Support the Advanced Training Centre under the Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Tajikistan; Public Financial Management Modernization Project – II

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST FOR CONSULTING SERVICES-

SELECTION OF A CONSULTING COMPANY

Country: Republic of Tajikistan

Project: Additional financing for the Public Financial Management Modernization Project – II

Grant: D 750- TJ

Assignment title: Support the Advanced Training Centre under the Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Tajikistan in organizing regular training in the field of public finance management

Link no.: AF/PFMMPII/CQS-1/2022

One of the key elements of Tajikistan's public finance reform is to bring public sector accounting and reporting in line with international standards, such as the International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS) and the Government Finance Statistics Manual 2001 (GFSM 2001). Improvement of the public sector accounting system is one of the components of the overall public finance reform in accordance with the Public Finance Management (PFM) Strategy for 2009 - 2018 adopted by the Government of Tajikistan on 20 March 2009.

In 2012, the Strategy for Improvement of the Public Sector Accounting System of Tajikistan for 2011-2018 was adopted. Within the framework of the said Strategy, a new Unified Chart of Accounts for the Public Administration Sector (UCAS) and instructions for its application were developed. The Unified Chart of Accounts combined a unified logic and elements:

(i) Chart of Accounts for financial accounting;

(ii) Budget Classification for budgetary accounting;

(iii) GFSM 2001 Classification Structure (GFSM 2001); and

The Strategy also envisaged that Tajikistan's accounting system would be based on the application of the International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS) and the said Standards would be developed and implemented in four phases. Within the framework of this Strategy, 14 Standards for Public Sector Financial Reporting of Tajikistan, defined by the first and second phases, were developed and approved.

In 2021, the Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Tajikistan approved the roadmap for the application of international accounting standards in the public sector for 2020-2025. The main objective of the Roadmap is a phased transition of the public sector to a modern accrual-based accounting system based on International Public Sector Accounting Standards, which will increase transparency and accountability, improve the quality of financial and budget management, reduce the size of debts on the expenditure side of the budget, ensure more effective management and rational use of assets, have timely and quality information on the essence of the public (public) sector accounting system, as well as the ability of the public sector to use its assets in a timely and efficient manner.

Within the framework of this roadmap, one of the key tasks is the development and implementation of TPSAS, which should be implemented in the third and fourth phases, as well as the formation of consolidated financial statements of the public sector, taking into account the consolidation of financial statements of state-owned enterprises.

The objective of the assignment is to support the Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Tajikistan in establishing and implementing the system of mandatory certification of chief accountants of budgetary institutions, in preparing training materials and in organizing their regular training, as well as in supporting the Centre for Advanced Training under the Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Tajikistan in preparing an electronic training platform, training of trainers, training of key employees of the Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Tajikistan, training of chief accountants of budgetary institutions and in the formation of the consolidated financial statements of the state sector.

The consulting firm will provide support to the Centre for Advanced Training under the Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Tajikistan in organizing regular training in the field of public finance management.

Qualification requirements for the Consulting firm and consultants.

The Consulting firm qualifications and experience.

The Consulting firm qualifications shall include good knowledge of and experience with IFRS implementation:

Understanding of accounting and financial reporting training processes;
Minimum of 5 years of accounting training experience (IFRS, consolidated financial statement generation). The Company's experience in TPSFRS training and formation of consolidated financial statements of the budget sector will be an advantage;
Experience in preparation of regulatory and legal acts in the field of training;
Availability of experienced trainers in the field of accounting;
Availability of at least one consultant with international qualification (ACCA, ATS, CIPA, CPA) with fluent knowledge of Russian and Tajik languages;
Experience in working with state authorities.

Suggested Minimum Key Personnel:

The Consulting firm consultants' experience should include at least 5 years of professional practical experience in the field of training.

Team leader
The Team Leader must have a university degree in Commerce/Business Administration, Economics or Finance and at least 10 years of practical training in the application of IFRS. Experience implementing and using TPSFRS, as well as international professional accounting qualifications (ACCA, CAP, CIPA, CPA) are preferred.
Excellent written and oral communication skills in Russian and English. Knowledge of Tajik is a plus;
Good communication and interpersonal skills.
Training experts (at least 3 No.):
At least 5 years of practical experience in teaching accounting and applying IFRS. Practical experience in training government officials in the field of accounting is preferred;
Proven experience in preparing curriculum and training modules. Experience in preparing distance learning modules is preferred;
Excellent written and oral communication skills in the Tajik language. Knowledge of Russian and English languages is welcome;
Good communication and interpersonal skills.
Accounting expert:
At least 7 years of practical experience in the field of accounting;
Proven experience in automated accounting systems;
International qualification in accounting;
Excellent written and oral communication skills in Russian. Knowledge of Tajik and English is a plus;
Good communication and interpersonal skills.
The consulting firm may add other technical and administrative staff to ensure successful execution of the assignment.

The detailed Terms of References (TOR) can be studied at the address below.

Hereby the Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Tajikistan invites eligible consulting firms to express their interest in providing the services. The interested Consulting firms must provide information demonstrating that they have the necessary qualifications and relevant experience to perform the services.

It is assumed that a contract will be signed with the bidder with the lowest proposal related to the provision of all documentation set out in the Terms of Reference. Quotes must include all costs of the consulting firm, including taxation, international and local travel, meals, accommodation, support staff costs, cost of printing of reports, etc.

Additional information can be obtained at the address below during office hours from 08:00 to 17:00.

Expression of interest must be delivered in a written form to the address below (in person or by e-mail) by April 17, 2024.

Attention:

Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Tajikistan

Public Financial Management Modernization Project II

To: Nozimzoda Ilkhomjon

Coordinator of PFMMP-2

Address: Dushanbe, 35 Sheroz Street, 5th floor, room 504

Tel: +992 93 011 5555

Tel: +992 00 188 8848

e-mail: ilhom_nozimov@mail.ru

e-mail: nuralizoda6446@bk.ru