Financial Management Specialist (FMS)

NATIONAL LOCAL GOVERNMENT FINANCE COMMITTEE

Integrated Social Protection for Resilience and Opportunity (INSPIRE-O)
Credit /Grant No: P512324
Date of Issue: 6th November 2026

EXPRESSION OF INTEREST FOR POSITIONS UNDER THE INTEGRATED SOCIAL PROTECTION FOR RESILIENCE AND OPPORTUNITY (INSPIRE-O)

The Government of Malawi (GoM) through the National Local Government Finance Committee (NGFC) has received financing from the World Bank Group and the Malawi Social Protection Multi-Donor Trust Fund supported by the European Union, Ireland, the United Kingdom through FCDO, Germany through KIW, Iceland, and Norway towards the cost of Integrated Social Protection for Resilience and Opportunity (INSPIRE-O). The NGFC intends to apply part of the proceeds of this financing to eligible payments under the contract to recruit various specialists and/officers on a three – year contract, renewable annually based on performance and availability of financial resources or as mutually agreed by both parties.

NGFC, therefore, invites applications from suitably qualified and interested candidates to fill various positions available at the NGFC Offices:

Financial Management Specialist (1 position)

Position Overview

The Financial Management Specialist (FMS) is a senior and key member of the Project Implementation Unit (PIU) of the National Local Government Finance Committee (NLGFC). The FMS will be responsible for ensuring that all project financial resources are managed in accordance with the Financing Agreement, Government of Malawi public financial management regulations, the Project Implementation Manual (PIM), and World Bank financial management requirements. The role is critical to ensuring that project resources are used efficiently, effectively, transparently, and for their intended purposes. The FMS will work as part of the INSPIRE-O Project Implementation Unit and will report to the Project Coordinator for day-to-day operations and management. For all technical financial management matters, s/he will have a technical reporting line to the Director of Finance and Fiscal Decentralization.

Objective of the Assignment

The primary objective of the Financial Management Specialist position is to ensure the sound financial management of the project in full compliance with:

1. The Financing Agreement and related legal covenants;
2. The Government of Malawi’s public finance regulatory framework, Treasury Instructions, and the Financing Agreements;
3. The Project Implementation Manual (PIM) and related operational guidelines;
4. The World Bank’s Financial Management Requirements for Investment Project Financing (IPF);
5. The Government of Malawi’s Anti-Corruption and Anti-Bribery Ethics framework.

Duties and Responsibilities

The FMS shall perform the following.

Financial Planning, Budgeting, and Cash Flow Management

1. Lead the timely preparation and consolidation of the project budget, including annual work plans and budgets (AWPBs), in close coordination with technical teams, the Project Coordinator, and relevant government ministries and departments.
2. Develop and monitor cash flow forecasts and ensure timely replenishment of funds to maintain adequate financial resources for project implementation.
3. Manage the project’s designated and special bank accounts, and ensure their timely and accurate reconciliation.
4. Prepare and submit withdrawal applications for funds disbursement including the replenishment of the Designated Account, direct payments, reimbursements and special commitments in accordance with World Bank procedures.

Accounting, Financial Reporting, and Compliance

1. Establish, operate, and maintain the project’s financial management system, ensuring it meets the requirements of the Government of Malawi and the World Bank.
2. Ensure compliance with International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS) and applicable Government accounting policies and regulations in the preparation of project financial statements.
3. Prepare and timely submit financial reports in compliance with World Bank requirements and Government of Malawi regulations, including Interim Financial Reports (IFRs) and audited financial statements, within the prescribed timelines.
4. Ensure that all supporting documents, records, and accounts are properly maintained in respect of all project activities, ensuring a proper audit trail.
5. Maintain accurate and traceable schedules for taxes, ensuring timely remittance of tax deductions to the Malawi Revenue Authority (MRA).
6. Coordinate the preparation and submission of consolidated financial reports from central and district levels, ensuring correlation between implementation progress and financial performance.

