External Project Audit

Source: World Bank — Ethiopia Protection of Basic Services Social Accountability Program

A consortium led by VNG International, acting as the Management Agencyfor the above-referenced Grant Agreement, has received financing fromthe World Bank towards the implementation of the Ethiopia Protection of Basic Services Social Accountability Project Phase 2 (ESAP2) and intends to apply part of the proceeds for consulting services.

The consulting services ("the Services") entail the audit of the Management Agency's Financial Statements covering the period January 1^st, 2015 to December 31^st, 2015.

The auditor will conduct an audit on the Project Financial Statements.The final audit report needs to be presented to VNG International on May 31^st, 2016 at the latest. If an audit firm is not able to present the audit report according to the time schedule in this Request for Expression of Interest (EoI) the bid of this firm shall not be considered further. The time schedule will be one of the eliminationcriteria.

Background

The overall budget envelope for the Project is currently US $25 million for a project implementation period of 50,5 months. The funds, coming from a Multi-Donor Trust-Fund managed by the Word Bank, are allocated for the implementation of four main components, including (a) the Services of the Management Agency; (b) grants to Social Accountability Implementing Partners (SAIPs) for implementation of the social accountability program at local level; (c) training and capacity building activities; and (d) surveys, monitoring, evaluation, and financial audits.The Management Agency is responsible for administering grant funds for the furtherance of the activities to be carried out in respect of the project.

Subject of the Project Audit

Subject to the audit are the Project Financial Statements (PFSs) and the underlying Statement of Expenditures (SOEs) that are to be submitted to the World Bank in accordance with the provisions of the Grant Agreement.

The project books of accounts provide the basis for preparation of thePFSs by the project implementing agent and are established to reflectthe financial transactions in respect of the project.

The information will be available in the headquarters of VNG International in The Netherlands, the branch office in Ethiopia and at several SAIP offices (12 Ethiopian SAIPs have to be visited and audited as well). Therefore the audit must be conducted in Ethiopia (March and/or April 2016) as well as in The Netherlands (April and/or May 2016).

Shortlisting Criteria

VNG International now invites eligible consulting firms ("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. The shortlisting criteria are:

-          Proven experience with audit of at least 3 similar-sized donor-funded projects;

-          Proven experience with audit of grants;

-          Proven experience with audit of project offices implementing donor-funded development activities in the field;

-          Availability of specialized and experienced staff for the audit tasks.

Consultants are expected to provide VNG International with documentaryproof of the above mentioned experience of their firm in the relevantareas.

Additional Information

The attention of interested Consultants is drawn to paragraph 1.9 of the World Bank's Guidelines: Selection and Employment of Consultants [under IBRD Loans and IDA Credits & Grants] by World Bank Borrowers January 2011 ("Consultant Guidelines"), setting forth the World Bank's policy on conflict of interest.

Consultants may associate with other firms in the form of a joint venture or a subconsultancy to enhance their qualifications.

A Consultant will be selected in accordance with the Selection Based on the Least-Cost Selection (LCS) method set out in the Consultant Guidelines. Shortlisted Consultants will be invited tosubmit a Technical Proposal and a Financial Proposal. The complete selection process is expected to be finalized in January 2016.

Contact

Further information can be obtained in writing through the e-mail address below.

Expressions of interest must be delivered in a written form to the address below (in person, or by mail, or by fax) by November 19^th, 2015.

VNG International

Attn: Eva Erren, ESAP2 Project Team

P.O. Box 30435

2500 GK, The Hague, The Netherlands

Tel: +31 (0)70 373 8401

Fax: +31 70 373 86 60

E-mail: vng-international@vng.nl