REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST

(CONSULTING SERVICES – FIRMS SELECTION)

Country: Republic of Somaliland 

Name of the Project: Domestic Revenue Mobilization and Public Financial Management Capacity Strengthening Project (DRM&PFM CSP Project)

Assignment Title: Consultancy Services for the Provision of Quality Assurance on the Implementation of Somaliland Financial Management Information System (SLFMIS)- Somaliland

Project ID: P151492, TF#: TF-A0389

Publication Date:  June 25, 2019,

Deadline    Date:   July 10, 2019

Ref No.  SO-MOF-SL-111317-CS-CQS

The Government of Somaliland (GoSL) has received Additional Financing from the World Bank towards the implementation of the Domestic Revenue Mobilization (DRM) and Public Financial Management (PFM) Capacity Strengthening Project. The overall project development objective (PDO) is to ‘strengthen systems of domestic revenue mobilization, expenditure control and accountability in Somaliland. The GoSL therefore wishes to use part of the funds allocated under the Domestic Revenue Mobilization (DRM) and Public Financial Management (PFM) Capacity Strengthening Project to pay for the services requested in this Terms of Reference.
As part of its continuous improvement drive, the GoSL requires the services of a firm to conduct needs quality assurance for the implementation of SLFMIS.
The key objectives of the assignment will be to undertake a structured quality assurance review of the existing SLFMIS modules (as outlined in the implementation status annex) to confirm: a) implementation progress is in line with the conceptual design and Statement of User Requirements, and identify any implementation gaps; b) the system has appropriate systems security controls in place; c) identify existing and potential gaps and risks;  d) make practical recommendations and prepare a structured road-map to mitigate the identified risks, and ensure system sustainability. As part of recommendations the consultant is expected to develop an SLFMIS quality assurance program covering SLFMIS IT Governance, IT Security Architecture Strategy, Support and Capacity Building.
The proposed duration for the assignment is three (3) calendar months from starts date.
The detailed Terms of Reference (ToR) for the assignment can be found at the following link:TOR or can be provided upon submission of application in person or by e-mail. The e-mail address is provided below.
The Ministry of Finance now invites eligible consulting firms (“Consultants”) to indicate their interest in providing the Services. Interested Consultants should provide information demonstrating that they have the required qualifications and relevant experience to perform the Services (brochures, description of similar assignments, experience in similar conditions, availability of appropriate skills among staff etc.). The shortlisting criteria are as follows:

1. Core business of the firm and years in business.

2. Specific experience in successfully implementing similar assignments (in-depth international expertise in IT and FMIS Project Management and experience with subject matter expertise in automated processes such as budgeting, procurement, business process and integration, project management, IT security, capacity development and infrastructure design)

3. Experience of relevant services in an environment similar to that of Somaliland (Demonstrate experience in undertaking similar assignments in the context of the public-sector setting internationally or in the region with similar environment as in Somaliland).

4. Technical and managerial organization of the firm (provide only the structure of the organization, general qualification and number of key staff). Do not provide CVs of key staff. Key experts will not be evaluated at the shortlisting stage.

Attention of interested Consultants is drawn to section III, para 3.14,3.16 & 3.17 of the World Bank’s Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers: Procurement in Investment Projects Financing Goods, Works, Non -Consulting and Consulting Services, July 2016, revised November 2017 and August 2018 (“Procurement Regulations”), setting forth the World Bank’s policy on conflict of interest.  
Consultants may associate with other firms to enhance their qualification but should indicate clearly whether the association is in the form of a joint venture and/or a sub-consultancy. In the case of a joint venture, all the partners in the joint venture shall be jointly and severally liable for the entire contract, if selected.
A Consultant will be selected in accordance with the Consultant Qualification Selection (CQS) method set out in the Procurement Regulations.  
Interested Consultant may obtain further information (in person or by e-mail) at the address below during office hours from 8.00 a.m.– 4.00 p.m. Saturday to Thursday except on public holidays.
Expressions of interest should be delivered in a written form to the address below (in person, or by mail, or by e-mail) by July 10, 2019 at 4.00 p.m. local Time.
Domestic Revenue Mobilization and Public Financial Management Reform Coordination Unit,
Ministry of Finance, Hargeisa, Somaliland
Republic of Somaliland, Opposite of Ministry of Higher Education and Science
Attention: DRM&PFM Project Coordinator
Email: vacancies@somalilandpfm.org with a to amira@somalilandpfm.org and hassan@somalilandpfm.org
___________________________________________________________________________