Internal Controls, Risk Management, and Fiduciary Oversight

1. Design, implement, and periodically review the project’s internal control framework and control functions to ensure that they are adequate, effective, and operating as intended.
2. Ensure that project resources are utilized in accordance with the conditions of the Financing Agreement, the Project Implementation Manual (PIM) and approved Work plan & Budget with due regard to economy, efficiency, and effectiveness.
3. Verify the contractual and financial details of each invoice, payment request, and interim or final itemized statement of account before processing payments.
4. Monitor the correlation of expenditure to physical outputs across all project sites, ensuring value for money.
5. Facilitate the development and maintenance of the project risk register, identifying financial risks and implementing appropriate mitigation measures.
6. Ensure compliance with World Bank and Government of Malawi procurement and financial management requirements.

Audit Coordination and Follow-Up

1. Coordinate the project’s internal and external audits, including the preparation of audit documentation.
2. Timely respond to audit management letters and coordinate the implementation of audit recommendations, tracking progress and reporting on actions taken.

Capacity Building and Knowledge Transfer

1. Supervise, mentor, and strengthen the capacity of NLGFC and Local Authority teams in financial management, World Bank procedures, and fiduciary compliance.
2. Facilitate the development and maintenance of financial procedures guidelines for the project.
3. Conduct a financial management capacity-needs assessment for designated NLGFC staff, Local Authority personnel, and implementing partners involved in INSPIRE-O implementation.
4. Prepare and implement a time-bound capacity-building and on-the-job training plan covering financial management concepts, World Bank procedures, fiduciary compliance, and reporting procedures.
5. Prepare training materials and practical tools and deliver orientations, workshops, clinics, and hands-on coaching agreed with the Project Coordinator.
6. Maintain evidence of knowledge-transfer activities, including topics, participants, materials, learning assessments, follow-up needs, and agreed actions.
7. Coach designated counterpart staff during live financial management activities to support gradual transfer of responsibility.

Strategic Financial Advisory and Coordination

1. Advise the Project Coordinator and Director of Finance on all financial, fiduciary, and internal controls of the project.
2. Coordinate closely with procurement and technical teams in the development and implementation of annual workplan, budget and cashflows in line with project objectives.

Reporting, Records, and Coordination

1. Prepare the reports and outputs and provide concise analysis of progress, problems, risks, decisions required, and next steps.
2. Establish and maintain an organized financial record-keeping system, including electronic and physical records as applicable, with appropriate indexes and version control.
3. Maintain accurate, complete and up to date project financial records on the funds chain platform with consistent reconciliation against the project accounting system and client connection.
4. Prepare a complete assignment handover package containing current financial management status, pending actions, key records, capacity-building outputs, and recommendations.

Qualifications and Experience

1. Bachelor’s degree in Accountancy and Finance
2. A professional accounting qualification such as CPA (MW), ACCA, CIMA, or equivalent is mandatory.
3. A Master’s Degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field from an accredited institution will be added advantage
4. Member of relevant professional body such as ICAM, ACCA, etc.
5. A minimum of eight (8) years of progressive, post-qualification experience in financial management, accounting, or auditing in the public sector or in donor-funded project environments.
6. Proven experience in the preparation of financial statements in accordance with IPSAS is required.
7. Demonstrated experience in internal controls, risk management, and audit coordination.
8. Demonstrated experience in training, coaching, or on-the-job transfer of financial management knowledge.

Essential Skills and Competencies

1. Practical knowledge and experience in the use of computerized accounting and financial management systems, such as IFMIS, QuickBooks, SAP, or equivalent systems.
2. Demonstrated proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel, with the ability to apply it effectively to financial analysis, reporting, reconciliation, and data management.
3. Strong analytical and numerical skills, with the ability to identify financial trends, errors, control weaknesses, and non-compliant accounting practices.
4. In-depth knowledge of World Bank financial management procedures and Government of Malawi public financial management regulations.
5. Strong written and oral communication, analytical, coordination, and report-writing skills.
6. Proven ability to work effectively in a team and in a multi-cultural environment.
7. Demonstrated capacity to manage multi-stakeholder coordination and Local Authority-level implementation oversight.
8. Strong interpersonal, negotiation, and diplomatic skills, with the ability to engage effectively with senior Government officials, Local Authorities, development partners, and other stakeholders.
9. Highly motivated, self-starter, result-oriented and capable of working under pressure to meet tight deadlines.
10. Demonstrated commitment to the highest standards of integrity, transparency, accountability, and ethical conduct, including compliance with anti-corruption and anti-bribery requirements.

