External Auditor

1. Entity Information

Tatweer Baladna is a Lebanese non-profit organization founded in 2017, working to empower youth, adults, seniors, and vulnerable groups through inclusive education, innovation, and the development of digital and green skills. The organization designs and implements community-based programs that promote social inclusion, employability, and lifelong learning, with a strong focus on people with disabilities, women, seniors, and marginalized communities.

Tatweer Baladna is a partner in the DigitalLife4ALL project, co-funded by the European Union under the Interreg NEXT MED Programme, which aims to reduce the digital divide in the Mediterranean through Digital Skills Hubs and mobile learning solutions.

2. Project Information

Project Title: DigitalLife4ALL – An Adult & Lifelong Learning Initiative to Enhance Digital Skills and Smart Competencies

Programme: Interreg NEXT MED (EU co-funded)

Project Duration: 30 months (August 2025 – January 2028)

Lead Partner: Regional Development Fund of East Macedonia & Thrace (Greece)

Role of Tatweer Baladna: Project Partner – Lebanon

3. Position Title

External Auditor (Consultancy Contract)

4. Objective of the Assignment

The objective of this assignment is to recruit an independent External Auditor to carry out expenditure verification and financial audits of all costs incurred by Tatweer Baladna under the DigitalLife4ALL project. The audit aims to ensure full compliance with Interreg NEXT MED Programme rules, EU financial and eligibility regulations, and applicable national audit standards, supporting accurate and compliant financial reporting throughout the project lifecycle.

5. Scope of Work

The External Auditor will be responsible for auditing all eligible expenditures declared by Tatweer Baladna during the implementation of the DigitalLife4ALL project. The scope includes:

5.1 Conducting five (5) semi-annual expenditure verification audits in line with Interreg NEXT MED requirements.
5.2 Verifying the legality, regularity, eligibility, and traceability of declared expenditures.
5.3 Ensuring costs are linked to approved activities, within the eligibility period, and aligned with approved budget lines.
5.4 Reconciling financial reports with accounting records, payrolls, contracts, timesheets, procurement files, invoices, and proof of payment.
5.5 Reviewing compliance with public procurement rules, including thresholds, transparency, and documentation.
5.6 Verifying contractual compliance of staff, consultants, and service providers.
5.7 Identifying financial risks, irregularities, or ineligible expenditures and proposing corrective actions.
5.8 Preparing certified Expenditure Verification Reports using mandatory Interreg NEXT MED templates.
5.9 Coordinating with Tatweer Baladna’s financial and project teams to ensure timely submission via JeMS.

6. Deliverables

6.1 Five (5) Expenditure Verification Audits corresponding to the project reporting periods.
6.2 Five (5) Expenditure Verification Reports prepared in English and compliant with Interreg NEXT MED templates, ready for submission through JeMS.

7. Duration and Contract Type

7.1 Contract Type: Consultancy contract (not an employment contract).
7.2 Duration: January 2026 to March 2028, covering the full financial reporting and project closure period.

8. Required Profile and Qualifications

8.1 Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Chartered Accountant (CA), or Lebanese Certified External Auditor. 

8.2 Legally registered and licensed audit firm or independent auditor authorized to perform financial audits in Lebanon 
8.3 Minimum 5 years of proven professional experience in financial auditing in the non-profit sector in Lebanon 
8.4 Proven experience auditing EU-funded or donor-funded projects, including expenditure verification or first-level control.
8.5 Strong knowledge of EU financial regulations, Interreg NEXT MED rules, and public procurement requirements.
8.6 Excellent written and spoken English; Arabic is an asset.
8.7 Valid tax number, Ministry of Finance certificate, and business bank account.
8.8 Demonstrated independence, confidentiality, and professional integrity.

9. Reporting and Coordination

The External Auditor will report to Tatweer Baladna’s Project and Finance Teams and work in close coordination to ensure smooth financial reporting, audit clarity, and compliance with Interreg NEXT MED submission deadlines.

10. Application Requirements

Interested auditors or audit firms are invited to submit:

10.1 Auditor or company profile and legal registration documents.
10.2 Proof of authorization to perform audit services in Lebanon.
10.3 Description of relevant experience in EU-funded or donor-funded projects.
10.4 Financial proposal indicating a lump-sum fee covering five (5) audits.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.