Request for Bids – Goods

(One-Envelope Bidding Process)
Country: Somaliland
Name of Project: Domestic Revenue Mobilization and Public Financial 
Contract Title: SLFMIS IT and Disaster Recovery Center Equipment 
Grant No.: P151492 Loan No._ TFA038
RFB Reference No.: SO-MOF-SL-99884-GO-RFB  
Date of Issue: 27th June 2019

1. The Government of Somaliland – Ministry of Finance Development has received financing from the World Bank toward the cost of the [DRMPFMCSP in 10 Million, and intends to apply part of the proceeds toward payments under the contract for [SLFMIS IT and Disaster Recovery Center Equi

pment].

2. The Ministry of Finance Development – DRMPFMCSP Coordination Office now invites sealed Bids from eligible Bidders for SLFMIS IT Equipment and Disaster Recovery Center Equipment which is Servers, firewalls and other IT Equipment related to operationalization of DRC Centre as you see in the Bid Data Sheet for Specification and delivered to Hargeisa in SLFMIS Disaster Recovery Center Opposite to Hargeisa Group Hospital within two Months after Signed Contract.

3. Bidding will be conducted through National Competitive Procurement using a Request for Bids (RFB) as specified in the World Bank’s “Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers” July 1st, 2016 (“Procurement Regulations”) and is open to all eligible Bidders as defined in the Procurement Regulations.

4. Interested eligible Bidders may obtain further information from the Government of Somaliland, Ministry of Finance Development, DRMPFMCSP Coordination Office and inspect the bidding document during the office hours (12:00PM – 4:00 pm) at the address given below:

DRMPFMCSP Coordination Office
DRMPFMCSP Coordinator: Hassan Farah Mohamed
Opposite of Ministry of Higher Education and Science 
Sha’ab Area, 26 June District
Hargeisa, Somaliland.
Email: Vacancies@somalilandpfm.org
Tel: +252 63475005 

5. The bidding document in English can be obtained by interested Bidders upon the submission of a written application to the address below.

6. Bids must be delivered to the address below on or before 12st August 2019. Electronic Bidding will not be permitted. Late Bids will be rejected. Bids will be publicly opened in the presence of the Bidders’ designated representatives and anyone who chooses to attend at the address above on 12st August 2019 4:00 pm 

7. All Bids must be accompanied by a “Bid-Securing Declaration,”

8. The address referred to above is

Ministry of Finance Development, DRMPFMCSP Coordination Office 

Hassan Farah Mohamed 

DRMPFMCSP Coordinator 

Opposite of Ministry of Higher Education and Science 

Sha’ab Area, 26 June District

Hargeisa Somaliland.

To: vacancies@somalilandpfm.org

Cc: hassan@somalilandpfm.org 

Cc: amira@somalilandpfm.org

www.somalilandpfm.org
___________________________________________________________________________________

CONSULTING SERVICES – INDIVIDUAL CONSULTANTS

SAI Professional Capacity Building Expert

Term of Reference of SAI Professional Capacity Building Expert

Post/Title

SAI Professional Capacity Building Expert

Duty Station

Hargeisa, Somaliland

Institution

Office of the Auditor General

Duration of Assignment

6 - 12 Months

Started Date

Immediate

1. BACKGROUND 

• About Somaliland

1. Since declaring independence in 1991, Somaliland has – against many odds – established a democracy and embarked upon an ambitious development agenda. Despite lacking international recognition, Somaliland has managed to build a considerable degree of resilience to a number of internal and external stresses and increasingly pursue development objectives. under the leadership of president Mohamed Haji Ibrahim Egal, whose administration extended between 1993-2002, Somaliland underwent a bottom-up, open and inclusive state building process, which included demobilization and the establishment of a hybrid form of governance combining modern institutions with religious authorities, civil society, the private sector and diaspora organizations, which have guaranteed higher levels of peace, security and institutional development. It shares border line with Djibouti, Ethiopia, Somalia and the Gulf of Aden. The capital of Somaliland is Hargeisa.

2. Somaliland’s political landscape has undergone significant change. The 2010 presidential election, which was generally regarded as having been free and fair, triggered a number of political alterations. In addition, On 13 November 2017, Somaliland held its third presidential election whose electoral procedures were observed by an international election observation mission. The international observers applaud the overall successful electoral process. The current president (at that time 13 Nov 2017), Ahmed Mohamed Mohamoud, had not sought re-election, clearing the way for one of three candidates to assume his post. On 13 November 2017 was elected the current president Muse Bihi Abdi.

