Financial Management Consultants

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT

IFAD is seeking Financial Management Consultants to take part in project missions primarily in Vietnam and potentially abroad. There are two categories of consultant: Financial Management Specialists will perform the more technical assessments; whilst Financial Implementation Support consultants will focus primarily on follow-up activities.

The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) is an international financial institution and a specialized United Nations agency dedicated to eradicating rural poverty and hunger. It does so by investing in rural people. IFAD finances programmes and projects that increase agricultural productivity and raise rural incomes, and advocates at the local, national and international level for policies that contribute to rural transformation.

The Financial Operations Department (FOD) is a dynamic financial, strategic and responsive business partner and service provider fully supporting IFAD in developing its financial strategy and managing its financial, investments and material resources. FOD ensures that these resources are efficiently, economically and effectively used to achieve IFAD’s objectives in the long-term and deliver on its development commitments.

The Financial Management Services Division (FMD) oversees financial management practices in IFAD-funded operations, including financial reporting, audit, project liquidity management, and fiduciary compliance. The division is responsible for IFAD’s financial management workforce including consultants.

FMD is responsible for financial management (FM) capacity and risk assessments for projects during design and implementation, reviewing project audit reports and following up audit findings, project fiduciary supervision and providing implementation support to projects on FM aspects.

Key results expected / Major functional activities

In accordance with IFAD’s risk-based approach for design and supervision activities the Financial Management Consultant will use IFAD’s FM Assessment Questionnaire as the basis to collect relevant information concerning the strengths and weaknesses of financial management systems, internal controls and financial reporting systems relating to financial management and financial administration of project funds. This will include monitoring compliance with IFAD’s fiduciary requirements, assessing the adequacy of national FM systems and assessing projects’ financial progress. On the basis of the findings the consultant will make appropriate recommendations.

The consultant may at times be called upon to perform implementation support activities including capacity building. Other assignments could involve follow-up of specific FM tasks and establishing the implementation status of prior recommendations at national, regional and/or local level.

Impact of Key results / Key performance indicators

The key performance indicators for Finance Specialists at this level include accurate performance of assigned finance operations, technical quality in terms of both substantive depth and adaptive relevance to client needs and customer service approach to problem resolution.

Representation / Work relationships

The FM consultant may represent FMD at the project level and work relationships normally require an exchange of information with a range of outside sources including staff from governments, specialized agencies, Borrowers, Recipients, Cooperating institutions and other IFIs.

COMPETENCIES

Organizational

Personal leadership and attitude to change.
Continuously seeks to learn, shares knowledge and innovates.
Focuses on clients.
Demonstrates sound problem solving and decision making ability.
Manages own time, information and resources effectively
Contributes effectively to the team.
creates understanding between self and others.
Builds and maintains effective working relationships.

Technical/Functional

In-depth knowledge of the principles and concepts of financial operations including sound understanding of project financial management such as financial reporting standards.
Capacity to identify and analyze systemic issues, formulate options and make conclusions and recommendations to resolve same.
Analytical and organizational skills.
Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively in a diverse organization tailoring language, tone, style and format to match audience; ability to present corrective feedback in a considered and tactful manner to promote acceptance.
Good knowledge of information technology systems and tools. Exposure to accounting software.
Ability to empathize with clients and stakeholders while maintaining the integrity of financial resources, implementing internal controls and ensuring consistent and accountable application of promulgated financial regulations and rules.

MINIMUM RECRUITMENT QUALIFICATIONS

For FM Specialist Consultants:

Academic/Professional qualification - Advanced degree in Accounting / Finance or a professional qualification in accounting (issued by a member of the International Federation of Accounts such as CPA, CA, ACCA) in addition to a Bachelor’s degree.
Professional accounting qualifications will be considered an advantage.
Relevant professional experience of minimum four years will be required. Professional experience in areas with direct exposure to international standards in financial management (including accounting and audit), financial accounting and financial controls in international organizations or donor financed development projects will be considered relevant.
Knowledge of or experience in project financial management will be an asset.
Language proficiency: Fluency in English and Vietnamese languages is required.
Working knowledge of spoken and written English is an advantage.

For Financial Implementation Support Consultants:

Academic/Professional qualification - A Bachelor's degree in Accounting , Finance or other relevant field. Educational background or track leading to a professional accounting qualification will be considered an advantage.
Relevant professional experience of minimum two years will be required. Professional experience in areas that demonstrate a mature level of responsibility or authority.
Some knowledge of or experience in project financial management will be an asset.
Language proficiency: Fluency in English and Vietnamese languages is required.
Working knowledge of spoken and written English is an advantage.

OTHER INFORMATION

Given the diverse technical nature of the assignments IFAD is looking for consultants of varying ability above the minimum threshold stated.

Applicants to this call for interest will undergo a first level screening and those candidates meeting the minimum requirements will undergo a more in-depth assessment in order to be included in IFAD's FM Consultants Roster. Rostered consultants may be contacted for missions and remuneration will be commensurate with candidate's qualifications, experience and skills as well as the nature of the assignment in terms of: