Ministry of Finance, Expenditure Review Adviser, Deadline March 26, 2010.

Expenditure Review Adviser

Government of Timor-Leste
Planning And Financial Management Capacity Building Program-Ministry Of Finance
Closing date: 26 Mar 2010
Location: Timor-Leste - Dili

REPÚBLICA DEMOCRÁTICA DE TIMOR-LESTE
MINISTÉRIO DAS FINANÇAS:
Planning and Financial Management Capacity Building Program

Position: Expenditure Review Adviser

Objectives The Adviser will work closely with his/her counterpart, the Head of the newly established Expenditure Review Unit, to achieve outcomes which are focused around the analysis of expenditure and investment on a sector basis. Activities involve a mixture of capacity building efforts and capacity support (operational activities) as follows:

• Support the Director of Budget, the Head of the Expenditure Review Unit and the Senior Management Adviser to further design the roles and function of the Expenditure Review Unit.
• Train staff and counterparts on their roles and responsibilities.
• Undertake a needs analysis of the unit to see what further assistance may be required to build a fully functional expenditure review / sector analysis team.
• Assist in preparing and facilitating the production of monthly budget execution reports.
• Assist in preparing and facilitating the regular periodic production of detailed expenditure reviews by sector.

Reporting National Director – Budget Directorate
Senior Management Adviser, State Finances
PIU-PFMCBP (for contract administration and operational purposes)

Counterpart: Head, Expenditure Review Unit

Duration: Twelve months
Location: Ministry of Finance, Dili, East Timor

Selection Criteria

Education

• At least a Bachelor’s degree (but preferably a Master’s) in a field relevant to the position (e.g. in Economics, Accounting, Finance, Business Management) from a recognized university/institution.
  
  

Experience

• At least five years experience in a public financial work environment, within a central agency a Treasury, Planning Office or Budget Unit in a developing country context.
• Demonstrated ability to work with national staff to build cooperative and productive team and individual relationships (with national staff and other advisors), incorporating capacity building approaches.
• Excellent oral and written communications and with good command of the English language. Fluency to communicate both verbally and written in Tetum and/or Portuguese would be an advantage and or willingness to undertake further language training in Tetum.

Capacity Building Competencies

• The Adviser should be familiar with the principles and techniques involved with adult learning, and understand capacity building methodologies.
• The adviser must possess excellent oral and written communication skills and be experienced in designing and providing on-the-job training.
• The adviser should be able to demonstrate experience in developing and delivering outcomes based capacity building activities, from the needs analysis stage through to execution, evaluation and analysis of ongoing support requirements.
  
  

In addition:

• A commitment to supporting Timorese staff to achieve the outcomes and objectives of the Ministry;
• Committed to training and promoting the professional development of the Ministry’s staff;
• Recognition and respect of peers, and a demonstrated ability to interact effectively and collegially with peers at all levels;
• Demonstrated ability to make sound judgments on capacity issues that will require management referral and guidance;
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a mentoring role;
• Demonstrated ability to communicate ideas and analyses clearly and tactfully, both orally and in writing;
• Demonstrated ability to assist and support the development of useful processes and procedures within the unit to implement effectively the work program;
• Demonstrated ability to transfer skills and knowledge – previous training or teaching experience a plus;
• Demonstrated ability to adapt to challenges in the workplace, including finding creative solutions; and,
• Familiarity with Timor-Leste and Timorese culture and/or willingness to acquire it.
  
  

Project Background

The Ministry of Finance of the Government of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste intends to recruit an Expenditure Review Adviser 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 end in June 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 Senior Management Committee chaired by the Minister of Finance. There is a dedicated Program Implementation Unit 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

A. Core tasks

In collaboration with the Head of the Expenditure Unit, assist in supporting the day to day operations of the Expenditure Review Unit.