3. The Government of Somaliland has received Additional Financing from the World Bank towards the implementation of the Domestic Revenue Mobilization (DRM) and Public Financial Management (PFM) Capacity Strengthening Project. The overall project development objective (PDO) is to ‘strengthen systems of domestic revenue mobilization, expenditure control and accountability in Somaliland.

4. Consistent with its National Development Plan II, the Government of Somaliland (GoSL) is in the process of reviewing its revenue laws, regulations and procedures and undertaking reforms and modernization efforts to ensure enhanced efficiency and optimal productivity. As part of its continuous improvement drive, the GoSL requires the services of a technical adviser in SAI Professional Capacity Building Expert.

5. The GoSL therefore wishes to use part of the funds allocated under the Domestic Revenue Mobilization (DRM) and Public Financial Management (PFM) Capacity Strengthening Project to pay for the services requested in this Terms of Reference.

• About PFM 

Government of Somaliland recognized a need for a PFM reform strategy to utilize public funds towards meeting the NDP goals, and ultimately those of Vision 2030. Therefore, in 2013, the MoF formulated a five-year Somaliland Public Financial Management (PFM) Reform Strategy (2013-2017), to improve the government’s capacity and systems to utilize public funds, towards meeting the NDP goals and those of Vision 2030.

The Somaliland-led PFM Reform Strategy and Action Plan identifies the priorities for reform, provides a structured and sequenced framework to carry out specific reform activities, guide the mobilization of resources, and improve coordination as well as sustainability of the reforms aimed at strengthening PFM systems. The vision is to “achieve the highest possible efficiency, transparency and accountability in the allocation, management and use of public finances to meet the GoSL’s development and economic growth priorities”.

The broad objectives of PFM are to achieve overall fiscal discipline in the allocation of resources to priority needs and efficient and effective delivery of public services. A solid and strong PFM system is a tool to minimize fiscal waste and support the effective and efficient use of taxpayers’ money. Strengthening core fiscal systems has been a long-standing priority of the World Bank and other international development partners. GoSL has therefore received funding from the World Bank to strengthen its public financial management capacity.

The World Bank through the Multi-Partner Fund PFM Capacity Strengthening Project has committed to compliment the GoSL in its PFM reform agenda. The project development objective is to establish and strengthen institutional capacity for the management of public funds in the central finance agencies and targeted sectors. The PFM Capacity Strengthening Project comprises of the following four components:

Component 1: Strengthening Tax Policy and Inland Revenue Administration System;

Component 2: Strengthening Capacity for PFM Control and Accountability;

Component 3: Rapid Response Facility;

Component 4: PFM reform Oversight, Coordination and Management;

• About strengthening the integrity pillar Component 2

This component is to implement by the Office of Auditor General and will fund goods, consultancy services, training, workshops and dissemination events and vehicles to facilitate staff movement to undertake audit work.

The objective of this component is to strengthen key integrity pillars to hold government accountable for the use of public funds.

• Foundations for Supreme Audit Institutions (SAIs)

Even though the Supreme Audit Institution (SAI) is part of the state as a whole, it should have the financial, functional and organizational independence laid down in the Constitution in order for it to accomplish its statutory mandates.

In the exercise of his/her duties; the Auditor-General must be impartial and must exercise the power and perform the functions of office without fear, favour or prejudice in accordance with the International Organization of Supreme Audit Institutions (INTOSAI), International Standards of Supreme Audit Institutions (ISSAI) and its Code of Ethics for Auditor in the Public Sector. The SAI’s audit objective of legality, regularity, economy, efficiency and effectiveness of financial management in the public sector will be achieved by the Auditor General reporting directly to House of Representatives and Having responsibility for providing general leadership  for the public sector auditing cadre and ensure strategic human resource management with continuous professional development for all staff meet ISSAI requirements  to have the qualifications and moral integrity required to completely carry out their tasks.

