TERMS OF REFERENCE

External Auditor of Memorandum of Understanding Grant Expenditures

Background:

The International Trade Centre (ITC) is a joint agency of the United Nations and the World Trade Organization, focusing in particular on developing the export capabilities of small and medium-sized businesses in developing and transition economies. ITC is 100% "Aid for Trade", supporting trade that delivers inclusive and sustainable development results. ITC’s mandate covers all developing countries and transition economies with special emphasis on the Least Developed Countries (LDCs), Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs), Small Island Developing States (SIDs) Fragile States and Sub-Saharan Africa.

ITC is the lead implementing agency for the “Gambia Youth Empowerment Project” (YEP) funded by the European Union (EU). The main project partners - along private sector enterprises and training institutions - are the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Employment (MOTIE), the Ministry of Youth and Sports (MOYS), the National Youth Council, the Gambia Investment and Export Promotion Agency (GIEPA) and the Gambia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI). The overall objective of this five-year project is to tackle the economic root causes of irregular migration through increased job opportunities and income prospects for youth. The project will improve skills, foster entrepreneurship and create employment for youth along selected value chains.

This project will directly support the development of the local economy by (i) enhancing employability and self-employment opportunities for youth, with a focus on vocational training and the creation of micro and small-sized enterprises, and (ii) creating and improving employment opportunities in selected sectors through value addition and internationalization. The project will offer possibilities for those youths that might be interested to move into the commercial agriculture, service business or tourism sectors.

One of the main priorities of YEP is to improve tourism-training capacities in hospitality. The objective is to provide capacity building for institutions on hospitality and tourism-related skills training. For this purpose, YEP will work with several institutions such as The Gambia Hospitality and Tourism Institute (GTHI) to improve training capacity, skills and curricula and implement new training programmes.

ITC is looking for a service provider in financial auditing for a Grant Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between ITC and The Gambia Hospitality and Tourism Institute (GTHI). 

Objective of the Audit:

1. The objective of the audit of the MOU financial reports and supporting documentation is to enable the auditor(s) to express an independent professional opinion on the financial position of GTHI’s MOU budget expenditures to ensure that the allocated funds have been used for their intended purposes as set forth in the MOU terms and regulations.

Scope of work for deliverables of service

The role of the service provider is:

• The audit will be carried out in accordance with the International Auditing Standards and will include tests, meetings, and verification procedures as the auditors deem necessary.
• Verify all funds have been used in accordance with the established rules and terms of the MOU and only for the purposes for which the funds were provided.
• Verify goods, works and services financed have been procured in accordance with the MOU established terms.
• Review appropriate supporting documents, records and books of accounts relating to all activities have been kept. Clear linkages should exist between the books of accounts and financial reports.
• Comprehensive assessment of the adequacy and effectiveness of the accounting and overall internal control system to monitor MOU expenditures and financial transactions for reporting.
• Express an opinion of financial reports prepared. 
• Complete an ITC Anti-Fraud Online Training to obtain guidelines of fraud and corruption conduct.
• Include in report opinion on compliance with procedures designed to provide reasonable assurance of detecting misstatements due to errors or fraud that are material in the financial statements.
• In addition to the audit report, the auditors will prepare a Management Letter on the following:
• a. Give comments and observations on the accounting records, procedures, systems and controls that were examined during the course of the audit.
•  b. Identify specific deficiencies and areas of weakness in systems and controls and make recommendations for improvement related to MOU budget expenditures and financial reports.
•  c. Report on the implementation status of recommendations pertaining to previous audit reports.
•  d. Communicate matters that have come to their attention during the audit which might have a significant impact on the budget expenditures and financial terms of the MOU.
•  e. Bring to the ITC’s attention any other matters that the auditors consider pertinent.

The service provider will work under the overall supervision of YEP Project Manager and the direct supervision of the Trade Strategy Adviser of the ITC’s Research and Export Strategy (RES) section and in close collaboration with the other members of the YEP team and consultants.

Audit Duration

The audit work shall be completed within 2-weeks from the date of start date requested by ITC.

Deliverables of service and timeframe

1:  Consolidated mid-term audit in September to October 2019

2:  Consolidated final audit report in March to April 2020

Timelines and payment schedule

Required Experience:

• 10 years
• Valid license and registration to operate

Other:

• No potential conflicts of interest with GTHI and ITC.

Application procedure:

•  Interested candidates should send technical and financial proposal to: yep@intracen.org 
•  Deadline for application October 23, 2019