REQUEST FOR EXPRESSION OF INTEREST (REOI)
(CONSULTING SERVICES– INDIVIDUAL CONSULTANT)
Project Name:
ASSIGNEMENT TITLE: - JUNIOR FINANCE OFFICER
PROCUREMENT NUMBER: EOI ACHPR/AUC/IS/05/2024
REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST: Individual Consultancy – JUNIOR FINANCE OFFICER
CLOSING DATE: 3RD NOVEMBER 2024
1. The African Union has received financing from the European Union to fund an Individual Consultant-Finance Officer to support closing of the current grant.
2. This expression of interest is for the purpose of engaging an Individual consultant for the above-mentioned position.
Introduction:
3. The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (the Commission), as a member of the African Governance Architecture (AGA), has received funding from the European Union (EU) under the Pan-African Program (PANAF), to reinforce the AGA Platform’s role in enhancing the African human rights system and intends to apply part of the proceeds for consulting services.
4. This request for the expression of interest is prepared to engage an Individual Consultant to support African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights to properly close the current grant ending 31st Dec 2024.
1. Background
The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR) is an Organ of the African Union (AU) established by the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (the African Charter). The ACHPR’s Secretariat is in Banjul, The Gambia. It is the oldest and most accessible continental human rights treaty body in Africa. The ACHPR is mandated to promote and protect human and peoples’ rights in Africa, interpret the African Charter and to perform any other tasks which may be entrusted to it by the AU Assembly of Heads of State and Government. In this regard, the ACHPR carries out sensitization, public mobilization and information dissemination through seminars, symposia, conferences, workshops and missions in execution of its human rights promotion mandate. Within the framework of its protection mandate, the ACHPR ensures protection of human and peoples’ rights through its communication/human rights complaints handling procedure, amicable settlement of disputes, referral of cases to the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights, state reporting (including consideration of Non-Governmental Organizations’ shadow reports), provisional measures, urgent appeals and other activities of special rapporteurs and working groups and missions. With regards to the interpretation of the African Charter, the ACHPR is mandated to interpret the provisions of the Charter upon a request by a State Party, Organs of the AU or individuals.
The Commission consists of eleven members chosen from amongst African personalities of the highest reputation, known for their high morality, integrity, impartiality and competence in matters of human and peoples' rights. Members of the Commission are elected for a six-year term and are eligible for re-election. The Commission elects a Bureau for a term of two years, which is responsible for coordinating the activities of ACHPR, including supervising and assessing the work of the ACHPR Secretariat.
Apart from the members of the ACHPR, the main actors involved in the work of the ACHPR in promoting and protecting human rights on the continent include: State Parties to the African Charter; AU organs; NGOs; National Human Rights Institutions; individuals (complainants); the general public, including those who consult the ACHPR as a mechanism for the promotion and protection of human rights in Africa; academic institutions, researchers and students; the media; international institutions, and the donor community.
2. Objective of this assignment:
ACHPR intend to engage a Junior Finance Consultant to support closing the EU project with expenditure verification process and AU internal audit.
3. Specific Objectives
a) Collect all information related to EU expenditure verification for period from 1st January 2023 to July 2024
b) Ensure all expenditures contain all required supporting documentation
c) Ensure all files are properly filed and can easily be accessed by auditors
d) Provide explanation to internal auditors on all expenditure incurred
e) Provide explanation to external auditors on all expenditure incurred
f) Support implementation of all remaining activities under the grant
g) Prepare all required financial and project reports in coordination with other staff
4. Timelines and Deliverables
The consultant will require the following timeframe to complete the assignment
a) 5 days to collect all documentation related to expenditure under EU project from January 2023 to Dec 2024
b) 10 days to support Internal auditors to verify all expenditure
c) 10 days to support External auditors to verify all expenditure
5. Minimum Experience and Qualification/Consultant profile
i. A bachelor’s degree in business administration, finance, accounting or related field with five (5) years of work experience in the areas of Accounting and Auditing; and experience in general ledger accounting, accounts receivable and accounts payable is desirable.
ii. Additional professional qualification such as CPA, CA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent is added advantage.
iii. Conscientious in observing deadlines and achieving results
iv. Experience in working on ERP-SAP is the requirement.
v. Knowledge of the finance standard practices, procedures and technicalities
vi. Ability to interpret and implement financial rules and policies•
vii. Good Interpersonal skills
viii. Experience with EU funded project is the requirement
ix. Communication skills, report writing and presentation skills
x. Planning, organizing and coordination skills
xi. Proficiency in one of the AU working languages (English, French, Arabic, Portuguese, Swahili or Spanish), fluency in another AU language is an added advantage
xii. Reporting Line
The Consultant will be expected to physically assume duty at the ACHPR Headquarters in Banjul, The Gambia. The Consultant will work under the supervision of the Finance and Administration Officer.
xiii. Payment schedule
i. 20% of the total fee be paid upon signing of the contract
ii. 80% of the total fee will be paid upon successful delivery of the final deliverable.
Should the consultant fail to deliver results in any of 4 (four) deliverables then ACHPR will be mandated to withhold payment.
xiv. Inputs of ACHPR or other actors
The ACHPR Secretariat will be responsible for and will endeavour to support the Consultant by:
- Enlisting the support of the concerned Secretariat Units;
- Facilitating access to all required information and documentation; and
- Committing to ensure the assignment is completed within the agreed timelines.
xv. Contract Duration:
The Consultancy service is for a period of 25 working days, from 8th Nov 2024 to 20th Dec 2024.
xvi. Application requirements:
5. Prospective applicants are requested to submit the following:
- Expression of interest (2 pages max).
- A curriculum vitae of no more than ten pages.
- A sample of the applicant’s previous work of similar nature.
- A proposed methodology to deliver the assignment
- Names, e-mail addresses and telephone details of three referees.
Evaluation and Qualification Criteria:
(1) General experience - 10 Points
(2) Specific experience relevant to the assignment – 50 Points
(3) Educational qualification – 30 Points
(4) Language – 10 Points
6. The African Union Commission invites eligible applicants to submit applications for the Consultancy. Selection will be conducted in accordance with the African Union Procurement Manual through individual Consultancy Selection Method.
Deadline:
7. Applications should be submitted to the Email address indicated below, before 17:00hrs (GMT), 3rd Nov 2024.
African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights
Attn: Executive Secretary
The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights
31 Bijilo Annex Layout, Kombo North District, West Coast Region
Phone: (220) 230 4361 Fax: (220) 441 05 04
Email: achpr.humanresources@africa-union.org
