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REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL & TOR FOR CLOSE OUT AUDIT OF SSF FUNDED PROJECTS (RAJO and GESI).

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REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL & TOR FOR CLOSE OUT AUDIT OF SSF FUNDED PROJECTS (RAJO and GESI).

1. Background

CARE International has been providing development and lifesaving assistance across all regions of Somalia since 1981. Our programs go beyond meeting basic needs at the onset of an emergency to helping affected communities recover, rebuild their lives and become more resilient. In order to strengthen communities to better cope with future disasters and address persistent poverty and vulnerability, we are implementing a variety of longer term development activities aimed at addressing the underlying causes of poverty in Somalia. Our development programs support marginalized women and youth through innovative projects in education, water and sanitation, sustainable environmental management, civil society development, peacebuilding and governance and small scale enterprise development. CARE works in partnership with Somali and international NGOs, civil society leaders, universities, the private sector and local authorities in order to bring effective and lasting change to the most vulnerable communities.

2. Summary

2.1.Brief overview of the RAJO Project**

CARE International in collaboration with DBG has been implementing the “Re-Accelerated Action for Jobs and Opportunities-(RAJO) Project in Guriceel district, Galmugud state” which started on 1st July 2018 and will end on 31-Aug-20. The project’s goal is to increase stability in the Galmudug state of Somalia through increased opportunities for social and economic development, while its objective is to improve access to relevant and sustainable livelihood opportunities for young women and men at risk of violent extremism and mal-adaptive practices in Guri-el district.

Project title

Re-accelerated Action for Jobs and Opportunities(RAJO) in Guri-el district, Galmudug state

Project objectives

Improve access to relevant and sustainable livelihood opportunities for young women and men in Guri-el at risk of violent extremism and mal-adaptive practices.

Location

Guri-el, Galmudug State of Somalia

Start date

1st July 2018

End date

31-August- 2020

Contract Value

$971,233.82

Donor

DFID/SSF**

Implementing Partner

CARE international/DDG

Location of the documents to be audited

Garowe/Galkaio

The project results areas are as follows:

  1. Result 1: Increased equitable access to private sector-led skills development for youth to enhance sustainable and durable livelihood opportunities;
  2. Result 2: Improved access to financial services (savings, loans and insurances) and diversified employment opportunities for vulnerable households in the community of the district;

3. Result 3: Improved community infrastructure through cash for work and increased resilience to the impact of drought for communities, the outputs are achieved through the implementation outputs. **

2.2.Brief overview of the GESI Project**

The CARE SSF Gender and Social Inclusion project (GESIP) is designed on the premise the prescribing and policing of gender norms and relations, along with social exclusion practices are at the very heart of the protracted and violent struggle for political and ideological power in today’s Somalia. The overarching objective of the project is to increase women and socially excluded group’s participation and contribution to decision making in political processes within Puntland. Addressing the drivers of social exclusion will positively impact enhanced stability in Somalia. The project focuses on building women and socially excluded group’s capacity and confidence to engage with power-holders and carve out spaces in decision making process at district and state level. The project also aims to increase the spaces and opportunities available for participation. The GESI project is implemented in Garowe, Bosaaso and Galkacyo districts in Puntland state of Somalia by a consortium comprising CARE and MUDAN. These districts host a large population of women and female youth including traditionally marginalized groups that are our target beneficiaries. The GESI consortium has had a continued presence in these districts for over a decade and as a result, we have established strong and fruitful relationships with communities, government, local authorities and civil society organizations existing in these areas. The consortium has operational offices in these districts from where our staff engage on day-to-day basis with communities, local authorities and other stakeholders.

Project title

Gender Equality and Social Inclusion in Puntland(GESIP)

Project objectives

Enhanced popular participation in governance, particularly for women, through the strategic building of women’s coalitions around common interests

Location

Puntland state – Bosaaso, Garowe & Galkacyo

Start Date

1st July 2018

End Date

31st July 2020

Contract Value

$ 1,050,0000

Donor

DFID/SSF

Implementing Partner

CARE and MUDAN

Location of the documents to be audited

Garowe

The project outputs are as follows:

Output 1: Women and female youth are aware of their rights and responsibilities

Output 2: Women and female youth improve the necessary skills and confidence to participate in the political process

Output 3: Establish space/platforms for women coalitions to discuss common set of interests**

3. Audit Objective

The objective of the audit of the financial statements is to enable the auditor to express a professional opinion on the financial position of the project at the end of the reporting period and of the funds received and expenditures for the reporting period, as reported by the CARE international and in particular to confirm that the reported expenditure has, in all material respects, been used in conformity with the provisions of the Accountable Grant Agreement, including any amendments thereto as contained in implementation letters, and any applicable guidelines in force and applicable to the audit scope, and with due attention to economy and efficiency.

To also confirm that the financial statements agree with the project accounts (books of account) which provide the basis for preparation of the financial statements and are established to reflect the financial transactions in respect of the project, as maintained by the Implementing Partner and the sub-grantees.

