Introduction

•   This request for expressions of interest follows the general procurement notice for this Project that appeared in the 18th and 20th November, 2010 edition of the Daily Graphic and Ghanaian Times respectively, the UN Development Business and dgMarket .
•   During the preparation of the National Social Protection Strategy (NSPS) as part of the sector development policy in 2007, the absence of a labour-based public works program as a key Social Protection instrument offering short-term employment to the poor was identified. The Labour Intensive Public Works (UPW) programme was therefore introduced as a key component of the IDA and GoG-funded Ghana Social Opportunities Project (GSOP) under the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development. The Original GSOP was a project, with IDA budget of US$88.6 million. With Additional Financing (AF), the project duration has been extended by 1 year at the revised total IDA budget of US$138.6 million.
•   The objective of the UPW program is to provide targeted rural poor households with access to employment and income-earning opportunities during the agricultural off season through rehabilitation and maintenance of public or community infrastructure and other community climate change mitigation related assets. The aim is to maximize local employment while rehabilitating productive assets, which have potential to generate local secondary employment effects and also protect households and communities against external shocks.

LIPW Implementation Procedures

•   Currently GSOP UPW is being implemented in 60 Districts in Ghana. These are among the most deprived Districts in Ghana. To avoid denying the impoverished subsistence farmer of his/her already meager potential income from farming activities, UPW is implemented in Ghana during the agricultural off season.
•   LPW is delivered through the decentralized local government structures with responsibilities for implementation assigned to the beneficiary District Assemblies (DAs).

GSOP Coordinating Offices

•   The entire LIPW delivery is facilitated by the GSOP Coordinating offices comprising the National Coordinating Office (NCO) in Accra and five (5) Regional Coordinating Offices (RCOs) located in Accra, Kumasi, Tamale, Bolgatanga and Wa.

Objectives of these Recruitments:

The overall objective of the assignments of which this EOI is being requested shall be to establish the staffing requirements to achieve a more effective and efficient management of the GSOP in the light of the changing management requirements
 
Key Responsibilities:

•   Installation of appropriate accounting/reporting systems to ensure that the project management is informed of on-going financial transactions/activities and that Project Management have a clear view of their financial responsibility.
•   Ensuring adherence to GoG and IDA financial provisions and guidelines by all implementing units and the prompt collation of accounting information from all the units for reporting purposes.
•   Providing technical backstopping to the 'National and Regional Accountants in the performance of their functions.
•   Maintaining all Project accounting records in a form appropriate for regular auditing (at least annually) Instituting internal controls to ensure the prudent use of project resources
•   Overseeing the implementation of the LIPW e-payment process to ensure that benefits (wages) are delivered to beneficiaries in a timely manner and ensuring that all documentation and reporting thereof is carried out satisfactorily
•   Assisting in Project Procurements to ensure that they are carried out in accordance with procedures laid down by the Loan Agreement.
•   Preparing quarterly reports regarding aspects of monitoring.
•   Carrying out any other activities assigned by the Project Co-ordinator
•   Ensuring the design and implementation of effective financial management

Reporting Responsibility

•   In the discharge of his/her duties, The Financial Controller, as leader of the finance unit of the project, will be responsible for maintaining a" projects accounts in good order.
•   He/she will report directly to the National Coordinator and work closely with the Financial Controller of the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development (MLGRD).

Duration of Assignment

The assignment shall be for an initial period of fifteen (15) months from 1st April 2016 to 30th June 2017 with the likelihood of extension for an additional year

Qualification Required & Experience

•   Good First Degree in Business, Finance, Accounting, Management Program Recognised Professional Qualification in Business Management, Finance & Accounting - CA, CFA, CIMA, ACCA
•   Ten to Fifteen (10-15) years' senior management experience in Financial Control and Management.
•   The candidate must be a certified public accountant (chartered accountant).

The Controller must also possess expertise in the following:

•   Public Sector Financing;
•   Financial and Accounting Control;
•   Productivity Software (MS Word, Excel & PowerPoint);
•   The use of Accounting Software;
•   Financial Systems Administration;
•   Interpretation of Financial Statements;
•   Planning, Forecasting and Budgeting;
•   Preparation of Financial Statements;
•   Tax Management;
•   Financial Accounting, Management, Planning and Analysis;
•   Management Accounting;
•   Financial Records Reconciliation; Managerial
•   Budgeting;
•   Project Management,' Accounting and Reporting; and
•   Risk Management.

Location: Accra

How To Apply For The Job

•   All interested individuals are requested to submit typewritten letters and curriculum vitae (CV) for the positions described above.
•   Only shortlisted individuals will be contacted. Letters of Interest clearly marked: "GSOP - STAFF Positions" must be delivered to the address below (in person, or by mail, or bye-mail) by 1700hrs on February 10, 2016.

The Chief Director
Ministry of Local Gov't and
Rural Development (MLGRD)
P. O. Box M. 50 Ministries,
Accra, Ghana

Tel: 00233-21-6636681
Fax: 00233-21- 682003
E-mail address: nco@gsop.gov.gh

•   Further enquiries on this REOl can be obtained from the National Coordinator, Ghana Social Opportunities Project, Tel: 0302-770246.

Closing Date: 18 February, 2016