International Financial Management Consultant

KABOOM Database Solutions is a leading developer of specialized databases tailored for the construction, government, education, and healthcare sectors.

KABOOM Database Solutions is the partner of choice for many companies, NGOs and local government institutions. We help organizations enhance their performance through custom software development while also providing expertise in financial management and internal control to strengthen our clients' operations.

KABOOM Database Solutions is now seeking to engage an International Financial Management Consultant with the qualifications and expertise outlined in the Education and Expertise section to provide professional support to our client in accordance with the scope of work described in the TOR.

The company (Kaboom Client) is a leading conglomerate operating across multiple sectors including pharmaceutical, construction, retail, importation, distribution, and commercial sectors. Headquartered in Erbil, the Company has established itself as a trusted partner for several international companies by delivering high-quality products and services throughout Iraq.

As part of its long-term strategic vision, the Company aims to expand its operations beyond Iraq and establish itself as an internationally competitive corporate group. Achieving this objective will require the Company to align its institutional, financial, governance, and operational practices with internationally recognized standards and best practices. This includes strengthening corporate governance, financial management, internal controls, risk management, regulatory compliance, operational processes, and organizational capacity to support sustainable growth and international business operations.

To support this strategic ambition, the Company intends to engage an experienced International Financial Management Consultant to undertake a high-level strategic assessment of its current institutional and financial readiness for international expansion. Through consultations with the Company's leadership and a rapid assessment of its existing governance, financial management, and operational environment, the consultant will identify the key institutional and organizational requirements necessary to support the Company's international growth objectives.

Based on the findings of the assessment, the consultant will prepare an executive strategic presentation outlining the reforms, capabilities, systems, and governance arrangements required for the Company to successfully expand into international markets. Following discussions with the Company’s high official, the consultant will develop a prioritized Action Plan and prepare a detailed strategic direction for a subsequent institutional strengthening assignment that will support the implementation of the agreed reforms.

1.         Scope of work

The consultant shall work under the overall guidance and supervision of the Company's high official and in close coordination with designated focal points. The consultant shall provide strategic and technical advisory services to assess the Company's institutional, financial, and governance readiness for international expansion and identify the key reforms required to support its long-term growth objectives. In carrying out the assignment, the consultant shall undertake the following tasks:

Task 1: Strategic Assessment of the Company

The consultant shall conduct desk review and consultations with the Company’s Senior Management and other relevant officials to gain a comprehensive understanding of the Company’s current organizational structure, business model, operational processes, financial management arrangements, governance practices, existing systems, and long-term strategic objectives.

The consultant shall undertake a rapid institutional assessment to evaluate the Company’s readiness for international expansion, identify key strengths and challenges, and assess the extent to which existing financial management, corporate governance, operational systems, and organizational structures support the Company's future growth ambitions.

Task 2: Development of a Strategic Roadmap for International Expansion

Based on the findings of the assessment, the consultant shall prepare a high-level strategic presentation outlining the key institutional, financial, governance, and operational reforms required to position the Company as an internationally competitive business group.

The presentation shall identify the critical building blocks required for international expansion, including, but not limited to, corporate governance, financial management, internal controls, risk management, procurement, compliance, organizational structure, digital transformation, financial systems, human resources, operational excellence, and international business standards.

Where the assessment identifies weaknesses in the company's financial governance or management systems, the consultant shall recommend the strategic actions necessary to strengthen these areas. The presentation shall distinguish between short-term priorities, medium-term reforms, and long-term institutional development initiatives and provide indicative recommendations on implementation sequencing.

The presentation shall also include recommendations on whether a comprehensive institutional transformation programme—including financial management reform, governance enhancement, policy development, ERP implementation, organizational restructuring, and capacity building—would be required to achieve the Company's long-term internationalization objectives.

Task 3: Executive Presentation and Strategic Consultation

The consultant shall deliver the strategic presentation to the high officials of the Company.

The presentation shall facilitate a strategic discussion on the Company's readiness for international expansion and provide senior management with practical recommendations on the institutional, financial, governance, and operational changes required to support sustainable international growth.

The consultant shall respond to questions from high officials, facilitate discussion on strategic priorities, and provide professional advice regarding the recommended next steps, implementation priorities, and potential future phases of institutional strengthening.

Task 4: Preparation of the Scope of Work for the Next Phase

Following the presentation and taking into consideration the comments, priorities, and strategic direction agreed during the presentation by the high official, the consultant shall prepare a comprehensive Action Plan and Roadmap for the next phase.

