OEAPM- DRM-Request For Expressions of Interest Financial Management Specialist

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT SPECIALIST

National Consultant

 REPUBLIC OF MOLDOVA

Strengthening Moldova’s Disaster Risk Management and Climate Resilience Project

Project ID No. P504278

Reference No.: MD-OEAPM-498564-CS-INDV

The Republic of Moldova has received financing from the World Bank Group toward the cost of the Strengthening Moldova’s Disaster Risk Management and Climate Resilience Project, and intends to apply part of the proceeds for contracting an Financial Management Specialist.

The Financial Management Specialist will provide support in planning, monitoring and reporting the use of funds under the Project, ensuring the accounting of Project transactions and events, drafting the payment documents, Project financial statements and their submission to the World Bank and Moldovan Authorities, render assistance in planning and organizing the external audit of the Project financial statements.

This is a full-time activity that will begin in July 2025. The contract will be concluded for an initial period of twelve (12) months, with the possibility of extension subject to satisfactory performance of the Financial Management Specialist and agreement of the Parties and Bank’s no objection until the project closing date, on September 30, 2029.

For more information, please see the Terms of References attached.

The PI Office for External Assistance Programs Management, as PIU of the Project, now invites eligible individuals (“Consultants”) to indicate their interest in providing the Services.

Interested Consultants should provide information demonstrating that they have the required qualifications and relevant experience to perform the Services.

The Consultant should meet the following minimum qualifications requirements:

• Degree in accounting, finance or business administration (accounting);
• At least 5 years of successful experience in audit or financial management of the World Bank projects of similar scale and complexity;
• Experience of financial management in the World Bank projects of similar scale and complexity in the Republic of Moldova;
• More than 5 years of experience in financial management and or accounting in Moldovan entities;
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English and Romanian, including the ability to draft memos, letters and internal regulations, financial documents and reports;
• Excellent computer skills in Microsoft Office software package (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), Microsoft Outlook, 1C Accounting and Internet use.

The attention of interested Consultants is drawn to Section III, paragraphs, 3.14, 3.16, and 3.17 of the World Bank Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers - PROCUREMENT IN INVESTMENT PROJECT FINANCING Goods, Works, Non-Consulting and Consulting Services, dated September 2023 (hereinafter referred to as “the Regulations”), setting forth the World Bank’s policy on conflict of interest.

A Consultant will be selected in accordance with the Individual Consultant (IC) method set out in the World Bank Procurement Framework.

Further information can be obtained at the address below during office hours 08:30 to 17:30 local time.

The applications should include letter of Expression of Interest, CV, and related recommendation letters.

Expressions of interest must be delivered in a written form to the address below (in person, or by e­mail) by July 25, 2025, 17:00 o’clock, Moldova local time.

PI Office for External Assistance Programs Management,

attn: Raisa Cantemir, Director

57/1 Mitropolit Banulescu Bodoni str., office 304, MD-2005.

Chisinau, Republic of Moldova

Tel: 373 22 23 29 63, 23 82 48

E-mail:ogpae@ogpae.gov.md

Terms of Reference for the Project Financial Management Specialist (FMS)

1. Project Background  

The Strengthening Moldova’s Disaster Risk Management and Climate Resilience Project (SMORE) aims to enhance Moldova’s preparedness and response to natural hazards and climate-related shocks, and in case of an eligible crisis or emergency, respond promptly and effectively to it.

The Strengthening Moldova’s Disaster Risk Management and Climate Resilience Project comprises the following 5 components:

Component 1: Investments and Institutional Strengthening for Emergency Preparedness and Response;

Component 2: Improving Hydrometeorological Services;

Component 3: Policy and Regulatory Support for Risk Reduction of Critical Infrastructure and Fiscal Resilience;

Component 4: Contingency Emergency Response Component (CERC);

Component 5: Project Management.

The Public Institution “Office of External Assistance Programs Management” (OEAPM) under the Ministry of Finance will have the role of the Project Implementation Unit (PIU). The Ministry of Internal Affairs (MoIA) together with the General Inspectorate for Emergency Services (GIES), Ministry of Infrastructure and Regional Development and Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Environment together with State Hydrometeorological Services (SHS) will be the Project Implementing Agencies (IAs) bearing the overall responsibility for the Project implementation.

2. Objectives of the Assignment of the Financial Management Specialist (FMS)

The PIU Financial Management Specialist will provide support in planning, monitoring and reporting the use of funds under the Project, ensuring the accounting of Project transactions and events, drafting the payment documents, Project financial statements and their submission to the World Bank and Moldovan Authorities, render assistance in planning and organizing the external audit of the Project financial statements. The main objectives of the assignment are the following:

• to ensure that the Project’s financial management, disbursement and administration of funds, financial reporting and auditing are performed in a timely manner and in compliance with the World Bank procedures and Moldovan legal framework;
• to develop the necessary Project financial management capacity and technical competencies within PIU/OEAPM.

