The Groundwater for Resilience project (GW4R) is a component of the World Bank financed Horn of Africa (HoA) initiative. The project is intended to increase sustainable access and management of groundwater as a key contributing factor to enhanced climate resilience of targeted communities. The project will strengthen the foundations for regional approaches to resilience building through an improvement of the knowledge base and institutional capacity related to climate shocks, and investments in enhanced groundwater supply and improved utilization. The project initially focuses on three countries -Ethiopia, Kenya, and Somalia – and Somaliland and IGAD for the regional integration.

The Somalia component of the GW4R project is titled Abaar-Tir, a US$30 million operation that will support the Federal Government of Somalia (FGS) and Somaliland, specifically engaging the Ministry of Energy and Water Resources (MoEWR), and the Federal Member States of Galmudug, Hirshabele, Jubaland, Puntland and South-West States, and Somaliland. Abaar-Tir is intended to strengthen sustainable management of groundwater and to ensure that the resource is available to people and communities, sustainably used, and fostering economic growth over time, also long after the project is concluded. Abaar-Tir consists of three main components. These are (1) build and rehabilitate infrastructure to improve groundwater supply and use; (2) building the institutional capacity and knowledge system of federal and member states to implement the project; and (3) project management and to arrange internal knowledge management and learning. Each component is subdivided into several sub-components and linked activities

The Ministry of Energy and Water Resources (MoEWR) will establish a National Project Coordination Unit (NPCU) to carry out the day-to-day project planning, coordination, and management. The NPCU will be headed by a Project Coordinator. In each Federal Member State, and in Somaliland, a Project Implementation Unit (PIU) will be established for to implement investments in enhanced groundwater supply and community services.

The Ministry of Energy and Water Resources (MoEWR) therefore intends to apply part of the proceeds of Abaar-Tir Project to hire a consultant to work as a Financial Management Specialist within the National Project Coordination Unit (NPCU).

1. Scope of Work and Responsibilities:

The scope of work for the assignment includes but not limited to the following tasks:

The Financial Management Specialist will provide advisory and technical assistance to the Ministry of Energy and Water Resources to increase efficiency in managing and maintaining a sound financial and accounting system for the achievement of value for money and delivering on the project development objective through (a) Assessing the adequacy and supporting financial management arrangements of project financial management arrangements for the project, (b) Monitoring compliance with the Bank’s and Government financial management fiduciary requirements, (c) Ensuring that WBG-financed project operations are carried out in accordance with applicable financial management policies, procedures, and instructions, (d) Supporting analytical work on financial management and public financial accountability, and (e) Provision of direct and just-in-time technical financial support to the Ministry of Energy and

Water Resources Project Accountant to enable it effectively to carry out project activities (f) Build financial management capacity in the Ministry of Energy and Water Resources through hands-on training to the Project Accountant(s). The Financial Management Specialist shall also perform all other tasks detailed in the Terms of Reference (TOR) for the assignment that can be found at the following website:   www.moewr.gov.so or can be provided upon submission of application in person or by e-mail provided below.

1. Background

The Groundwater for Resilience project (GW4R) is a component of the World Bank financed Horn of Africa (HoA) initiative. The project is intended to increase sustainable access and management of groundwater as a key contributing factor to enhanced climate resilience of targeted communities. The project will strengthen the foundations for regional approaches to resilience building through an improvement of the knowledge base and institutional capacity related to climate shocks, and investments in enhanced groundwater supply and improved utilization.

GW4R addresses groundwater development in order to enhance living conditions and reduce and control the impacts of climate change. Strengthening the region’s capacity to assess, develop, monitor, and manage groundwater resources play a vital role in the ability of vulnerable communities to cope with and adapt to the effects of climate shocks. The GW4R is framed around four components: (i) Institutions and Information, (ii) Infrastructure and Investment, (iii) Inclusive Innovation, and (iv) project management, knowledge, and operation. The project initially focuses on three countries -Ethiopia, Kenya, and Somalia – and Somaliland and IGAD for the regional integration.

