E-Zone HRM Limited is a management consulting group providing one-stop solutions to clients who seek improved and sustainable profitability through the effective use of their people and resources. We specialize in delivering innovative and value added services that promote revenue growth and cost containment.
E-Zone HRM Limited has a formal agreement with one of the UN Agency Agency to provide outsourcing services under a third party contract.
E-Zone HRM Limited is now accepting applications from Bangladeshi Nationals for the following vacancies under third party outsourcing contract modality:
Admin and Finance Officer, Consultant - NOA Level
Duty Station: Dhaka, Bangladesh (monthly fieldwork to the assigned Division, District and/or Upazillas across the country)
Contract Duration: 6 months
Number of Vacancies: 1 (One)
Contract Type: Contract with E-Zone
Contract Start Date: 1 August 2023
Reporting to: Nutrition Specialist, Nutrition Section
A. Purpose:
The purpose of this assignment is to conduct budgeting exercise for all activities associated with the system strengthening, innovation, and capacity building components of the National Nutrition Services (NNS) and UN AGENCY.
B. Background:
Chronic undernutrition continues to be a significant issue in Bangladesh, particularly among children under the age of 5. According to the Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) conducted in 2019, 28 percent of children in this age group suffer from stunting, indicating a failure to achieve optimal growth and development. The problem of stunting is even more prevalent in urban slums and tea gardens, where rates reach 40 percent and 45 percent, respectively, as indicated by the Child Well-being Survey in Urban Areas (2016) and the Tea Garden Survey conducted by the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS) in 2018. To address undernutrition systematically and at scale, under the Health, Population and Nutrition Sector Development Programme (HPNSDP), the Government of Bangladesh launched the National Nutrition Services - Operation Plan (NNS-OP), which is comprised of a set of child and maternal nutrition interventions focusing on the critical 1,000-day window of opportunity from pregnancy to a child's second birthday.
The NNS was introduced in June 2011, was merged with two Operational Plans, namely National Nutrition Program (NNP) and Micronutrient Supplementation. Unlike NNP, NNS was implemented universally throughout the country through PHC in both DGHS and DGFP service delivery platforms and program management. The NNS encompassed a range of interventions and activities, including growth monitoring and promotion, behaviour change communication, micronutrient supplementation, control of iodine deficiency disorder, management of Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) and community management of acute malnutrition, training and capacity building, nutrition surveillance, etc. At the establishment of NNS, however, it was realized that it lacked availability of routine information and data from the health sector to monitor direct progress and impact of nutrition programs. A need for consolidation and utilization of information from diverse sources to support more comprehensive nutrition situational analysis was also identified. As such, one of the mandates of NNS was to put in place a nutrition information system to support the Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) framework of the NNS and allow for monitoring of nutrition services on a regular basis at national, district and sub-district levels.
In 2013, after a joint workshop organized by NNS and, NNS requested support from, DFID, MI (now NI), and other partners in establishing a Nutrition Information Planning Unit (NIPU) to strengthen IPHN/NNS’s capacity for nutrition information management and planning. Later, more partners joined in supporting NNS through NIPU such as the World Bank and the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN).
The aim was to coordinate the review, standardize and streamline indicators under the NNS-OP and to create an integrated single information platform in which nutrition indicators from both DGHS and DGFP could be collected. NIPU was established to analyze the nutrition situation, monitor the coverage and performance of nutrition interventions delivered through the health system, and report on them regularly to improve decision-making, strategic planning and measurement of results towards achieving national nutrition goals.
The overall purpose of NIPU is thereby to contribute to the development of an M&E System for NNS, and to provide technical input for the execution of the M&E process, by developing a monitoring system for nutrition specific interventions carried out by NNS, with a group of mixed-skill people. Moreover, NIPU was established to support NNS in extracting data from DHIS2 and DGFP MIS, and in collecting data from districts, as well as to compile and analyze data and provide analytical reports with dashboards for sub-national managers to support decisions to improve coverage and quality. NIPU developed its own strategic plan for capacity building of NNS DPMs and PMs, developed an action plan and supported implementation of the action plan.
C. Objectives and Expected Results:
The consultant will start working from 1 August 2023 until 31 January 2024. Assigned workstation will be in Dhaka, Bangladesh at NIPU, NNS and the consultant will work closely with the Line Director, NNS under the direct supervision of Nutrition Specialist, Nutrition Section in Bangladesh. Under the guidance of Nutrition Section - UN AGENCY, the consultant will conduct budgeting exercise for all activities associated with the system strengthening, innovation, and capacity building components of the NIPU under NNS.