The Action Plan shall prioritize the strategic initiatives required to support Company’s transformation into an internationally competitive business group. It shall define the recommended sequence of activities, implementation priorities, indicative timelines, estimated level of effort, required expertise, resource requirements, expected outcomes, and key milestones for each proposed intervention.

Based on the agreed Action Plan, the consultant shall prepare a detailed Scope of Work (Terms of Reference) for the subsequent consultancy assignment. The Scope of Work shall clearly define the objectives, implementation approach, tasks, deliverables, reporting arrangements, timeline, required qualifications and expertise, estimated professional inputs, and evaluation criteria necessary to procure an international consulting firm or team of experts to undertake the recommended institutional strengthening programme.

The consultant shall ensure that the proposed Scope of Work reflects international best practices and provides the Company with a practical and phased roadmap for strengthening its corporate governance, financial management, internal controls, operational systems, organizational capacity, digital transformation, and other institutional reforms necessary to support sustainable international expansion.

2.         Expected deliverables

The consultant shall be responsible for producing the following deliverables throughout the assignment. All reports, manuals, templates, and supporting documents shall be submitted in editable Microsoft Office formats together with PDF versions, and all deliverables shall become the property of the company.

Note:

·         The estimated working days represent the consultant's level of effort and do not correspond directly to the calendar duration of the assignment. Several deliverables will be developed concurrently.

·         Draft versions of key deliverables shall be submitted for review and validation before finalization.

·         The presentation and other documents shall be submitted in editable Microsoft Office formats together with PDF versions.

·         The consultant shall facilitate validation sessions with senior management before finalizing all deliverables.

3.         Payment Modality:

The payment is deliverable based; i.e. upon satisfactory completion of the deliverables, he company will process the payments within 15 working days from receipt of invoice.

*N.B Travel and accommodation:

All envisaged travel costs must be included in the financial proposal. In general, Kaboom does not accept travel costs exceeding those of an economy class ticket.

In the case of unforeseeable travel, payment of travel costs including tickets, lodging and terminal expenses should be agreed upon in writing, between Kaboom and the consultant prior to travel and will be reimbursed.

4.         Travel and accommodation:

The Consultant is expected to include the total cost of mission (per diem, flight ticket, travel cost and communication) in the financial proposal.

5.         Reporting:

Overall management: The consultant shall report directly to Kaboom general manager and all deliverables should be provided within agreed timelines. 

6.         Data and Final Reporting:

All raw data, analysis, conclusions should be submitted along with the final report.

7.         Contract duration:

The assignment will be for 20 WDs over 8 weeks duration, starting from the date signing the contract.

8.         Qualifications and requirements: 

The assignment requires a highly qualified senior financial management professional with extensive international experience in corporate finance transformation, governance, internal controls, and institutional strengthening.

Education

The consultant shall possess at least a Master's degree in Finance and Business Administration. A professional accounting qualification such as CFA, ACCA, CMA, CIMA, or an equivalent internationally recognized certification is required.

Professional Experience

·         The consultant shall have a minimum of 15 years of progressively responsible professional experience in financial management, corporate finance, accounting, internal controls, governance, risk management, and institutional strengthening.

·         At least 10 years of experience shall be in leading or advising organizations on the design and implementation of financial management systems, financial policies, internal control frameworks, procurement systems, budgeting processes, and financial reporting arrangements.

·         The consultant shall demonstrate substantial experience working with large private-sector companies, diversified business groups, conglomerates, multinational corporations, or international organizations, preferably across multiple business sectors such as pharmaceuticals, construction, retail, distribution, manufacturing, or commercial operations.

Specific Technical Expertise

The consultant shall demonstrate proven expertise in the following areas:

• Assessment and redesign of financial management systems.
• Development of financial policies, procedures, and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
• Design and implementation of internal control frameworks and risk management systems.
• Financial governance and corporate accountability.
• Budgeting, financial planning, and management reporting.
• Procurement systems and procurement governance.
• Fixed asset management and inventory control systems.
• Financial compliance and regulatory oversight.
• Business process mapping and institutional strengthening.
• Change management and capacity building.
• ERP and financial information system assessment and advisory services.

Regional and Sector Experience

Experience working in the Middle East, Iraq, or similar emerging-market environments is highly desirable. Familiarity with Iraqi financial regulations, taxation, customs procedures, and corporate governance practices will be considered a strong advantage.

Training and Capacity Building

The consultant shall have demonstrated experience in delivering training programmes, mentoring finance teams, facilitating workshops, and supporting organizational change processes to ensure effective adoption of new financial systems and procedures.

Language Requirements

• Fluency in English (written and spoken) is mandatory.