REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST

(CONSULTING SERVICES – INDIVIDUAL)

VANUATU

VANUATU RURAL ELECTRIFICATION PROJECT STAGE II (VREP II)

Project No. P160658

Assignment Title: Project Accountant

Reference No. (as per Procurement Plan): VU-DOE-263873-CS-INDV

The Government of Vanuatu is implementing a US$14 million investment through Rural Electrification Project Stage II – VREP II (Project). The objective of VREP II is to support increased penetration of renewable energy and increased access to electricity services in the dispersed off-grid areas of Vanuatu.

The Department of Energy (DoE) is the Implementing Agency for VREP II with oversight support from the World Bank and is seeking a well-qualified and experienced Project Accountant to manage the finances of VREP II.

The consulting services (“the Services”) include a full-time VREP Project Accountant for two and half years (subject to project extension by two years) and expected to commence as soon as possible.   

The detailed Terms of Reference (TOR) for the assignment can be found at the following website/link: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/k0e6g2vv68muy0nvpk3oa/VREP_Project_Accountant_TOR_Mar_2022-final.docx?dl=0&rlkey=xwjs4yrnde036grmz59sw6bx5

The DoE now invites eligible individuals (“Consultants”) to indicate their interest in providing the Services. Interested Consultants should provide information demonstrating that they have the required qualifications and relevant experience to perform the Services (attach curriculum vitae with description of experience in similar assignments, similar conditions, etc.). Firms’ staff may express interest through the employing firm for the assignment and, under such situation, only the experience and qualifications of individuals shall be considered in the selection process. The criteria for selecting the Consultant are:

ESSENTIAL:

• Tertiary qualification in finance, accounting, business or economics;
• A minimum of at least 5years’ experience in accounting in governmental or private sector;
• Strong knowledge of the Government of Vanuatu financial management information systems or World Bank financial requirements;
• Experience of financially managing a project with multiple project funds and consultants;
• Proactive and creative thinker and able to deliver products/results within the required timeframe;
• Strong accounting and analytical skills to provide advice to all stakeholders;

DESIRABLE:

• Some experience of working on projects funded by World Bank or other international development agency funded projects;
• Experience in an energy projects;
• Competent in computer skills (windows, Power Point, Excel, MS Publisher, Access) and accounting software skills;
• Able to work together in a team and share ideas to reach decisions;
• Able to regularly review or check work to reduce errors and improve financial systems/performance
• Ability to write fluent, sequential, informative but concise and accurate activity reports; and
• Excellent general written and oral communication skill.

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

Further information can be obtained at vrep.procurement@gmail.com

Expressions of interest must be delivered by e-mail to the address above by May 3, 2022.