·      At least five (5) years of experience in financial management

·      Ability to synthesize large quantities of complex data into actionable information

·      Ability to work and effectively communicate with senior-level business partners

·      Excellent business judgment, analytical, and decision-making skills

·      Knowledge of financial reporting and data mining tools such as SQL, Access, etc.

·      Strong demonstrated use of Excel, Word, and PowerPoint

·      Experience on the development of adoptable tools, guidelines and manuals for financial management.

·      Prior financial management experience with a GPE and EC funded projects or public sector in Somaliland with demonstrated knowledge on procurements guidelines and policies for both Save the Children International, EC and GPE.

·      Ability to develop capacity to conduct financial management operations including for auditing purposes.

·      Excellent communication skills in English, verbal as well as written.

·      Excellent report writing skills.

·      Excellent teamwork and facilitation skills.

The applications should be submitted in PDF format as one document comprising Technical and Financial sections as detailed below.

Technical proposal – including but not limited to:

·      Consultants understanding of the assignment and context

·      Approach to the assignment

·      Methodology

·      Tools

·      Deliverables

·      Work plan

·      CV for Key staff

Financial proposal – providing a breakdown of all charges related to the assignment.

·      Applicants should also indicate the date they are available to start working on the consultancy

·      All applications MUST be submitted on or before the closing date below to be considered for the assignment.

Shortlisted candidates will be requested for an interview.

• Purpose of the consultancy,
• Introduction of the project,
• Background of the consultancy,
• Objectives of the consultancy,
• Proposed methodology and approach,
• Scope of work,
• Key deliverables / outputs
• Activity timelines

Review the structure of finance and administration department of the Ministry of Education and Science then develop financial management procedure manuals and system guide relevant to all levels.

1.      Background

Education is a crucial service in any country. Through education, a country not only gets the required human resources in a variety of economic and social sectors but also gets a literate and numerate population which is relatively easier to govern and implement government programs. Quality in education learning outcomes remains as a problem in education in Somaliland. In adequate basic academic skills of teachers have contributed to the poor quality of education delivery. In fact, lack of teacher quality compels many parents to send their children to private school where they pay high fees. Quality requires continuous professional development measures to improve the academic and pedagogical skills of existing teachers, and to support the development of teachers throughout their careers.

Teacher education is the heart of any education system. It is the quality of teacher education that determines the quality of teacher trainees and, consequently, the quality of the graduates of the education system. Teachers determine the quality of appropriate knowledge, skills and attitudes acquired by the students in any education system. Indeed, it may be appropriate to surmise that an education system is as good as is the quality of its teachers.

One of the key determinants of an effective teaching force is the quality of teacher education curriculum offered to the teacher trainees. A weak teacher training education curriculum results in an ineffective teaching force while the converse is true for an effective force. Pre- and in-service training and on-going professional development are necessary to improve the quality of the teachers. The current modes of teacher training are not sufficient to guide the teachers towards a learner centered pedagogy that puts front and center the cognitive, social, emotional and physical needs of the learners.   Therefore, opportunities for improving the teacher training modes and/or accessing short-term professional development courses will have to be explored in order to increase the quality of and access to education services.

One of the key ministry strategies to improve the quality of basic education is to increase the number of qualified teachers in primary schools. To address supply-side barriers related to the proportion of qualified teachers at primary school, activities under this strategy will focus on delivering teacher training based on government quality standards and the new national curriculum framework. The quality of teaching and learning in schools will be further supported through regular school monitoring exercises that will ensure adherence to teaching quality standards and provide ongoing mentoring support to teachers through monitoring activities conducted at school level.

2.     The Project details.

Somaliland has been a recipient of Global Partnership for Education (GPE) program funds since 2012, initially with UNICEF as the Grant Agent and now with Save the Children (SC). Following the development of the five-year Education Sector Strategic Plan (ESSP), the current Education Sector Program Implementation Grant (ESPIG) managed by SC as the Grant Agent is from July 2018 to December 31, 2022.

This GPE Program is based on the Somaliland Education Sector Strategic Plan (ESSP, 2017-2021), and is aligned with the GPE guidelines for education sector strategic plans. The priorities of ESSP (2017-2021) are based on the findings of the Somaliland Education Sector Analysis (ESA, 2016), and are centered around the 7 pillars in the education sector, namely; Early Childhood Education; Primary Education; Non-Formal Basic Education; Secondary Education; Teacher Education; Technical and Vocational Training (TVET); and Higher Education. They are also anchored on the mission, goals and objectives of the Somaliland National Policy of Education (SNPE, 2015-2030), which articulates the commitment of the MOES to provide quality, affordable and competitive education to all citizens. These broader goals and objectives of the SNPE are in line with the principles of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), specifically Article 28, which views education not only as the right of the child, but a powerful ingredient in the national democratization process

