Objectives

The primary objective of this tender is to appoint a qualified service provider to render accounting support and advisory services on the Discretionary Grant (DG) value chain. The support aims to enhance the management of discretionary grants through robust accounting practices, including reconciliations, oversight of grant disbursements, and ensuring compliance with relevant legislation and regulatory frameworks over a period of two years.

Scope

The scope encompasses unpacking each component within the DG value chain, from policy reengineering, contracting, project implementation, monitoring, to reporting into the commitment register. The service provider will review existing policies, procedures, and guidelines, identify gaps and risks, benchmark against other SETAs, and recommend improvements. Specific activities include:

• Reviewing application, evaluation, adjudication, approval, contracting, monitoring, and payment procedures.
• Updating and maintaining the Divisional Contract Register.
• Supporting verification and validation of payment tranche deliverables.
• Validating APR listings and DG committee recommendations.
• Providing detailed site visit reports and ensuring contractual compliance.
• Tracking and reconciling financial commitments and implementation progress.

Technical Requirements

The technical requirements include:

• Review and improve existing DG policies, procedures, and guidelines.
• Benchmark processes against other SETAs and recommend enhancements.
• Support on updating and maintaining the Contract Register.
• Perform recalculations and validations of invoices and payment tranches.
• Validate APR listings and ensure accuracy of contractual and financial data.
• Provide detailed reports on site visits, contract compliance, and expenditure.
• Ensure real-time updates on contract statuses, amendments, and terminations.
• Monitor performance and ensure adherence to service level agreements.

Skills Requirements

The bidder must demonstrate the following skills and experience:

• Accounting Expertise: Proven experience in supporting discretionary grant processes, with a qualified CA(SA) or registered auditor (proof required).
• Project Management: Demonstrated ability to manage similar projects, with at least eight CVs of competent resources, including a project manager with over 15 years post-articles experience and SETA experience (certified qualifications required).
• Technical Skills: Strong knowledge of accounting support, grant management, policy review, and process benchmarking.
• Reporting & Analytical Skills: Ability to produce detailed reports, validate financial data, and perform recalculations accurately.
• Communication & Coordination: Effective communication skills for site visits, stakeholder engagement, and reporting.
• Compliance & Regulatory Knowledge: Familiarity with relevant legislation such as PFMA, SDLA, SDA, and POPIA.