UNICEF ESARO Terms of Reference for Individual Contract Title of Assignment Accountancy consultancy to support the EU/UNICEF Africa’s Nutrition Security Partnership Section Location Nutrition Remote (with possible travel to Nairobi, Addis Ababa, Kampala, Dakar, Ouagadougou, Bamako) 6 months (spread over 11 months) From: 01/04/2015 To: 30/02/2016 Duration Start date Background and Justification The European Union/United Nations Children’s Fund Africa’s Nutrition Security Partnership (EU/UNICEF ANSP) is a 4-year engagement (2011-2015) focused on improving nutrition security among women and young children in Africa. The purpose of the Partnership is to better integrate and position nutrition security in the African development agenda while contributing to the overall achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) 1, 4, 5 and 8 targets related to nutrition. The Partnership is organized around four Result Areas: 1) upstream policy and nutrition security awareness; 2) capacity building of decision-makers and nutritionist communities; 3) data analysis, information systems and knowledge sharing; and 4) scaling up effective life cycle and nutrition security interventions. This Partnership has components at the continental level (with the UNICEF Liaison Office to the AU/UNECA), two regions (ESARO and WCARO), and four focus countries (Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Mali and Uganda). The consultancy will support the project management in each of the four Country Offices and two Regional Offices by cost tracking and preparation of financial reports according to the template for the ANSP interim and final reports. This support will be needed during annual reporting and bi-annual Steering Committee Meetings. Scope of Work 1) Goal and Objective: Under the overall supervision of the Section Chief, Nutrition Section the consultant will support the EU/UNICEF ANSP in preparing financial reports. The purpose of this consultancy is to facilitate and coordinate the financial reporting from four Country Offices (Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Mali and Uganda) and two Regional Offices (Eastern and Southern Africa and West and Central Africa) as well as the UNICEF Division of Finance and Administrative Management (DFAM) according to the reporting templates appropriate for the EU grant. The aim of this consultancy is to reduce the risks related to sub-optimal reporting, particularly on fund utilization. 2) Provide details/reference to AWP areas covered: This consultancy will support the AWP under Objective 1.4.1 under nutrition regional partnerships. The EU/UNICEF ANSP underlies partnerships between UNICEF, the EU, the African Union Commission and the Regional Economic Communities. 1 3) Activities and Tasks: a. Collate into an overall financial report all the expenditures from the EU grant as well as those reported as other resources as part of the multi-donor action from each of the country and regional offices. b. Review and reconcile expenditures according to the reporting templates, specifying activity costs under appropriate result areas. c. Prepare annual and overall financial reports for each of the components of the EU/UNICEF ANSP (continental, regional and country-level) d. Support the regular review of the budget forecast and co-funding expenditure levels; support in alerting focus countries and regional offices to ensure 100% expenditure rate of the EU grant and meeting the co-funding ceiling requirements. 4) Work relationships: The consultant will work under the overall supervision of the Nutrition Specialist, Nutrition Section, UNICEF Eastern and Southern Africa Regional Office. He/she will be expected to support the coordination of the ANSP project management with the following: Nutrition Section, UNICEF WCARO Nutrition Section, UNICEF Country Offices in Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Mali, Uganda UNICEF Division of Finance and Administrative Management 5) Outputs/Deliverables: Deliverables Interim Financial Report; Trip Reports Interim Financial Report; Trip Reports Draft Final Financial Report Duration (Estimated # of days or months) 2.0 months Timeline/Deadline Schedule of payment April 30, 2015 20% 2.0 months September 31, 2015 50% 2.0 months February 28, 2016 30% Financial reporting will follow the guidelines of the contract agreement under the grant. Payment Schedule Interim payments are linked to deliverables Payment is upon satisfactory completion of deliverables. Desired competencies, technical background and experience a) Education: Minimum of bachelor’s degree in business or accounting preferred b) Prior experience working in UNICEF and EU projects highly desirable; proficiency in SAP or other Enterprise Resource Planning software highly desirable c) Length of relevant work experience that is required in the technical area for this consultancy: minimum of 2 years (P2 level) 2 d) Competencies: Strong organizational skills and attention to detail; Strong analytical skills; Sound judgement and initiative; Strong communication and writing skills e) Languages needed: English and French written and oral fluency Administrative issues The consultancy is based remotely (with likely of travel to ESARO and/or WCARO at least once during the consultancy; and possible travel at most once to the four focus Country Offices: Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Mali and Uganda). The consultancy duration will be for 6.0 months, spread out over 11 months. Conditions The consultancy is based remotely. No office space or equipment will be provided from UNICEF and will be the sole responsibility of the consultant. All travel is by most economical fare and reimbursement as per UNICEF policy. As per UNICEF DFAM policy, payment is made against approved deliverables. No advance payment is allowed unless in exceptional circumstances against bank guarantee, subject to a maximum of 30 per cent of the total contract value in cases where advance purchases, for example for supplies or travel, may be necessary. The candidate selected will be governed by and subject to UNICEF’s General Terms and Conditions for individual contracts. Risks Risks include emergencies and crises that might affect some or all of the focus countries and regions during the duration of the consultancy that will affect the implementation of the grant and its reporting. Personal hardship on the part of the consultant may also constrain timely and good quality outputs from the consultant. The contract with the consultant will specify terms in which a termination of contract can be done if the work will be compromised. How to Apply Interested and suitable candidates should ensure that they forward their applications (a cover letter, CV, and signed P11 form which can be downloaded at http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/files/P11.doc), quoting the indicative fee range with reference: ESARO/SSA/NUTR/2015-005” by cob 24 February 2015 to: The Human Resources Manager UNICEF Kenya Country Office Email address: kenyahrvacancies@unicef.org Applications submitted without a fee/ rate will not be considered. Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. 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 the organization. 3 1