TERMS OF REFERENCE
CALL FOR CONSULTANT
14th SEPTEMBER 2020
Background
Established in 2016, Paradigm Leadership Support Initiative (PLSI) is a civic organization promoting citizens’ participation in Nigerian public audit to foster public accountability, good governance, and development in marginalized and underserved communities. PLSI is seeking a consultant/professional to work on its “Value for Money – Enhancing Efficacy of Public Audit in Nigeria” project.
PLSI works to promote citizens’ participation and engagement in public audit and other public finance data in Nigeria. The organization facilitates engagement between relevant government institutions/state actors and citizens using audit and other relevant data to improve accountability in the management of public resources as means to enhance delivery of social services to communities.
Objective
The objective of this assignment is to review and analyze compliance status of federal ministries, departments, and agencies of government in Nigeria with relevant laws, procurement act and financial regulations.
Scope of Assignment
Working under the overall guidance of the Executive Director for PLSI, the consultant shall:
- Utilize a robust methodology to examine and highlight compliance of federal ministries, departments, and agencies of government in Nigeria with relevant laws, procurement act and financial regulations.
- Capture key issues and irregularities as it concerns these MDAs.
- Point out the cost of such failure to comply with relevant laws, procurement act and financial regulations to government revenue generating capacity and delivery of key social services to citizens.
- Report on financial management practices within federal MDAs and track possible improvements/changes
- Review and document existing processes and procedures for the following: Planning and Budgeting; Internal controls including monitoring; Accounting system; Financial reporting and Audit.
- compare the requirements of extant laws such as Procurement Act 2007, Fiscal Responsibility Act 2007, Financial Regulation 2009, and the enabling Act of relevant MDAs with actual practice.
- Highlight actionable recommendations feasible for the immediate even in the absence of key legal instruments.
Duties and Responsibilities
To achieve the objective of the assignment, the Consultant will perform the following:
- Submit a workplan to PLSI
- Ensure comprehensive review and analysis of all materials relevant to the assignment
- Make sure all data captured in the review exercise are accurately interpreted, void of error and ambiguity
- Submit preliminary report to PLSI for review
- Incorporate valid comments and suggestions to prepare a high-quality final draft of the report
- Ensure all corrections are inserted
- Obtain a final sign off (verbal or written) from PLSI
- Guaranty copyright over content and make references where necessary
- Submit final report to PLSI
Duration of Assignment
The Consultant is expected to work 30 days during the period from Monday 21st September 2020 to Tuesday 20th October 2020.
Deliverables
- Preparation and submission of draft report for review and sign-off.
- Submission of final report.
Institutional Setting and Reporting Mechanism
The Consultant will be contracted by PLSI and shall report to the Executive Director. The Consultant may be provided with office space if required and will receive necessary support from the Executive Director.
Duty Station
The Consultant will be based in Nigeria.
Required Skills and Experience
- Must possess professional accounting certification with at least 15 years of experience in public sector accounting.
- Must be vast in the knowledge of public audit, public procurement, and other public finance management practices
- Evidence of previous work done
- Ability to prioritize and deliver a variety of task on time
- Ability to plan for and produce quality result in meeting deadline
- Good written and communication skills
Application Procedure
Deadline for Submission
All interested applicant(s) are expected to submit Expression of Interest on/or before Friday 18th September 2020. Only electronic application(s) are welcomed.
The application should contain the following:
- Letter of confirmation of interest, proposed methodology and availability indicating why s/he is the best candidate for the job.
- Personal CV/Resume.
- Submission of previous work done in related field.
- Financial proposal with a breakdown of service fee and other cost that are expected to be incurred.
These documents should be addressed to the Executive Director, Paradigm Leadership Support Initiative (PLSI) and sent to info@plsinitiative.org. Kindly note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted after the deadline.
Selection process
In the selection process, PLSI shall ensure:
- Fairness
- Non-discrimination
- Confidentiality
- Transparency
