The World Bank's Latin America and Caribbean Financial Management Unit seeks a conference organizer for a September 2009 event in Brazil. Please see full Terms of Reference below.

If interested, please send (Mr.) Kit Cutler (kcutler@worldbank.org) your CV and a few lines within an email highlighting your relevant experience and any additional information that may not be clear from your CV (i.e., a full-blown cover letter is unnecessary). Feel free to forward this message to qualified candidates.

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Terms of Reference

Short-Term Consultant (STC) Conference Coordinator for the CReCER09 Conference and ROSC A&A-related Activities
October 2008

Background

The Financial Management unit (LCSFM) is a part of the Latin America and Caribbean Region’s Operations Services Department (LCSOS). Its core activities include advising and supporting Regional Management and staff on financial management in operations. In addition, LCSFM is in charge of the Bank’s analytic and advisory activities relating to corporate financial reporting, in connection with ROSC Accounting and Auditing (ROSC-A&A) program.

In addition to publishing and disseminating the ROSC A&A, the team also works to prepare the CReCER (“Accounting and Accountability for Regional Economic Growth”) conference, which aims to create greater awareness of the importance of sound accounting and auditing practices for economic development, and support government efforts to improve public financial management and corporate financial reporting. The conference brings together public sector and private sector leaders from throughout LCR to share best practices and ideas for strengthening the legal framework and human capacity in corporate financial reporting. Held in Mexico City in 2007 and San Salvador in 2008, the conference has drawn approximately 500 participants. A third CReCER conference is planned for September 2009 in São Paulo, Brazil.

Work to be Performed
Lead CReCER conference preparation tasks, including but not limited to:

Strategic Planning
+Designing and maintaining a “critical path” workplan for all tasks leading up to and including the conference;
+Preparing and updating budget projections for the conference;
+Selecting the venue in São Paulo;
+In coordination with in-country counterparts, especially Brazil’s Federal Accounting Council, and the Bank’s Country Office in Brazil, identifying vendors for required goods and services, and managing the procurement process;

Outreach and Liaison
+Developing and executing a CReCER external promotion strategy using the CReCER conference website (www.creceramericas.org), relevant business and trade publications such as LatinFinance and LatinTrade, and local advertising and newspapers.
+Developing and managing the CReCER database of speakers, delegates and invitees ensuring the information is accurate, complete and current.
+Communicating with senior representatives, experts and other VIPs as part of the invitation process and in supporting their participation in CReCER
+Working with the organizing committee, sponsors and in-country counterparts on tasks and responding to their queries;

Execution and Follow-up
+Coordinate relations with vendors, hotel staff, Bank staff, media and other counterparts during the conference to ensure a smooth and seamless conference experience for all participants;
+Developing and executing an effective conference registration process.
+Work with Bank fiduciary staff and other counterparts after the conference to ensure that all outstanding accounts are collected and all bills are paid;
+Carrying out other tasks in support of the ROSC A&A / CReCER program as needed.

General Competencies
+Bachelor’s degree in economics, business administration, accounting or other a relevant discipline.
+Basic knowledge of current issues in corporate financial reporting.
+Strong planning, organization and time management skills to function in a team and contribute towards a common goal.
+Ability to manage multiple tasks.
+Fluency in English and Spanish (both spoken and written) is required. Portuguese is a strong asset.
+Strong Word and Excel skills. Experience with databases preferred.

Reporting Arrangements
The STC will report directly to Mr. Henri Fortin (Senior Financial Management Specialist) and will work closely with other members of the CReCER Organization committee both within the World Bank and in partner institutions involved in the preparation of CReCER (IFAC and IDB).