A. BACKGROUND

Mongolia received a credit from the International Development Association (IDA) for the Strengthening Fiscal and Financial Stability (SFFS) Project. The Objective of the SFFS Project is to contribute to the Government of Mongolia’s efforts to strengthen fiscal and financial stability and improve the quality of expenditure. The project is designed into five components: (i) Strengthening Macroeconomic and Fiscal Management; (ii) Improving the Efficiency of Public Financial Management; (iii) Enhancing Financial Sector Stability; (iv) Strengthening the Social Protection System; (v) Project Management and Monitoring. The objectives are to strengthen fiscal responsibility and implement relevant policy measures, improve fiscal discipline, strengthen the resiliency of the banking system, improve public expenditure quality in social protection, and provide support to Project implementation, coordination, monitoring and evaluation, including, inter alia, audit arrangements, reporting requirements, procurement and financial management activities respectively. For more details, please refer to the Project Appraisal Document Report No. PAD2269 . 

Subcomponent B2 of the SFFS project aims to increase budget comprehensiveness and transparency through better control, reporting and expansion of the government’s integrated financial management information capabilities. Under the subcomponent, the Accounting Policy Department and the Treasury Department of the Ministry of Finance (MOF) have been undertaking an ambitions agenda towards improving public sector accounting and reporting. 

Good accounting and financial reporting practices, which meet the international standards, can serve as the basis for good governance and for provision of high-quality financial information to users of financial statements (government, citizens, development partners, international investors, etc.). Mongolia has been working for 20 years with the support from international donor organizations to achieve compliance with the international accounting and auditing standards since the requirements were legalized in 1993. The most recent amendments to the Accounting Law in 2015 as well as the approval of the Integrated Budget Law in 2011 reinforced the requirement to comply with the international standards. 

Even though efforts to improve accounting and reporting for public sector entities have been successful in certain areas, the following issues still remain: (i) the government’s accounting basis is not yet full accrual, (ii) IPSASs are not implemented fully, and (iii) the  quality and importance of the Government’s consolidated financial statements are undermined because SOEs with less than 90% ownership, but are material to the financial statements, are not consolidated into the Government’s consolidated financial statements. 

B. OBJECTIVE OF THE ASSIGNMENT

The objective of the assignment is to provide coordination support to the Accounting Policy Department of the Ministry of Finance (APD, MOF) in the implementation of activities under sub-component B21 of the SFFS Project in an efficient and timely manner.

C. SCOPE OF WORK 

The Coordinating Consultant will undertake the tasks including, but not limited to, the following:

Entity Related Specific Tasks:

   • Act as a liaison between the PIU and the APD and relay information between the parties efficiently and effectively in order to achieve synergy and strong relations;

   • Act as a key coordinating person to ensure that tasks aimed at improving public sector accounting and reporting are identified and delivered in accordance with the procurement plan; 

   • Coordinate the work to be performed by all consultants hired under the sub-components B.21 under the guidance of the APD and in close coordination with the PIU;

   • Provide translation and interpretation support as necessary and as requested; and 

   • Undertake any other tasks as reasonably requested by the PIU and the APD under sub-Component B21.

Procurement Related Specific Tasks:

   • Assist the APD to initiate and implement activities planned under the procurement plan under Sub-Component B21 with a clearly defined timeframe and outcomes;

   • Prepare draft Terms of Reference according to the approved procurement plan that falls in line with the Sub-Components objectives. As part of this task the consultant will:

      o Ensure that draft TORs are reviewed by the APD and/ or the PIU  before finalizing them and to facilitate the procurement process;

      o Finalize the Terms of Reference taking into consideration inputs, comments and suggestions  provided by the APD, PIU and the World Bank task team;

   • Prepare Technical Specifications for procurement of various goods, if any, that fall under the subcomponent as per the procurement plan. The Technical Specifications are subject to revision  and comments to be provided by the PIU, which need to be properly addressed into a revised version of the Technical Specifications: 

   • Assist the PIU in facilitating various meetings or committees relevant to the APD and Sub-Component B21; and

      o The activities to be coordinated may include, meetings of the  Evaluation Committee and Steering Committee among others, where the consultant will be in charge of taking note of the the discussions help  and will  prepare minutes of of such meetings.

Finance Management Related Specific Tasks:

   • Prepare request forms of disbursement, implementation action plans and develop detailed training plans for fulfilling Sub-Component objectives and prepare training requests in accordance with the standard forms;

   • Assist the PIU in developing proposals for international, local training and capacity building events to be carried-out under the Sub-Component. This task will also include taking care of the relevant logistical aspects such as preparing invitation letters, printing training materials, securing appropriate venues, organize field visits and  prepare estimated budgets as well as completion reports for each activity;

   • Assist in developing and finalizing training materials and incorporate comments and revisions  received from APD officials, World Bank Task Team and PIU; and

   • Support and provide the FM specialist/Training Consultant with a fully translated description of the training courses and results of training undergone overseas and locally.

Monitoring and Evaluation Specific Tasks:

   • Assist the PIU in preparing, in a timely manner,  monthly, semi-annual, and annual reports as well as any other  necessary information that might be requested by the M&E specialist at the PIU;

E. CONSULTANT’S QUALIFICATIONS/ SELECTION CRITERIA

Education and Knowledge:

     A suitable candidate must have a master’s degree in accounting and/or business administration with a bachelor’s degree in accounting;

     Professional qualifications such as ACCA/CPA/CIMA or an equivalent will be required; 

    Proven knowledge of the International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS) would be an advantage;

Experience:  The incumbent should have at least 6 (six) years of direct relevant experience in the accounting and/or auditing field.

    Previous experience in a similar capacity of working at a donor-funded project will be considered a plus; 

Language skills:  Excellent skills of writing and comprehending in English and Mongolian;

Other skills: 

    - Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to function effectively and collaboratively in a team environment; 

    - Be proficient in PC-based applications such as Word, Excel and data management, and have excellent web research and navigation skills;

   - Be able to work overtime if required.

F. SUPERVISION AND REPORTING 

The consultant will report directly to the Director General of the Accounting Policy Department, while simultaneously reporting to the PIU coordinator. The consultant will work on full-time basis during the period of the contract.

The APD and PIU (SFFS) shall evaluate the consultants’ performance on an output basis and approve invoices for delivered outputs. 

The Consultant must prepare and submit monthly, quarterly and annual summary reports detailing achievements and when appropriate also include details of the impediments in the execution of the entire assignment as requested and on time. 

All reports shall be prepared in both English and Mongolian, in electronic and hard copies, which shall be submitted to the APD and the PIU (SFFS).

All information provided to the consultant will be regarded as confidential and information will not be shared with any outside individuals or organizations.

G. CONTRACT DURATION

The total duration of the consultancy service to be rendered is estimated to be 22 months with a possible extension period, if necessary.  

The consultant will be selected in accordance with INDIVIDUAL CONSULTANT SELECTION METHOD, the World Bank’s Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers (July 2016).

If you possess the above qualifications, please submit following documents via email to procurement@sffs.mn:

    1. Cover letter indicating why she/he considers her/himself suitable for the position,

    2. Detailed CV highlighting relevant skills/experience,

    3. Copy of diplomas or certificates and,

    4. 2 reference letters from previous last two employers no later than 17:00, April 03, 2020.

The submitted documents will not be returned to the applicants. Please note that incomplete applications would not be considered for evaluation. Only selected candidates will be contacted. Candidates can be interviewed. Detailed terms of reference can be requested from procurement@sffs.mn Contact address: Attn: Ms.Bayarmaa, Procurement Specialist, Strengthening Fiscal and Financial

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