Finance & Accounting Consultant
Organizational Context
The UNESCO Sudan office is implementing a project to enhance Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) and improve youth employability. This consultancy focuses on strengthening the financial management capacity of Port Sudan Technical School, a key institution supported by the project. The role is crucial for ensuring accurate financial recording, documentation, and adherence to financial standards, thereby supporting both project activities and the school's institutional development.
Job Purpose
The primary purpose of this consultancy is to bolster the financial management capabilities of Port Sudan Technical School. This involves developing the financial management skills of school managers, enabling them to adopt robust operating procedures and strengthening the institution's overall accounting and financial management capacity. The consultant will ensure that all financial transactions and expenditures related to project activities are meticulously recorded, documented, tracked, and reported. A key objective is to ensure strict compliance with UNESCO, Federal, and Red Sea State Ministries of Finance standards and procedures. The consultant will establish and maintain reliable financial records and systems that uphold accuracy, transparency, accountability, traceability, and sound internal controls, aligning with UNESCO's established processes and standards.
Responsibilities
The consultant will maintain accurate and up-to-date records of project-related expenditures and financial transactions for Port Sudan Technical School, systematically categorizing expenses by activity. Responsibilities include collecting, verifying, organizing, and maintaining all supporting financial documentation such as invoices and receipts, ensuring completeness and accuracy before submission. The consultant will establish clear links between activities, expenditures, and documentation, preparing financial summaries and expenditure statements as required. An organized electronic and physical filing system will be maintained for easy retrieval of financial records. The role involves tracking expenditures against approved budgets, providing regular updates, and promptly identifying and reporting any discrepancies, unsupported expenditures, or documentation gaps to the UNESCO Project Officer. Additionally, the consultant will assist in preparing cost estimates, support the reconciliation of school-level records, and verify project-supported expenditures. A significant aspect of the role is strengthening the school's accounting system by establishing or improving registers, developing practical financial templates, and introducing systematic procedures for recording, classifying, and archiving transactions. This includes strengthening basic internal controls and supporting improved record-keeping for school assets. The consultant will prepare monthly financial and expenditure reports, flag financial irregularities, facilitate access to financial records for reviews and audits, and maintain confidentiality. Other accounting and financial management duties as requested by the Project Officer are also included.
Work Experience
A minimum of five years of relevant professional experience in accounting, financial management, or bookkeeping is necessary. Demonstrated experience in maintaining financial records, preparing financial reports, and managing supporting documentation is essential. Experience in budget monitoring, expenditure tracking, and financial reconciliation is also required. Experience in establishing or improving accounting systems is advantageous, as is prior work with international organizations, UN agencies, or educational institutions.
Skills
Proficiency in accounting principles and basic financial management is essential. Strong numerical, analytical, organizational, and record-management skills are required, with a high degree of accuracy and attention to detail. The ability to monitor and reconcile expenditures, identify discrepancies, and report financial control issues is crucial. Good knowledge of Microsoft Office, particularly Excel, is necessary; accounting software experience is a plus. Excellent written and spoken Arabic and English are required. Strong integrity, accountability, professionalism, and discretion are expected. The ability to work independently, under pressure, and meet deadlines is important.