4. Scope of Work

The audit will be carried out in accordance with international standards of auditing. It will include such tests and controls as the auditor considers necessary including visits to project office and sites. In additional, the auditors will also make a sample from the expenditures incurred from 1st July 2018 to 30-Sep-20 , generally, the audit will focus on:

  • a sample from the expenditures incurred from 1st July 2018 to 30-Sep-20
  • Contractual compliance and practice: To assess and confirm that that CARE International and its implementing partner is compliant with DFID/SSF contractual obligations. It will also entail confirming that CARE’s management practices, including administrative, contractual, financial and legal are in line with best practices.
  • Financial management and internal controls: To assess and confirm that financial management and control environment of CARE international and its implementing partners has been designed and implemented in line with best and generally accepted accounting standards.
  • Expenditure and reporting verification: To verify and confirm, on a sample basis, that reported expenditure and other financial reports issued by the Implementing Partner are accurate and a true reflection of the project’s financial activities, and also to confirm that all expenditures have sufficient support documentations.
  • Contracting and procurement: To establish and confirm that transparent, accountable and appropriate procurement and contracting practices are established and are being followed.
  • Regulatory and tax compliance: to confirm on whether CARE has complied with regulatory/tax laws.

Specific focus will be:

  1. To ascertain compliance of the laid down policies, SSF financial norms, accountable grant agreement, relevant legislations, various guidelines, manuals, accountability requirements, procurement guidelines (of goods, works and/or services) as applicable under the project.
  2. To test whether all the activities included in the work plan have been implemented as planned and the target outputs under each activity achieved**. A minimum sample of 50% of total expenditure value should be tested.**
  3. Expenditure verification for the project expenditures, and reporting on allow ability/eligibility, validity, accuracy and classification of costs into budget lines
  4. Verification that the administrative (indirect) costs do not exceed the maximum allowed fraction of the total direct eligible costs of the project per the approved budget.
  5. Physical verification of all capital assets purchased by the grant monies for their existence, conditions, location, and values – including reporting on the same.
  6. Test and assess the extent of achievement of project milestones.
  7. To ascertain and evaluate the adequacy and effectiveness of the financial management and internal control framework/ environment such as segregation of duties, approval of expenditure and cash & bank reconciliations.
  8. To express an independent professional opinion regarding Value for Money (VfM), that is, efficiency, effectiveness and economy of the project’s operations.
  9. Assess conformity of expenditure with the budget and analytical review – includes tests of authenticity/ authorization of the initial budget, conformity with budget, test that all expenses were foreseen in the budget, test that amendments to the approved budget comply with the conditions for such amendments, and that expenditure for a transaction or action has been classified under the correct heading and subheading of the approved budget.
  10. To identifying areas for improvement and critical weaknesses, if any, i.e. identify areas of good practice and themes where lessons can be learned and communicate these to the SSF team.

5. Methodology

This audit will require the following general approach to be applied:

a. Review of CARE’s internal control environment, expenditure and reports.

The audit will require a review, understanding and description of Implementing Partner’s internal control environment. This understanding will inform the auditor on why the Implementing Partner uses source documentation, authorization guidelines, processes and systems. Key items to be reviewed include:

• Accounting system controls;

• Cash movement controls;

• Advances and per diem control;

• Time and payroll controls;

• Authorization controls;

• Procurement controls;

• Capitalization and asset management controls;

• Reporting and financial performance controls; and

• Review of relevant expenditure documentation.

The audit will require a sample check and review of programmed expenditure documentation to assess:

• Supporting documentation;

• Contractual compliance;

• Compliance to the SSF accounting instructions;

• Allowable and disallowable costs;

• Questionable costs;

• Adherence to Implementing Partner’s internal controls;

• Budget limits adherence; and

• Review of Implementing Partner’s budget performance and report.

The audit will require a review of CARE’S spend against budget report to ascertain accuracy of reports submitted as well as fairness of forecasts submitted.

• Review of CARE’S financial management and contractual compliance

• Review last CARE’S reported expenditure against audited expenditure

The audit will require a review of CARE’S financial management practices, which will include:

• Tax management and administration;

• Application of general acceptable accounting standards;

• Management and application of set procedures and policies; and

• Application of relevant regulatory requirements.

b. Verify implementation of recommendations of previous audits and Due Diligence Capacity Assessment (DDCA) findings.

The audit will require a follow up of implementation of previous recommendations of similar audits, financial audits and DDCAs.

c. Conduct visits to CARE’S offices

The visit of audit to CARE’s offices will not be mandatory and will depend on the how the COVID 19 pandemic develops. In the case of extreme COVID19 lockdown, the information will be shared auditors through online platform

6. Recipient

CARE management and Adam Smith International – Somali Stability Fund will be the sole recipient of the output of this process.

7. Deliverables

i. A close out Audit Financial Report with a professional opinion

ii. Summary of key findings and recommendation and subsequent management responses from CARE international

iii. managing the identified issues over the life of the project.

iv. A statement of compliance with DFID/SSF terms and conditions as contained in the Accountable Grant Agreement.

v. A verification report on the capital assets purchased by the grant funds under the project.

Instructions on Proposal Submission

The proposal should contain the following

  1. Profile of the firm.
  2. Experience of the firm in relation to audited NGOs
  3. List of the NGOs served by your firm
  4. Financial proposal
  5. CVs of the key staff in your firm

Submission of for the deadline

All interesting consultant firms should send their application to som.consultant@care.org with the subject line” REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL CLOSE OUT AUDIT OF SSF FUNDED PROJECTS (RAJO and GESI).

Applications should be submitted no later than 15th Aug-2020 6:00pm

Note: Submitting the financial proposal is a key requirement and if missing your application will not be considered for further processing. **

How to apply

All interesting consultant firms should send their application to som.consultant@care.org with the subject line” REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL CLOSE OUT AUDIT OF SSF FUNDED PROJECTS (RAJO and GESI).

Applications should be submitted no later than 15th Aug-2020 6:00pm

Note: Submitting the financial proposal is a key requirement and if missing your application will not be considered for further processing. **

Mogadishu, Somalia
This job has expired.