REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST
(CONSULTANCY SERVICES FOR FIRMS)
FORUM FOR AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH IN AFRICA (FARA)
Consulting Services: Financial Audit of FARA
Name of project: FARA Multi-Donor Trust Fund (FARA-MDTF)
Grant No: FARA-MDTF TF095129
Project ID No.: P112684
Assignment Ref. No.: SSF&OP 3.1
Date: September 28, 2015
This request for expressions of interest follows the general procurement notice for this project that appeared in dg Market, issue no. 4577029 of November 10, 2009.
The Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA) has received a grant from the Multi-Donor Trust Fund (MDTF) toward the cost of implementation of the Comprehensive African Agriculture Development Program (CAADP) Pillar IV strategy of the African Union’s New Partnership for Africa’s Development (AU-NEPAD), for revitalizing, expanding and reforming Africa’s agricultural research, and technology dissemination and adoption efforts. FARA is the apex organization for agricultural research for development in Africa and the AUC/NEPAD mandated institution to lead implementation of Pillar IV of the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Program (CAADP) focusing on generation, dissemination and adoption of agricultural innovations. Harnessing the development and poverty-reducing potential of CAADP depends crucially on the effectiveness, efficiency and relevance of agricultural research institutions and services in addressing the challenges facing African agriculture. FARA intends to apply part of the proceeds for the following consultant services:
The External Financial Audit of the Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA) for the Financial Years 2015 - 2017.
Objectives
According the MDTF Grant Agreement, FARA is expected to appoint an external auditor with the terms of reference, qualifications, and experience satisfactory to the World Bank. FARA shall have its Financial Statements audited in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.07(b) of the Standard Conditions of the World Bank. Each such audit of the financial statements shall cover the period of one fiscal year (January to December).
The Scope of the Assignment:
The audit will be conducted in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (ISA) as published by the International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board of the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC), with special reference to ISA 800 (Auditor’s Report on Special Purpose Audit
Engagements) and to relevant World Bank guidelines. In conducting the project audit, special attention should be paid to the following, among others:
a. Funds have been used in accordance with the conditions of the relevant general conditions, relevant financing agreements and disbursement letter, with due attention to economy and efficiency, and only for the purposes for which the financing was provided;
b. Counterpart funds (if any) have been provided and used in accordance with the relevant general conditions, relevant financing agreements and disbursement letter, and only for the purposes for which they were provided;
c. Goods and services financed have been procured in accordance with the relevant general conditions, relevant financing agreements and disbursement letter;
d. Necessary supporting documents, records, and accounts have been kept in respect of all Project ventures including expenditures reported via Summary Report (or Interim Un-audited Financial Reports (Interim Reports)) if used as the basis of disbursement), or Designated Accounts (DAs). Clear linkages should exist between the accounting records and the financial reports presented to the Bank;
It is highly desirable that the auditor become familiar with the relevant World Bank guidelines, which explain the Bank's financial reporting and auditing requirements. These guidelines include:
- Operational Policy 10.02 and Bank Procedure 10.02, Financial Management;
- Financial Management Practices in World Bank Financed Investment Operations, dated November 2005;
- World Bank Disbursement Guidelines for Projects dated May 2006.
FARA now invites eligible consultancy firms to indicate their interest in providing the services. Interested firms must provide information indicating that they are qualified to perform the services (brochures, description of similar assignments, experience in similar conditions, availability of appropriate skills among staff, etc.). Consultants may associate to enhance their qualifications.
A firm will be selected in accordance with the procedures set out in the World Bank’s Selection andEmployment of Consultants by the World Bank Borrowers, January 2011.
Interested consultants may obtain further information at the address below during office hours 0900 to 1600 hours.
Expressions of interest must be delivered by e-mail to the address below by October 12, 2015.
Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa
Attn: Dr. Yemi Akinbamijo, Executive Director
PMB CT 173, Cantonment-Accra, Ghana
Fax.: +233 0302 773676
Consultants are advised to quote the Assignment Title & Reference Number in the application.
