Consulting Services for Project Accountant Role — Ministry of Technology and Science (Zambia)

| |

MINISTRY OF TECHNOLOGY AND SCIENCE

Request for Expressions of Interest

Country: Zambia

Project: Skills Training for Results and Industry-Valued Employment (STRIVE) Project

Project ID: P514247

(Consulting Services – Individual Consultant Selection)

• PROJECT BACKGROUND AND INFORMATION The Government of the Republic of Zambia is preparing and implementing the Skills Training for Results and Industry-Valued Employment (STRIVE) project (P514247) with support from the World Bank. STRIVE is proposed as a US$80 million IDA Grant and will be implemented as an Investment Project Financing (IPF) operation with Performance-Based Conditions (PBCs), as Phase 3 of the Skills for Economic Transformation and Jobs (SET4Jobs) Multiphase Programmatic Approach (MPA) in Eastern and Southern Africa.

The Project Development Objective is to strengthen the skills ecosystem for increased job creation in priority value chains, with a focus on increasing access to job-relevant skills for Zambian youth. The project prioritizes mining, agribusiness, and hospitality and emphasizes employer co-design, outcomes and employability, sustainability of core financing mechanisms, and future-oriented innovations, including digital, blended learning, and AI-enabled tools.

The project will be implemented through three components:

(1) Building industry-led skills systems, including the development of a TEVET Management Information System and a strengthened Labour Market Information System, and support to sector management and coordination functions such as quality assurance, occupational standards, and instructor supply (including selected PBC-supported reforms);

(2) Preparing youth for better jobs, including performance-oriented institutional grants for TEVET institutions (including Centres of Excellence and hybrid learning for ZQF Levels 5-7), competitive grants to improve the quality of programs up to Level 4, a pilot TEVET student loan scheme, and results-based contracts for short-term skilling; and

(3) Growing employment opportunities in value chains, including support to business development services and sector-specific upskilling for firms.

• IMPLEMENTATION ARRANGEMENTS

The Ministry of Technology and Science (MoTS) will be the lead implementing agency for STRIVE. Day-to-day coordination will be carried out through a dedicated Project Coordination Unit (the 'STRIVE PCU') hosted by MoTS. Implementation will require close coordination with the Technical Education, Vocational and Entrepreneurship Training Authority (TEVETA), the Ministry of Labour and Social Security (MoLSS), the Ministry of Small and Medium Enterprise Development (MSMED), the Higher Education Loans and Scholarships Board (HELSB), and other relevant stakeholders.

The project will be supported by a high-level Steering Committee, chaired by the Minister of Technology and Science, to provide strategic oversight and ensure cross-agency and private sector coordination. The Steering Committee will include, inter alia, the Ministry of Finance and National Planning, MoLSS, MSMED, TEVETA, HELSB, and private sector representatives. Technical working groups and/or component-level committees may be established to provide technical oversight and support results monitoring.

The core functions of the STRIVE PCU will include: preparation of annual work plans and budgets; monitoring and evaluation and periodic progress reporting; coordinating Steering Committee and technical working group meetings; supporting recruitment and management of technical assistance; preparing required financial reports and disbursement documentation; facilitating internal and external audits; providing procurement planning and contract management support consistent with the World Bank Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers and use of STEP; coordinating implementation support missions and preparation of mission documentation; ensuring compliance with legal covenants; ensuring implementation of environmental and social risk management measures under the World Bank Environmental and Social Framework (including stakeholder engagement and grievance redress); and implementing a communications approach for internal and external stakeholders.

The STRIVE PCU will be headed by a Project Coordinator, who will provide oversight for day-to-day management and coordination of the project and supervise PCU staff and consultants supporting fiduciary, M&E, environmental and social risk management, communications, and technical implementation functions.

The Ministry of Technology and Science (MoTS) has received financing from the World Bank toward the cost of the Skills Training for Results and Industry-Valued Employment (STRIVE) Project and intends to apply part of the proceeds for ‘Individual Consulting Services’.

