HACT Support Specialist at UNICEF RWANDA, Kigali –
DEADLINE: 30/06/2014
DEADLINE: 30/06/2014
Title of the consultancy: HACT Support Specialist
Location: UNICEF RWANDA –
KIGALI
KIGALI
Period: 3 months
Closing date: 30 June 2014
1. Background and Purpose
The UNDG Harmonized Approach to Cash Transfers (HACT)
Framework was first issued in 2005 and adopted by the Funds
Framework was first issued in 2005 and adopted by the Funds
and Programmes as a
common operational framework for transferring cash to government and
non-government implementing partners with the objective of supporting national
capacities for management and accountability in view of a progressive shift
towards utilizing national systems for transferring development funds and
financial reporting; introducing a risk management approach to cash transfers;
further harmonization of business practices among adopting agencies and
reducing transaction costs for partners.
A number of challenges and lessons learnt were noted
in the implementation of HACT and documented in recent audits, assessments and
reviews including: the HACT Global Assessment (UNDG, Dec.2011); the Joint Audit
of the Governance Arrangement for the HACT (UNDP, UNFPA, Nov.2012) and most
recently the Proposed Revisions to the HACT Framework (UNDG, Sept.2013), paving
the way to the ongoing review of the 2005 Framework. More specifically, the
Revised HACT Framework is expected to improve overall effectiveness of HACT,
streamline practices across agencies, clarify accountabilities and facilitate
development of agency-specific guidelines to support consistent HACT
implementation.
in the implementation of HACT and documented in recent audits, assessments and
reviews including: the HACT Global Assessment (UNDG, Dec.2011); the Joint Audit
of the Governance Arrangement for the HACT (UNDP, UNFPA, Nov.2012) and most
recently the Proposed Revisions to the HACT Framework (UNDG, Sept.2013), paving
the way to the ongoing review of the 2005 Framework. More specifically, the
Revised HACT Framework is expected to improve overall effectiveness of HACT,
streamline practices across agencies, clarify accountabilities and facilitate
development of agency-specific guidelines to support consistent HACT
implementation.
The importance of addressing weaknesses in HACT
implementation was also acknowledged by UNICEF Executive Management and clearly
communicated across the organization as a priority issue. In January 2014, the
Division of Policy and Strategy (DPF` collaboration with the Division of Finance
and Administration (DFAM) and consultation with Regional Offices have developed
A Global Strategy to strengthen the management of HACT in UNICEF. The strategy
identifies capacity building as a core strategy to ensure a consistent
understanding and application of HACT concepts and tools in a sustainable
manner, using different approaches in an effort to balance the need for rapid
improvements in the management of HACT and the more medium/long-term capacity
strengthening required for the organization at all levels.
implementation was also acknowledged by UNICEF Executive Management and clearly
communicated across the organization as a priority issue. In January 2014, the
Division of Policy and Strategy (DPF` collaboration with the Division of Finance
and Administration (DFAM) and consultation with Regional Offices have developed
A Global Strategy to strengthen the management of HACT in UNICEF. The strategy
identifies capacity building as a core strategy to ensure a consistent
understanding and application of HACT concepts and tools in a sustainable
manner, using different approaches in an effort to balance the need for rapid
improvements in the management of HACT and the more medium/long-term capacity
strengthening required for the organization at all levels.
In January 2014, UNDG issued the Revised HACT
Framework. According to the webinar organised in Feb 2014, all UNICEF offices
expected to work towards full implementation immediately.
Framework. According to the webinar organised in Feb 2014, all UNICEF offices
expected to work towards full implementation immediately.
2. Purpose
The purpose of this contract is to support the overall
approach to UNICEF Rwanda’s HACT compliance in line with the Revised HACT
Framework; assist in developing a roadmap towards the full-compliance by the
end 2014, establish mechanisms to track HACT implementation status and issues
arising from assurance activities, building the capacity of UNICEF Rwanda staff
and partners in performing spot check’ and assurance, activities and document
good practices for institutional learning purpose.
approach to UNICEF Rwanda’s HACT compliance in line with the Revised HACT
Framework; assist in developing a roadmap towards the full-compliance by the
end 2014, establish mechanisms to track HACT implementation status and issues
arising from assurance activities, building the capacity of UNICEF Rwanda staff
and partners in performing spot check’ and assurance, activities and document
good practices for institutional learning purpose.
3. Expected results
The HACT Support Specialist is expected to achieve the
following results:
following results:
1 After the consultancy period, spotcheck will be
performed by UNICEF staff only.
performed by UNICEF staff only.
