External Auditor - Harare

About IMPACT
IMPACT transforms how natural resources are managed in contexts where security and human rights are at risk. The organization investigates and develops innovative approaches to natural resource governance to improve security, development, and equality.
An independent non-profit organization, IMPACT works in close collaboration with local partners to ensure sustainable and lasting change.
IMPACT has been active in Zimbabwe since 2024, implementing projects aimed at improving governance in the artisanal gold mining sector.

About planetGOLD Zimbabwe
The planetGOLD Zimbabwe project is funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and implemented by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). In Zimbabwe, IMPACT serves as the executing agency in partnership with the Ministry of Environment, Climate and Wildlife and the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development.
The project works with local communities to reduce the use of mercury in artisanal and small-scale gold mining—the world’s largest source of anthropogenic mercury emissions—while improving the health, livelihoods, and environmental conditions of mining communities.
The project is expected to:

• Support approximately 7,500 direct beneficiaries (30% women, 70% men);
• Prevent the release of 4.85 tons of mercury emissions over its lifetime;
• Contribute to the sustainable management of approximately 76,000 hectares of land.

Purpose of the Assignment
Within this context, IMPACT seeks to engage the services of an independent external audit firm to conduct the annual audit of the planetGOLD Zimbabwe project, in accordance with the Project Agreement with UNEP.
The audit shall be conducted in compliance with International Auditing Standards (IAASB) and must be performed by a qualified and independent auditor.

Objectives of the Audit
General Objective
The objective of the audit is to examine the financial report for the period 16 October 2024 to 31 December 2025, as submitted to UNEP, and to express an audit opinion on whether the report:

• Is prepared in accordance with international auditing standards; and
• Complies with the terms and conditions of the Project Agreement and UNEP financial reporting requirements, including all annexes.

IMPACT emphasizes the importance of verifying that the financial statements are fully aligned with the Project Agreement.
Specific Objectives
The audit will aim to:

• Review the Project’s accounts and accounting records in accordance with internationally accepted accounting principles;
• Provide UNEP with an annual audit report no later than six months after the end of the financial year;
• Provide any additional financial or audit-related information reasonably requested by UNEP;
• Ensure that financial information accurately reflects all project operations and presents a true and fair view of the financial position;
• Verify the proper and compliant use of project funds;
• Express a reasoned audit opinion in accordance with international standards on the regularity and fairness of the Project’s financial statements.

Scope of the Audit
The audit firm shall, at a minimum, perform the following tasks:

• Review the annual financial statements for the period 16 October 2024 to 31 December 2025;
• Conduct the audit in accordance with International Auditing Standards, applying tests and verification procedures deemed necessary;
• Verify that project funds have been used exclusively for approved purposes and in line with IMPACT and UNEP regulations;
• Confirm that goods, works, and services were procured in accordance with IMPACT procedures and the Grant Agreement;
• Verify the existence and adequacy of supporting documentation and accounting records;
• Confirm that financial statements present a true and fair view of receipts and expenditures;
• Conduct physical verification of significant assets purchased under the project;
• Review approval, classification, and documentation of expenditures reported to UNEP;
• Assess the adequacy and effectiveness of accounting systems and internal controls;
• Conduct entry and exit meetings with IMPACT senior management.

Review of Regulations and Compliance
Staff Allowances

• Verify the existence and approval of regulations governing staff allowances (travel, per diem, etc.);
• Assess compliance with these regulations where applicable;
• Confirm alignment of allowances with national standards and cost levels.

Shared Costs

• Review regulations or methodologies for allocating shared administrative and salary costs across projects;
• Assess whether reported shared costs comply with approved allocation methods.

Staff Contracts and National Compliance

• Verify that project staff have valid employment contracts;
• Confirm compliance with national tax and social security regulations;
• Ensure that staff time allocation across projects does not exceed available working hours.

Reporting Requirements
Independent Auditor’s Report
The auditor shall provide a signed Independent Auditor’s Report, including:

• A clearly stated audit opinion;
• The audited financial report attached to the opinion.

Management Letter
The auditor shall submit a Management Letter detailing:

• Audit findings and identified weaknesses;
• Quantification of costs lacking adequate documentation (regardless of materiality);
• Prioritized recommendations for corrective actions;
• Follow-up on weaknesses identified in previous audits.

IMPACT will prepare a Management Response, including a time-bound action plan addressing the auditor’s recommendations.

Programme Financial Reports
Project expenditures are recorded in Intacct software, configured in accordance with international accounting standards, including US GAAP and IFRS.
The financial reports include:

1. A Statement of Resources and Uses (USD), compared against the approved budget;
2. A Statement of Financial Situation;
3. Notes to the financial statements.

The auditor shall:

• Reconcile funds received from UNEP with actual disbursements;
• Verify all expenditures and assess their eligibility under the Grant Agreement;
• Identify and quantify any ineligible expenditures, providing justification and financial impact.

Auditor’s Obligations and Opinion
Auditors are fully responsible for:

• Defining appropriate audit methodologies;
• Conducting the audit independently;
• Ensuring quality and timely delivery of all outputs.

The auditor must express an opinion on:

• The fairness and regularity of financial reports and expenditures;
• Compliance with accounting standards and grant requirements;
• The effectiveness of internal accounting and control systems;
• The adequacy and functioning of project internal controls in safeguarding assets and ensuring reliable reporting.