Job Description

FEDERAL GOVERNMENT OF SOMALIA

                    MINISTRY OF INTERIOR, FEDERAL AFFAIRS AND RECONCILIATION

BULSHO PROJECT - Strengthening Community Institutions for Social Cohesion, Inclusion and Resilience. 

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSION OF INTEREST (REOI) 

Individual Selection of Consultant

Country: Federal Government of Somalia

Project ID No. P508408

Name of the Project: Bulsho Project - Strengthening Community Institutions for Social Cohesion, Inclusion and Resilience

Consulting Service: Financial Management Specialist  

Individual/Firm: Individual

Ref No: SO-MOIFAR-498737-CS-INDV

Duty Station: Mogadishu

Deadline: 19th November, 2025

1.         BACKGROUND OF THE PROJECT

The Bulsho Project – Strengthening Community Institutions for Social Cohesion, Inclusion and Resilience (P508408) is under the lead of the Ministry of Interior, Federal Affairs and Reconciliation – MoIFAR of the Federal Government of Somalia and responsible for the national program called Bulsho, the Somali word for society. The Bulsho Program puts citizens and communities at the center of the government’s action.  The Bulsho Program is a Somali government-led initiative designed to strengthen community and local institutions, fostering social cohesion, inclusion, and resilience. As Somalia continues its recovery from two decades of civil war, the program places a strong emphasis on enhancing service delivery, rebuilding the social contract, and promoting community-centered governance. This uniquely Somali-owned and -driven initiative underscores government ownership and leadership at federal, member state, and district levels, ensuring institutional sustainability and the realization of key policy outcomes. 

The Ministry of Interior, Federal Affairs and Reconciliation of the Government of Somalia has established the Bulsho Program Steering Committee (PSC), chaired by the FGS Minister of Federal Affairs and Reconciliation. The PSC is composed of senior level representatives (ministers or deputy ministers) from relevant FGS ministries (i.e. Finance, etc.) and FMS MoI. The PSC’s primary role is to make strategic decisions related to the program planning and implementation, including approving this project operations manual (POM) and subsequent substantial revisions (POM approval can be exercised virtually) and addressing disputes related to district eligibility, participation and suspension.

MoIFAR, FGS has established a Project Coordination Unit - PCU, headed by a National Project Coordinator, which has the overall responsibility for the day-to day management of the WB-funded Bulsho project. FMS MoI have established Project Implementation Units - PIUs, headed by a State Project Managers, which have the responsibility for the activities that take place in their states.

The Project Coordination Unit - PCU is responsible for: (i) preparing procurement plans, including consolidating procurement plans from FMS; (ii) carrying out procurement for FGS-level activities and overseeing FMS procurement; (iii) preparing quarterly narrative and financial reports for the overall project, based on inputs from FMS; (iv) providing quality assurance and technical backstopping to FMS (this includes preparation of training curricula and training of trainers); (v) preparing and implementing the E&S plan (this includes verifying FMS E&S appraisal of local investments); (vi) consolidate FMS sustainability plans; (vii) preparing security management plans and oversees FMS security management (this includes reporting security incidents directly affecting project staff, contractors and assets) and (viii) carrying out general oversight, supervision and field monitoring (this could be joint monitoring mission) at all project locations with the support of the MoIs FMS..

The MOIFAR, FGS is seeking to use a portion of the Bulsho Project to finance the recruitment of a Project Financial Management Specialist as a part of National Project Coordination Unit - PCU.

2) Responsibilities: For Financial Management activities, the Financial Management Specialist will work under the overall supervision of the National Project Coordinator and in close consultation and coordination with the National Project Coordination Unit – PCU and the Project Implementation Units – PIUs at the FMS level.

The Financial Management Specialist will provide overall BULSHO project guidance and assistance in financial management and accounting procedures in compliance with the World Bank financial management regulations and accounting procedures for Borrowers and as appropriate with the Federal Government of Somalia financial management policies, regulations and procedures specifically:

1.     Financial Management Capacity Building and Compliance: Conduct financial management training needs analysis and develop structured capacity-building plans for PCU, State /PIU FMS and District Focal Point Finance Officers. And also maintain accounting records in line with approved operation manuals: EAFS manual, PIM, and COAPM procedures.

