Closing date

05 March 2025

Financial Management Specialist; Learning Environment – Foundation of Quality Education Project

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSION OF INTEREST

Republic of Tajikistan

Learning Environment – Foundation of Quality Education Project

Consulting Services

Contract No: MOES/LEARN/S/2025-23

Position: Financial Management Specialist

Issuance Date: 20 February 2025

Closing Date/Time: 05 March 2025, 17:00 (Dushanbe Time)

BACKGROUND

The Government of the Republic of Tajikistan has received grant funding in the amount of US$50.0 million from the World Bank for the implementation of the "Learning Environment – Foundation of Quality Education Project” (the Project, LEARN) during 2023-2029. The Project will be implemented by the Ministry of Education and Science (MOES), and in close coordination with the Agency for Supervision in the Sphere of Education and Science (ASSES).

The Project Development Objective is to enhance the quality of teaching and learning environments in selected general secondary schools.

“Teaching and Learning environment” in this project refers to the complete physical, social, and pedagogical context in which learning is intended to occur. The teaching and learning environment in this project is defined as consisting of the skills and competencies of teachers and physical learning spaces where learning occurs[1]. It is school settings (not just classrooms) and contexts in which students learn and teachers teach within the school premises.

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Financial Management Specialist will provide support to the MOES Chief Accountant in implementation of the Project in the field of financial management and be responsible for preparation of all financial transactions and keeping of accounts to ensure implementation of measures stipulated in the Project Legal Agreements.

RESPONSIBILITIES AND THE SCOPE OF WORK

  • Approve and sign of all financial documents of the Project, including banking, cashier documents and documents related to salaries, and is fully responsible for the correct, reliable submission of financial documents for signing to the MOES Chief Accountant for accounting and financial reporting. The Financial Management Specialist is responsible for preparing all financial documents, including those related to banking, cashier operations, and salary management. The FMS submits these documents to the MOES Chief Accountant and the Minister of Education and Science of the Republic of Tajikistan for final approval;
  • Prepare all project payments orders and internal vouchers for the project;
  • Ensure proper and targeted use of project funds in accordance with the requirements of the legislation of the Republic of Tajikistan and the World Bank as described in the Project Financial Manual;
  • Participate in planning, budgeting for the implementation of the Project; The Financial Management Specialist plays a key role in both the financial planning and budgeting processes for the implementation of the project. This includes developing financial plans, forecasting project expenses, and ensuring the budget aligns with the project’s objectives. The FMS is responsible for preparing the annual budget, with input from the Project Director and other team members, ensuring compliance with World Bank procedures and national legislation;
  • Monitor and ensure effective use of project funds, according to World Bank procedures and legislation of the Republic of Tajikistan; The Financial Management Specialist is responsible for monitoring and ensuring the effective use of project funds. This includes ensuring that each payment is made in strict accordance with the terms of the contract, as well as World Bank procedures and the legislation of the Republic of Tajikistan. The FMS ensures that all payments are documented, reviewed, and authorized in line with contract requirements;
  • Prepare transactions related to wages, travel, advance payments and maintenance of advance accounts; The Financial Management Specialist handles the preparation of transactions related to wages, travel, advance payments, and maintaining advance accounts, all of which require the MOES Chief Accountant’s and the Minister of Education and Science of the Republic of Tajikistan’s approval;
  • Verify invoices and other payment documents for compliance with the contract terms and agreements; 
  • Control and authorization of all banking and cash transactions; The Financial Management Specialist ensures the proper documentation and preparation of all banking and cash transactions, the authorization of which is carried out by the MOES Chief Accountant and the Minister of Education and Science of the Republic of Tajikistan;
  • Correctly fill out all financial documents (bank, cash, travel documents, advance invoices, etc.); 
  • Control over the preparation of Withdrawal Applications (form e2380), Income and Expense Reports, and any other relevant financial documentation;
  • Maintain regular accounting of fixed assets purchased during the Project implementation; 
  • Prepare the Quarterly Interim Unaudited Financial Reports (IFRs) and ensure their timely submission to the World Bank; 
  • Perform monthly cash and bank reconciliations;
  • Control preparation of monthly, quarterly financial reports and quarterly reports by districts to be presented to the Ministry of Finance, State Committee on Investments and State Property Management, State Committee on Statistics of the Republic of Tajikistan; 
  • Prepare and submit of tax reports to the Tax Committee and the local tax authority; 
  • Prepare other additional reports and information, as necessary, for the Ministry of Finance and other government agencies related to investments; 
  • Ensure effective audit of project financial reports and their timely submission to the World Bank; 
  • Implement other instructions of the Project Coordinator regarding the functional responsibilities for the said Project;
  • Operate and prepare reports using the 1C accounting program
  • Ensure timely entering and post transactions into to the 1C accounting software and perform monthly closing procedures;
  • Ensure timely submission of withdrawal applications and adequate funds flows.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

The candidate should meet the following qualifications:

  • Higher education in Accounting/Finance/Business management/Public Administration; a post graduate degree will be an advantage;
  • A minimum of five years of professional experience implementing financial management and accounting functions;
  • At least 3 years’ experience in working with the donor funded projects; knowledge of World Bank requirements will be an advantage;
  • The ability to supervise accounting and other financial functions, and report financial information useable to the various stakeholders: Government, Bank and Auditors;
  • Sound knowledge of government of Tajikistan’s accounting and financial management system;
  • Strong computer skills and practical experience with the 1C Accounting Software;
  • Strong communication skills;
  • Excellent command of Russian, good knowledge of Tajik is required, and working knowledge of English is a preference. 
  • Two reference letters from the most recent employers.

ASSIGNMENT DETAILS

  • Duration: 12 months, with an initial 3-month probationary period. The contract may be extended for additional 12-month periods based on mutual agreement and performance evaluation.
  • Location: Dushanbe, Tajikistan.
  • Reporting: The Financial Management Specialist will report to the Project Director and will work under the direction of the Project Coordinator.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Interested candidates are invited to submit their CV and a cover letter in both Russian and English to the following email addresses:

Please ensure the position title is included in the subject line of your email.

The deadline for submitting applications is 05 March 2025, by 17:00 (Dushanbe time).

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

The attention of interested consultants is drawn to Sections III, paragraphs 3.14, 3.16, and 3.17 of the World Bank’s “Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers” (July 2016, revised November 2017, August 2018, and November 2020), which outlines the World Bank’s policy on conflict of interest.

For further inquiries, please contact:

Mr. Muzaffarzoda Badriddin
Coordinator of the Learning Environment – 

Foundation of Quality Project (LEARN)
Nisormuhammad str. 13a, Dushanbe, Tajikistan
Tel/Fax: (+992 37) 2-27-25-69
 

[1] Schools that are designed based on principles of improving teaching and learning environment efficiency – both in terms of fostering of learning outcomes and efficiency of construction – lead to better collaboration and experimentation by children and allow use of modern pedagogical techniques.