Background
Since the early 2010s, the Government of the Bahamas (GoBH) has been experiencing a deteriorating fiscal performance. This led to the design and implementation of the Public Financial Management and Performance Monitoring Reform (PFM/PMR) Project with the support of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB). As part of this overall reform, Cowater International was contracted in September 2018 by the GoBH to implement a portion of component III of the Project, which encompassed the design, procurement, and implementation of an Integrated Financial Management and Human Resource Management Information Systems (IFMIS/HRMIS). Our mandate also included Technical Assistance and Change Management in support of key PFM and HRM reform interventions.
The project team has delivered 75% of the contract since its inception, although overall reform implementation delays have recently led to a revised scope of work and an extension of the contract until 2022. The focus of the remaining deliverables has therefore shifted toward ensuring readiness conditions for the implementation of the IFMIS/HRMIS system are in place. In particular, the project will be focused on delivering technical assistance around the following priorities:
- Supporting the implementation of the Public Financial Management Act 2021;
- Revising the Chart of Accounts to integrate accrual accounting and COFOG;
- Providing Public Financial Management Capacity Building; and
- Delivering Change Management Support.
Description of the Consulting Mandate
Cowater International is looking for a PFM and Chart of Account Expert who will provide technical assistance as part of the completion of our mandate with the GoBH. Under the supervision of the Project Manager, the selected candidate will be responsible for integrating accrual accounting and the COFOG classification in a revised chat of accounts (COA). This will include working with the project team and government counterparts to develop the proposed changes and then design a revised COA. He will also be responsible for developing the outline and the writing of some of the key sections of the COA manual and of an Accounting Policy and Procedures manual with the support of the project team.
The mandate will be primarily conducted remotely and will take place over a period of 7 months starting in July 2021 with a level of effort of 60 days. A field mission in the Bahamas is possible after October 2021, depending on COVID-related travel restrictions.
Due to IDB funding restrictions, candidates must be either citizens or residents of IDB member countries. A list of member countries can be accessed here: https://www.iadb.org/en/about-us/how-are-we-organized
Key responsibilities:
- Lead the process and provide technical assistance toward the integration of the COFOG classification and of accrual accounting in the GoBH’s revised COA;
- Lead the process and provide technical assistance toward the development of a COA manual;
- Lead the process and provide technical assistance toward the development of an Accounting Policy and Procedures manual that will expand the relevant sections of the pre-existing PFM manual;
- Provide relevant technical support to other team members on issues related to the COA and accounting policies.
Requirements
Education/Training:
- A master’s degree in business administration, accounting, or finance or a related discipline;
- An accounting certification, with an IPSAS qualification a strong asset.
Experience:
- A minimum of 10 years of international experience providing technical assistance to PFM Reforms with at least 5 years of experience working on chart of accounts;
- Experience implementing PFM reforms in the Caribbean’s desirable.
Key Abilities:
- Demonstrated knowledge and expertise in accounting with direct experience of public accounting reforms and chart of account revisions in a public sector context;
- Demonstrated knowledge and expertise concerning the COGOG classification;
- Demonstrated knowledge and expertize on accrual accounting and especially of transitions from cash toward accrual accounting in the public sector;
- Demonstrated knowledge and expertise with the design and development of PFM procedures, including budget planning and execution, accounting, and auditing;
- Knowledge of Financial Information Management Systems;
- Strong oral and written communication skills in English, including good intercultural communication abilities;
- Flexibility and a good capacity to adapt to changing client priorities and circumstances as part of complex reform processes;
- Proficient user of MS-Word, Excel, PPT, Teams, and related office applications.
APPLICATION PROCESS
Candidates are encouraged to apply by July 19, 2021/as soon as possible on our Careers Page.
For your application to be considered, please upload your documents as followed: Candidate Last Name, First Name, date, Title of the Position.
We thank all applicants, however only those shortlisted will be contacted.
ABOUT US
With more than 35 years’ experience, Cowater International is Canada’s global leader in management consulting services specializing in international development and has managed the implementation of over 800 projects in more than 80 countries around the globe. We work with governments, partner organizations, communities and civil society to design and implement sustainable solutions that generate lasting social, financial and environmental impacts. Our adaptive approach to management has led to our award-winning work and recognition as one of Canada’s Best Managed Companies in 2017, 2018 and 2019. Headquartered in Ottawa, Canada, Cowater International also has corporate offices in Montreal, Quebec; London, United Kingdom; Nairobi, Kenya; and Brussels, Belgium, in addition to project offices in a wide variety of other locations across Sub-Saharan Africa and Asia.
We thank you for your interest in building a better tomorrow with Cowater International.