UNITED NATIONS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME

JOB DESCRIPTION

I.  Position Information

Post Title:                      Financial Capacity Assessment Consultant

Type of Contract:          SSA Contract                             

Duration:                       3-4 assignments a year (2-3 weeks per assignment)

Department:                  Programme Management Support Unit (PMSU)

Reports to:                    Head of PMSU

Duty Station:                Juba, Southern Sudan

Closing Date:                2 Nov. 2009

II. Organizational Context

 

The signing of the historic Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) in in January 2005 opened an unprecedented window of opportunity to turn the devastation of years of war, displacement, and underdevelopment into a new era of peace and sustainable development. The UNDP Programme in Southern Sudan was established to support the implementation of the CPA.

The Programme’s areas of support to the Government of Southern Sudan are focused on:

I.                    Poverty reduction and the achievement of the MDGs

II.                 Fostering and consolidating democratic governance

III.               Crisis prevention and recovery

Government Partners often implement activities under Letters of Agreement (LoAs) signed with UNDP.  Funds provided through the LoA are for the exclusive use of achieving the results specified in the LoA. The Government Partner is responsible for ensuring appropriate and accountable use of funds provided from UNDP, and must ensure that expenditures are in conformity with the provision of the LoA, that funds are used accountably, and that sufficient controls are in place to ensure and demonstrate that funds are being used appropriately.

For LoAs that are valued at over USD 100,000, before the LoA can be signed, a capacity assessment of the financial management capacity of the Government Partner must be conducted.  Together with the Government Partner, UNDP will conduct a financial management capacity assessment of the Government Partner. 

Under the direct supervision of the Head of PMSU, the Consultant would be required to conduct the capacity assessment: The assessment should be done in a transparent manner and the Government Partner should participate in the process.

III. Functions / Key Results Expected

 

The Consultant should assess the Government Partner’s control system with equal emphasis on: (1) the effectiveness of the system in providing useful and timely information for proper management; (2) the general effectiveness of the internal control system in protecting assets and resources. 

• Determine the overall risk rating (H-high risk; S-significant risk; M-moderate risk; L-low risk) of the Government Partner’s financial management capacity. The overall risk rating for the management of cash transfers is rated “low” if the Government Partner’s system: is considered capable of correctly recording all transactions and balances, supports the preparation of regular and reliable financial statements, safeguards the entity’s assets, and is subject to acceptable auditing arrangements.

   

• Provide an overall assessment and risk ratings of the Government Partner’s financial management capacity and review funds flow, staffing, accounting policies and procedures, internal audit, external audit, reporting and monitoring and information systems.

   

• Provide a summary of the financial management assessment of the Government Partner.

   

• Identify specific internal control weaknesses noted in financial management.

   

• Recommend monitoring and assurance activities to address or compensate for the weaknesses in the short term and recommend how to resolve/eliminate the internal control weaknesses noted, including short and medium-term capacity development measures.

   

• Provide a briefing on the results of the assessment to the relevant UNDP staff as well as to relevant Government officials.

   

IV. Impact of Results

 

·         Financial management: The review assists in the establishment of appropriate cash transfer modalities, procedures, and assurance activities to be applied by UNDP.

·         Capacity development: The review supports UNDP and Government to identify strengths and weaknesses in the Government Partner’s capacity for financial management and areas for capacity development by Government and others.

V. Competencies

 

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