National Individual Consultancy - Audit Issues Settlement and Capacity Development, Kathmandu, Nepal

This is an individual consultancy assignment for 3 months to strengthen capacity of MoWCSW, and its institutions on prevention and timely settlement of audit issues.

If you are a committed, creative professional and are passionate about making a lasting difference for children, the world's leading children's rights organization would like to hear from you.

For 70 years, UNICEF has been working on the ground in 190 countries and territories to promote children's survival, protection and development. The world's largest provider of vaccines for developing countries, UNICEF supports child health and nutrition, good water and sanitation, quality basic education for all boys and girls, and the protection of children from violence, exploitation, and AIDS. UNICEF is funded entirely by the voluntary contributions of individuals, businesses, foundations and governments.

Purpose of the Assignment

The overall goal of the consultancy is to strengthen capacity of MoWCSW, and its institutions on prevention and timely settlement of audit issues.

The main objectives of the consultancy are:

• To assess the causes of repetitive and high volume audit issues at all levels
• To assess the reasons for audit issues not being settled for a prolonged period
• To provide capacity development inputs (on-the-job support, workshop, and recommendations) for prevention and timely settlement of the audit issues.

Assignment Tasks

• Desk review of major audit issues in the past two fiscal years (2015-2016 and 2016/2017)
• Field observation and assessment in at least 5 districts based on varieties and high volume issues with geographical representation to analyse root and immediate causes of repetitive audit issues and reasons for their unsettlement for a prolonged period. **The field assessment team will  include representatives from MoWCSW and DWC.
• Provide on-the-job support to the district officers in settlement of major and long pending audit issues during the field visit to at least 5 districts to be assessed.  
• Hold consultation meetings at the national level with DWC, MoWCSW and Office of Auditor General (OAG) to analyse the causes of audit irregularities and their unsettlement   
• Support a workshop (to be organized by UNICEF and DWC) at the national level which invites Women and Children Officers and Accountants from districts with high volume of audit issues (approximately 15 districts) to analyse the causes of repetitive and long pending audit issues and to provide guidance on tools and techniques for settlement.
• Explore possible preventive measures in a long term (e.g. strengthening of internal control system that allows occurrence of the issue.) **The consultant shall also support the use of Audit Follow-up Action Plans in systematic correction of audit issues already noted.
• Produce a report comprising an analysis of major audit issues, their causes and recommendation for improvement based on desk review, field observation/assessment and the workshop.  The report should also highlight the direct support the consultant provided in settling the audit issues.

Consultants will be required to work closely with:

• MoWCSW, DWC and Women and Children Offices.

• Advisers at UNICEF and DFID

Expected Deliverables

1st Deliverable by 15 July 2017:

Submission of 2 reports: (i) report with highlights of audit issues after desk reviews in Nepali (maximum 15 pages w/o Annex) with an executive summary in English and (ii) field assessment report in Nepali (maximum 30 pages  w/o Annex) with an executive summary in English

2nd Deliverable by 31 August 2017:

Submission of 2 reports and delivery of 1 presentation: (i) a workshop report (regarding  central level workshop with Women and Children Officers and Accountants from districts with audit issues in Nepali (maximum 15 pages w/o Annex) with an executive summary in English); (ii) a final report with analysis of major audit issues, their causes and recommendations based on desk review, field observations and workshop (a final report should highlight the  direct support the consultant provided in settling the audit issues) in Nepali (maximum 30 pages w/o annex) with an executive summary in English and (iii) presentation of key findings and recommendations for the MoWCSW, DWC and other stakeholders 

Qualifications of Successful Candidate

Education

Advanced University degree in management with professional qualification in accountancy or financial analysis. A professional degree such as Chartered Accountant (CA) or Chartered Certified Accountant (ACCA) is preferred.

Years of relevant experience

• At least 10 years of experience in an audit or finance role in government sector or in a similar capacity;
• Knowledge of financial administration rules and regulations, audit practice of Government of Nepal, and OAG standards and regulations;
• Experience of working with Government bodies and/or line Ministries on audit and financial management issues in Nepal;
• Experience of implementing effective internal control systems;
• Experience of working with UN Agencies and/or other International Organizations on financial management system strengthening and capacity development will be an added advantage
• Fluency in Nepali and English and good communication skills.

Please indicate your ability, availability and daily/monthly rate (in NPR) to undertake the terms of reference above (including travel and daily subsistence allowance, if applicable).  Applications submitted without a daily/monthly rate will not be considered.

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages qualified female and male candidates from all national, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of our organization.