Financial Management Specialist

1. BACKGROUND

With a view to realizing the tasks set for the improvement of the Preschool Education system in Uzbekistan, the Ministry of Preschool and School Education (MOPSE) prepared the investment Project “Enhancing Access to Quality Early Childhood Education” (hereinafter “the Project”) which is financed by the Islamic Development Bank and the OPEC Fund for International Development. The proposed Project would be implemented over a period of five years, organized around six components, for an amount of
US$ 30.0 million from the IsDB. The Project Development Objective is to enhance access to quality early childhood care and education (ECCE) facilities and improve the quality of early learning environments in Uzbekistan.

The Project Management Unit (PMU) to be located in the premises of the MOPSE.
The PMU will be responsible for the day‐to‐day management and administration of project activities. The PMU will report directly to the MOPSE. The PMU would provide technical, managerial, and fiduciary assistance to the MOPSE to implement the project effectively including: (i) implementation, coordination and oversight; (ii) financial management, including planning and budgeting, accounting, financial reporting, internal controls, funds flow and disbursement and auditing; (iii) management of environmental and social safeguards aspects; (iv) procurement and contract management; (v) Project monitoring;
(vi) coordination and oversight of disbursements by PFIs; (vii) Project completion.

2. OBJECTIVE OF THE ASSIGNMENT

The objective of the Project Financial Management Specialist position is to implement and oversee the running of a reliable financial management system, which will effectively manage fiduciary risks of the project and produce reliable financial information for use by the Project Management Unit (PMU) and other stakeholders.

3. SCOPE OF WORK

Under the supervision of the PMU, the Project Financial Management Specialist will, inter alia, be expected to carry out the following tasks:

– Ensure that all payments for the project are made and recorded in accordance with the approved budgeted/planned amounts as approved and comply with Loan Agreements and PAD and the laid down accounting procedures & operational guidelines.

– Ensure that approved bank accounts are maintained at adequate levels to enable scheduled payments to be made without delay, undertake timely cash flow projections and to observe good treasury & cash management practices.

– Maintain and update all required financial records, including cashbooks, ledgers, commitment registers, contract registers and fixed asset registers.

– Prepare monthly or quarterly reconciliation statements for all bank accounts.

– Prepare a monthly reconciliation statement to the Bank disbursements records.

– Prepare timely withdrawal applications for replenishments to the special accounts (SA’s) as well as direct payments to suppliers and/or contractors, in accordance with the laid down procedure guidelines.

– Prepare monthly/quarterly/annual financial statements and returns, as well as any other financial status reports required by Stakeholders.

– Liaison with consultants and suppliers on issues concerning payments, disputes and accounts.

– Oversee the enhancement and development of proper record management – record keeping and filing systems.

– Ensuring that all the project fixed assets are correctly identified & physical verifications carried out on a regular basis to ascertain existence and condition(s) and that all fixed assets are adequately insured.

– Support the External Audit of the project’s Annual Financial Statement by preparing the necessary reports from the project accounting system and other records, in accordance with the prescribed standards.

4. QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

The Consultant is required to hold at least a Bachelor’s Degree or Master’s Degree in Economics, Finance, Business Management or MBA (Accounting option) or its equivalent with at least five (5) years post qualification experience and 3 years of specific experience with financial management of projects funded by international financial institutions. In addition, the following selection criteria apply:

– Hands on experience in Financial Management in IFI funded projects.

– Proficiency in Computer software applications & spreadsheets.

– Due regard for professionalism and integrity.

5. Language: Knowledge of Uzbek, Russian and English.

6. Duration of the assignment. The Project Financial Management Specialist will be offered a one-year contract renewable for up to three years, subject to satisfactory performance. The probation period is 3 months.

Deadline for application submission: 27 July, 2026