2.     Financial Reporting and Oversight: Prepare and submit periodic financial reports (monthly, quarterly, annually) in approved formats, ensuring compliance with the financing agreement. And also in collaboration with EAFS, prepare Unaudited Quarterly Financial Reports (IFRs) for submission to the WB at most, 45days after end of the quarter and Annual Financial Statements, ensuring adherence to international reporting standards.

3.     Budgeting and Financial Planning: Develop and review annual work plans for the PCU and consolidated BULSHO budget in collaboration with PCU and PIU project staff, ensuring alignment with the standard chart of accounts, and in compliance with the Government budgeting calendar.

4.     Fund Disbursement and Payment Processing: Verify payments adhere to accounting practices and financing agreements, obtaining No Objection letters where applicable. And also facilitate prompt fund release to beneficiaries while ensuring proper accountability measures are in place.

5.     Subledger Reconciliation and Documentation: Conduct timely and accurate monthly bank reconciliations for the designated accounts. Prepare Statements of Expenditure (SoEs) to ensure accurate financial tracking and timely documentation in client connection.

6.     Audit Coordination and Risk Management: Work with auditors to facilitate timely annual financial audit in compliance with the financing agreement and address queries. And also ensure compliance with internal control systems, EAFS manual, POM, COAPM, and other regulatory procedures. And also identify emerging fiduciary risks that inform revisions of the EAFS manual and PIM.

7.     Procurement and Financial Oversight: Monitor financial management aspects of consulting services and procurement. And also Ensure compliance with procurement and disbursement procedures under World Bank and Government regulations.

8.     Regulatory Compliance and Updates: Keep abreast of changes in financial regulations and ensure accounting staff remain updated. And also Ensure no project category or component is overspent without proper World Bank authorization.

S/he will undertake all the other specific tasks detailed in the Terms of Reference (TOR) that can be found at the following www.somalijobs.com or can be provided upon submission of application (in person or by E-mail). 

Experiences and Qualifications

3) Selection Criteria: The selection shall be based on qualification, experience and skills of the candidate and followed by an interview. The qualifications, experience and competencies include:

1. Educational Background

-          A University Master’s degree in accounting, finance, Financial Management or Banking & Finance.

-          Professional qualification in financial management, registered by and attained final qualification of any financial management related recognized professional body e.g. CIPFA IPFM, ACCA, CPA etc.

1. Professional Experience

-          At least 8 years of experience in accounting and finance.

-          Preferably at least 3 years of post-qualification experience in financial management directly relevant to public sector and/or international development organization. Familiarity with the World Bank Accounting Guidelines will be an added advantage.

-           minimum of at least 7 years of direct relevant experience including broad expertise in the management of procurement in the public sector or private sector.

-          Minimum of 5 years’ experience in implementing procurement actions according to international organizations guidelines such as the World Bank, African Development Bank, the United Nations, etc. for procurement of goods and services.

1. Skills and competencies

-          Demonetarised experience of project financial management in a developing country; experience in a fragile state is preferable.

-          Excellent written and oral communication skills in English, to deliver technical financial documents, and reports; candidates familiar with Somali language will have an added advantage.

-          Excellent computer skills in Microsoft Office tools (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint) and Internet use, including database use is required.

-          Proven record of ethical good conduct with high integrity and moral values as well as strong communication and representation skills.

1. Knowledge

-          Knowledge of Somalia's Government Public Financial Management – PFM Law

-          Knowledge of computerized accounting systems such as Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems such as PASTEL etc., or QUICKBOOKS.

-          Familiarity with public sector financial management and the World Bank Accounting/Financial Guidelines will be an added advantage.

1. Language skills/requirement.

-          Excellent command of Somali language, e.g., reading, writing and presenting is essential

-          Excellent command of English language, e.g., reading, writing and presenting is essential.

3. REPORTING

The Financial Management Specialist will report to the National Project Coordinator at the National Project Coordination Unit - PCU. 

4.         TIMING Duration of Assignment:

The Financial Management Specialist shall be contracted for up to 12 months with 3 months of probationary period) and renewable upon satisfactory performance.

The Ministry of Interior, Federal Affairs and Reconciliation – MOIFAR, FGS now invites eligible Individual Consultants to indicate their interest in providing the above-mentioned services. Interested consultants must provide the following (i) Curriculum Vitae (CV) with 3 reference persons; (ii) copies of certificates of academic qualifications; and (iii) cover letter indicating that they are qualified to perform the services.

Skills Required

Attachment

Follow us on social media