Our organization is accepting proposals from audit firms to provide audit (and tax) services for our organization in the coming year. We invite your firm to submit a proposal to us by January 23rd, 2023, for consideration. A description of our organization, the services needed, and other pertinent information follows:

Background

Connected Development [CODE] is a non-government organization [NGO] whose mission is to empower marginalized communities in Africa.

We strengthen local communities by creating platforms for dialogue, enabling informed debate, and building capacities of citizens on how to hold their government accountable through Follow The Money.  CODE provides marginalized and vulnerable communities with resources to amplify their voices with independence and integrity while providing the communities with information that ushers social and economic progress.

The organization has a January 1  fiscal year-end, with a requirement to file an audited financial statement by March 30 of each year.

Services to Be Performed

Your proposal is expected to cover the following services: 

1.  Annual audit to be completed in compliance with the above filing requirement and meetings with the audit committee and or board of directors, as necessary. 

2.  Tax filings for the organization and related foundation. 

3.  Quarterly reviews of internally prepared financial statements.

Your Response to This Request for Proposal

In responding to this request, we request the following information: 

1.  Detail your firm’s experience in providing auditing and tax services to companies in the not-for-profit sector, as well as associations of comparable size to Connected Development, including those with international memberships. 

2.  Provide information on whether you provide services to related industry associations or groups.

3.  Discuss the firm’s independence with respect to Connected Development

4.  Discuss your commitments to staff continuity, including your staff turnover experience in the last three years. 

5.  Identify the five largest clients your firm (or office) has lost in the past three years and the

reasons. Also discuss, in instances where loss of the client was due to an unresolved auditing or accounting matter, the process of attempting to resolve the issue(s). 

6.  Identify the partner, manager, and in-charge accountant who will be assigned to our job if you are successful in your bid, and provide biographies. Indicate any complaints against them that have been leveled by the state board of accountancy or other regulatory authority, if any. Indicate any corrective actions that have been taken by the firm with respect to these people. 

7.  Describe how your firm will approach the audit of the organization, including the use of any association or affiliate member firm personnel and the areas that will receive primary emphasis.  Also, discuss the firm’s use of technology in the audit. And finally, discuss the communication process used by the firm to discuss issues with the management and audit committees of the board. 

8.  Set forth your fee proposal for the 2022 audit, with whatever guarantees can be given regarding increases in future years. Provide your proposed fee for the required quarterly review work and for tax preparation. 

9.  Provide the names and contact information for other, similarly sized clients of the partner and manager that will be assigned to our organization for reference purposes. 

10.  Describe how and why your firm is different from other firms being considered, and why our selection of your firm as our independent accountants is the best decision we could make. 

11.  Include a copy of your firm’s most recent peer review report, the related letter of comments, and the firm’s response to the letter of comments.

12. Among other things, also include evidence of registration with Auditors’ General Office, your Firm’s Tax Filing, as well as the most recent audited report. 

Evaluation of Proposals

CODE will evaluate proposals on a qualitative basis. This includes our review of the firm’s 

peer review report and related materials, interviews with senior engagement personnel to be assigned to our organization, results of discussions with other clients, and the firm’s completeness and timeliness in its response to us. 
Please submit your response to this request for proposal to audit@connecteddevelopment.org by January 23, 2023.

DEADLINE: 13th June 2022

Job Description
State Civil Engineer

Locations: Borno, Ekiti, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Plateau States.

Reports to: Project Lead

Organizational Background

Connected Development [CODE] is a non-government organization [NGO] whose mission is to empower marginalized communities in Africa.

We strengthen local communities by creating platforms for dialogue, enabling informed debate, and building capacities of citizens on how to hold their government accountable through Follow The Money.  CODE provides marginalized and vulnerable communities with resources to amplify their voices with independence and integrity while providing the communities with information that ushers social and economic progress.

To enhance effective democratic governance and accountability, CODE creates platforms [mobile and web technologies] that close the feedback loop between citizens and the government. With global expertise and reach, we focus on community outreach, influencing policies, practices, and knowledge mobilization.

