Background/Work Description:
The
USAID IFACS project supports the Government of Indonesia’s commitment
to lower greenhouse gas emissions through the conservation of high-value
forests and peat lands. The period of performance is from November 5,
2010 to March 30, 2015. IFACS strives to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG)
emissions in Indonesia’s land-use sector through the integration of
forest and peat land conservation with Low-Emission Development
Strategies (LEDS). This is achieved by working with government and civil
society to ensure effective preparation and enforcement of spatial
plans that promote sustainable forest management. The Project also works
with private sector partners in the forestry, plantation and mining
sectors as well as local community organizations to balance LEDS with
forest conservation.
IFACS
activities are targeted in eight strategic landscapes on three of
Indonesia’s largest islands, where primary forest cover remains most
intact and carbon stocks are greatest. In northern Sumatra, the Project
landscapes – Aceh Selatan and Aceh Tenggara – comprise the focal
districts of Aceh Selatan, Gayo Lues and Aceh Tenggara, located within
the Leuser Ecosystem, which hosts a wide range of endemic wildlife
species and the third largest tropical rainforest in the world. In
Kalimantan, IFACS works in two landscapes: the West Kalimantan landscape
of Ketapang, comprising the focal districts of Ketapang, Kayong Utara
and Malawi; and the Central Kalimantan landscape of Katingan, comprising
the focal districts of Katingan, Pulang Pisau and Palangkaraya. The
Project also works in four Papua landscapes, Sarmi and Mamberamo in the
north, and Mimika and Asmat in the south.
The Overall Results required by the end of the IFACS project are:
• 6
million tons CO2 equivalent reduced or sequestered through improved
natural resource governance and forest management leading to reductions
in deforestation and degradation in IFACS landscapes (~11 Million
hectares).
• 3.0
million hectares of natural tropical forest and peatland, at least 1.7
million of which is priority orangutan habitat, under improved
management by the private sector, communities and government.
• 12 Districts with draft Spatial Plan incorporating SEA recommendations
• 12,000
forest dependent beneficiaries receiving economic benefits from
low-emission development activities within IFACS landscapes.
In
view of project scope with significant numbers of activities engaging
grants, subcontracts and joint activities with implementing partners in
diverse provinces, IFACS intends to review financial exercises and
verify records and processes to assure that risk management, control and
governance systems are functioning as intended.
Objective:
The
objective of this assignment is to perform financial review and verify
transaction and processes, including review of records and procedures,
confirm transactions with relevant vendors and on-the-spot transactions
to the effectiveness of risk management, control and governance
processes in compliance with relevant USAID, Tetra Tech ARD and
Indonesia laws and regulations.
Consultant Tasks:
1. Review
financial records, reports, operating practices, and documentation in
conformity with the underwriting rules, guidelines, procedures and
programs.
2. Verify
transaction processes with respective vendors by comparing items to
documentation and examine discrepancies during interview.
3. Communicate findings through systematic report to the COP.
4. Prepare special reports by collecting, analyzing, and summarizing financial information and trends.
5. Advise management on needed actions and suggest corrective measures to fix the issue.
Deliverables:
The consultant will provide deliverables as follows:
1. A work-plan defining recommended approaches, substances to emphasis, travel schedule, and reporting system – end of Week 1.
2. Brief
report on risk management issues and financial deficiencies identified
directly in relevant areas and/ or by client base (grantee,
subcontractor, implementing partners, and so forth) – end of Week 4
continued with regular weekly report.
3. Final
report emphasizing financial analysis and recommendations together with
regulatory submission and strategies to improve project’s operations,
in terms of efficient and effective performance – end of Week 18-19.
Level of Effort (LOE):
120
days of service with possibility of extension. The consultant is based
in Jakarta, with significant travel to Regional Offices.
Schedule:
Assignment will be completed within the period of March 2014 and not later than July 2014.
Supervision:
The
Compliance Specialist will report directly to the Chief of Party and
coordinate with the senior management in Jakarta and Regional Offices
for site-visits and meetings.
Qualifications:
1. University degree in Accounting and Business Administration.
2. Significant work experience in compliance and project appraisal.
3. An expert on financial and regulatory issues for funded project.
4. Sound independent judgment.
5. Excellent analytical skills and high attention to detail.
6. Excellent in written and verbal communication skills both in Bahasa Indonesia and English.
7. Excellent computer skills.
Working Conditions:
1. Able
to travel to regional offices and other locations as required by
conventional means including aircraft, motor vehicle and the like.
2. Possess a personal computer.
Please submit your recent CV as of 23 February, 2013 (the latest) with subject STTA for Financial Compliance Specialist (Consultant, Jakarta based) to: recruitment@ifacs.or.id
Tetra Tech ARD is an equal opportunity employer.
