Assignment Overview:
The financial management consultant will provide support to Horn Poultry Farm based in Jigjiga, Somali Regional State of Ethiopia, to ensure that there are adequate financial management systems across its operations.
HAPF has seen a rapid expansion of activities in the last couple of years in terms of the amount of projects it carries out and the different areas it is expanding to. With this increase in activities, there is a need to revise HAPF’s financial administration and to put in place the necessary systems and procedures that will enable the company to keep up with the demands. This entails development of financial management policies, accounting methodology and financial management procedures, implementation of an accounting and financial management system appropriate for the HAPF operations and size of activities, and capacity building for financial management staff as well as management on financial accountability. In order to help HAPF strengthen its financial management, controls, systems and procedures, we are looking for a short-term financial consultant who can engage immediately in this technical assistance process, which should be completed by end of November/December 2023. The consultant will be selected in accordance with CFYE HR policies and procedures.

Objectives:
– The objective of the assignment is to assist HAPF to develop and maintain financial management systems and reporting in fully compliance with the International Financial Reporting standards (IFRS). HAPF itself will be responsible for the day-to-day operations, including implementation of advised updates and improvements. In addition, a key notion of the TA is that the consultant will act in an advisory role, and will therefore focus on diagnosing, leading design-exercises and reviewing policies. HAPF itself will have to dedicate staff to contribute heavily to the Financial Management policy development, and to completely manage the implementation of financial management procedures.
– The assistance will be focused on:
1. Establishing HAPF’s financial management rules over the operations of HAPF, including general principles, budget, accounts  and asset management, procurement, internal and external audit.
2. Establishing unified IFRS-compliant accounting policies and standard procedures over financial reporting process.
3. Enhancement of the knowledge base and skillset of HAPF board and management through specific training sessions built  around financial monitoring, control environment, transparency and disclosure requirements; and staff tasked with financial  management on IFRS standards and financial management discipline.

Specific Activities and Tasks:

CFYE wants to obtain the assistance of a specialized financial management consultant to work alongside with HAPF staff to address develop financial management capacity. The proposed activities under this consultancy will include:
I. Financial management rules.
– Obtain an understanding of the HAPF’s operations and current governance, operations and administrative policies.
– Provide guidance to optimize and formalize HAPF’s financial management policies/rules over the operations of HAPF,     including general principles, budget, accounts and asset management, procurement internal audit and external audit. Propose  adjustments to current policies if areas of discrepancy are identified.
II. Accounting methodology.
– Review the HAPF operations and design and formalize of suitable accounting policies and methods, including tools, formats  and procedures on management judgments and key assumptions in accordance with IFRS;
III. Financial reporting procedures.
– Review the functions and positions related to financial management and provide recommendations for improvement and  propose adjustments to the job descriptions if necessary.
– Develop improved internal controls procedures, including advising on appropriate templates/software, formats and tools,  over financial reporting process, which comprise all relevant transaction cycles, journal entries, financial reporting closing  activities and consolidation process.
– Review the chart of account and propose adjustments to comply with IFRS requirements.
– Based on the above, develop the required functionalities for an accounting and financial management system suitable for  HAPF operations, and accounting and financial reporting requirements.
– Identify accounting and financial management software solutions suitable for HAPF operations, and its accounting and  financial reporting requirements. The solutions should reflect HAPF’s needs and designed to provide the financial information  required by all interested parties and fulfill all the legal and regulatory requirements. Provide the strengths and weaknesses of  each solution and cost estimates.
IV. Training of staff on the financial accountability, accounting and financial procedures;
– Assess training needs of HAPF’s staff, including board and management, of financial accountability, accounting and financial  procedures.
– Provide on the job training on the accounting methodologies and standard procedures over financial reporting process along  with all tools, templates and procedures to be used in the future by HAPF management and staff. The Consultant shall develop  and deliver very specific training with hand-on materials and deliver such training to HAPF staff in the form of side-by-side  coaching and on-the-job mentoring. Develop PowerPoint presentations and pdf document detailing Standard Operation  Agreement (SOA) for all of the above processes, tools and key responsible persons.
V. Review of current systems and processes-Financial Management systems;
– Review existing financial policies, systems and procedures including performing walkthrough tests to ascertain areas of  improvement
– Carry out critical review of the internal control system, focusing on the control
environment, risk assessment and control procedures
– Review financial management processes for the Branches and identify weaknesses
in tracking and reporting both receipts and expenditure
VI. Review asset management practices;
VII. Review the existing procurement processes/ systems;
– Identify weaknesses in the procurement system/ processes that could lead to any anomalies
VIII. Fiduciary management support
– Review procurement management and provide advisory to ensure on how to optimize the related procurement policy to  –  ensure compliance with policies, donor requirements and local laws and regulations

Deliverables:
– Detailed work plan.
– Assessment report indicating the current gaps and roadmap to strengthening current HAPF.
– Financial Management within 1.5 months of contracting.
– Staff capacity needs assessment and capacity building plan.
– Updated Financial Management policies and procedures manual.
– Monthly progress reports.

Operational Arrangements:
The Advisor will report directly to the Country Lead with technical oversight from the central team.

Level of Effort and Reporting:
Up to 30 days over a period of 12 months (Preferred start date ASAP).

Role Requirements:  
The consultant should possess the following minimum qualifications:
Education
– Advanced university degree in accounting, audit, business administration, commerce, or related field; or a first level degree combined with a professional accounting, auditing, or related designation (Chartered Accountant, CPA, CIA, CISA (Certified Information Systems Auditor), CFE, ACCA (Association of Chartered Certified Accountants)). Certified and/or experienced with International Financial Reporting standards (IFRS).
Experience
– Demonstrated experience in accounting, financial management, audit, technical assistance, or other directly relevant experience.
– Demonstrated experience as a technical advisor/Technical.
– Assistance or trainer in financial management.
– Good knowledge of donor financial management practices/ requirements including policies and procedures.
– Experience with general management practices and techniques, including management principles, governance and accountability, risk management, use of technology, project management, research and analysis, quality assurance, and human resources management, is required.
– Proven track record in working effectively with multi- disciplinary teams.
– Experience with not-for-profit organizations/ International Non-Governmental Organizations (NGO), is highly desirable.
– Experience of internal audit at the international level would be an advantage.
Language
– Strong working knowledge in Somali and Amharic (written and oral) and Fluency in English (written and oral)
Other desired requirements
In-country consultant and who is conversant with Ethiopia operating environment is preferred
Duty Station: Jigjiga, Ethiopia.