One of the projects to be implemented to achieve this goal is the AGILE (Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment) project. The Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) Project was developed by the Federal Ministry of Education in collaboration with the World Bank as part of the Government’s long-term education reform agenda, to adequately address the identified constraints of accessing and completing secondary education facing adolescent girls in Nigeria.

AGILE consists of three distinct but complementary components. These are:

(1) Creating Safe and accessible learning spaces
(2) Fostering an enabling environment for girls) and
(3) Project management and system strengthening components.

CODE is calling for a civil engineer for the AGILE Project who will join the team to carry out the following responsibilities:

–   Measure outputs and outcomes using available data and by undertaking interviews and field assessments where necessary;

– Support the Project lead to prepare/update their system of tracking and reporting against their agreed performance indicators;

– Support AGILE to implement agreed institutional strengthening and personnel capacity building projects related to performance monitoring;

– Work closely with the engineers supporting capacity development of AGILE team .

– Track progress of AGILE project interventions and report in progress monthly;

– Collect data, analyze, and present data on outputs, outcomes, and impact of AGILE project in all localities;

– Support the project manager on project compliance, monitoring and reporting.

– Support the development of a monitoring plan

– Assist in providing training and technology transfer to national personnel

– Represent CODE in project implementation activities in the State, as directed by the Project Manager and the Senior Engineer to ensure that AGILE procedures and the standards adhere to all project implementation activities.

–   Ensure regular supervision of the monitoring plan progress and quality for on time delivery

– Provide data and information about project to the PM for reporting purposes.

Requirement

– Degree in Civil Engineering or related disciplines.
– Minimum 2 years’ experience
– Previous experience in monitoring project performance would be preferred.
– Experience in preparing reports on project progress is desirable.
– Strong in communication skill and speaks the local language fluently.
– A team player.

Method of Application:

Interested candidates should fill the form provided below. Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Women are strongly advised to apply.

APPLY HERE

DEADLINE: 13th June 2022

Job Description
Monitoring and Evaluation Support Officer

Locations: Borno, Ekiti, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Plateau States.

Reports to: Project Lead

Organizational Background

Connected Development [CODE] is a non-government organization [NGO] whose mission is to empower marginalized communities in Africa.

We strengthen local communities by creating platforms for dialogue, enabling informed debate, and building capacities of citizens on how to hold their government accountable through Follow The Money.  CODE provides marginalized and vulnerable communities with resources to amplify their voices with independence and integrity while providing the communities with information that ushers social and economic progress.

To enhance effective democratic governance and accountability, CODE creates platforms [mobile and web technologies] that close the feedback loop between citizens and the government. With global expertise and reach, we focus on community outreach, influencing policies, practices, and knowledge mobilization.

One of the projects to be implemented to achieve this goal is the Third Party Monitoring of Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) project across seven states. The AGILE Project was developed by the Federal Ministry of Education in collaboration with the World Bank as part of the Government’s long-term education reform agenda, to adequately address the identified constraints of accessing and completing secondary education facing adolescent girls in Nigeria.

CODE is calling for a State M&E Support Officer for the AGILE Project who will join the team to carry out the following responsibilities:
He/ She will be responsible in assisting the Project team to design, coordinate and implement the monitoring and evaluation, research, and learning framework of the Project. He/she will assist to develop a systematic monitoring framework to improve the qualitative and quantitative evidence gathered by the Project.

Specific duties;

• Collect data on a regular basis to measure achievement against the performance indicators.
• Check data quality with partners
• Maintain and administer the M&E database; analyse and aggregate findings.
• Support project progress reporting, project mid-term review and final evaluation.
• Provide advice to the supervisor on improving project performance using M&E findings.
• Produce reports on M&E findings and prepare presentations based on M&E data as required.
• Provide the Project Manager with management information she/he may require.
• Check that monitoring data are discussed in appropriate forum and in a timely fashion in terms of implications for future action. If necessary, create such discussions to fill any gap.
• Perform other duties as may be assigned by the Project Manager

Skills & Qualities  

• Minimum of three (3) years of professional experience in an M&E position responsible for implementing M&E activities of international development projects.
• Experience in designing, implementing, and operating project M&E systems from project initiation to closeout stages.
• Experience in designing and managing beneficiary monitoring and database systems.
• Proven experience in community projects.
• Experience in Advocacy.
• Excellent writing skills in English.
• Outstanding communication skills (both written and verbal).
• An ego-free attitude when it comes to taking constructive feedback and running with it.
• Ability to work methodically and meet deadlines.
• Positive, flexible, solution-oriented, and excited to work with a diverse team of professionals working toward a common goal.
• Mature, coachable, and happy doing high-level projects.
• BSc degree.

