PWYP MENA Finance Consultant

PWYP has received a grant from the Norwegian Agency for Development and Cooperation (NORAD) to implement three-year projects in three different countries located in Africa and the Middle East: Kenya, Iraq , Lebanon. 

The project aims to achieve the following objectives: 

1. To promote access to reliable information, in order to enhance civic engagement and greater demand for accountability 

2. To establish a capable civil society coalition and enhance its ability to access, understand, and analyse data, and reach out to decision-makers in Lebanon. 

3. To expand and diversify the Iraqi coalition and improve its capacity to better engage in the national EITI process, including the Multi stakeholder Group (MSG).

PWYP has in parallel a due diligence process used to identify the level and capacity of operation that the partner has built internally in order to implement projects and activities. In addition, the process proposes how to enhance the partner’s project management capacity in order to reach specific standards for it to become eligible as a sub grantee. 

The finance consultant, in close collaboration with the PWYP MENA Project Officer, will provide assistance to the PWYP partner in Iraq (THER organization) in developing their financial manuals following PWYP guidance and Due Diligence requirements. 

Consultancy Objectives 

PWYP requires a Finance Consultant fluent in Arabic and English in order to support our partner in Iraq to develop a comprehensive and fit for purpose financial and operational manual. In addition the consultant will produce and implement a training based on the manual for other partners in the region. 

The Consultant will deliver the following:

- Review the finance documents submitted by our partner and any other related document in addition to the DD assessment conducted in 2020. 

- Coordinate introductory meetings with the Iraqi partner and identify their needs based on the DD assessment and evaluation made. 

- Devise a plan to support the partner in meeting PWYP’s DD requirements. 

- Support and guide the partner in identifying the best policies and financial regulations needed on the national level in accordance with national laws. 

- Develop needed manuals based on DD assessment and on available resources at the partner’s level. 

- Train the partner on the finance manual and ensure its inclusion in their internal processes. 

- Train other partners in the region on how to produce financial manuals and how to integrate them in their internal process. 

Proposed methodology 

The consultant is expected to work closely and collaboratively with the PWYP MENA project officer and with the national project team in Iraq throughout the period of implementation, agreeing approaches, and providing expert guidance. 

The consultant will review project documents including; PWYP DD documents and requirements, financial documents of the partner, operational manuals and other documents that are relevant to

national financial laws. In addition, the consultant will support the project partner in developing a robust financial manual and integrate it in their internal processes and system. 

The consultant will develop a training on how to assess internal financial processes and produce an adapted financial manual to other partners in the MENA region. 

Expected outcomes: 

1- A documented evaluation report based on introductory meetings with the partner 2- A clear support plan for the partner produced based on assessment and meeting minutes 3- Financial manuals produced based on DD assessment and partner needs. 

4- Final assessment produced after a practical session is conducted with the partner to adopt the newly produced financial manuals. 

5- Delivery of training to MENA partners on the development of a financial manual based on internal processes and existing documentation. 

Expected Deliverables:

Deliverable Suggested Deadline

1- Due Diligence assessment and partner documents reviewed: 14 July  

2- Introductory meetings conducted to review internal: 16 July

3- Support plan is drafted and approved by PWYP and our partner: 23 July

4- Production of Manuals in coordination with the partner and PWYP team: 30 July

5- Revision and finalization of the manuals with the partner: 6 August 

6- Conduction of practical adoption session with the partner and conclusion of work: 20 August

7- Conduction of a training to MENA partners on how to produce financial manuals and adopt them in their internal operational processes:26 August

Experience and skills required: 

- Knowledge in Microsoft Office 

- Previous experience in drafting financial manual 

- Knowledge in accounting standards 

- External or Internal Audit Experience 

- BS in accounting and finance or equivalent (additional certificates are a plus) - Fluency in English and Arabic 

- 5 years of experience in developing and working with financial and operation manuals - Proven knowledge in financial, audit and operation standards required for sub granting 

- Excellent writing, interpersonal and communication skills 

- Experience of working with civil society organizations 

Duration 

The consultant is expected to support the partner and finalise the documentation within 5 weeks.