SAIs should have direct access to the required human, logistics, tools and monitory resources without controls by Executive - the Lima declaration sections 5 and 7, Mexico   declaration SAI Independence principal 8. Therefore, this component will support implementation of appropriate audit law to provide for the legal and organizational independence of the magistrate of accounts and transform them to function in accordance with the core principal on SAI independence: Lima declaration of Guidelines on Auditing Precepts adopted in October 1977. The chief aim of the Lima declaration of Guidelines on Auditing perceptions adopted in October 1977 is to call for independence government auditing by a SAI. The Bank supported Somaliland through the LICUS Trust Fund in 2011 to prepare an Audit Bill and Draft manual that comply with ISSAIs as supplemented by the necessary ISAs. There is national Audit Act passed by the parliament and endorsed by the president along with other PFM laws. This component supports the implementation of this Audit act 76/2016.

• About Auditor General 

The Office of the Auditor General was re-established in 1993 after the Somaliland declared its independence from Somalia in 1991. The OAG is led by an Auditor general, deputy auditor general; and four Departments including Central government department, Local government department, Parastatals department, Planning & Statistics department and Admin & Finance department.

The Audit Act 76/2016 requires that the Auditor General reports to the House of Representative and is the external auditor of every public body, and has the responsibility and authority to perform financial, compliance, and performance audits. In the conduct of his examinations, the Auditor General shall ascertain whether:

• Accounting records have been faithfully and properly maintained;

• Rules, procedures, and internal controls are sufficient to secure effective control of the assessment, collection, and proper allocation of revenues;

• All money expended and charged to an appropriation account has been applied to the purpose or purposes for which House of Representatives intended and with due regard to ensuring effective internal control; and

• Internal controls, rules, and procedures established and applied are sufficient to safeguard the control of stores and other public assets.

In accordance with Article 114 of the 2001 Constitution of the Republic of Somaliland, the appointment of the Auditor General shall be proposed by the President and shall be approved by the House of Representatives.

2. Scope of the Services

A suitably qualified consultant is required to perform the assignment of Somaliland OAG Capacity building. The scope of TA assignment will cover Two areas and will be conducted in phases as follow.

1. Institutional Capacity building – Development of risk-based audit manuals and programs in line with Audit regulatory framework.

2. Individual capacity building – Training OAG staff on manuals, mentoring and couching of OAG staff

Responsibilities / Activities

Institutional Capacity Building 

• Assessment of Capacity challenges at the organizational and individual levels in relation to performing various types of audits

• Review of the existing Draft Audit Manual in order to develop comprehensive audit manuals that comply with the current National Audit Act (Act No. 76/2016),

• Preparation of Risk Based Auditing (RBA) procedures manuals including: Financial Audit Manual; Compliance Audit Manual; Performance/Operational Audit; and IT Audit Manual in compliance with National Audit Act 76/2016 and INTOSAI Standards

• Assist institutionalizing and implementing INTOSAI auditing standards at the OAG

• Provide technical assistance to the OAG and its staff on the implementation of developed Manuals

• Provide Technical assistance on implementation of Computer Assisted Audit Techniques and information system auditing

• Develop a comprehensive audit program for public entity auditing

• Develop a comprehensive audit report, including a management letter Templates, in accordance with ISSAI (INTOSAI Standards)

• Develop tailor made on-job training programme applying best practice and ISSAI/ISA for OAG auditors

• Provide other Specific capacity needs and priorities at the organizational and individual levels in relation to auditing of public entities

• Monitoring audit assignment quality progress through periodic reporting on number of audits started, completed and pending during assignment,

• Supporting OAG to develop a policy of benchmarking for risk assessment and for classification of auditee entities and their prioritization

Individual Capacity Building

• Conduct comprehensive training on how to use developed audit manual

• Conduct comprehensive training on how to use of Computer Assisted Audit Techniques (CAATS) and other audit software relevant to Auditor General audit assignments

• Conduct on-the job trainings of all types/form of audit for OAG auditors

• Perform up to 9 audits in collaboration with OAG staff as on job training

• Recommendations for the most suitable, effective, efficient and affordable modes of capacity development to meet the identified needs in future.

Deliverables

Inception Report / Work plan during first four weeks

End of Assignment Report to Auditor General at least 10 working days before the end of the contract including Recommendations of future capacity development for auditors

Quarterly progress reports on assignment.