Deliverables and Performance Management

The Financial Management Specialist’s performance will be assessed against the timeliness, quality, accuracy, and completeness of the following key deliverables, as specified in the approved project documents, including the Project Implementation Manual (PIM):

1. Annual Work Plans and Budgets (AWPBs);
2. Financial Reports, including Interim Financial Reports (IFRs), monthly, quarterly, and annual financial reports, and audited financial statements;
3. Reports and Action Plans arising from World Bank Implementation Support Missions;
4. Contributions to Annual Project Performance Reports and the Project Implementation Completion Report (ICR);
5. Audit Reports and Audit Follow-Up Reports, including monitoring of the implementation of agreed audit recommendations;
6. Capacity-Building Reports and Training Materials; and
7. Final Project Handover Package, including all relevant financial records, reports, reconciliations, and supporting documentation.

Key Performance Indicators

KPIs will include:

1. Timeliness, completeness and accuracy of Annual Work Plans and Budgets (AWP&Bs) and financial reports;
2. Implementation performance against approved Annual Work Plans and Budgets;
3. Compliance with applicable financial management and fiduciary requirements, including timely resolution of identified control weaknesses and audit issues;
4. Establishment and maintenance of a complete and well-organized financial filing system, ensuring a clear and complete audit trail;
5. Strengthening of financial management capacity across NLGFC and Local Authorities;
6. Effectiveness of financial risk management, including identification, monitoring, and mitigation of risks at district level; and
7. Timely submission of financial performance reports and other required financial management deliverables within approved timelines.

Reporting and Supervision

The Financial Management Specialist will report to the Project Coordinator for day-to-day operational and administrative matters. For technical financial management matters, the Specialist will have a functional reporting line to the Director of Finance. and Fiscal Decentralization. The Specialist shall promptly disclose any matter that may materially affect financial integrity, compliance, schedule, cost, contract performance, or achievement of the assignment objective and shall recommend practical corrective action for consideration by the authorized Client representatives.

Facilities and Client Inputs

NLGFC will provide reasonable facilities necessary for performance of the services, including:

1. Office space, furniture, and office equipment;
2. Communication and internet facilities;
3. Access to relevant project documents, reports, systems, and designated counterpart staff, subject to applicable access controls.

Official travel outside the duty station shall require prior written authorization. NLGFC will provide or pay for authorized transport and applicable subsistence allowances (per diems, etc.) in accordance with the contract and applicable Government rates. The contract shall clarify whether each eligible cost is paid directly by NLGFC or reimbursed against supporting documentation.

Ownership, Confidentiality and Records

All reports, registers, tools, training materials, databases, records, and other products prepared specifically under the assignment will be the property of NLGFC, subject to the terms of the contract. The Financial Management Specialist shall maintain confidentiality of non-public information received or generated during the assignment and shall use it only for performance of the services. At completion or termination of the assignment, the Specialist shall return or hand over all Client records, access devices, working files, and final outputs in an organized and usable form and shall not retain confidential copies except where required by law or expressly authorized in writing by the Client.

Location of Employment

The consultant will be based at the NLGFC offices in Lilongwe. The position will require regular and extensive travel to all project implementation areas for INSPIRE-O.

Duration of Assignment

The assignment is for a period of three (3) years, with annual contract renewal subject to satisfactory performance and availability of project resources.

Selection and Remuneration

• Selection Method: The Financial Management Specialist will be selected as an Individual Consultant in accordance with the World Bank’s “Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers,” Sixth Edition, February 2025.
• Remuneration: The remuneration package will be competitive and commensurate with qualifications and experience.

SUBMISSION OF APPLICATIONS

Interested applicants who meet the specified requirements are encouraged to submit their application letters together with a concise Curriculum Vitae (CV), National ID, and copies of relevant original certificates to the address below not later than 17.00 hours on 13th November, 2026.

The National Local Government Finance Committee (NLGFC) is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversifying Gender equality in its operations and strongly encourages women to apply for the above vacant positions.

The Executive Director
National Local Government Finance Committee
Area 14, Red Cross Building
Presidential Way
P.O Box 31162
LILONGWE 3
Or through the following email address: recruitment@nlgfc.gov.mw

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for further assessments.