Ministry of Finance, Senior Management Adviser (SMA) on State Finances, Deadline November 14, 2009.

Senior Management Adviser (SMA) on State Finances

Government of Timor-Leste
Planning and Financial Management Capacity Building Program, PFMCBP-Ministry of FIinance Timor Leste
Closing date: 14 Nov 2009
Location: Timor-Leste - Dili

Ministry of Finance Timor Leste,
Planning and Financial Management Capacity Building Program

Position: Senior Management Adviser (SMA) on State Finances

Objectives:

Provide policy and technical advice to the Minister of Finance (MF) and the Senior Management Committee. The SMA will assist the Minister in dispensing her ministerial functions as well as support the SMC in providing efficient management support to the functioning of the Ministry.

Supervise and provide technical support and in-line functions, as required, to the operations and concerns of the General Directorate of State Finances ensuring the effective, transparent and accountable implementation of its planned annual programs and actions.

Build the capacity of his/her direct counterpart, ensuring that the essential basic skills and knowledge on matters related to the State Finances are acquired. Similarly, ensure that the counterpart Director General is competent to assume the function of the position by the end of the engagement of the Senior Management Adviser.

Reporting: Minister of Finance, PFM Adviser to the Minister
Counterpart: Director-General for State Finances
Supervision: TAs under DGSF
Duration: July 2011 (exact date to be agreed)
Location: Directorate General of State Finances, Ministry of Finance, Dili, Timor-Leste

Selection Criteria

Essential

• Minimum of ten (10) years experience of public financial management, including at least five years advice at senior levels in Ministries of Finance.
• Minimum of five years work experience in developing countries.
• Strong leadership and managerial skills, with an ability to manage complex relationships and communicate clearly.
• Excellent conceptual and analytical skills in public financial management and an ability to conduct policy discussions, see the big picture as well as the details, and address both macro and micro issues.
• Excellent organizational, analytical and prioritization skills, with ability to set out detailed steps required, follow assigned tasks/projects through to completion, and set up monitoring systems.
• Strong skills in monitoring and evaluation.
• Demonstrated understanding of and experience with capacity building approaches in developing countries.
• Advanced University degree (PhD, Masters or equivalent) in Economics, Public Policy/Administration, or related fields.
• Demonstrate willingness to undertake further language training in Tetun and/or Portuguese.
  
  

Desirable

• Experience of conducting analysis and providing advice on development issues and policies of natural resource rich countries.
• Knowledge of Tetum, Portuguese or Bahasa Indonesia.
  
  

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

Project Background

The Ministry of Finance of the Government of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste is looking to recruit a Senior Management Adviser for State Finance for its Planning and Financial Management Capacity Building Program (PFMBP). PFMCBP is a five-year technical assistance program supported by a grant from the International Development Association and a co-financing Multi-Donor Trust Fund. The Program started in late 2006, and is scheduled to close in July 2011. PFMCBP provides technical assistance to sustainably strengthen planning, budgeting, public expenditure management and revenue administration for growth and poverty reduction, with emphasis on efficiency, effectiveness, accountability, integrity, service culture, and transparency.

PFMCBP has assisted the Government of Timor-Leste take forward an important reform agenda. Key achievements include implementation of a major reorganization of the Ministry of Finance; strengthening public expenditure management through simplification and strengthening of treasury systems and processes, and increased delegation of authority to line ministries; improved revenue management, including increased transparency in tax administration and reinforcing Petroleum Tax administration; and a gradual improvement in macroeconomic planning. There are important challenges ahead as the Ministry of Finance implements a strong reform program in a capacity constrained environment. PFMCBP itself has a challenge to build capacity and enable an increased transfer of responsibility to Timorese public servants.

