Job Type: Consulting Service
Remuneration: Negotiable
Deadline: 19 November, 2025, 5:00 PM (Nepal Standard time)
About the organization: Youth Innovation Lab (YI-Lab) is a not-for-profit civic tech company that works at the intersection of emerging cutting-edge technological tools and their applications by equipping young professionals to solve emerging challenges in our community. YI-Lab’s mission statement is, ‘to engage young people to bridge science to people and policy through innovation’. YI-Lab harnesses indigenous knowledge, citizen science approach, develops low-cost technological solutions, promotes open data, promotes entrepreneurship, and conducts evidence-based advocacy campaigns. YI-Lab provides a conducive environment for young people to co-create solutions for inclusive development.
About the project: The Nepali Yuwa in Climate Action and Green Growth (TheYouthCAN.org) project, funded by the European Union with a total grant of approximately EUR 570,000.00, aims to empower young people to make their communities more sustainable and resilient. The four-year initiative is being implemented in Madhesh Province, Karnali Province, and Sudurpashchim Province through a consortium led by Youth Innovation Lab (YI-Lab), in partnership with Restless Development Nepal, CREASION, and CDMS.
TheYouthCAN.org project focuses on working with young people and empowering and providing them with a platform to aid towards the post-COVID recovery and development process. Furthermore, the activities under Climate Fellowship, Climate Smart Entrepreneurship, Mentee-mentorship, Digital Advocacy, and Youth Sounding Board work towards empowering young people, providing them employment opportunities, generating innovative ideas to address climate and environmental issues, and advocating for policy changes to promote environmental protection.
Objective of the Consultancy
The objective of this consultancy is to verify that all expenditures reported under the project are eligible, accurate, necessary, and properly documented, in line with contractual, financial, procurement, tax, and social security requirements. The consultant will ensure expenditures comply with the approved budget, EU eligibility criteria, and sound financial management principles—ensuring transparency and accountability across all consortium partners.
Standards and Ethics
The Expenditure Verifier shall perform the engagement in line with:
· The International Standard on Related Services (ISRS) 4400 – ‘Engagements to perform Agreed-upon Procedures regarding Financial Information’ (IFAC);
· The IFAC Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants, developed by the International Ethics Standards Board for Accountants (IESBA).
While ISRS 4400 does not require independence, YI-Lab expects full adherence to ethical principles of integrity, objectivity, competence, confidentiality, and professional behavior.
Eligibility Requirements
The Expenditure Verifier must meet at least one of the following:
· Member of a national accounting or auditing body affiliated with IFAC.
· Member of a national accounting or auditing body that follows IFAC standards.
· Registered statutory auditor in an EU Member State or equivalent public oversight body.
Required Experiences:
· Minimum 10 years of experience in NGO/INGO financial management and compliance, including EU-funded projects.
· Proven track record in compliance management, procurement, HR verification, and financial audits.
· Experience in organizational governance at national, regional, or international levels.
Scope of Work
The Expenditure Verification Consultant will perform the following tasks:
· Verification of Expenditure: Confirm eligibility, proper recording, and timing of expenditures.
· Budget and Cost Compliance: Ensure alignment with approved budgets and cost ceilings.
· Necessity and Reasonableness: Assess whether costs are necessary, reasonable, and justified.
· Documentation and Audit Trail: Verify completeness of supporting documents and existence of deliverables.
· Compliance with Rules: Review adherence to procurement, tax, and social security laws.
· Third-Party Expenditure: Ensure financial support to third parties complies with eligibility rules.
· Other Checks: Verify VAT, exchange rates, indirect costs, and revenue offsets where applicable.
Verification Process and Methodology
The Expenditure Verifier shall prepare the verification plan, agree on the schedule with the coordinator, and ensure access to all relevant supporting documentation and staff. The verification will involve the following key steps:
· Preparatory meeting and document review
· Desk review of supporting documentation at YI-Lab and consortium partners.
· Verification of compliance with EU eligibility criteria, procurement, and reporting requirements.
· Debriefing and closing meetings to discuss findings.
· Preparation and submission of the draft and final verification reports.
Tentative tasks and deliverables
Task | Key Activities | Deliverables |
1. Inception and Planning | Review project documents (grants, budgets, reports, and procurement). Prepare a work plan and timeline. | Inception Report with detailed work plan and schedule. |
2. Desk Review and On-site Monitoring | Examine financial transactions (2022–2025). Verify documentation, procurement, HR costs, and controls. | Draft Expenditure Verification Report with findings and recommendations. |
3. Compliance and Risk Analysis | Identify compliance gaps and risk areas. Share recommendations for corrective actions. | Final Verification Report confirming eligibility and compliance. |
*Reporting format as per the EU Grant Contract will be shared with the shortlisted consultants.
Timeframe and supervision
The tentative timeframe for the consultancy is December 2025 to February 2026. The consultant will directly report to the Project Lead and coordinate closely with the Finance and Admin Manager.
Payment Schedule
1. 40% of the total contractual amount will be paid after the completion and approval of deliverables 1 & 2
2. 60% of the total contractual amount will be paid after the completion and approval of deliverable number 3
Application Deadline
19 November 2025
Applying Procedure
We are conducting interviews on a rolling basis and encourage interested candidates and firms to apply at the earliest. Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted. The evaluation will be based on 60% financial and 40% technical criteria.
Applicants are required to submit at least two samples of previous work related to financial monitoring or auditing of projects with a similar scope and scale along with their application.
Please click on Apply Now! button to submit your application. For more information on Youth Innovation Lab, please visit https://youthinnovationlab.org and if you have any inquiries, please contact at info@youthinnovationlab.org.
