Azerbaijan Republic

Corporate and Public Sector Accountability

Project Sector: General Finance Credit No. 4405 AZ

Grant No. TF057849

The Ministry of Finance of Republic of Azerbaijan has received financing from the World Bank toward the cost of the Corporate and Public Sector Accountability Project, and it intends to apply part of the proceeds for consulting services for the assignment: Development of the certification model, professional education standards and training materials for the Azerbaijan Center for Professional Accounting and Audit Training, Education and Research (ACPATER). This project will be jointly financed by the Japan Government (PHRD Grant), Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO Grant) and Azerbaijan Government.
The objectives of the Assignment are:
Develop, in cooperation with the MOF and MOE, the national qualifications framework for professional accounting education which shall include list of required skills, knowledge and competencies.
Develop internal ACPATER policies on:
a) admitting students to ACPATER (or ACPATER approved programs);
b) approval and monitoring of accredited accounting education providers to ensure that students obtain the required skills, knowledge and competencies;
c) organization of independent and transparent examination process, based on the principles contained in İAESB standards (İES) and practices described by relevant İAESB İnternational Education Practice Statements and related guidance;
d) continuing professional development and its link to maintaining certificates, diplomas and professional qualification certificates issued by ACPATER;
e) quality assurance issues to the extent these are relevant to the issue and maintenance of diplomas/certificates of ACPATER.
Develop, in cooperation with the MOF, the MOE and other stakeholders, education standards and identify appropriate textbooks. Organize translation of the study materials for each subject to be taught at the ACPATER; the materials should be, to the extent possible, in line with the İFAC's İESs.
a) Prepare draft textbooks for each subject;
b) Consult with the relevant stakeholders the draft textbooks;
c) Finalize textbooks; and,
d) Translate textbooks into Azeri.
Assist the MOF and the MOE in integrating the institutions of higher education into the professional accounting education system by identifying those courses/elements of the professional program that could be transferred to these institutions and provide appropriate training to instructors.
Assist the MOF and the MOE to develop İFRS and İSA compliant syllabus and training materials for vocational and academic education institutions of the Azerbaijan Republic.
Provide guidance and advice to the MoF on steps assuring sustainability of ACPATER.
Assist the MOF and PMU in preparing TORs for and selecting of potential trainers for ACPATER
Develop and and deliver the Training of Trainers Program for selected individuals-potential trainers for ACPATER.
Qualifications required:
A reputable consulting firm with extensive experience and capacity in accounting and audit spheres;
Proven significant experience with designing, developing and supporting a professional accountancy certification program; preferably, the consultant should have an established relationship or, as a minimum, a communication channel with a reputable professional accountancy body that is a full İFAC member;
An established relationship or, as a minimum, a communication channel with an institute of higher education renowned for its accountancy program;
Relevant experience acquired in the last three years (including, regional);
Specific and profound understanding of the Azerbaijani environment, legal and institutional framework in general, and of the Azerbaijani accounting framework in particular;
Ability to work under pressure and produce results in complex environments; and,
Ability to work in local language (Azerbaijani) as well as in English
İmplementation period: December 2010 - December 2012
The Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Azerbaijan now invites eligible consulting firms to indicate their interest in providing the services. İnterested firms must provide information indicating that they are qualified to perform the services (brochures, description of similar assignments, experience in similar conditions, availability of appropriate skills among staff, etc.).
A Consultant will be selected in accordance with procedures under Quality and Cost Based Selection (QCBS) set out in the World Bank's Guidelines: Selection and Employment of Consultants by World Bank Borrowers (published in May 2004 and revised in October 2006). İnterested consultants may obtain further information at the address below from 09.00 to 17.00 office hours. Expressions of interest must be delivered to the address below by October 1, 2010.
Ministry of Finance of Republic of Azerbaijan
Attn: Mr. Fuad Nasirov
Director of Project Management Unit
83 Str., Samed Vurgun
AZ 1022, Baku, Azerbaijan
Tel: (994 12) 404 47 27; 404 47 16
E-mail: [email protected]
[email protected]
Web site: www.maliyye.gov.az