Audit Terms of Reference–Call for External Auditors for Medecins Sans Frontieres Belgium – Zimbabwe Mission 5 Year Period (2024 – 2028 Audit Years)

Fixed-Term Contract

Audit Terms of Reference–Call for External Auditors for Medecins Sans Frontieres Belgium – Zimbabwe Mission 5 Year Period (2024 – 2028 Audit Years)

Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) is an international medical humanitarian organisation that has been working in Zimbabwe since 2000. Our mandate is to ensure that people in distress, the most marginalised and those that have difficulty accessing health services get quality medical care. MSF was founded on the belief that all people have the right to medical care regardless of gender, race, religion, creed or political affiliation and that the needs of these people outweigh respect for national boundaries. MSF is currently operating in Harare (Mbare and Epworth) and Gwanda and responding to medical emergencies nationally. Our work is guided by medical ethics and the humanitarian principles of impartiality, neutrality, and independence.

MSF in Zimbabwe is currently running two projects, the Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health (ASRH) in Mbare and Epworth and the Artisanal Small Scale Mining Health project in
Gwanda, an outreach-based project. Both projects support the Ministry of Health and Child Care, Local Authority health systems and other stakeholders in heath delivery in local communities.

Objectives and Scope of Audit
The main objective of conducting an audit is for the auditors to express an independent professional opinion regarding MSF’s financial position, results of operations and cash flows  for the year, in compliance with the law of Zimbabwe and MSF internal policies and procedures. Additionally, the audit ensure that the funds granted to each project have been utilized appropriately. To achieve this, the audit should be carried out in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (ISAs) set by the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC).
During the audit process, the auditors will examine supporting documents, records, and books of accounts related to all project activities to ensure that they are accurately linked to financial statements. The test size will be determined based on the auditor’s risk analysis, which should be included in the report. The auditors will also report on compliance with the terms and
conditions of the agreement, applicable laws, regulations, policies and procedures especially but not limited to accounting or taxation. The auditor will confirm that the income has been recognised and report any identified missing supporting documents.
The auditor will prepare a management letter outlining the audit findings and confirming that the previous audit years’ findings were addressed. The auditor will make recommendations
for improving any identified weaknesses, prioritising specific deficiencies and areas of weakness in systems and controls. Any significant matters that come to the auditor’s attention during the audit will also be reported, which may affect the program’s implementation.
The audit report will detail the method and scope of the audit, stating that it was performed in compliance with International Standards of Auditing by a qualified auditor. The auditor responsible will sign the report, which will be written in English. The report will be issued in a soft copy for circulation to partners, and five signed hard copies will be delivered to MSF for partner files.

Responsibility for the Preparation of Financial Statements
The MSF directors and management are responsible for preparing the annual financial statement. They will follow applicable accounting standards (IFRS/GAAP) related to non-profit
organisations and implement accounting, administrative, management and financial procedures outlined in MSF manuals. The MSF financial year run from the 1st of January to the 31st of December each year. Auditors will be rotated every five years at the discretion of MSF management and Board of Directors.
NB: Medecins Sans Frontieres may terminate the engagement before the five-year mark if deemed necessary.

Organisational Qualifications Profile and Experience

Selection Criteria
Medecins Sans Frontieres will choose the winning firm from the submissions received. To be considered for selection, the following factors will be considered:
• Eligibility – Registered with the PAAB
• Experience with audits of similar scope for other International Non-Governmental
Organizations as a firm
• Reference letter of other non-governmental organisations that your firm has audited
• Availability of auditors, audit partners for the timely completion of the audit
• Your fee proposal for conducting the audit function and any additional services required beyond the audit’s scope, including estimating any increased fees and reasons for the increase, including mileage, per-diem or telephone charges, if applicable
• Detailed audit plan or methodology
• Estimated number of hours required by your team members, classified as partners, seniors, or juniors, to complete the audit
• Time requirements for completing the audit
• The auditor must be completely independent from all aspects of management or financial interests of Médecins Sans Frontières MSF Reserves the Right:
• To reject any proposals submitted.
• To request additional information from all proposers
• Give preference to firms with favourable service fee rates

How to Apply
Expressions of interest proposals should be submitted in soft copy to the email address below by 13th October 2024:
[email protected]
Shortlisted audit firms will be advised within two weeks of advert closure
Canvassing will lead to disqualification of bids