Background

This recruitment is conducted in response to the recently introduced Ethiopian government regulation requiring that all civil societies and charities call for consultancy services to assist with adoption of International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS) as part of implementing the standards for financial reporting via the public media. 

Ethiopia has already embarked on adopting International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) and International Public-Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS) formally in its accounting system by issuing proclamation No.847/2014 for financial reporting and regulation No. 332/2014 “for the establishment and determination of the procedure of the accounting and auditing board of Ethiopia”.

As per the IFRS roadmap determined by the Accounting and Auditing Board of Ethiopia, the transition to IFRS /IPSAS adoption and reporting for all not-for-profit organizations operating in Ethiopia was scheduled to take place starting in the 2013/2014 Ethiopian fiscal years, to meet the revised reporting requirement using IPSAS. Therefore, in order to comply with the requirements as outlined, it is necessary for International Foundation for Electoral systems (IFES) to advertise a public solicitation in an effort to recruit a qualified consultancy firm to assist with adoption of IPSAS.

Objective of the Consultancy Work.

The main objectives of the assignment include:

• Introduce the theory and principles of IPSAS to designated IFES staff regarding the International Public Sector Financial Reporting Standards requirements and Government of Ethiopia financial reporting proclamation.
• Asses the existing financial reporting system of IFES and create a plan to outline the procedures, steps, and process that will lead to a successful conversion of IFES systems to IPSAS.
• Support implementation of the accrual basis IPSAS in preparing annual financial statements of IFES by providing required ongoing technical assistance, delivering a detailed gap analysis, and develop a roadmap for accrual basis IPSAS implementation.
• Provide required capacity building and recommend modifications in information system/ software, policy, processes and all other required changes as deemed necessary in collaboration and consultation with consultant and IFES financial staff.
• Orient staffs if IFES on principles of IPSAS, and provide a detailed document specifically outlining required measures, process and tasks to ensure that IFES is in compliance with all standard provisions, reporting requirements, reporting schedules, and documentations in the forthcoming reporting periods.
• Provide ongoing mentoring and technical support to IFES finance staff to implement the accrual-basis IPSAS.

Deliverables and deadlines for submission

• Assessment report and plan of the conversion to IPSAS– 5 workdays
• Final Report of the technical support provided to convert to accrual basis system - 15 days

Time period of work

• The total estimated length of consultancy – 20 workdays

Technical Supervisor

• Deputy director for finance and administration

Job Requirements

Qualifications and Experiences

Qualifications

• BA or MA degree in Accounting
• ACCA certification and
• Training in International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS)

Experiences

• General experience: The consultant must have at least 5 years of experience in the field of financial accounting and accrual basis accounting working in the INGO/NGO sector.
• Preference will be given to candidates with prior experience in audits and with working in INGO.
• Specific experience: The consultant must have considerable documented experience in adopting and implementing International Public-Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS) and/ or International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) for minimum of two years.
• Proven experience: The selected consultant must have proven experience in the application of IPSAS in non-governmental organizations/NGO.
• Knowledge: The consultant must have practical knowledge of QuickBooks accounting software, which IFES utilizes as its accounting system.

Note: - The annual financial period of IFES is October 1 – September, 30. IFES started incurring expenses starting October, 2019. 

How to Apply

Qualified accounting firms meeting the above criteria are invited to submit their technical and financial proposal document via email to bgirma@ifes.org and copying gmenelik@ifes.org in 7 days of this announcement.

Only shortlisted firms will be contacted for further discussion and negotiations.