Re-advertised - Terms of Reference – ToR for Bulsho PIU Public Financial Management – PFM Specialist.

Name of the Project: Bulsho Program - Strengthening Community Institutions for

Social Cohesion, Inclusion and Resilience.

Project ID: P508408

Position Title: Bulsho PIU Public Financial Management – PFM Specialist

Reporting to: PIU Bulsho Project Manager

Type of Appointment: Individual Consultant

Duration: 12 months and renewable upon satisfactory performance.

Duty Station: Baidoa, South West, Somalia (with potential travel to the target Districts and Cities of Bulsho Project)

1.    Background

The Public Financial Management – PFM Specialist is required to support the Ministry of Interior, Local Government and Reconciliation of South West State in the implementation of a World Bank-financed Bulsho Project – Strengthening Community Institutions for Social Cohesion, Inclusion and Resilience (P508408). The Bulsho Project provides three years of initial anchor financing to the government’s multi-year Bulsho Program, the main objective of which is to strengthen community and local institutions for improved social cohesion, inclusion, and resilience.  The Project effectiveness was by August 8, 2025. To lead the Bulsho Project Implementation Unit (PIU) the Ministry of Interior, Local Government and Reconciliation of South West State is seeking to hire a State PIU Public Financial Management - PFM to support the implementation of Bulsho activities of South West State PIU.

The PFM Specialist shall ensure that Bulsho financial management and procurement systems at the state level are fully harmonized with the Ministry’s institutional frameworks, including the Decentralization Policy, Wadajir Framework, and the Ministry’s Financial Management Manual. The role shall also promote institutional linkages between the PIU, MoF, and EAFS to ensure transparent, accountable, and sustainable fiduciary management.

The PIU Public Financial Management – PFM Specialist will coordinate and work closely with the Procurement Specialist and Financial Management Specialist at the Project Coordination Unit – PCU in MOIFAR, FGS for oversight, guidance, and quality assurance.

2.    Project Overview

Under the lead of the Ministry of Interior, Federal Affairs and Reconciliation – MoIFAR of the Federal Government of Somalia and in coordination and collaboration with the Ministries of Interior - MoIs of the Federal Member States - FMS, the Federal Government of Somalia has designed a national program called Bulsho, the Somali word for society. The Bulsho program puts citizens and communities at the center of the government’s action.  The Bulsho Program is a Somali government-led initiative designed to strengthen community and local institutions, fostering social cohesion, inclusion, and resilience. As Somalia continues its recovery from two decades of civil war, the program places a strong emphasis on enhancing service delivery, rebuilding the social contract, and promoting community-centered governance. This uniquely Somali-owned and -driven initiative underscores government ownership and leadership at federal, member state, and district levels, ensuring institutional sustainability and the realization of key policy outcomes.

The Bulsho Program will be anchored in the government’s "triple-nexus" objectives, focusing on three interrelated policy priorities:

1. Supporting the realization of the Federal Government of Somalia (FGS) and Federal Member States’ (FMS) Decentralization Policy and Local Government laws/Wadajir Framework, which aim to strengthen the roles of community institutions and local governments.
2. Advancing the National Stabilization Strategy (NSS) policy objectives by prioritizing stabilized districts, including those with interim or permanent district councils.
3. Contributing to the revised National Reconciliation Framework, focusing on social reconciliation, restoring the social contract, rebuilding trust between people and the government, promoting social recovery, and fostering environmental peacebuilding

The development objective of the Bulsho Program is to reinforce community and local institutions for improved social cohesion, inclusion, and resilience. The program will contribute to:

• Social cohesion: Enhancing the citizen-state social contract.
• Social inclusion: Empowering marginalized groups, including women and youth.
• Social resilience: Strengthening collective capacity to respond to local conflicts and climate-induced shocks.

The Bulsho Program operates within a “continuum” framework, spanning recovery, stabilization, reconciliation, and sustainable local governance. This phased approach ensures seamless transitions from immediate recovery efforts to long-term governance and institutional strengthening. The program prioritizes hard-to-reach and remote districts but remains inclusive of all regions to ensure comprehensive national coverage and impact.

1.    Qualifications and Experience

This position requires a seasoned financial management and procurement professional of unquestionable integrity. The successful candidate will demonstrate the following qualifications:

Education

·         Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance or business administration (accounting

·         Applicants must hold a professional qualification in financial management, registered with a recognized professional body under International Federation of Accountants (IFAC) (e.g., CIPFA, IPFM, ACCA, CPA) and have attained at least the second level of certification. Full certification/qualification will be considered an added advantage”

·          Procurement training will be an advantage.

Professional Experience

·         Minimum of 7 years of relevant experience in financial management including broad expertise in the public or private sector.  (Note: pre-university graduation experiences will be not counted)

·         At least 5 years’ experience implementing financial management and procurement actions under international development partner guidelines (e.g., World Bank, African Development Bank, United Nations).

·         Experience in public sector building capacity

·         Experience in project financial management in developing countries; experience in fragile or conflict-affected environments is highly desirable.

Skills and Competencies

·          Demonstrated knowledge of World Bank financial management and procurement procedures.

·         Proven ability to mentor local government finance staff and strengthen institutional capacity.

·         Knowledge of climate-responsive and gender-sensitive budgeting.

·         Familiarity with computerized accounting systems (e.g., ERP systems such as PASTEL, QuickBooks) and proficiency in accounting/procurement software.

·         Strong skills in project planning, implementation, and contract management.

·         Proven record of ethical conduct, high reliability, and integrity.

·         Strong interpersonal and mentoring skills, with the ability to work collaboratively in multicultural environments and under challenging conditions.

·         Excellent computer skills in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and internet/database applications.

Knowledge

·         In-depth knowledge of Somalia’s public financial management laws and regulations.

·         Knowledge of Somalia's Government Procurement policies and regulations.

·         Knowledge of WB and/or development partner procurement related standards and requirements

Input/facility provided by the Client:

The client will provide office space with necessary furniture and other facilities such as printing facility etc. to enable the consultant to perform day-to-day work. The Client shall also provide soft and hard copies of any existing Mechanisms if any on signing of the contract.

Language Requirements

Excellent command of both English and Somali (reading, writing, and presenting) is essential.

How to apply.

The Ministry of Interior, Local Government and Reconciliation of South West State of Somalia now invites eligible Individual Consultants to indicate their interest in providing the above-mentioned services.

The attention of interested Consultants is drawn to section III, para 3.14,3.16 & 3.17 of the World Bank’s Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers: Procurement in Investment Projects Financing Goods, Works, Non -Consulting and Consulting Services, July 2016, revised November2017, August 2018, November 2020 and September 2023 (“Procurement Regulations”), setting forth the World Bank’s policy on conflict of interest.

Interested consultants should provide the following: (i) Curriculum Vitae (CV) with 3 reference persons; (ii) copies of certificates of academic qualifications; and (iii) cover letter outlining their experience and qualifications in relation to the role.

Interested candidates should submit their applications marked with the subject title of the position by the following email address: [email protected] and copy to [email protected] latest by 4th May, 2026 at 04:00 PM Mogadishu time.

A Consultant will be selected in accordance with the Individual Consultant method set out in the World Bank Procurement Regulations and Federal Government Relating Policies.

Attention:

Bulsho Project

Ministry of Interior, Local Government and Reconciliation

South West State of Somalia

Baidoa, South West, Somalia