
Federal Republic of Somalia, MOAI
Financial Controller, Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation, Mogadishu, Somalia
Job Advertisement
Post title: Financial Controller
Name of Project: Rural Livelihood and Resilience Project
Duty Station: Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation, Mogadishu
Background
The Rural Livelihoods Resilience Programme (RLRP) is an 8 year project and the lead agency for the Programme is the Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation (MAI), Federal Government of Somalia. The project’s goal is “improved and resilient livelihoods of rural smallholders in Somalia”. The Programme Development Objective (PDO) is” to sustainably increase productivity, incomes and nutrition security and enhance the resilience of rural smallholder families in Somalia.
The RLRP’s primary target groups will be 30,000 poor small-scale agro-pastoral households (HHs. RLRP will further include proportions for vulnerable groups including IDPs (15 percent), women headed HHs (30 percent) and persons with disabilities based on prevalence. The RLRP is a nationwide programme. It will focus its comprehensive efforts on five Federal Member States (FMS) of Puntland, Galmudug, Jubaland, Hirshabelle and South West. Implementation will be sequenced, starting with the initial two FMS of Jubaland and South West, and a total of five regions in the two states: Jubaland: Gedo and Lower Juba; and South West: Bay, Bakool and Lower Shabelle.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation implements the Rural Livelihood and Resilience Program (RLRP). The program aims to enhance the livelihoods and resilience of rural communities. It focuses on promoting sustainable agricultural practices, diversifying income sources, and improving market access for farmers. Additionally, the RLRP works to build resilience by implementing measures such as water conservation, climate-smart agricultural techniques, and disaster preparedness. Community participation and empowerment are key program elements, fostering social cohesion and ownership of development initiatives. The Ministry strengthens institutional capacity to ensure effective implementation and long-term program sustainability.
The National Programme Coordination Unit (NPCU), reporting to the MoAI, will be responsible for day to day management of the Programme and will be in charge of planning, coordination, monitoring snd evaluation, financial management and procurement functions. The NPCU includes the position of Financial Controller, that will be filled through a competitive recruitment process.
Job Description
The Financial Controller is responsible for the financial and administrative management of the program, including Accounting, Budgeting, Financial Reporting, Internal Controls, Auditing Arrangements, Flow of Funds, and the efficient management of Project resources in accordance with the requirements of IFAD. He/she will report directly to the National Programme Coordinator. Operating within a computerized environment, the Financial Controller will:
- Develop behavioural ways of working within the team that promotes value addition, continuous professional improvement and a culture of cost effectiveness by all managers.
- Take a leading role, with the National Programme Coordinator and team on financial aspects of Annual Work Plan and Budgets (AWBPs) preparation and consolidation.
- Guide the NPCU to comply with the budget calendar as per the FGS and as required by IFAD.
- Master IFAD key documents such as, the disbursement handbook, procurement guidelines and handbook, IFAD guidelines for Project audits, the Financing Agreement (FA) and the Financial Management & Financial Control Letter (FMFCL).
- Work closely with the Accountant General’s office in order to ensure that RLRP payment processing through SMFIS is as smooth as possibly can be.
- Ensure compliance with all legal and statutory reporting requirement in FGS.
- Ensure that administrative and financial directives and guidelines are reflected in all Project financial activities.
- Oversee development and maintenance of an efficient accounting system, setting up of chart of accounts, customisation of reporting templates and development of reliable internal control procedures and guidelines for financial reporting and record keeping. Manage the accounting and financial reporting systems and ensure that the National Programme Coordinator is informed of ongoing financial transactions as well as implementing partners have a clear view of their financial responsibilities, funds available, requirements of reporting and record keeping in accordance with FGS and IFAD requirements.
- Ensure that all financial accounts are managed with respect to disbursement and replenishment in accordance with the Financing Agreement and the Financial Management & Financial Control Letter (FMFCL). Take prompt and definite action on non-compliance with procedure and practices.
- Verify all withdrawal applications for submission to IFAD, and ensure the availability of funds for all planned activities. Establish a very efficient cash flow management environment.
- Apply for and manage counterpart funds.
- Prepare and provide annual financial reports which are compliant with the IFAD Handbook For Financial Reporting and Auditing of IFAD-Financed Projects and the Project’s Financial Manual.
- Prepare financial reports, including monthly funds reconciliation, and monthly, quarterly, semi-annual and annual expenditure statements. Prepare and analyse monthly financial reports for the National Programme Coordinator indicating financial performance of the Project compared with the annual work plan and budget.
- Coordinate between Ministry of Agriculture & Irrigation and Project Steering Committee.
- Act as focal point for all related RLRP’s financial correspondences.
- Coordinate and supervise audit arrangements, including developing and sharing of audit ToR in accordance with IFAD requirements with Audit Firm to ensure that timely audit of the Project is conducted.
- Develop and maintain a system of financial control over all expenditure incurred by the Project.
- Monitor the level of advances/funds to ensure that there are sufficient funds to implement the Project activities and that the level of advances/fund are adequate and there are no idle funds.
- Monitor compliance with the Financing Agreement and the Financial Management & Financial Control Letter (FMFCL).
- Monitor compliance with the provisions of the Financing Agreement and the Financial Management & Financial Control Letter (FMFCL).
- Approve all reconciliations including bank and advance reconciliations.
- Responsible for developing and managing an effective and performance based human resources management system.
- Supervise and coordinate the work of staff placed under his/her direct authority.
- Review and regularly update the Financial Manual of the Project.
- Develop and update together with the Accountant the Accounting manual of the implementation across RLRP.
- Responsible for the organization and supervision of the NPCU office, assets, logistics, and all administrative matters.
- Coordinate and supervise audit arrangements.
- Responsible for the implementation of external audit and supervision mission recommendations.
- Ensure good working relationships with other departments to enable smooth implementation of financial procedures.
- Undertake any other activities assigned by the national Programme Coordinator.
Qualifications and Experience
- A Masters degree in accounting and finance or MBA and a professional qualification (ACCA, CPA etc).
- A minimum of 5 years progressive as financial manager/controller.
- The candidate would be expected to have a thorough understanding of accounting practices, finance and investment.
- Candidates with previous experience in rural development Projects in Somalia and aptitude for working in the rural area will be given preference.
- Good command in English and Somali, both oral and written.
- Prior experience working with government of Somalia regulations and procedures.
- Prior experience with the accounting/financial management relevant to public sector, local authority, international development organisations and/or in donor funded projects.
- Good knowledge of Microsoft Office and database use is required.
- The ability to lead and to work as part of a team.
- Good communication skills.
- Ability to work with multi stakeholders, including government, private sector companies, civil society organizations, and community.
- Professional and personal endurance and commitment to complete complex assignments efficiently and effectively in a high demanding working environment.
Duration : The initial contract will be for one year with six-month probation, period, renewable every year on continued satisfactory performance.
How to apply
If your qualifications and experience meet this job requirement, please submit a written application quoting the job title and reference number and an updated CV including daytime contact phone numbers, as well as the names and contact information of three references to reach the below-mentioned by close of business on April 24, 2024.
Only short-listed candidates will be contacted for a written interview. Mustafe Osman Saed (Waayeel) Mustafe.cismaan@gmail.com and the info@moa.gov.so
To apply for this job email your details to Mustafe.cismaan@gmail.com