Method of Application:

Interested candidates should fill the form provided in the link below. Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Women are strongly advised to apply.

APPLY HERE

Proposal Timeline 

Proposal Review: 

Project Start Date: Qualified proposals will include a timeline with the project start date as stated in the Scope of Work document within five (5) days of selection.

Organizational Background 

Launched in 2012, Connected Development (CODE), Nigeria’s leading civil society organization, has worked to improve public governance in Nigeria and across Africa by empowering marginalized communities to demand high levels of accountability and transparency from the government. 

To promote transparency and accountability as well as provide a platform for active participation of citizens in governance, we kickstarted the largest social accountability movement in Africa called “FollowTheMoney” (FTM) on www.ifollowthemoney.org in 2012. 

This platform enables citizens to source data, conduct both online and offline advocacy and amplify the voices of marginalized communities. It provides unique value to citizens by fostering social inclusion, quality service delivery, and social justice through tracking budgetary allocations and funds expended to provide quality education, healthcare facilities, and infrastructure for water and sanitation.

Our “iFollowTheMoney” web-based and mobile App-found on both Google Playstore and Apple Store- is a citizen-driven digital solution active in 300 communities with the ability to scale to 53 other African countries. For example, we reached over 1,800,000 people  on COVID 19 fund utilization advocacy in Nigeria in 2020 alone. FTM also leverages digital marketing, including social media, content marketing, and email marketing.

The “iFollowTheMoney platform” with over 8000 users will provide an effective civic engagement opportunity that fosters: participation in public space and public discourse, facilitates responsive, transparent, and accountable governance, and human, economic and sustainable development, which are some of the priorities of this fund.

Headquartered in Nigeria, FTM has footprints in The Gambia, Kenya, Liberia, Zimbabwe, Cameroon, Malawi, Cape Verde, South Sudan, and Ethiopia CODE has reached 3 million rural people across 373 communities, through 247 campaigns. 

Our product is centered around the acceleration of the Sustainable Development Goals.

Our Vision

We envision a world where all people – even in the most remote areas of the globe – can hold their government accountable.

Our Mission

Empower marginalized communities in Africa.

Our Objectives

1. Increase people’s access to information through whatever technological means they choose.
2. Increase and share innovative approaches to information exchange through experimentation, research, and technology.
3. Develop innovative platforms for coverage of social, environmental, and governance issues.
4. Increase the adoption and implementation of international development laws and policies.

Our goals and objectives for upscaling the platform

1. To build and empower an online community of passionate young people who are actively participating and holding their government accountable in order to increase citizens’ demand for effective governance and quality service delivery in Africa.
2. Design a user-friendly application.
3. To rebrand the platform 
4. Clearly articulate who we are, what we do, and how we do it.
5. To add functionalities and features to our platform..
6. To enhance the user experience and design to ease users navigation.
7. To make features on the Platform work properly.

Scope of the project

We intend to upscale and adapt the existing “ifollowthemoney” platform, which is currently up and running on the Google Playstore and Apple Store for Android and Apple users respectively with over 7000 users, to the contextual needs of more African countries ensuring more geographical spread. 

The platform will host courses that will empower citizens with the knowledge of budget tracking, citizen engagement, policy formulation, advocacy, and execution in their local dialect. We intend to adapt and upscale the following features below:

1. User interface and experience designs.

2. API development and documentation.

3. Web app.

• Dashboard: with access levels, uploads, and user management.
• Dashboard for all the platform members, data Search & filter features.

4. Android apps.

Download the complete call document here

Deadline: 31st May 2022.

