PIU Bulsho PFM Specialist

Country: Federal Government of Somalia
Project ID No. P508408
Name of the Project: Bulsho Project - Strengthening Community Institutions for Social
Cohesion, Inclusion and Resilience
Consulting Service: PIU Bulsho PFM Specialist
Individual/Firm: Individual
Ref No: SO-MOIFAR-571563-CS-INDV
Duty Station: Jowhar, Hirshabelle Somalia (with potential travel to the target Districts and
Cities of Bulsho Project)
Deadline: 7th November, 2026
BACKGROUND OF THE PROJECT
The Bulsho Project – Strengthening Community Institutions for Social Cohesion, Inclusion
and Resilience (P508408) is under the lead of the Ministry of Interior, Federal Affairs and
Reconciliation – MoIFAR of the Federal Government of Somalia and responsible for the
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 Ministry of Interior and Local Government of Hirshabelle State of Somalia have
established Project Implementation Units - PIUs, headed a State Project Managers, which
have the responsibility for the activities that take place in Hirshabelle State.
The PIUs are responsible for managing project activities at state-level and to liaise with
districts. Specifically, the PIUs are responsible for: (i) Verifying eligibility of districts,
appraising districts’ request to participate – this includes allocation of Bulsho packages and
conducting lottery for each package and verifying the fulfilment of district commitments. (ii)
Preparing state-level procurement plans. (iii) Preparing annual project work plans and
budgets for state-level activities. (iv) Carrying out procurement for state-level activities. (v)
Managing the contract with the logistic firm. (vi) Delivering capacity building activities and
providing quality assurance and technical backstopping to districts - this includes trainings of
district officials and staff. as well as community entities that play a role in the project. (vii)
Preparing requisitions for funds to be transferred to districts, as per the project workplan, and
in accordance with the grant agreement/sub-agreements and this POM and its annexes. (viii)
Preparing quarterly narrative and financial reports for project activities taking place in their
states. (ix) Verifying technical and E&S appraisal of local investments (Component 3) as
well as other E&S actions as per the Environment and Social Management Plan. (x)
Verifying the soundness of sustainability plans for the local investment prepared by the
districts, including Operations & Maintenance (O&M) plans and the Public-Private
Partnerships (PPPs) for the management of local infrastructures; and (xi) Preparing security
management plans and applying security protocols in partnership with the security firm.
The Ministry of Interior of Hirshabelle State of Somalia is seeking to use a portion of the
Bulsho Project to finance the recruitment of a Public Financial Management – PFM Specialist
to support the Hirshabelle Project Implementation Unit - PIU.
Responsibilities: For the Bulsho Project activities, the PFM Specialist will work in closely
with the PCU Financial Management and Procurement Specialists for oversight, guidance,
quality assurance and also to ensure harmonization of procedures, and compliance with
fiduciary requirements. The role will also provide technical support and capacity building to
cities and district counterparts. The PFM Specialist in collaboration with the Hirshabelle
State External Assistance Fiduciary Section (EAFS), prepare Unaudited Quarterly Financial
Reports (IFRs) and Annual Financial Statements, ensuring adherence to international
reporting standards.
The PFM Specialist is to ensure that Bulsho Financial Management and Procurement are
done in line with the applicable Somalia Government and World Bank procedures and second
is to support build Public Financial Management (PFM) capacity at the FMS, Districts and
Community levels. The PIU Public Financial Management (PFM) Specialist will be required
to be an all-around PFM professional combining both financial management and procurement
responsibilities.

Skills and qualifications

Selection Criteria: The selection shall be based on qualification, experience and skills of the
candidate and followed by an interview. The qualifications, experience and competencies
include:
1. Educational Background
- Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance or business administration.
- Professional qualification in financial management, registered by and attained final
qualification of any financial management related recognized professional body e.g.
CIPFA IPFM, ACCA, CPA etc.
- Procurement training will be an advantage.
2. Professional Experience
- Minimum of 7 years of relevant experience in financial management including broad
expertise in the public or private sector.
- 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 project financial management in developing countries; experience in
fragile or conflict-affected environments is highly desirable.
3. Skills and competencies
- Familiarity with computerized accounting systems (e.g., ERP systems such as
PASTEL, QuickBooks) and proficiency in accounting/procurement software.
- Demonstrated knowledge of World Bank financial management and procurement
procedures.
4. Knowledge
- In-depth knowledge of Somalia’s public financial management laws and regulations.
- Knowledge of Somalia's Government Procurement policies and regulations or
knowledge of WB and/or development partner procurement related standards and
requirements
5. Language skills/requirement.
- Excellent command of both English and Somali (reading, writing, and presenting) is
essential.