3. Scope of Work

The scope of work and activities of the Financial Management Specialist (FMS)

The scope of work and activities of the FMS will include the following:

• Set up the Project financial management function in collaboration with the PIU/OEAPM Managers and staff, including the setup of the 1C software adapted for Project accounting and reporting;
• Establish and enhance, as appropriate, the systems of internal control (goods, works, services, fixed assets, civil works);
• Draft and update the Project Operations Manual (POM) in terms of financial management and disbursement, accounting records and financial reporting procedures so as to ensure the full compliance with the World Bank procedures, internal regulations and requirements set by the Moldovan Authorities and Ministry of Finance;
• Ensure the effective communication and liaison with the financial management and payments specialists of the OEAPM, Ministry of Finance, State Treasury and World Bank on all financial management, disbursement, payments, accounting, financial reporting and auditing issues;
• Maintain up to date all Project accounting records and accounts in line with the approved accounting policies, World Bank standards and procedures;
• Prepare Project budgets and cash flow forecasts in consultation with Procurement Specialist, PIU/OEAPM Managers and staff;
• Provide assistance to the Procurement Specialist in drafting procurement plans with cost estimating, payments planning, financial and tax risks assessment and mitigation, drafting contractual clauses related to payments and taxes;
• Provide assistance to PIU/OEAPM top management in including the Project in the list of technical assistance projects exempted of specific taxes, and provision to project suppliers of documents confirming the application of such a specific tax regime;
• Provide assistance to the PIU/OEAPM in preparing forecasts for the purposes of Budget Framework in terms of Project related cash-flows and expenditures;
• Ensure that disbursements and payments are made in accordance with the approved budgets, procurement plans, contracts provisions and cash flow forecasts, according to POM and World Bank procedures;
• Where applicable, ensure the required World Bank “No Objection” approval relating to a specific expenditure is available before effecting payment;
• Inform the Procurement Specialist where “No Objection” is not available and follow up on that issue to ensure that the Project expenditures are properly documented and filed as part of the accounting records;
• Maintain relevant books and records for the Project that reflect transactions by cost categories, sub-project, components and sub-components;
• Ensure that the filing system of the accounting records are up to date at all times and that they are easily retrievable for reviews and audit purposes;
• Draft and timely submit to the PIU/OEAPM Project Managers the periodic financial reports, (i.e. monthly/quarterly/annually) in the formats required by the World Bank and the Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Moldova and in line with the POM, Project documents and Loan Agreement;
• Together with the PIU/OEAPM Project Manager ensure strict adherence to internal control systems and procedures for all areas of Project operation;
• Ensure and assist the PIU/OEAPM staff to liaise with the external auditors to get Project financial statements audited and follow up any audit queries/management letters;
• Ensure that no Project category/component is overspent without proper authorization from the World Bank;
• Monitor the financial performance of the Project and suggest reviews and updates to budgets, cash-flow forecasts, activities and procurement plans;
• Initiate corrective measures to address internal financial shortcomings and irregularities as it might be requested;
• Prepare Unaudited Quarterly Financial Reports (IFRs) and Annual Financial Statements for all Project funds analyzed according to the categories and Project components and sub-components as appropriate, and provide timely reporting of any material variances to the PIU/OEAPM;
• Prepare detailed Budget Execution Reports for all Project funds analyzed according to the categories and Project components and sub-components as appropriate, and provide timely reporting of any material variances to the PIU/OEAPM;
• Support and build the capacity of financial management staff from the PIU/OEAPM;
• Report to the PIU/OEAPM managers on any issue identified with recommendations on its remediation;
• Present a Final Report at the end of the Project period outlining achievements and challenges pertaining to the financial management function.

4. Qualifications

The most suitable candidate for the PIU/OEAPM Financial Management Specialist position, who will be able to provide support in successfully fulfilling the fiduciary and financial management function, is expected to demonstrate specific knowledge and abilities in the following areas:

Mandatory Qualifications:

The Financial Management Specialist should have the following mandatory qualifications:

1. Degree in accounting, finance or business administration (accounting);
2. At least 5 years of successful experience in audit or financial management of the World Bank projects of similar scale and complexity;
3. Experience of financial management in the World Bank projects of similar scale and complexity in the Republic of Moldova;
4. More than 5 years of experience in financial management and or accounting in Moldovan entities;
5. Excellent written and oral communication skills in English and Romanian, including the ability to draft memos, letters and internal regulations, financial documents and reports;
6. Excellent computer skills in Microsoft Office software package (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), Microsoft Outlook, 1C Accounting and Internet use.

Preferred Qualifications:

1. Recognized finance/accounting certifications such as ACCA, CIPFA, CA, CPA, CMA, CIMA, CFA.
2. Professional certification in Project Financial Management or a course certificate.
3. Experience in accounting and finance in public authorities;
4. Skills in using Microsoft Project.
5. Experience in delivering trainings, coaching others;
6. Experience of participation in project management teams would be an advantage.

5. Duration

This is a full-time activity that will begin in July 2025. The contract will be concluded for an initial period of twelve (12) months, with the possibility of extension subject to satisfactory performance of the Financial Management Specialist and agreement of the Parties and Bank’s no objection until the project closing date, on September 30, 2029.

6. Client Input for the Specialist:

• Provision of working space and related utilities at the PIU/OEAPM office;
• Access to office equipment and communication facilities;
• Transportation required for the execution of the assignment;
• Any other necessary means and support to assist the Specialist in carrying out the assignment