Washington, D.C.-based Center for International Private Enterprise (CIPE) is offering two small grants, each up to $4500, to local civil society partners with interest and capacity to conduct grassroots government accountability campaigns.

Recipients of grants will receive support, training, and mentoring from CIPE and its Nigeria-based partner Connected Development (CODE), together with its associated media program, Follow The Money (FTM).

Amount: $4,500

Donor: The Center for International Private Enterprise

Partner: Connected Development / FollowTheMoney

Overview:

CIPE seeks to support local anti-corruption partners in two countries to conduct high-impact grassroots social media campaigns to combat corruption and increase government accountability. CODE/FTM’s modern advocacy approach is organised around the theme of investigating government funds set aside to benefit the public. The approach builds on traditional grassroots organising and leverages technology, social media, and freedom of information laws. CODE/FTM’s work has shown that even a single activist can swiftly shine a light on government inaction and be amplified by hundreds of supportive followers.

CIPE and CODE are looking for partners with experience or interest in using national freedom of information laws to obtain information about specific projects and then using that information to carry out grassroots awareness-raising campaigns. Applicants should have some background in grassroots mobilisation and social media campaigning.

Grant recipients will receive financial support, virtual and — travel restrictions allowing — in-person training from CODE and CIPE experts as they learn, apply, and execute an FTM grassroots campaign. Grant recipients will also have the opportunity to participate in an end-of-project event to review the results of the completed campaigns.

Scoring criteria:

– Quality of issue area

– Feasibility

– Capacity

– Quality of experience

APPLY HERE

Deadline: 31st May 2022.

Job Position
Communication Intern

Location: Abuja, Nigeria
Reports to: Communications Associate

Organizational Background

Connected Development [CODE] is a non-government organization [NGO] whose mission is to empower marginalized communities in Africa.

We strengthen local communities by creating platforms for dialogue, enabling informed debate, and building capacities of citizens on how to hold their government accountable through Follow The Money. CODE provides marginalized and vulnerable communities with resources to amplify their voices with independence and integrity while providing the communities with information that ushers social and economic progress.

To enhance effective democratic governance and accountability, CODE creates platforms [mobile and web technologies] that close the feedback loop between citizens and the government. With global expertise and reach, we focus on community outreach, influencing policies, practices, and knowledge mobilization.

CODE is calling for a Communication Intern who will join the team to carry out the following responsibilities:

– Assists in engaging and inspiring content across our range of programmes, interventions and campaigns.
– Assist in creating awareness and interest within our audiences and stakeholder groups, driving traffic to engage with digital content.
– Assist in writing compelling and engaging stories, scripts and content for social media, as well as for organisation milestones and special events.
– Support the team to shape CODE’s content and communications strategy.
– Create, update and manage all published contents (images, videos and text).
– Collaborate with other teams, including management, to ensure cohesive branding and public relations.

Requirements
– A year of proven experience in communications and media relations.
– Proficiency in Canva (Intermediate).
– Funnel Creation & Email Marketing (Intermediate).
– Audio & Video creation and editing with mobile phone (Basic).
– Copywriting Skills (Intermediate).
– Stellar written and spoken communication skills.
– Press engagement and relationship management.
– Bachelor’s Degree in Mass Communication, English and Literary Studies or related field.
– An ego-free attitude when it comes to taking constructive feedback and running with it.
– Ability to work methodically and meet deadlines.
– Positive, flexible, solution-oriented, and excited to work with a diverse team of professionals working toward a common goal

Method of Application:

Interested candidates should fill the form provided. Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Click here to apply

DEADLINE: 11th February, 2022

Job title: Communications Associate
Location: Abuja, Nigeria
Duration: 12 months
Reports to: Communications Manager
Department: Media and Communications

ABOUT CODE
Connected Development [CODE] is a non-governmental organisation that is building the largest social accountability movement and empowering marginalised communities across Africa. We strengthen local communities by creating platforms for dialogue, enabling informed debate, and building the capacities of citizens on how to hold their government accountable.

To further drive our messages and amplify the voices of grassroots communities, we are looking for competent hand to help expand our footprints and drive value through online and offline content. The role will support the communications team to shape CODE’s content and communications strategy.

