TECHNOLOGIES FOR AFRICAN AGRICULTURAL TRANSFORMATION (TAAT) TAA AFRICA RICE COMPACT

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST

INDIVIDUAL CONSULTANT SERVICES

SECTOR : Agriculture

CONSULTANCY SERVICES :  TAAT AfricaRice Assistant Accountant

Financing Agreement reference : P- Z1-A00-016

Project ID No. : 2100155036067

 

This request for expression of interest follows the General Procurement Notice for this project that appeared on the African Development Bank Group’s Internet Website(www.afdb.org) 16th August, 2018 AfricaRice, a leading Pan – African rice research organization committed to improving the livelihoods in Africa though strong science and effective partnerships is implementing the TAAT AfricaRice Compact, financed through a grant from the African Development Bank towards the cost of the Technologies for African Agricultural Transformation (TAAT) Program and intends to apply part of the proceeds for this grant to facilitate payment for a consultant- TAAT AfricaRice Assistant Accountant who will be based in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire.

The Consultant is expected to Analyse project expenditures and prepare financial reports for the AfDB supported projects including supporting documents based on the donor’s standards and where necessary, AfricaRice standards; maintain complete record of all-important project documents and coordinate with project leaders to ensure adherence to the financial implementation aspects of the project agreement, clarify financial issues, answer queries, and give updates on the financial status of the project; regularly liaise with accountants and project focal points of beneficiary countries to ensure project funds disbursed to them for the implementation of activities are properly and timely justified; monitor funds utilization of projects and schedule of instalments to ensure readily available up to date funding status information necessary for management decision; in collaboration with the project Coordinator(s) and scientists, draw up quarterly, semi-annual or annual budgets in line with the overall project activities, operational and procurement plans as per grant’s requirements and monitor expenditure by scientists and other staff to ensure they do not overspend their allocations; handle accounting treatment and financial transaction with respect to disbursements to project collaborators and partners, as needed; review and verify adherence to budgetary requirements of expenditures of projects and ensure proper recording of valid transactions during the month-end and year-end closing of books; produce reports, statements and schedules for audit purposes.

The consultant will also prepare payment vouchers, petty cash payment vouchers, journal vouchers etc. and be responsible for posting into general and other account ledgers, as needed; provide bank reconciliation status on relationship between the project and its commercial banks; maintain advances and asset registers related to the project; analyse the variances against approved budgets on a monthly basis and determine the main reasons for major variations and discuss corrective steps with the Budget-holder in close liaison with the PBM; review request for official mission authorizations, purchase requests, staff recruitment requisitions (regular, temporary, and consultant) and fund transfer to check availability of funds and correct account to charge; liaise with Convention and Grants Unit on AfDB report deadlines and submission; perform other relevant tasks that may be assigned by the supervisor.

The desired consultant should possess at least a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or related fields, 5 years’ work experience in Accounting, with 2 years in Project accounting and work experience with an international organization specially in a CGIAR accounting system. Other knowledge and key competencies required will include, good knowledge in MS office including the ability to operate computerized accounting and spreadsheet programs; ability to learn new ICT applications quickly; effective verbal, listening and written communication skills in French and English; effective organizational, stress and time management skills; ability to work independently or as a team member; good agricultural and seed production knowledge will be an advantage. Candidate will also be results driven and demonstrate proficiency in reporting to donors.

AfricaRice now invites eligible candidates to submit their Expression of Interest (EOI), including their detailed CV and letter of motivation detailing past related experience similar to this assignment.

A consultant will be selected in accordance with the Bank’s Procurement Framework of October 2015 which is available on the Bank’s website: www.afdb.org

The assignment shall be for Six (6) months duration and expected to start from June 2021.

Interested candidates may obtain further information at the address below during office hours (0800-1700 hrs).

Expressions of interest should be delivered to the AfricaRice E-recruitment platform on or before 29th April 2021.

How to apply :

  1. To apply, click on the following link : http://eservices.africarice.org/application/index.php
  1. Create an account if you are a new user, if not log on with your credentials to access active vacancies
  2. Select “TAAT AfricaRice Assistant Accountant”
  1. Follow the step by step application procedure.

AfricaRice Headquarters

Boulevard Francois Mitterand, Cocody Abidjan

01 BP 4029 Abidjan 01, Côte d’Ivoire

+225 27 22 48 09 10; F: +225 27 22 44 26 29 E-mail [email protected]

Terms of Reference for the Recruitment of TAAT AfricaRice Assistant Accountant – Donor

Reporting

Project Code: P- Z1-A00-016

Instrument number (s): 2100155036067

Country: – Abidjan– Côte d’Ivoire

Sector: Finance

Background :

AfricaRice is a leading Pan – African rice research organization committed to improving the livelihoods in Africa though strong science and effective partnerships. AfricaRice is one of the 15 international agricultural research centers that are members of the CGIAR. It is also an Intergovernmental association of African member countries. Its membership comprises of 28 countries, covering West, Central, East and North African regions.