MoTS now invites suitably qualified and experienced individuals (“Consultants”) to indicate their interest in providing the Services for the consultancy position of STRIVE Project Accountant

Interested Consultants should provide information demonstrating that they have the required qualifications and relevant experience to perform the Services.

3.MAIN DUTIES OR ACCOUNTABILITIES

The Project Accountant will be responsible for day-to-day accounting and financial management for STRIVE and will assist in ensuring that project activities are implemented in accordance with applicable Government and World Bank financial management policies and guidelines, project documents, and the Financial Management Manual (as applicable). The Project Accountant will support timely fund flows and disbursements, maintain accurate books of account, and ensure timely and high-quality financial reporting and audit compliance. Key result areas and principal accountabilities are as follows:

Key Result Area

Principal Accountabilities

Project financial coordination and support to the STRIVE PCU

|

Work with STRIVE PCU staff and implementing agencies to ensure that all financial and accounting issues are addressed in a timely manner.

Provide day-to-day financial management support to component teams and implementing agencies (as applicable), and advise on fiduciary compliance for planned activities.

Participate in meetings, workshops, and implementation support activities to ensure effective financial support to STRIVE.

Prepare periodic updates and inputs on financial management for internal PCU management and the Steering Committee, as requested.

Work planning, budgeting, and cash management

|

Support preparation and consolidation of the Annual Work Plan and Budget (AWPB) and periodic budget updates, in coordination with relevant PCU staff and implementing agencies.

Support the budget approval process, including activity-level budgeting and no-objections (as required) and ensure that budgets are aligned with the approved Procurement Plan and implementation schedules.

Prepare cash forecasts and monitor project cash flows to ensure adequate liquidity for timely implementation of activities.

Prepare budget execution monitoring and budget versus actual reports and flag variances and emerging risks to the Project Coordinator and Finance Management Specialist.

Accounting operations, internal controls, and records management

|

Maintain accurate and up-to-date project books of accounts, including cashbooks, journals, ledgers, and supporting documentation, in line with Government and World Bank requirements.

Process and record project transactions, including payments to suppliers/consultants and transfers to implementing entities (as applicable), ensuring proper authorization and documentation.

Maintain an updated asset register for project-financed assets and support physical verification processes, as required.

Ensure adequacy and consistent application of internal controls for safeguarding project resources and monitoring expenditures, including filing and record management systems.

Disbursements and fund flow

|

Prepare and submit Withdrawal Applications for advances/replenishments, direct payments, and reimbursements (as applicable), including required supporting documentation and contract monitoring.

Support fund flow arrangements to implementing agencies and beneficiaries (as applicable), ensuring compliance with agreed procedures and timely reconciliation of advances.

Support preparation of documentation related to eligible expenditures and PBC-linked disbursements, including maintaining required records and supporting evidence.

Financial reporting and audits

|

Prepare monthly and quarterly financial reports for monitoring project budget execution and cash management.

Prepare and submit Interim Financial Reports (IFRs) and other required financial reports in a timely manner through Client Connection (as applicable).

Prepare annual project financial statements and support the external audit process, including timely provision of audit evidence and follow-up on audit findings and management letters.

Support internal audits and fiduciary reviews, and track implementation of agreed corrective actions.

Technical assistance and capacity building

|

Provide technical support and on-the-job guidance to relevant PCU and implementing agency staff on financial management processes, documentation, and reporting requirements.

Support delivery of financial management capacity building activities, including training on project financial management procedures (as needed).

Supervision missions and reporting

|

Participate in World Bank implementation support missions and provide inputs to mission documentation and aide-memoires on financial management matters.

Support implementation of mission recommendations related to financial management and fiduciary compliance.

Dissemination and visibility of project achievements

|

Contribute to dissemination and visibility of project achievements, including providing financial information for communications products and knowledge sha