Key Responsibilities

– Create engaging and inspiring content across our range of programmes, interventions and campaigns.
– Create awareness and interest within our audiences and stakeholder groups, driving traffic to engage with digital content.
– Design and produce communications and educational materials on media and communication for marketing CODE’s activities and campaigns.
– Interview sources, including stakeholders of projects, to gain an in-depth understanding of our campaigns and solutions.
– Work with Chapter Leads and persons in charge of Follow The Money Radio to develop scripts for weekly shows.
– Create content for corporate materials, in-house correspondence and technical documentation.
– Write compelling and engaging stories, scripts and content for social media, as well as for organisation milestones and special events.
– Write compelling and engaging stories, scripts and content for social media, as well as for organisation milestones and special events.
– Contribute articles to local and regional publications on a bi-monthly basis, on a variety of topics related to our sector, our work and current events.
– Work on script-writing for brief television and radio spots, supplying technical details and verifying that CODE’s values and systems are accurately represented.
– Create, update and manage all published contents (images, videos and text).
– Collaborate with other teams, including management, to ensure cohesive branding and public relations.

Qualifications and Experience:
– At least 3 years work experience as a content developer.
– Copywriting and Presentation Designs
– Basic eye for graphics design and short content for social media
– Excellent communication, writing and editing skills in English and Hausa
– Evidence of past work (including videos, scripts, blog posts, articles etc)
– Experience developing and managing social media campaigns across channels such as Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube and Instagram.
– Ability to meet tight deadlines and work under pressure
– Ability and willingness to travel when necessary for projects

Method of Application:

Interested candidates should fill the form provided. Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Click here to apply

DEADLINE: 11th February, 2022

Job title: Personal Photographer and Visual Content Creator
Location: Abuja, Nigeria
Reports to: CoS and Executive Assistant
Department: Office of the CEO


ABOUT CODE
Connected Development [CODE] is a non-governmental organisation that is building the largest social accountability movement and empowering marginalised communities across Africa. We strengthen local communities by creating platforms for dialogue, enabling informed debate, and building the capacities of citizens on how to hold their government accountable.

ABOUT CEO
Hamzat Lawal (Hamzy!) is an activist leading grassroots campaigns across Africa informing decisions and policy making as it affects the lives of poor rural people. He has built a solid reputation both nationally and internationally. Recognised amongst 100 most influential people in Africa and bags many awards for this grassroots work. Hamzy founded CODE, Follow The Money and sits on many non-profit boards.

To further drive our messages and amplify the voices of grassroots communities, we are looking for competent hands to help expand our footprints and drive value through online and offline content. The role will support the communications team to shape CODE’s content and communications strategy.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

– Responsible for capturing, editing, and producing studio-quality photos and videos of the CEO for internal and external purposes.
– Manage and oversee all technical aspects of CEO’s video recording and editing
– Follow CODEs brand guidelines and develop an overall video brand messaging strategy
– Create distinctive videos for the CEO
– Turn over tasks within the shortest possible time.
– Cut video sequences effectively to ensure the scenes are seamless and flow logically.
– Perform video editing including inserting music, sound effects, story-boarding etc.
– Utilize technical know-how in selecting, assembling, positioning and operating equipment.
– Ensure colour grading of the shoot is top notch.
– Edit raw footage content for producing film and video.
– Perform video and audio editing based on story sequence and continuity.
– Capture quality photographs and shoot videos.
– Ability to tell video stories with motion content and interview clips
– Responsible for managing Cameras, lightings and other equipment.
– Provide creative input (ideas, lighting techniques, camera movements, lenses filters etc.) to video production / shoots planning.
– Organize and assemble video segments to deliver a continuous and sequential story of specified length.
Resolve technical issues as required.