1. HACT Capacities at UNICEF Rwanda Office:
Both UNICEF staff and partners (GoR and NGOs) have a clear understanding of
accountabilities and roles in relation to sound management of financial
resources and know how to apply specific processes related to effective HACT
implementation;
Both UNICEF staff and partners (GoR and NGOs) have a clear understanding of
accountabilities and roles in relation to sound management of financial
resources and know how to apply specific processes related to effective HACT
implementation;
2. HACT Roadmap and Management Plans: UNICEF
Rwanda has a clear strategy and a Roadmap for the full-compliance to support
effective management and implementation of HACT related process and risk-based
plans in place for 2014, assurance and capacity building plan are developed in
close consultation with UN Inter-agency HACT Taskforce;
Rwanda has a clear strategy and a Roadmap for the full-compliance to support
effective management and implementation of HACT related process and risk-based
plans in place for 2014, assurance and capacity building plan are developed in
close consultation with UN Inter-agency HACT Taskforce;
3. Tracking of HACT implementation status &
follow-up: UNICEF Rwanda has a clear mechanisms in place to monitor the
status of implementation of HACT plans on an
follow-up: UNICEF Rwanda has a clear mechanisms in place to monitor the
status of implementation of HACT plans on an
4. ongoing basis, and follow-up issues flagged from
programme assurance activities, especially those requiring management
attention;
programme assurance activities, especially those requiring management
attention;
5. Spot Checks: UNICEF Rwanda staff? obtain the
required skills and tools to perform regular spot checks (there is a need to
build the capacity of UNICEF internal staff to master the process through
hands-on experience in accordance with the revised HACT guidelines);
required skills and tools to perform regular spot checks (there is a need to
build the capacity of UNICEF internal staff to master the process through
hands-on experience in accordance with the revised HACT guidelines);
6. Knowledge management & lessons learnt:
Lessons learnt from the implementation of the revised HACT Framework and UNICEF
Guidance0 clearly documented with a focus on good practices, key issues
requiring management attention.
Lessons learnt from the implementation of the revised HACT Framework and UNICEF
Guidance0 clearly documented with a focus on good practices, key issues
requiring management attention.
The contract is structured in three phases:
Phase 1 – Planning, consultation and preparation: July
2014
2014
During this phase the HACT Support Specialist will:
- Define the overall plan for the year 2014:
Support the management in establishing the HACT strategies and finalize
the overall implementation plan (Roadmap) for micro-assessments, assurance
and capacity building activities for 2014 using a context specific risk
based approach;
- Define the performance indicators & benchmarks
for monitoring of UNICEF Rwanda’s HACT implementation throughout the year
and;
- Develop standard training materials on HACT for
UNICEF staff and partners in line with the Revised HACT Framework and
UNICEF specific guidance.
Phase 2 – Spot check on site capacity building: August
– September 2014
– September 2014
During this phase the HACT Support Specialist will:
- Assess the capacity of UNICEF Rwanda team to
identify the gaps based on the requirements to perform spot checks as
detailed under the TOR for spot checks (See the HACT Revised Guidelines
Appendices I and II), and ensure diversity among the composition of staff
to be trained.
- Design training modules and customize it to
comply with required policies and procedures as related to spot-checks.
- Deliver hands-on trainings on spot checks for
UNICEF staff;
- Phase 3 – Joint review of results, challenge way
forward – September 2014
- During this phase, the contractor will:
- Develop a final report documenting lessons learnt
from the implementation of the HACT improvement plan and highlighting key
issues for management attention and practical recommendations towards the
effective HACT management by UNICEF Rwanda.
4. Start date: July 2014 End date: September 2014
5. Deliverables The timeframe for this contract is as
follows:
follows:
- Overall HACT implementation strategy and plan
(Roadmap) for the year 2014
- A standard training materials on HACT compliance
for UNICEF and partners
- Spot check training manual, tools and hands-on
training for UNICEF Rwanda team
- Monitoring mechanism on UNICEF Rwanda’s HACT
implementation
- The final report highlighting lessons learnt key
issues for management attention and recommendations for 2015
implementation.
6. Supervision
The HACT Support Specialist will work under the
overall supervision of the Chief of PME in close consultation with Chief of
Operations and Chiefs of programme sections.
overall supervision of the Chief of PME in close consultation with Chief of
Operations and Chiefs of programme sections.
7. Key competences, technical background, and
experience required
experience required
- Advanced university degree in Business
Administration, Finance, Economics, Audit, Management or developmental
studies.
- At least 8 years relevant work experience at the
national and international level in Operations/Finance Management, Risk
Management, Audit and/or programme management;
- Proven successful experience in training
professionals in different contexts (technical/cultural);
- Practical experience in planning, undertaking and
reporting on financial management assurance activities related to HACT
and/or similar grant management oversight systems used by donor and
funding agencies;
- Advanced use of Excel and power point MS Office
applications;
- Fluency in English required; French or local
language considered a strong asset.
8. Duty Station:
The HACT Support Specialist will be based in Kigali,
Rwanda. Frequent travelling to field locations is expected over the duration of
the contract. Transport will be provided to those field locations in accordance
with UNICEF policy and procedures.
Rwanda. Frequent travelling to field locations is expected over the duration of
the contract. Transport will be provided to those field locations in accordance
with UNICEF policy and procedures.
How to apply:
Qualified individuals are requested to submit P11
FORM, CV, a full proposal, consisting of two parts (technical and financial,
which can be downloaded from our website) to Rwajobs@unicef.org
.
FORM, CV, a full proposal, consisting of two parts (technical and financial,
which can be downloaded from our website) to Rwajobs@unicef.org
.
PLEASE DOWNLOAD THE P11 FORM FROM OUR WEBSITE AND FILL
IT
IT