D. Description of Assignment:
The consultant during this contracting period will support in financial management, procurement processes, and expenditure tracking, also ensure effective utilization of resources and adherence to financial regulations and guidelines. Here are the specific tasks involved:
- Support financial management of NNS:
- Prepare all FACE (Fund Authorization and Certificate of Expenditure) and ICE (Interim Financial and Compliance Expenditure) for NNS and NIPU (Nutrition Information and Planning Unit) activities and submit them to UN AGENCY. These documents serve as the financial authorization and reporting mechanisms.
- Prepare requisitions for logistic support required by NIPU activities, ensuring timely and appropriate procurement of necessary resources.
- Prepare salary requests and fund transfer invoices for every staff member involved in the NNS, ensuring accurate and timely payment processing.
- Prepare budgets for upcoming activities, such as the Community-based Comprehensive Nutrition (CCTN) program, District Level Initiatives (DLI), Multisectoral Coordination workshops, and any other planned activities, considering the allocated funds and cost estimates.
- Ensure the proper liquidation process of every Direct Cash Transfer (DCT) and submit the necessary documentation to UN AGENCY, providing an account of the expenses incurred.
- Share and reconcile activity-wise expenditure with the Accounts section of NNS, ensuring that financial records are accurate and align with the activities conducted.
- Assist the Technical Manager in preparing and submitting timely and reliable financial documents and reports to UN AGENCY, following their specific requirements and guidelines.
- Assist the procurement committee in managing procurement processes and expenditures under UN AGENCY and NNS funds, adhering to the Public Procurement Regulations of the Government of Bangladesh (GoB).
- Receive and verify all bill vouchers from the field related to DLI, training, refresher training, or other activities. Maintain proper accounts and reconcile advance amounts for the relevant Deputy Program Manager (DPM) of NNS.
- Assist all audit activities introduced by UN AGENCY to NNS accounts section.
E. Deliverables:
Task |
Deliverables |
Schedules |
A. Oversee financial management of Nutrition Information & Planning Unit (NIPU) related activities (70%) |
- Support the budgeting exercise for all related activities under system strengthening, innovation, and capacity building components of the National Nutrition Services (NNS). This includes collaborating with relevant stakeholders to estimate costs, allocate resources, and develop budgets for the activities.
- Ensure that adequate administrative and financial controls are in place to maintain propriety and proper accountability of expenditures. This involves establishing and enforcing financial procedures, monitoring financial transactions, and conducting regular audits to ensure compliance.
- Assist the Technical Manager in ensuring that financial transactions are properly authorized, recorded, and supported by adequate documentation. This includes maintaining financial records and preparing financial statements that comply with reporting requirements and are readily available for audits.
- Assist the Technical Manager in preparing and submitting timely and reliable financial documents and reports to meet the reporting obligations of the NNS and UN AGENCY. This may include financial reports, expenditure reports, and budget utilization reports.
- Verify and ensure that all procurement processes and expenditures adhere to the procedures and guidelines set by the Government of Bangladesh (GoB). This includes obtaining receipts for all payments made and ensuring transparency and accountability in the procurement process.
- Provide support in financial tasks related to organizing conferences, workshops, and retreats. This may include budgeting for the events, managing expenses, and ensuring proper financial documentation.
- Assist in the documentation for the timely contracting of other stakeholders with NNS and the Institute of Public Health Nutrition (IPHN) for the implementation of the Community-based Comprehensive Nutrition (CCTN) program in targeted districts. This includes preparing budgets for CCTN at all levels.
- Under the supervision of the Deputy Program Manager and Technical Manager, prepare payroll statements, allowances, travel claims, and other payments for personnel, contractors, consultants, vendors, and other claimants associated with the NNS and DP-supported activities.
- Assist in administering and managing logistics and service contracts with providers such as travel agents, hotels, catering services, office supplies, and equipment to ensure smooth operations.
- Assist in documenting and maintaining administrative files for the recruitment process in the NIPU team, ensuring compliance with relevant guidelines and regulations.
- Conduct field visits to carry out spot checks with external partners to ensure effective fund utilization and accurate reporting.
- Assist the Technical Manager in maintaining a comprehensive physical asset registry for all NIPU properties provided by UN AGENCY and other donor and funding sources.
- Assist the finance section of the NNS in developing templates and formats for calculating the NNS-OP budget, ensuring consistency and accuracy in budgeting.
