Justification Assistant

Ministry of Agriculture

Ministry of Agriculture
REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST (CONSULTING SERVICES-INDIVIDUAL CONSULTANT)
Country: Malawi
Project Name: Sustainable Agriculture Production Programme I
Assignment title : Justification Assistant.
Reference no. : 019/SAPP 11/PMU/JA/2024/25
Date is issue: 9th January 2025

1. INTRODUCTION
The Government of the Republic of Malawi requested International Fund for Agriculture Development (IFAD) to allocate remaining funds under the IFAD 12 Performance Based Allocation System (PBAS) towards a new project titled the Sustainable Agriculture Production Programme (SAPP) phase II. SAPP Il is a follow-on project to SAPP, which was successfully implemented since 2011 and reached completion in March 2023. However, IFAD processed a 12-month extension until March 2024.

SAPP II builds on the lessons and achievements of the first phase, and will promote increased production and productivity of climate smart and nutrition sensitive smallholder farming systems (both crops and livestock), sustainable use of natural resources, and effective marketing through private sector engagement. SAPP Il will focus on increasing productivity beyond subsistence levels with a commercialization drive. The programme will be implemented in Mzimba North and South, Dowa East and West, Lilongwe East and West and Balaka districts.

2. PROJECT GOAL AND DEVELOPMENT OBJECTIVE
The Project Goal is “to contribute towards wealth creation, and improve food and nutrition security among the rural population of Malawi”. The Project Development Objective (PDO) is to “commercialize agriculture production and enhance the resilience and productivity of smallholder farming systems of rural men, women and youth in selected districts of Malawi by 2030The Ministry of Agriculture is implementing the second phase of the Sustainable Agriculture Production Programme (SAPP II).

3. JOB PURPOSE
The objective of the assignment is to ensure prudent financial management of project resources in SAPP Il implementing districts and ensure the smooth resource flow and proper accounting of the funds and equipment under the project. The Justification Assistant will support the Director of Finance (DOF) at the district assembly through the District Agricultural Development Office on all aspects related to financial management of the Programme.

4. SCOPE OF WORK
The Justification Assistant shall perform the following duties:

  1. Consolidation of all, financial data from all departments implementing SAPP activities at district.
  2. Preparations of monthly bank reconciliations for operating and holding bank accounts.
  3. Preparation of monthly and quarterly expenditure returns to the Director of Finance at Ministry of Agriculture with copy to Project Principal Accountant at SAPP PIU
  4. Preparation of financial statements and ensure timely submission to PIU.
  5. Coordinating/hosting year end audits
  6. Implementing a good payment and receipting system.
  7. Ensure that all financial records are properly filed and maintained
  8. Hosting supervisory visits from Secretariat and / or lead departments
  9. Preparations of monthly bank reconciliations for operation and holding accounts
  10. Preparation and submission of monthly expenditure returns to Treasury
  11. Ensure that funds allocated for workshop activities are properly used and accounted for
  12. Ensure that all financial records are properly filed and maintained.

5. QUALIFICATIONS / EXPERIENCES

  1. The applicant shall have a minimum Diploma in Accounting obtained from a recognized Institution or Professional Body.
  2. Must be a registered member with ICAM
  3. At least a minimum of five years (5) experience in accounting field in a reputable organization.
  4. The applicant must have five years’ experience in managing donor funded projects.
  5. The applicant should also have a clear demonstration of extensive practical experience of using Tompro Software. (Attach certificate)
  6. The applicant must be computer literate and excellent communication, writing and reporting skills.

6. SELECTION METHOD
A consultant will be selected in accordance with the individual consultant selection (ICS) method set out in IFAD’ Project Procurement Handbook that can be accessed via the IFAD website at www.ifad.org/project-procurement.

7. METHOD OF APPLICATION
Interested and qualified candidates should send their applications together with copies of certificates, CVs and names of three traceable referees clearly indicating the position being applied for and on envelopes not later than 24th January 2025 (16:30 hours) to:

The National Programme Coordinator
Sustainable Agriculture Production Programme II (SAPPII)
P.O. Box 30217
LILONGWE 3