Experts convene to review report on the role of RECS in gender responsive implementation of the AFCFTA

The Regional Integration and Trade Division (RITD) of the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) in collaboration with Regional Economic Communities (RECS) and the AFCFTA Secretariat today convened a workshop to validate the report on the role of RECS in gender responsive implementation of the AFCFTA.

The objective of the workshop was to review of the status of gender mainstreaming in trade at the REC level, to identify best practices and success stories, highlight challenges in gender mainstreaming in trade policy, and provide policy recommendations for gender sensitive AFCFTA implementation.

In his opening remarks, the Director of the Regional Integration and Trade Division of the ECA, Dr. Stephen Karingi expressed appreciation to all partners, especially to the RECS and the AFCFTA Secretariat, for collaborating with ECA on this important workshop and its findings.

“The effectiveness of the AFCFTA will be limited if women, youth, SMES, and informal traders are ignored,” Mr. Karingi stated. In fact, he added that the existing gender gaps could be exacerbated by the AFCFTA if the gender lens is not considered.

“This is why ECA is supporting gender responsive implementation of the AFCFTA in a number of ways – through gender mainstreaming in national and regional AFCFTA implementation strategies and capacity building with women’s business associations and SMES to ensure they also take advantage of the opportunities under the AFCFTA,” Mr. Karingi informed the meeting. The findings of the report are based on a literature review, a data collection exercise in selected regional economic communities, a desk review, and the outcomes of continental workshops on trade and gender issues. The report identifies challenges and opportunities for building on the frameworks, programmes, networks, and capacities of the Regional Economic Communities to address trade and gender concerns.

Speaking on behalf of Ms. Emily Mburundoria, Director of Trade in Services, Investments, Intellectual Property Rights and Digital Trade at the AFCFTA Secretariat, Ms. Marie Providence Mugangu highlighted that the outcome of the meeting would inform the work of the Secretariat in informing relevant policy frameworks, including the upcoming AFCFTA protocol on women in trade.

She highlighted that the outcome of the meeting would inform the work of the Secretariat in translating the recommendations of the report into actionable initiatives with effective linkages to relevant policy frameworks, including the upcoming AFCFTA protocol on women in trade.

Opening the workshop on behalf of the ECOWAS Commissioner for Trade, Customs and Free Movement, Mr. Tei Konzi, Trade Officer at ECOWAS Commission, Mr. Christopher Mensah-yawson stated that RECS are implementing gender responsive initiatives that could be built upon.

“To accelerate implementation, it will be important to build upon existing initiatives and capacities at the RECS level to take the regional integration process forward,” Mr. Mensah-yawson stated.

The one-day virtual event brought together over 50 participants including trade and gender experts from each REC and the AU and AFCFTA Secretariat, researchers and experts in gender and trade on the continent, and partner agencies and organizations supporting both trade and gender activities at the regional level.

Participants submitted their reviews of the report and recommended that it be approved subject to inclusion of comments raised during this validation meeting.

The study was funded by the Global Affairs Canada as part of an agreement with the ECA to support the implementation of the AFCFTA.

(UNECA)

I. INTRODUCTION

The Staff Union of United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA SU) is soliciting quotations from professional firms who could carry out audit services for the financial period 1 January 2020 to 31 December 2021,

respectively. The audit service to be conducted for the SU accounts, assets etc. held by the Union in line with the financial reporting standards.

The Staff Union is and independent body mandate to promote, defend and safeguard the staff welfare which is located inside the compound of the Economic Commission for Africa, Kirkos Sub-city, Wereda 17/ 18, Menelike the 2nd avenue, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Tel: (+251) 115445450, P.O. Box 3001, VAT registration no.: 0005465438, email address: lemma.uneca@un.org

II. Mandatory Requirement (Pass or Fail)

The bidders should provide the following:

The audit firm to have a valid license issued before 1 Jan. 2019 (send copy)

The audit firm to present vat or related certificate (Send copy)

Certificate of compliance from the office of the Federal Audit

This bid is open for local based companies only. Iii.other Requirement

The audit firm proof to at least three independent audits (experience) carried out at least three years (send reference letters or proof)

The audit firm to have a permanent office (indicate address)

The audit firm to present two sealed envelopes (Detailed audit plan, above indicated documents, reference etc. and financial proposal, respectively) The proposals (two envelope submission) to be posted by registered mail to

9 Staff Union UNECA before 18 Feb. 2021, close of

business.

9 P. O. Box. 3001

9 Addis Ababa

9 Ethiopia:

IV.SCOPE OF WORK

The Contractor will audit the financial records, accounts and statements of the Staff Union of United Nations Economic Commission for Africa for the calendar year 2020 and 2021, respectively. The audit firm to provide an independent opinion based on generally accepted accounting principles and standards.

The audit work should be completed in than thirty-five working days after the signing of an agreement.

1. The audit will be conducted in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards; the standards for financial audits. The audit will also include tests of the accounting records.

2. The Contractor will plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free from material misstatement. Under the concept of reasonable assurance, the Contractor will exercise its judgement about the number of transactions to be examined and the areas to be tested. There is, therefore, a risk that material errors, irregularities or illegal

ffffffffacts, including fraud or defalcations, may exist and not be detected. The Contractor will, however, advise immediately the Union of any such matters that come to its attention.

3. The Contractor’s responsibility is limited to the period covered by the audit periods and does not extend to matters that might arise during any later periods.

4. Prior to the conclusion of the audit, the Contractor will also request certain written representations from the Union management about the financial statements and related matters. It is understood that these financial statements are the responsibility of management.

5. This responsibility includes the maintenance of adequate records and related internal control structure policies and procedures, the selection and application of accounting principles, and the safeguarding of assets. The Contractor will advise management about the appropriate accounting principles and their application and will assist in the preparation of the financial statements, if necessary.

6. The Contractor understands that it has the responsibility: 6.1. To prepare the audit reports in accordance with the requirements of Auditing Standards,

6.2. To notify the Union within (30) working days of its termination or cessation of services to the Union.

7. If the Contractor ascertains that the Union’s books and records are not in a sufficiently satisfactory condition for performing an audit, the Contractor shall disclose this deficiency to the Union. Notification to the Union shall be in written communication addressed to the President, Staff Union. The Contractor shall await further instructions from the President before continuing the audit.

8. Entrance and exit meeting will be held with the Union management, and the Contractor’ representatives.

9. The Union management responses to draft audit reports will be delivered to the Contractor for inclusion in the final reports. The contractor will deliver to the Union: a. Two copies of the draft audit report, b. The original and 3 copies of the financial audit reports no later than 30 days after the audited year-end.

10.In consideration for the satisfactory performance of the audit, the Contractor will be paid according to agreement including VAT for the service.

11.The Contractor will immediately notify the Union of any significant and/or reportable conditions noted during the audit.

12.The Union will respond promptly to all requests for basic information and/or documentation; the books will have been posted through the year, all adjustments will have been posted; management personnel will prepare cash and other confirmations; and that year-end schedules supporting the account balances will be provided. 13.The Contractor will give an oral presentation of its audit report, year by year, to the Executive Committee of ECA Staff Union and to the General assembly.

14.If circumstances arise that will require additional services and time by the Contractor, the Contractor will notify the Union and obtain its agreement prior to undertaking such activities.

ECA Staff Union

P.O. Box. 3001

Attention : Messkir Lemma

E-mail : lemma.uneca@un.org Addis Ababa