USAID Local Empowerment for Accountability and Decentralization (LEAD)

Scope of Work for

National Consultant to Support Local Public Financial Management Systems

• Background

The USAID Liberia Local Empowerment for Accountability and Decentralization (LEAD) Activity was awarded to DAI Global LLC for a period of five year, from May 19, 2023 to May 18, 2028.The goal of this Activity is to improve the capacities of targeted ministries, agencies, and commissions (MACs), and local government to formulate and administer sound tax policies, improve budget transparency, deepen decentralization, and deliver much-needed quality services at the sub-national level through the following objectives:

1. Objective 1: Domestic Resource Mobilization (DRM) Improved,
2. Objective 2: Budget Transparency Improved
3. Objective 3: Local Development and Service Delivery Improved

Under Objective 3 Local Development and Service Delivery, LEAD will partner with national government institutions such as Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA), Ministry of Finance and Development Planning (MFDP), Liberia Revenue Authority (LRA), Governance Commission (GC) and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) to formulate appropriate programs aimed at supporting the realization of the Government of Liberia’s decentralization objectives. These include capacity of local governments to perform the following devolved functions among others:

• planning and budgeting
• financial management
• own-source resource mobilization
• local government administration and management
• service delivery

Position Objectives:

The main Objective of this assignment is to support the acceleration of the Local Governance Act and its implementation plan by bringing local administration up to speed on public financial management in LEAD selected counties of Nimba, Grand Bassa and Bong and their respective cities of Ganta, Bucahnan and Gbarnga.

The outputs of this assignment will contribute to LEAD’s support to county administrations and city corporations to undertake local PFM functions, manage local resources with transparency and accountability, and improve service delivery At the sub – national levels

• Scope of Work

• Review/assess and document the financial management processes and procedures used by the county administration and city corporations in the three counties
• Analyze the degree of compliance with, or deviation from the following legal framework for public financial management:
  • Amended and Restated Public Financial Management Act (PFM Law)
  • Public Financial Management Regulations
  • Public Procurement and Concession Act (PPCA)
  • Public Procurement and Concessions Regulations
  • International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS)
  • Internal Audit Strategy
• Systematically identify gaps between the current state of PFM and the desired state in the established counties, especially relating to PFM policy frameworks, institutional weaknesses, inadequate resources, and human resources capacity.
• Identify and engage key stakeholders- in the LEAD’s partner counties, including local government officials, finance professionals, and auditors for their input and comprehensive understanding of the PFM system.
• Conduct SWOT analysis to understand internal and external limitation affecting the PFM system workability in three counties and provide recommendation for improvement.
• Develop action plans for addressing each prioritized gap. Define specific tasks, responsibilities, timelines, and resource requirements for implementation.
• Develop training programs and provide training and capacity building to enhance skills and knowledge for County staff as needed.

• Prepare a comprehensive report summarizing the gaps analysis, findings, and action plans.
• Communicate the results to relevant stakeholders, ensuring transparency and garnering support for the proposed reforms.
• Deliverables

• Prepare a workplan with activities and timeframe within 5 days from award.

• Activity reports to be submitted at pre-determined intervals agreed between LEAD and the Consultant
• Training program to be delivered to county staff.
• Complete training of approved program
• Present findings and action plan to local administration officials
• Final consultancy report with the following structure:

• Comprehensive report analyzing the situation and identifying the gaps.
• Action Plan for addressing prioritized gaps.
• Validation reports for local PFM systems.
• Annex to include:
• Bibliology of PFM laws, regulations, procedures, and documents referenced, with internet links.

Minimum Requirements

• A relevant degree in accounting, economics, financial management; specialization in public financial management is an added advantage

• At least five (5) years of relevant experience in financial management, preferably public financial management

• Excellent written and oral communication skills; fluency in English is required.

• Computer literacy in word processing, spreadsheet, data analysis, and presentation software
• Demonstrated knowledge of County administration and city operations is a must.

Note: Applicants who cite qualification in law must include up-to-date evidence that they satisfy all the regulatory requirements to practice law.

Deadline for the submission of applications is February 12, 2024, at 5:00 PM.

Women and people with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.

The job advertisements are now live for Liberia LEAD. Interested candidates are invited to apply via this email:

LiberiaLEADRecruitment@dai.com