- Provide support to the NNS in developing budgets at the central, divisional, district, and upazila levels for the implementation of District Level Initiatives (DLI) services.
- Undertake any other financial assignments as requested by the Line Director, Program Manager, Deputy Program Manager, and Technical Manager, ensuring flexibility and adaptability to meet emerging needs.
- Lead the budget development and expenditure tracking of NIPU operating costs, ensuring timely and accurate submission of liquidations with relevant supporting documents in collaboration with the Capacity Development Manager.
- Lead the budgeting exercise for all related activities under the system strengthening, innovation, and capacity building segments of the NNS and UN AGENCY, ensuring comprehensive and accurate budget allocation.
|
1 August 2023
to
31 January 2024
|
B. Program management, monitoring and delivery of results (20%) |
- Work closely and collaboratively with colleagues and partners to discuss operational and implementation issues. Provide solutions, recommendations and/or alert appropriate officials and stakeholders for national level intervention and/or decision-making. Keep record of reports and assessments for easy reference and/or to capture and institutionalize lessons learned.
- Participate in monitoring and evaluation exercises, program reviews and annual reviews with the government and other counterparts to assess programs/projects and to report on required action and interventions at the higher level of program management.
- Monitor and report on the use of program resources (financial, administrative and other assets), verifying compliance with approved allocation, goals, organizational rules, regulations/procedures, donor commitments, standards of accountability, and integrity. Report on issues identified to ensure timely resolution by management and stakeholders. Follow up on unresolved issues to ensure resolution.
- Prepare regular and mandated program/project reports for management, donors and partners to keep them informed of program progress.
- Support field coordination and planning for strengthening field monitoring and supportive supervision though RTMR.
|
1 August 2023
to
31 January 2024 |
C. Coordinate and support the Capacity Building Specialist to implement capacity building initiatives for the health workers to improve nutrition services delivery and reporting (10%) |
- Responsible for coordination with NNS Finance Section to ensure sound cash-flow management and funds availability for NIPU activity implementation based on approved work plan and budgets.
- Participate in weekly review meeting of NNS, IPHN to review program implementation and mentor health workers to enhance technical capacity based on the supportive supervision and quality assessments.
- Provide management and technical support to institutionalize and carry out Supportive Supervision for routing program monitoring and analysis of program data for progress tracking and improvement.
Organize and conduct joint field visits with Line Director, Program Managers and Deputy Program Managers to understand the real scenario and based on progress tracking and identified gaps that might lead strategic planning of program improvement. |
1 August 2023
to
31 January 2024
|
F. Consultancy Costs:
- The Consultant will get Total Fee BDT 150,000.00 per month as a consolidated package.
- Consultant will be responsible to pay all taxes as per government rules and regulations. E-Zone will make statutory deductions towards income tax as per government rules and regulations
G. Administrative issues:
- The consultant will report to the Nutrition Specialist, Nutrition section, UN Agency Bangladesh and submit the deliverables outlined under-reporting requirement.
- Consultant will receive a consolidated BDT 150,000 per month including travel and DSA, any other expenses such as communication, stationary equipment, laptop etc. will bare by the consultant.
- Working place will be in Nutrition Information & Planning Unit (NIPU), National Nutrition Services (NNS).
- For payment by E-Zone on due time, the Supervisor will forward the certified attendance sheet and confirmation of receiving expected deliverables for the respective period.
- Consultant will be responsible to pay all taxes as per government rules and regulations.
H. Profile Requirements & Qualification Skills:
- Advanced university degree in Accounts and finance or any relevant field
- At least 5 years’ work experience in the relevant field
- Demonstrated competency with working with people
- Efficient in communication both in Bangla and English language (oral and written form)
- Willingness to travel as per assignment and field travel frequently, including hard to reach and remote areas all over the country
This position is open for Bangladeshi Nationals only. All candidates, irrespective of gender, religious and ethnic backgrounds can apply for the vacancies.
The UN Agency prides itself as fostering a multicultural and harmonious work environment, guaranteed by a zero-tolerance policy on sexual exploitation and abuse, and on any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment and discrimination. All selected consultants will undergo rigorous reference and background checks.
Candidates with the required profile and proven experience, who meet these qualifications, are invited to submit their application in English clearly mentioning the Job Title along with a meaningful cover letter, updated CV, recent PP size photographby email to:
jobs.un@e-zonebd.com
Last Date of Application: 17 July, 2023
Please mention the Applied Position Name on the subject line of your email
No phone calls please. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted. All applications will be treated according to the merit and with strict confidentiality. |
