Job Description

BACKGROUND
The Government of Ghana has received funding from the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) for the implementation of Promoting Rural Opportunities, Sustainable Profits & Environmental Resilience (PROSPER)" Project. The project's total cost is estimated at US$52.5 million. This is made up of a Blended Loan of US$35.1 million and a Highly concessional Loan of US$17.3 million. The project will adopt the Value Chain Approach for developing agricultural growth in the country and aims at developing agricultural value chains and in crease agricultural production. PROSPER will support the implementation of the Ministry's five years strategy

The Project Development Goal/Objective:

PROSPER is to Strengthen the integration, climate resilience, and environmental sustainability of smallholders and businesses in the selected priority value chains.

Coverage/Geographic Area:

PROSPER will be implemented over an 8-year period. The geo-graphic area of intervention extends to eight (8) regions. Five (5) regions in the North (Northern, North East, Savannah, Upper West and Upper East Regions), and three neighbouring regions in the Middle Belt (Bono, Bone East, and Oti). Two regions down South (Eastern and Volta regions) are envisaged to be included during implementation.

Project Targeting Strategy:

PROSPER's primary target groups will be the poorest households.

The targeting strategy considers: (i) high rural population (ii) high poverty prevalence (ii) high rate of food and nutrition insecurity (iv) strong concentration of female and male youth (v) presence of relevant economic opportunities (vi) the level of degradation of the productive Natu ral Resource base (particularly soil, water and vegetation) and (vii) indicators of climate vulnerability.

Project Components -

The project has three components:

Component 1: Development of rural institutions and socioeconomic infrastructure. The expected outcome is improved sustainable livelihoods in target areas supported by strengthened rural institutions and improved socioeconomic infrastructures. These actions are concentrated on investing in "public goods" (feeder roads/farm tracks, portable drinking water, public toilets) within and for the benefit of the targeted 100,000 beneficiaries in the project areas.

Component 2: Strengthening the economic benefits for smallholders and small operators around selected agricultural value chains.

The expected outcome is smallholders and small businesses draw greater benefits from the increasing market outlets for agricultural produce through comprehensive financial, capacity and marketing support. Whereas the first component will invest in the human, physical and natural resources of the target communities, the second component is concentrated on investing in the "private goods" of the population to bring about a sustained uplift in the earning capacity of agricultural producer groups and related enterprises

Component 3 Project management and Policy engagement.

The expected outcome of this support component is efficient and timely delivery of PROSPER development results and support to evidence-based sectoral policy formulation.

Duration and location of the assignment:

This is a full-time assignment for an initial period of 24 months renewable based on satisfactory performance from the date of contract signature for all positions. Selected consultants must not be engaged in any other ongoing assignment in Ghana or elsewhere at the time the employee contract comes into force. Non-compliance would lead to the cancellation of the contract by MOFA. Falsifying personal data would also lead to disqualification.

The location of the assignment will be outside Greater Accra.
Contract Type
Performance-based contract, initially for one year with the possibility of renewal based on satisfactory performance and project needs.

REPORTS TO: Finance Manager

Responsibilities

• Assist the Financial Manager in the effective implementation, maintenance, and continuous improvement of a sound financial management system, ensuring adherence to IFAD and Government of Ghana (GoG) financial regulations and PROSPER Project guidelines.
• Preparing the monthly budget forecast for the Project and all the relevant supporting documentation needed to submit the replenishment request for the Operational Account
• Preparing quarterly, half-yearly and annual consolidated statements of Project accounts as an integral part of the Management Information System for submission to the Financial Manager;
• Preparing monthly bank reconciliations of all Bank accounts;
• Assisting the Financial Manager in the preparation of withdrawal applications;
• Overseeing the archiving of all supporting documentation linked to project expenditures
• Preparing and submitting Interim Financial Reports (IFRs) to the Finance Manager and following up to ensure that the Project does not encounter liquidity challenges at the level of the project office;
• Monitoring financial returns from Implementing Partners, including periodic visits to their offices;
• Supporting the conduct of internal audit missions by the MOFA Internal
  Audit Unit on the basis of the agreed Annual Work Plan and Budget;
• Maintain comprehensive and accurate accounting records, both physical and digital, in an appropriate form, ensuring easy access and audit readiness.
• Prepare and submit timely monthly reports including Bank Reconciliation Statements, Summary of cash balances, Cash budget, Statement of Expenditure, and Petty Cash Reconciliation, explicitly tracking expenditures related to gender, youth, and climate-focused interventions.
• Supporting the smooth implementation of the annual external audit and bi-annual Interim Financial Report (IFR) audits, providing all necessary documentation and explanations to auditors;Supporting IFAD and GoG supervision missions and ensuring the implementation of all financial/account-related recommendations stemming from these missions
• Maintaining an asset register for all assets purchased by the Programme and preparing monthly report on equipment.
• Ensuring that fixed assets are well accounted for and annual verification is done indicating conditions of assets and their location appropriately.
• Monitor and verify that programme funds are utilized strictly in accordance with the conditions of the loan and grant agreements, ensuring due attention to economy, efficiency, and effectiveness in all expenditures.
• Ensuring the eligibility of project expenditures, and the quality of all supporting documentation.
• Support the Finance Manager in monitoring financial transactions and documentation to ensure compliance with the IGREENFIN Operational Manual regarding green investments supported by grants and loans from the Matching Grant Facility and Blended Finance Facility (BFF).
• Undertake any other duties that shall be assigned by the Finance Manager to ensure smooth and effective implementation of the Programme.

Required Skills or Experience

Minimum Qualifications and Skills (Essential)

• Qualified Accountant with either ACCA or CIMA or CA (Ghana), or CA (England and Wales) or CPA or related financial management qualification.
• Advanced degree in finance, accounting or a related field.
• At least eight (8) years of progressive practical working experience in financial management, auditing and accounting of development partner-funded projects, with demonstrable experience in managing funds for climate-resilient, gender-sensitive, or youth-focused interventions;
• Proficiency in computerized accounting software (e.g., iScala, SUN
  Systems, ACCPAC, or similar enterprise resource planning systems)
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and other Outlook;
• Fluency in written and oral English.

Desirable

• Committed to meeting deadlines, and willingness to work extra hours and sometimes on weekends as and when required;
• Experience in interpreting financial management reports, analyzing variations to plans and determining remedial actions required;
• Excellent technical and conceptual knowledge about financial management and grasp of financial principles and practices;
• Report writing and presentation skills;
• Confidence and good working relationships with finance and non-
  finance colleagues within Programme and implementing partners.

Competencies:
The consultant will require a very good level of competency in the following:

• Highly-Organized: - Ability to keep the booking records updated and ensuring easy access to financial records whenever needed.
• Teamwork: - Ability and inclination to work co-operatively with others and recognition of the value of sharing ideas, knowledge and information while taking personal responsibility for doing so.
• Communication: Ability to communicate effectively with customers and very good at explaining the terms, conditions, procedures and processes of project accounting.
• Self-motivation: Competence demonstrated by the level of timeliness and accuracy the individual displays in carrying out their role, by their personal energy and enthusiasm and by their willingness to learn to exceed expectations in their role.
• Attention to detail: Exceptional accuracy and thoroughness in financial record-keeping, data entry, and report preparation.