Qualifications and Experience:

– Proven experience as a Cinematographer / Video Editor – operating relevant equipment; cameras, lighting etc.
– Excellent working knowledge of software such as Photoshop, Adobe PRO, InDesign
– Content creating skills
– Sound knowledge of filming.
– A strong portfolio of illustrations or other graphics, video application
– A keen eye for aesthetics and details
– Outstanding communication skills (both written and verbal)
– An ego-free attitude when it comes to taking constructive feedback and running with it
– Ability to work methodically and meet deadlines
– Positive, flexible, solution-oriented, and excited to work with a diverse team of professionals working toward a common goal
– Mature, coachable, and happy doing high-level projects as well as mundane design tasks

Method of Application:

Kindly fill this form if you are interested. Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Click here to apply

DEADLINE: 11th February, 2022

Job title: Executive Assistant to The CEO
Location: Abuja, Nigeria
Reports to: CEO and His CoS
Department: Office of The CEO

ABOUT CODE
Connected Development [CODE] is a non-governmental organisation that is building the largest social accountability movement and empowering marginalised communities across Africa. We strengthen local communities by creating platforms for dialogue, enabling informed debate, and building the capacities of citizens on how to hold their government accountable using Follow The Money.

ABOUT CEO
Hamzat Lawal (Hamzy!) is an activist leading grassroots campaigns across Africa informing decisions and policy making as it affects the lives of poor rural people. He has built a solid reputation both nationally and internationally. Recognised amongst 100 most influential people in Africa and bags many awards for this grassroots work. Hamzy founded CODE, Follow The Money and sits on many non-profit boards.

Key Responsibilities
Administrative:
– Prepare minutes of meetings and represent the CEO or top management at meetings when necessary.
– Receive and responds to sensitive correspondence while also being a custodian of corporate documents and records.
– Manage Board processes, meetings and provide logistics support to the CEO’s office.
– Plan scheduled activities with executives, key personnel and outside business contacts.
– Provide timeous feedback and maintain professional communication with all stakeholders of the CODE.
– Prepare financial statements, reports, memos, invoices letters, and other documents.
– Conduct in-depth research and prepare documents for review and presentation by boards of directors, committees, and executives.
– Make travel arrangements for the CEO (locally & internationally).
– Perform office duties that include ordering supplies and managing a records database.
– Provide general administrative and virtual support.

Communications:
– Contribute immensely towards media, digital and communication as part of advocacy development and also develop concept notes.
– Conduct in-depth research and draft talking points on issues that interest the CEO.
-Design and produce communications and educational materials on media and communication for marketing CEO’s activities and campaigns for local and global audience.
– Contribute to brand values and manage CEO’s online reputation.
– Develops communications work plans for all CEO activities, campaigns and projects.
– Support CEO in research, media and communications-related capacity building and ensuring that this is integrated in his diverse interest.
– Create and proofread internal and external communication documentations before publishing on CEO’s platforms.
– Support CEO in disseminating communication materials to relevant stakeholders.
– Support and inform monthly newsletters showcasing CEO’s activities as it relates to CODE’s objectives, periodic press releases, media/news reactions, briefing notes, backgrounders, features, media talking points, question and answer documents.
– Draft and disseminate public relations materials that increase CEO’s visibility among online communities, donors, duty bearers and other stakeholders.

Qualifications and Experience:
– High-skilled professional & very confidential with CEO’s tasks.
– Proven experience as an executive assistant or other relevant administrative support experience.
– In-depth understanding of the entire MS Office suite.
– Ability to organize daily workload by priorities.
– Ability to meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
– A proactive approach to problem-solving with strong decision-making skills.
– Professional level verbal and written communications skills.
– At least 2 Years work experience in Communications field.
– Strong writing and verbal communications.
– Ability to clearly communicate complex messages to a variety of audiences.
– Excellent communication, writing and editing skills in English.
– Evidence of past work (including videos, scripts, blog posts, articles etc).
– Experience developing and managing social media campaigns across channels such as Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube and Instagram.
– Ability to meet tight deadlines and work under pressure.
– Ability and willingness to travel when necessary with short notice.
– Team spirit.
– Monitor CEO and user engagement and suggest content optimization.
– Degree in any field. An MSc degree would be an added advantage.

MODE OF APPLICATION:

If you think you are a fit, kindly fill this form. Only successful applicants will be contacted.

Click here to apply

Resumption: Immediately