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National consultant to carry out spot checks to support UNICEF Albania country program

Tirana

  • Organization: UNICEF - United Nations Children’s Fund
  • Location: Tirana
  • Grade: Consultancy - Consultant - Contractors Agreement
  • Occupational Groups:
    • Children's rights (health and protection)
    • Malaria, Tuberculosis and other infectious diseases
  • Closing Date: Closed

National consultant/service provider to conduct spot checks for projects implemented by UNICEF partners in Albania office

UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential.

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone.

And we never give up.

For every child, Protection

UNICEF in Albania is implementing various activities focused on children based in the joint partnerships’ agreements with National and International Non-Government partners. For this purpose, UNICEF disburses funds to the Partners in the forms of various installments to support them in the implementation of all the foreseen activities to achieve results for children. Based on the UNHACT framework, UNICEF should undertake monitoring visits to ensure the effective and efficient use of all disbursed funds to the Implementing Partners. The conduct of the spot checks is one of the monitoring mechanisms and is regulated as per HACT procedure and included in the Project Cooperation Agreements since the beginning of the interventions.  Spot check are not auditing visits. They can be carried out by UNICEF staff or an external service provider.

In this regard, UNICEF Albania office is asking for a consultant/service provider to conduct 4 spot checks of the projects implemented by UNICEF partners in compliance with UN HACT procedure on spot check conduction. 

How can you make a difference?

The aim of the consultancy will be to support UNICEF Albania in assessing the accuracy of financial records for cash transfers to IPs and check whether there have been any significant changes to applicable internal controls. 

Summary of key tasks/responsibilities are:
 
There will be some tasks carried out by UNICEF respective staff for the preparatory phase and some others that will be carried out by the service provider.

UNICEF responsible staff will provide to the service provider:

  • All the necessary information about the IP work plan and any progress reports submitted during the year;
  • Micro assessment report and any related agreed actions reports of relevant field monitoring visits, available audit reports and other documentation that may help to understand IPs internal controls and supported activities;
  • Share the FACE forms of all four implementing partners that will be part of spot checks visits and select a sample of expenditures amounting at least 50% of total expenditure for the period;
  • Provide the detailed listing of expenditures selected as samples to the service provider;
  • Arrange the dates and time for the visits and inform the service provider.

The consultant/service provider will:

  1. Undertake visits to the IP’s premises and inquire of IP management whether there have been any changes to internal controls since the prior micro assessment from the current program cycle. Document any changes identified, if any.
  2. Based on the listing of all program-related expenditures that support the actual program expenditures submitted by IP on FACE form perform the following procedures for each sample selection:
  • Verify that documentation exists to support the expenditure in accordance with the IP’s rules and procedures and agreements with the agency;
  • Verify that the activity related to the expenditures is in accordance with the work plan;
  • Verify that the expenditure has been reviewed and approved in accordance with the IP’s rules and procedures and agreement with the Agency;
  • Verify that the expenditure was reflected on a certified FACE form submitted to the AGENCY;
  • Verify that the expenditure was reflected in the IP’s accounting record (official book of accounts) and bank statement;
  • Verify that supporting documents are stamped “PAID by UNICEF resources’ (or coded to and recorded in e separate und to ensure there is no duplicate claiming of expenditures to UNICEF, indicating which agency funded the transaction;
  • Verify that the FACE form was submitted consistent with the periodicity of disbursements requirement in the HACT framework (two weeks);
  • Verify the price paid for goods or services against United Nations agreed standard rates (if readily available).

    3. If separate bank accounts are maintained for agency granted funds, perform the following procedures:

  • Verify that the activity per the bank statements agrees with that reflected in the accounting records. Document any variances noted.
  • Confirm that a bank reconciliation was completed, and the balance has been reconciled to the accounting records. Document any variances noted.

 Deliverable 1: All four spot check visits carried out in the IPs premises after the preparatory work done by UNICEF responsible staff.   Duration – 4 working days; Actor – Consultant; Completion Date: 15 November 2020 

Deliverable 2: All draft spot check reports prepared, and summary of findings and observations are forwarded to UNICEF focal point for review and comment. Final reports provided in Word or PDF format. Duration - 11 working days; Actor - Consultant; Completion Date: 30 November 2020. Deliverables shall be presented in English language.

For more detailed information please see the attached TORs Download File TOR - Spot Checks - UNICEF-FINAL.pdf

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have:

  • University degree in any of the following: Accounting, Finance, Economics, Public Administration.
  • Being a certified audit and comply with the Code of Ethics for professional Accountants issued by the International Ethics Standards Board for Accountants
  • At least 9 years of experience in dealing with budget issues, auditing and managing financial records  
  • Past experience in working with UN/UNICEF and knowledge of HACT procedure
  • Able to work in a team and communicate well in English language
What to submit:
  • Cover letter expressing your interest to apply for the position
  • updated CV
  • daily fee in ALL (all taxes inclusive)
  • copy of academic degrees

For every Child, you demonstrate:

UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, and Accountability (CRITA) and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results.

View our competency framework at

http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/files/UNICEF_Competencies.pdf

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.

UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. UNICEF also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.

Remarks:

Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.

Individuals engaged under a consultancy or individual contract will not be considered “staff members” under the Staff Regulations and Rules of the United Nations and UNICEF’s policies and procedures, and will not be entitled to benefits provided therein (such as leave entitlements and medical insurance coverage). Their conditions of service will be governed by their contract and the General Conditions of Contracts for the Services of Consultants and Individual Contractors. Consultants and individual contractors are responsible for determining their tax liabilities and for the payment of any taxes and/or duties, in accordance with local or other applicable laws.

This vacancy is now closed.
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