD Grant.

• Monitor compliance with the Letter to the Recipient.

• Approve all reconciliations including bank and advance reconciliations.

• Review and regularly update the Financial and Accounting Manual of the Project.

• Coordinate and supervise audit arrangements related to AgriCAL in Lebanon.

• Ensure good working relationships with and among AgriCAL Components to enable smooth implementation of financial procedures.

• Undertake any other activities assigned by the Project Coordinator.

Dr. Abbas Mortada

Minister of Agriculture