Senior Financial Specialist for AEITI Secretariat

TERMES OF REFERENCES

Consultancy Services

Senior Financial Specialist for AEITI Secretariat

Background

The Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) is the global standard for promoting greater accountability in developing countries, which are rich in oil, gas, or mineral resources.  Studies have shown that when governance is good these resources can be an important engine for growth and sustainable development.  Correspondingly, when governance is poor, countries dependent on these resources are disproportionately susceptible to poverty, corruption, and conflict – the so-called “resource curse”.  The EITI aims to mitigate this risk by promoting greater transparency over payments made by companies to government, and revenues received by governments; and by improving the public accountability of governments and companies.

On March 16 2009 the Government of Islamic Republic of Afghanistan (GoIRA) announced its endorsement of the principles of EITI, after which it implemented the remaining EITI sign-up indicators. Afghanistan was officially recognized as an EITI candidate country by the International EITI Board at its meeting in Oslo in February 2010. The GoIRA has requested that the donor community provide immediate technical and financial support to develop good governance and accountability mechanisms in extractive industries sector via effective EITI implementation processes in Afghanistan.  These terms of reference outline the work required for the position of a Senior Financial Specialist at AEITI. 

Job Summary:

The Senior Financial Specialist post at the AEITI is mainly responsible for providing financial statement and financial reporting support to EITI related MoF, MoMP, State Owned Enterprises (SOEs), Private Sector Companies (Mining Companies) and other relevant entities of GoIRA [as required by Multi-Stakeholder Group (MSG) and AEITI Secretariat]; the Senior Financial Specialist directly reports to the National Coordinator and through him to the MSG. Main responsibilities are as followings:

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Analyze financial data to identify SOEs, MoF, MoMP and other government offices financial status including cost and benchmarking analyses.
• Develop financial models for the mentioned institutions, taking legal limitations into consideration.
• Participate in regular audits and recommend corrective financial action plans for the relevant government entities, SOEs and Mining Companies.
• Advise the senior management team of the relevant entities and MSG members on financial planning (e.g. acquisitions, mergers and loans) procedures.
• Evaluate financial documents and data provided to the Independent Administrator (IA) and EITI Validator by the SOEs, Mining Companies and relevant government entities, for correctness and completeness.
• Ensure financial and accounting reports are prepared in accordance to expectations of the rules and regulations of EITI.
• Maintain accurate documentation for financial operations and transactions within the AEITI Secretariat.
• Manage account payables and receivables activities for the AEITI Secretariat.
• Recommend both short-term and long-term financial reforms within the relevant entities.
• Provide assistance to relevant entities and oversee implementation of EITI financial requirements in close collaboration with MSG Finance, Communication and Validation Committees as well as AEITI Communication and Technical Departments.
• Advise and participate in development of corrective financial action plans for the relevant entities to ensure compliance with EITI standard.
• Prepare budget and cost reports for AEITI Secretariat and donors.
• Perform or assist with financial compliance and procedural audits of the AEITI Secretariat.
• Help the relevant entities prepare / revise templates, formats and checklists to ensure compliant with relevant EITI requirements.
• Review relevant laws, regulations, and policies of relevant entities and propose amendments to the related entities to ensure compliance with EITI requirements.
• Seek clarifications and guidance from EITI International Secretariat on the required / adapted procedure and convey the same to the relevant entities as well as assist the relevant entities to comply with the requirements.
• Respond to EITI International Secretariat, EITI Validator, and IA queries and coordinate their comments to the relevant stakeholders and MSG.
• Consult with other EITI implementing countries for innovations and methodologies in adapting procedures and methodologies to comply with the EITI standard and requirements.
• Ensure that AEITI Secretariat’s internal financial controls and policies are functional and adequate, and that they comply with regulatory rules and procedures and meet donor’s expectations.
• Prepare financial statements for AEITI Secretariat in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), industry practices and regulatory guidelines, and advise SOEs, Mining Companies and government entities in preparation of (internationally accepted) standards financial statement and reporting.
• Help the relevant entities prepare / revise templates, formats and checklists to ensure compliant with relevant EITI requirements.
• Review relevant laws, regulations, and policies of relevant entities and propose amendments to the related entities to ensure compliance with EITI requirements.
• Seek clarifications and guidance from EITI International Secretariat on the required / adapted procedure and convey the same to the relevant entities as well as assist the relevant entities to comply with the requirements.
• Respond to EITI International Secretariat, EITI Validator, and IA queries and coordinate their comments to the relevant stakeholders and MSG.
• Consult with other EITI implementing countries for innovations and methodologies in adapting procedures and methodologies to comply with the EITI standard and requirements.
• Assist and advise the relevant entities to adopt/reform their financial procedures that comply with rules and regulations of EITI standard.
• Any other task as may be assigned by the AEITI Secretariat or the MSG.

Qualification and Experience:

• Master degree in Finance, Economics or related field or specialized certification / qualification (e.g., ACCA, CPA or CFA).
• At least 5 years proven work experience as a Financial Specialist, Financial Analyst or relevant role.
• Understanding of financial and accounting principles is mandatory. Familiarity with finance and statistical analysis software is desirable.
• Able to communicate formally and effectively in English, Dari and Pashtu languages.
• Good computer literature – knowledge of QuickBooks and accounting software / systems.
• Work experience in the extractive sector is desirable (5 additional marks).
• Females will be given high priority (5 additional marks).