• Assessment of Capacity challenges at the organizational and individual levels

• Reviewing of the existing Draft Audit Manuals

• Developing of Risk Based Auditing (RBA) procedures manuals (Financial Audit Manual, Compliance Audit Manual and Performance Audit Manual)

• implementing INTOSAI auditing standards at the OAG

• Provision of technical assistance OAG and its staff on the implementation of developed Manuals

• implementation of Computer Assisted Audit Techniques and information system auditing

• Development a comprehensive audit program for public entity auditing

• Development a comprehensive audit report, including a management letter Templates, in accordance with ISSAI (INTOSAI Standards)

• Development a tailor made on-job training programme applying best practice and ISSAI/ISA

• Development Quality Assurance Strategy

• Benchmarking for risk assessment and for classification of auditee entities

• comprehensive training on how to use manuals, CAAT and ACL

• on-the job trainings of all types/form of audit for OAG auditors will be conducted

• up to five audits in collaboration with OAG staff as on job training will be Performed

Working Relationships: 

The Consultant will be based at the OAG, performing his/her duty in accordance with TOR and Contract. The work of this expert will be supervised by AG and to whom he delegates it. Expert will be working with Counterpart staff from OAG to ensure Knowledge transfer and sustainability.

3. Qualifications

   • Level of Education: 

ACCA, CIPFA, CPA, MBA (Public Finance/accountancy) or similar internationally recognized professional accounting and audit qualification.

Registered recognized auditor supervisory body

• Experience:

At least 10 years of progressive experience in Public external auditing

At least 10 years of experience in Audit planning, managing, executing and reviewing audit assignments

Experience in Audit manager position for an equivalent audit assignment

Experience in development of different types of Audit manuals (financial, compliance, performance, IT audits, etc)

Experience in capacity building on the use of Computer Assisted Audit Techniques (CAATS)

Proficiency on training how to use audit software preferably ACL

Experience in training and capacity building in IT audit,

Experience in training and capacity building in Financial, compliance & performance audit

• General Skills / Other Requirements:

  • Area of Technical Expertise

External Auditing, Accounting, System information auditing with focus on public sector

• Competencies:

Willingness to work in a potential hardship environment, to reach out to new colleagues and build strong and effective teams;

Patience and flexibility;

Enthusiasm for gaining from new experiences, ability to think creatively about means of sharing knowledge and skills with colleagues and partners.

• Skills and Experience:

Post-qualification experience in public entity auditing, Supreme audit institutional capacity building

Experience in coordinating institutional capacity development with experts

Demonstrated project management or coordination skills; good organizational and interpersonal skills;

Good knowledge of Socio-economic & political environment of Somaliland is advantage

Experience in PFM reform environment.

Proficiency in CAAT, ICL and other Audit IT and General usage of Computers and applications.

• Language 

profession in English language

Knowledge of Somali language is advantage but it is not an essential.




4.     Reporting and other Deliverables

The consultant will report to the Auditor General of the State and will provide monthly and quarterly reports to DRM&PFM CSP Project Coordinator.

5.       Duration OF THE ASSIGNMENT

The assignment is expected to take 6 months with possibility of extension, depending on the performance evaluation of the TA.

6.      Location of the Assignment

The duty station is Hargeisa, Somaliland, the Auditor General Office shall provide the technical Assistant with a suitable office space and internet services.

7.      Facilities to be Provided

The Auditor General Office will provide the Consultant with office facilities, internet connectivity, essential utilities, office services, stationery and office supplies and use of a computer, printer, scanner and photocopying etc. In addition, Auditor General will make available to the consultant copies of all the documents the Consultant may need to discharge his functions; and will assist the Consultant in liaising with all agencies of government and sector ministries under the project and with other agencies of government on matters related to the project.

The project will also provide transport to the Consultant as required for their official duties.

8.       Reporting

1. The Consultant will work closely with government officials in the various agencies of government who have the responsibility for public financial management processes. For the duration of the assignments, the Auditor General of the State Office will provide required office space and facilitate the stakeholder consultation and active participation process. The consultant will report to the Auditor General of the State and will also attend Technical Steering Committee meetings.

9.       Procedures Applicable for Selection/Methodology

1. The Individual Consultant will be hired on the basis of the World Bank’s Guidelines for Selection and Employment of Consultants (January 2011). The contracted consultant will take a position at the Ministry of Finance.

2. A Consultant will be selected in accordance with the Individual Selection method set out in the Consultant Guidelines.

• Applications letters must be delivered in a written form to the address below or by e-mail by or in a written form in three (3) hard copies. Application letters received later than specified date shall not be considered. Electronic applications must be copied to all shown email addresses and must clearly specify the name of the assignment being applied for.