The Technologies for African Agricultural Transformation (TAAT) is a program initiated by the African Development Bank (AfDB) as part of its Feed Africa Initiative. The main objective of the program is to improve the business of agriculture across Africa by raising agricultural productivity, mitigating risks and promoting diversification and processing in 18 agricultural value chains within 8 Priority Intervention Areas. The program is being implemented by IITA in close collaboration with other CGIAR Centres, FARA, AGRA, national agricultural research and extension systems and private sector partners. It involves close partnership between the AfDB and other developmental partners such as the World Bank, BMGF, USAID and others.

Objectives of Consultancy Services :

To ensure adequate financial reporting of TAAT operations, this assignment is to engage an Assistant Accountant who will be responsible for collecting, compiling and analyzing accounting information on expenditures of projects for the purpose of timely preparation of financial reports to meet management and donor(AfDB) requirements.

Duties and Responsibilities :

The Assistant Accountant will conduct activities with specific tasks that include, but are not limited to :

  • Analyse project expenditures and prepare financial reports for the AfDB supported projects including supporting documents based on the donor’s standards and where necessary, AfricaRice standards ;
  • Maintain complete record of all-important project documents and coordinate with project leaders to ensure adherence to the financial implementation aspects of the project agreement, clarify financial issues, answer queries, and give updates on the financial status of the project ;
  • Regularly liaise with accountants and project focal points of beneficiary countries to ensure project funds disbursed to them for the implementation of activities are properly and timely justified ;
  • Monitor funds utilization of projects and schedule of instalments to ensure readily available up to date funding status information necessary for management decision ;
  • In collaboration with the project Coordinator(s) and scientists, draw up quarterly, semi-annual or annual budgets in line with the overall project activities, operational and procurement plans as per grant’s requirements and monitor expenditure by scientists and other staff to ensure they do not overspend their allocations ;
  • Handle accounting treatment and financial transaction with respect to disbursements to project collaborators and partners, as needed ;
  • Review and verify adherence to budgetary requirements of expenditures of projects and ensure proper recording of valid transactions during the month-end and year-end closing of books ;
  • Produce reports, statements and schedules for audit purposes ;
  • Prepare payment vouchers, petty cash payment vouchers, journal vouchers etc. and be responsible for posting into general and other account ledgers, as needed ;
  • Provide bank reconciliation status on relationship between the project and its commercial banks ;
  • Maintain advances and asset registers related to the project ;
  • Analyse the variances against approved budgets on a monthly basis and determine the main reasons for major variations and discuss corrective steps with the Budget-holder in close liaison with the PBM ;
  • Review request for official mission authorizations, purchase requests, staff recruitment requisitions (regular, temporary, and consultant) and fund transfer to check availability of funds and correct account to charge ;
  • Liaise with Convention and Grants Unit on AfDB report deadlines and submission ;
  • Perform other relevant tasks that may be assigned by the supervisor.

Qualifications and Experience Required :

The preferred candidate is expected to meet the following :

  • Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or related fields ;
  • 5 years’ work experience in Accounting, with 2 years in Project accounting ;
  • Work experience with an international organization specially in a CGIAR accounting system.

Other Knowledge and Key Competencies required include :

  • Good Knowledge in MS office including the ability to operate computerized accounting and spreadsheet programs ;
  • Ability to learn new ICT applications quickly ;
  • Effective verbal, listening and written communication skills in French and English ;
  • Effective organizational, stress and time management skills ;
  • Ability to work independently or as a team member ;
  • Good agricultural and seed production knowledge will be an advantage ;
  • Proficiency in reporting to donors ;
  • Result driven personal.

Language : The candidate should communicate fluently (orally and in writing) in English or French with a good working knowledge of the other language.

Duration of Assignment : Six (6) Months, renewable depending on funds availability

Location: Abidjan – Côte d’Ivoire

Direct Supervision : Planning and Budget Manager

Tentative Date of Commencement : June 1st, 2021

Deadline for submission of detailed CV : 29th April 2021

Contact for Information

For further information and discussions supporting your CV, please contact :

AfricaRice Headquarters

Boulevard Francois Mitterand, Cocody Abidjan

01 BP 4029 Abidjan 01, Côte d’Ivoire

+225 22 48 09 10; F: +225 22 44 26 29 E-mail [email protected];