The Somalia component of the GW4R project is titled Abaar-Tir, a US$30 million equivalent operation that will support the Federal Government of Somalia (FGS), specifically engaging the Ministry of Energy and Water Resources (MoEWR), and the Federal Member States of Galmudug, Hirshabele, Jubaland, Puntland and South-West States, and Somaliland. Abaar-Tir is intended to strengthen sustainable management of groundwater and to ensure that the resource is available to people and communities, sustainably used, and fostering economic growth over time, also long after the project is concluded. Abaar-Tir consists of three main components. These are (1) build and rehabilitate infrastructure to improve groundwater supply and use; (2) building the institutional capacity and knowledge system of federal and member states to implement the project; and (3) project management and to arrange internal knowledge management and learning. Each component is subdivided into several sub-components and linked activities.

MoEWR will establish a National Project Coordination Unit (NPCU) to carry out the day-to-day project planning, coordination, and management. The NPCU will be headed by a Project Coordinator. In each Federal Member State a Project Implementation Unit (PIU) will be established for to implement investments in enhanced groundwater supply and community services.

1. Scope of Work for the Financial Management Specialist a. Objective of the Assignment

The objective of the consultancy is to provide advisory and technical assistance to the Ministry of Energy and Water Resources to increase efficiency in managing and maintaining a sound financial and accounting system for the achievement of value for money and delivering on the project development objective through:

1. Assessing the adequacy and supporting financial management arrangements of project financial management arrangements for the project
2. Monitoring compliance with the Bank’s and Government financial management fiduciary requirements
3. Ensuring that WBG-financed project operations are carried out in accordance with applicable financial management policies, procedures, and instructions
4. Supporting analytical work on financial management and public financial accountability
5. Provision of direct and just-in-time technical financial support to the Ministry of Energy and Water Resources Project Accountant to enable it effectively to carry out project activities.

Responsibilities

Provide 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. Observe, understand and implement all the project documents consistent with the Financing agreement
2. Provide support to the Ministry of Energy and Water Resources for the maintenance of efficient and effective financial management policies, systems for the GW4R project in order to ensure that all project resources and finances are properly managed and controlled. These include budgeting, funds flow, accounting, internal control, financial reporting and audit.
3. Assist in the maintenance of a sound financial and accounting system in accordance with Federal Government of Somalia procedures and support the Ministry of Energy and Water Resources to annually prepare the projects accounts in accordance with International Public Sector Accounting

Standards to meet the Project’s reporting obligations.

1. Monitor disbursements of the grant and preparation of withdrawal applications, including required supporting documentation.
2. Assist the implementing agencies to prepare projected cash flows and reports, budgets, and other financial reports on the project required for effective control of the budget.
3. Ensure that all books and financial reports are prepared accurately and audited in a timely manner, help accommodate audit undertaken by the Office of the Auditor General (OAG) and advise on corrective action as well as future prevention of any accounting, procurement, and financial management mistakes, errors or shortcomings.
4. Assist the Ministry of Energy and Water Resources to prepare monthly Government reporting returns, quarterly unaudited Interim Financial Reports (IFRs) and annual project financial and ensure that they are submitted within the stipulated deadlines
5. Build financial management capacity in the Ministry of Energy and Water Resources through hands-on training to the Project Accountant(s).
6. Support the Ministry of Energy and Water Resources to handle technical, commercial and legal aspects of financial management at all stages of the project cycle;
7. Provide operational advice to the Ministry of Energy and Water Resources on concepts, policies and procedures for a sound financial management system and control.
8. Design and conduct workshops for project accountant(s) in the Ministry of Energy and Water Resources on the Bank’s financial management and accounting procedure systems;
9. Any other duties as may be assigned by the Project Coordinator

The Financial Management Specialist will be required to submit reports as follows:

1. One copy of monthly progress reports highlighting both challenges and achievements;
2. One copy of quarterly progress on activities undertaken and solutions to challenges;
3. One copy of annual progress reports; and
4. One copy of project completion report after the completion of the Project.

Assignment Location

The Financial Specialist will be based at the PCU in Ministry of Energy and Water Resources Headquarters in Mogadishu and will be expected to regularly meet and support the procurement staff at the Ministry. The consultant may also be called upon to undertake any other duties as determined by the GW4R coordinator, including attending more program-wide meetings to discuss processes which are affected by (or will depend on) Financial processes.

1. Time frame and Reporting

The expected duration of the consultancy is one (1) year, with possibility of contract extension subject to satisfactory performance. The consultant will report to the GW4R Coordinator at the Ministry of Energy and Water Resources, and work closely with the World Bank Financial Management Team for guidance and advice.