The SNPE on which the ESSP is anchored, and which by extension informs and guides this GPE Program articulates that education as human right equips the nation with lifelong skills which will progressively lead the nation towards the achievements of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The SDGs of particular interest to the SNPE, the ESSP and by extension this GPE Program include:

1.      Goal 4: Quality Education: Ensure inclusive and quality education for all and promote lifelong learning for all

2.     Goal 5: Gender Equality: Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls

3.     Goal 10: Reduced Inequalities: Reduce equalities within and among countries

4.     Goal 16: Peace and Justice: promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels

Three GPE goals are also of interest to this application, including:

1.      Improved and more equitable learning outcomes

2.     Increased equity, gender equality and inclusion for all

3.     Effective and efficient education systems

3.     Review the MoEs financial management system

The MOE&S is currently implementing large and complex education programs jointly with International and UN Agencies in addition to the government’s allocated budget. Transaction levels are increasing significantly. This requires a robust system to manage financial resources with greater professionalism, transparency and accountability. The ESPIG, through the additional funds, will support the review of the current financial management system and research how to improve control systems and meet both government and donor compliance requirements. Based on findings from the review process, recommendations will be used to further improve the financial management system and develop the capacity of the finance and administration staff. By the way, Save the children is currently willing to develop financial management manual for the Ministry of Education and Science.

4.     Aim and objectives of the consultancy

Overall objective

To review and develop scientific and systematic financial management, procedures and skills and insights aimed at strengthening grantees’ institutional capacity to manage donor funds and develop sound financial management systems for the Ministry of Education and Science.

Specific objectives

·      To conduct desk review related to the financial procedures, manuals and systems used by the MOE&S.

·      To build the capacity of the ministry of education and science with the provision of policy and system improvements.

·      Conduct consultation sessions with relevant stakeholders at different levels.

·      Develop a comprehensive financial management that in line with the national government finance policy and public financial Management best practices.

·      Produce draft manual based or the agreed outline.

·      Facilitate validation workshop and present the draft manual amongst key stakeholders.

5.     Proposed methodology of the service.

§  The consultant(s) should work closely with the directorate of the department of the Admin and finance.

§  Conduct consultation session with the key stakeholders.

§  The consultant will utilize questionnaire guides, key informant focus group discussions.

§  The consultant will present the development process, first draft of the financial management manual then and the Education Stakeholders for approval and endorsement.

§  The consult will work independently to compile findings, recommendations and necessary initiatives requirements for the development of Financial Manuals.

6.     Deliverables/outputs

The following outputs should be delivered

§  Conduct Desk review of the relevant literature of financial management tools, manuals, guidelines and systems in place.

§  Conduct consultation sessions with relevant stakeholders at different levels.

§  Develop a comprehensive financial management that in line with the national government finance policy and public financial Management best practices.

§  Produce draft manual based or the agreed outline.

§  Facilitate validation workshop and present the draft manual amongst key stakeholders.

7.     Timeframe

The consultancy shall be executed within a maximum of 30 days” commencing 25^th July 2021. The Proposal should include a detailed schedule. The following should be used as a guide.

8.     Management and supervision of consultancy

The consultant will report to Save the children with day-to-day supervision by the Ministry of Education and Science (Admin and Finance Department).

9. Consultancy experience and experts’ qualifications

The Lead consultant should have the following qualifications and experience:

• Advanced degree in financial management, public administrations, Business administration, Accounting, or CPA.
• At least five (5) years of experience in financial management
• Ability to synthesize large quantities of complex data into actionable information
• Ability to work and effectively communicate with senior-level business partners
• Knowledge of financial reporting and data mining tools such as SQL, Access, etc.
• Strong demonstrated use of Excel, Word, and PowerPoint
• Experience on the development of adoptable tools, guidelines and manuals for financial management.
• Prior financial management experience with a GPE and EC funded projects or public sector in Somaliland with demonstrated knowledge on procurements guidelines and policies for both Save the Children International, EC and GPE.
• Ability to develop capacity to conduct financial management operations including for auditing purposes.
• Excellent communication skills in English, verbal as well as written.
• Excellent report writing skills.
• Excellent teamwork and facilitation skills.

9.     Application process

All applicants must meet the minimum requirements described above. Each application should include the following:

• Cover letter including the applicant’s suitability for the position and current contact information and profile (if a company)
• Technical and financial proposals
• CV, including detailed work experience, education/degrees of the experts

 How to Apply

To submit applications for this consultancy, please send the documentation to: Somaliland.procurement@savethechildren.org:    Applications will close on 30^th August 2021.

We work with children, communities and governments all over the world and we believe in the right person for the job regardless of where you come from and how you identify yourself. We need to keep children safe so our selection process reflects our commitment to ensuring that only those who are suitable to work with children are considered for these posts. All successful applicants will, therefore, be required to complete a Police Check and must sign onto our Child Protection Policy and organizational Code of Conduct. SCI is an equal opportunity employer.