Tenders are invited for Engagement for External Audit Services. Location: Kigali We are an International Development Organization putting ingenious ideas to work so people in poverty can change their world. We help people find solutions to some of the worlds toughest problems. Challenges made worse by catastrophic climate change and persistent gender inequality. We work with communities to develop ingenious, lasting and locally owned solutions for agriculture, water and waste management, climate resilience and clean energy. And we share what works with others, so answers that start small can grow big. We are a global change-making group. The group consists of a UK registered charity with community projects in Africa, Asia and Latin America, an independent development publishing company and a technical consulting service. We combine these specialisms to multiply our impact and help shape a world that works better for everyone. OUR AIMS We help people find solutions to some of the worlds toughest problems, made worse by catastrophic climate change and persistent gender inequality. Our aims are to: Make agriculture work better for smallholder farmers, many of them women, so they can adapt to climate change and achieve a good standard of living Help more people harness the transformational effects of clean affordable energy and reduce avoidable deaths caused by smoke from indoor stoves and fires. Make cities in poorer countries cleaner, healthier places to live and work. Build disaster resilience into the lives of people threatened by hazards, reducing the risk of hazards and minimizing their impact on lives and livelihoods. PRACTICAL ACTION RWANDA In Rwanda, we are recognized leaders in clean cooking and sustainable energy solutions. This includes ground-breaking work in solar, wind and water powered electricity generation, often delivered through independent mini grids. We bring rural communities, people in refugee camps, energy providers and decision makers together to put sustainable, clean energy solutions to work for the people who need them most. In our strategic business plan 2021-2025, we propose to extend our current reach and scope in Rwanda by deepening our energy work and stretching our portfolio to work with small holder farmers to make agriculture work better for them. Practical Action ABOUT THE ROLE Practical Action Rwanda is seeking to engage a qualified external audit firm to provide comprehensive auditing services. This engagement encompasses two primary components: a Statutory Audit of the organizations overall financial statements and a Project Specific Audit for the "Renewable Energy for Refugees (Rwanda) - Phase II" project, funded by Sida. The objective of this assignment is to obtain an independent auditors opinion on whether the financial reports present a true and fair view of the organizations financial position and performance, and to ensure compliance with donor-specific requirements and International Standards on Auditing (ISA). The selected audit firm will be engaged under a three-year framework contract. However, the contract is subject to annual renewal based on a performance review against the Terms of Reference and the continued requirement for services. QUALIFICATIONS To ensure compliance with Rwandan law and international donor standards, the following qualifications are mandatory: The firm must be registered and authorized by the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Rwanda (ICPAR) to grant practicing certificates The firm must be on the Rwanda Revenue Authority (RRA) list of approved professional accountants authorized to certify financial statements. The lead auditor must hold a CPA (R) designation and be a member in good standing with ICPAR. Proven experience in conducting audits under ISA and ISRS 4400 standards. Demonstrated expertise in auditing international NGO projects and multi-donor funded programs. The firm must demonstrate adherence to the International Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants and have a robust Internal Quality Control Manual. APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS Prospective firms must submit a technical and financial proposal: The financial proposal must clearly outline how the scope of work, including the statutory audit, project audit, and the management letter, will be completed within a timeline of 10 to 15 working days TERMS OF REFERENCE FOR STATUTORY AUDIT OF THE ORGANIZATIONS OVERALL FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Background Practical Action is an international development organization registered in England and Wales as a charity and a company limited by guarantee, under the direction of a Board of Trustees with Office in Kacyiru, Gasabo District in Rwanda. Practical Action aims to transform the way technology is used to improve the lives of women and men living in or vulnerable to poverty in 45 countries across Africa, Asia, and Latin America. Practical Action in Rwanda has a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Ministry of Emergency Management (MINEMA) on improving access to renewable energy for refugees in Rwanda. The areas of intervention are in Kigeme, Mugombwa, Kiziba, Nyabiheke and Mahama camps. Practical Actions focus is primarily on providing renewable electricity services for households and small enterprises, renewable biomass and advanced cooking technologies for households, solar powered community street lighting, as well as solar power for institutions, community facilities and enterprises. Purpose The purpose of our engagement is to conduct an audit of the financial statements of Practical Action Rwanda (the Organization), which comprise the statement of financial position as at 31 March 2026 and the statements of income and expenditure, changes in net assets and cash flows for the year then ended, and the notes, comprising a summary of significant accounting policies and other explanatory information. Our Letter of Engagement will spell out our responsibilities as auditors of the organization with regard to the financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2026, as well as your responsibilities as management of the Organization with regard to preparation of financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2026. Requirements The audit will be conducted in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (ISAs). We will obtain sufficient and appropriate evidence to enable an understanding of the accounting and internal controls system, to assess their adequacy and to establish whether proper accounting records have been maintained. Audit Approach Our work shall include sufficient tests to establish whether: An adequate budgetary control system is in place to monitor actual expenditure against budget lines on a regular basis and to take effective remedial action as necessary, with adequate segregation of duties in the maintenance and review of accounts and the performance of reconciliations; Expenditure of Practical Action funds is used in accordance with the relevant and signed MoUs or equivalent, with due attention to economy and efficiency, and only for the purposes for which the funds were provided (confirmation of the amount of funds disbursed and outstanding balances shall be sought and should be provided directly to the auditors); Goods and services have been provided in accordance with the relevant financing agreements/orders and with due regard to agreed procurement best practice; All necessary supporting documents, records, and accounts have been kept in respect of all expenditure reports. Clear linkages should exist between the books of accounts and reports presented by the organization; Financial reports of the organization give a complete and accurate view of financial performance of the organization for the year under audit; Records of transactions include accurate information regarding any variations in currency exchange rates, where relevant; Expenditure of all projects funds has been approved at the correct level of delegated authority. This includes initial approval to incur expenditure and the payment of claims, invoices, salaries, allowances and any other items of expenditure charged to the projects budget. Audit Report We will provide you with a draft audit report prior to issuance of the final draft report. The final report will include management comments on the auditors findings and recommendations. Our audit report will provide a clear expression on whether the financial statements of the organization are prepared, in all material respects, in accordance with the accounting policies of the organization as well as the basis of our opinion. Where we give a qualified opinion, the factors leading to the qualification shall be given. Management Letter In addition to the audit report, we will issue a management letter, in which we will: Give comments and observations on the accounting records, systems, and controls that were examined during the audit. Identify specific deficiencies and areas of weakness in systems and controls. Report on the degree of compliance with laws and regulations and Organization donor requirements and give comments, if any, on the internal and external matters affecting such compliance; and Communicate any other matters that have come to our attention during the audit which require your attention as management. AUDIT TERMS OF REFERENCE FOR "RENEWABLE ENERGY FOR REFUGEES (RWANDA) - PHASE II" PROJECT, FUNDED BY SIDA 1. Objectives and scope of the audit The objective is to audit the (annual) financial report for the period 2025-04-01 to 2026-03-31 as submitted to Sida and to express an audit opinion according to ISA, applying ISA 800/ISA 805, on whether the financial report of Renewable Energy for Refugees (Rwanda) - Phase II project, is in accordance with the Cooperation partner´s accounting records and Sidas requirements for financi Tender Link : https://www.jobinrwanda.com/job/terms-reference-engagement-external-audit-services