The Ministry of Finance is responsible for the strategic management of PFMCBP, through its Consultative Council for Financial Management (also known as Senior Management Committee-SMC) chaired by the Minister of Finance. There is a dedicated Program Implementation Unit (PIU) that is responsible for day-to-day program management and implementation which has been integrated recently into the newly established Directorate General Corporate Services. A Supervisory Committee of donors to PFMCBP, also chaired by the Minister of Finance, provides regular oversight on program implementation and achievements. The World Bank is responsible for program supervision, to ensure it is aligned with agreed objectives and financing agreements.

Scope of Work

Working with the DG to strengthen leadership and management capacity through:

• On-the-job-training, coaching, and mentoring, including advice on business standards for DGSF;
• Development of a DG-wide work program and a performance monitoring system;
• Support to completing appointments for staff across the DG;
• Support for implementing the staff performance management system and any other civil service reform measures around ethics, professionalism, accountability and transparency.
  
  

Managing consultants’ performance to ensure staff and institutional capacity development across all National Directorates of DGSF through:

• Supervision of and reporting on implementation of the Institutional Development Capacity Building Plan in DGSF.
• Assistance in monitoring and evaluating capacity building activities of consultants in DGSF.
• Management of consultants in DGSF, including implementation of the program’s performance management system for consultants.
  
  

Providing operational support as required through:

• Provide advice to the Minister and technical support to the State Finances Director-General in the areas of expenditure review, budgeting, treasury-related issues, payroll, audit and procurement services, asset management and Management Information Systems; including multi-year fiscal planning and expenditure control frameworks;
• Assist the Director-General in the discharge of his responsibilities and functions and support the Director-General and National Directors with the efficient management and coordination of the technical assistance extended within the Branch;
• Provide continuity and direction in the absence of senior national staff within the General Directorate of State Finances;
• Assist the National Directors and other line managers under the hierarchy of the structure of the State Finances to accomplish their day to day tasks better;
• Provide support and active contribution in the work and responsibility of the Consultative Council for Financial Management (also known as Senior Management Committee-SMC) of the MOF;
• Provide overall support to the goal to improve the operational management of the Ministry of Finance;
• As required, provide advice to the Government of Timor-Leste through the Minister of Finance on policy matters and their economic implications. Similarly, provide timely policy advice and support to the Minister of Finance on matters related to the concerns of State Finances;
• Perform such other supporting tasks, both administrative and technical in nature, to enhance the operations of the General Directorate of State Finances, and as will be required by the Ministry of Finance.
  
  

Key Deliverables

• Assignment Work Plan, with specific timelines and expected outcomes within 4 weeks of commencement.
• DG-wide work program and performance monitoring system.
• Business standards for DGSF operations.
• Assist the DG to complete the HR plan and also the Strategic Plan for State Finances
• Completion of the 2011 budget in a timely manner
• Completion of the finance regulations associated with the new Public Finance Act
• Implementation of professional development plan for Director General.
• Support to the completion of the procurement manual, a budget manual and also the Treasury manual
  
  

The Senior Management Adviser for State Finances will provide monthly Work Plan Progress Reports to the Director General for State Finances, and PFM Adviser to the Minister, with copy to PIO, on the progress and/or completion of the activities outlined in the Work Plan.

The Adviser will provide an End of Assignment report to the PIO, with copy to the Director General for State Finances, and PFM Adviser to the Minister, no later than 10 working days prior to the end of contract.

Performance Evaluation

Performance of the Senior Management Adviser for State Finances will be assessed by the Director General for State Finances and the PFM Adviser to the Minister in accordance with the performance review framework for advisors in place in the Ministry.

There is probation period of three months.
How to apply
Please visit our website at www.mof.gov.tl/ and go to ‘Employment Opportunity’ to learn about our recruitment process and your application requirements including how to address the Selection Criteria in your application.

Applications need to be sent to our Programme Implementation Officer-PFMCBP at email address, pfmcbp@mof.gov.tl, no later than 17:00hours Timor-Leste time on 14 November, 2009.

Applications received by this date will take priority; however, late applications will be considered if the position has not been filled.

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.
Reference Code: RW_7WT36J-73