• Build the capacity of local staff to produce appropriate expenditure reviews.
• Build up the capacity of local staff to oversee the production of periodic expenditure reviews.
• Build the capacity of the team to work closely with other areas of the Ministry in providing an integrated approach to line Ministries
• Develop user friendly documentation outlining systems and processes in English (translated into local languages Portugal and Tetun).
• Assist National Budget Directorate Office to provide advice to the GoTL on portfolio expenditure reviews and budget issues.
• Contribute to the development of a robust expenditure review and budgeting system, while working towards the alignment and synchronisation of planning and budgeting processes.
• Support Expenditure Review Unit to strengthen relationships with line ministries including facilitating regular consultation between stakeholders on expenditure review process.
• In consultation with the PFMCBP and the PDP, (Professional Development Program), identify training needs for staff in the Expenditure Review Unit and National Directorate of the Budget and develop strategies to secure the necessary skills needed to ensure the long term viability of the National Budget Directorate.
• Perform such other technical and inline functions as may be required by the PFMCBP and the Ministry of Finance.

B. Capacity building functions

The Adviser will be expected to incorporate the three pillar approach to capacity building in all aspects of his/her work with Timorese counterparts. The Adviser shall model transparency and accountability in his/her own behavior, and by focusing on development of skills and systems, together with support to behavioral and attitudinal change, the adviser shall help to build capacity:

• Jointly with the PDP and PFMCBP, develop an agreed capacity building workplan (based on the Adviser’s own workplan), to incorporate operational activities and capacity building into the core specific activities to be undertaken. Regularly review and revise the workplan;
• Agree on specific tasks within activities for which national counterparts will be responsible; agree on methodology and monitorable indicators for assessing progress on agreed tasks, and for providing feedback to staff;
• Increase, incrementally, the level and number of tasks for which national incumbents are responsible, commensurate with progress/improvements in technical and functional capabilities.

Key Deliverables

• Prepare Assignment Workplan within four weeks of commencement
• Prepare Capacity Building Workplan within six weeks of commencement
• Coordinate the production of monthly expenditure review and budget execution reports for the attention of the Minster of Finance.
• Coordinate the production of quarterly budget execution report for Parliament.
• Coordinate the production of least one detailed public expenditure review per year.
• Provide advice and training on the design, implementation and delivery of all of the above.
• Prepare weekly progress report on the closure of carryover liabilities; prepare related reports and memoranda recommending required actions.
• Assist in updating internal systems and processes for expenditure reviews.
• Prepare Monthly Progress Reports to the National Director of Budget, the DG for State Finance and the SMA for State Finance and copied to the Senior Program Manager PFMCBP, against the agreed Work Plan
• Prepare End of Assignment Report to the PIU no later than 10 working days prior to the end of contract

Performance Evaluation
Performance of the Expenditure Adviser will be assessed by the National Director of Budget and the SMA for State Finance in collaboration with the Senior Program Manager of the PFMCBP in accordance with the performance review framework for advisors in place in the PFMCBP.

There is probation period of three months.

Competency Framework for the Position of Budget Advisor

Competencies:

Please describe how you have met these competencies

• At least a Bachelor’s degree (but preferably a Master’s) in a field relevant to the position (e.g. in Economics, Accounting, Finance, Business Management) from a recognized university/institution.
• At least five years experience in a public financial work environment, within a central agency a Treasury, Planning Office or Budget Unit in a developing country context.
• Demonstrated ability to work with national staff to build cooperative and productive team and individual relationships (with national staff and other advisors), incorporating capacity building approaches.
• Excellent oral and written communications and with good command of the English language. Fluency to communicate both verbally and written in Tetum and/or Portuguese would be an advantage and or willingness to undertake further language training in Tetum.
• The Adviser should be familiar with the principles and techniques involved with adult learning, and understand capacity building methodologies.
• The adviser must possess excellent oral and written communication skills and be experienced in designing and providing on-the-job training.
• The adviser should be able to demonstrate experience in developing and delivering outcomes based capacity building activities, from the needs analysis stage through to execution, evaluation and analysis of ongoing support requirements.
  
  

How to apply
Application procedure

Applications must be sent to our Programme Implementation Officer-PFMCBP at email address, pfmcbp@mof.gov.tl no later than 26th March 2010. Applications should include a covering letter and a detailed resume of no more than 7 pages. All applicants must also complete the Competency Framework Matrix below delineating how they have met the requirements. We do not expect that you would just cut and paste from your resume but rather explain concisely and succinctly how you have met these competences, possibly providing brief examples etc.

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

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.

Reference Code: RW_8393G4-56