External Audit Technical Adviser
Reference: G/BOT/107
Location: Gaborone, Botswana
Duration: 2 years
Closing Date: 13 Jan 2012
Background
Strengthening the institutional capacity of the Office of the Auditor General, Botswana
The Auditor General is the external auditor of the Government of Botswana. The oversight body is established by a Constitutional mandate to: “audit and report on the public accounts of Botswana and of all officers, courts and authorities of the Government of Botswana as well as to promote accountability through quality audit in the public sector and ensure that public resources are applied in the purposes intended”.
The Government of Botswana through the Office of the Auditor General (OAG) has requested technical assistance to consolidate the gains made from the institutional capacity building projects implemented through the Swedish National Audit Office (SNAO) and the African Organisation of English Speaking Supreme Audit Institutions (AFROSAI-E) which ended in March 2010. These projects have been running for the past two and half years and have made relative improvements in the work of the audit service. For example, the Auditor General's annual report is now issued eight months after the financial year ends instead of twelve. This affords legislators the opportunity to debate subsequent estimates from an informed perspective.
The OAG currently has approximately 210 staff comprising of auditors (150) and support staff (60) spread across its two offices, the head office in Gaborone and the regional office in Francistown. As the Supreme Audit Institution (SAI), the Auditor General adheres to the Finance & Audit Act in the undertaking his duties and is an authority on issues of accountability and financial management in the public service.
Building on the right environment created by earlier interventions, the OAG is in need of high level technical expertise to consolidate, sustain and maintain the above results through capacity development. For example, the 210 staff needs the requisite skills to use and adopt the already developed audit manuals. In addition, challenges still exist with the timely preparation of Annual Audit and its various reports, for which the Auditor General requires an expert hand to fast track reporting and training in emerging international best practice.
Furthermore, the OAG is yet to fully develop the organisational and human resource capacity to undertake strategic research into new audit systems and innovations in accord with international best practice and standards. In this regard, the OAG is planning to introduce an R & D unit to undertake these functions.
Purpose of the project
The purpose of this project is to strengthen the capacity of the Office of the Auditor General to operate effectively and improve financial governance and service delivery through technical assistance.
Scope of Work
The project will run for a period of two years, during which the technical expert will among others assist the OAG to develop requisite skill set of staff, develop research capacity of the oversight body, and provide policy advice with the objective of enhancing financial governance within the Government of Botswana.
The consultant will undertake the following activities, inter alia
- Review the existing administrative and governance systems and procedures within the OAG and develop and implement a programme to enhance operational effectiveness.
- Review capacity of the audit system and support staff; develop appropriate training/mentoring programme and deliver training and mentoring.
- Provide advice, guidance and training/mentoring in the establishment and operation of the Research Unit within the OAG.
- Develop appropriate manuals for use at all staff levels (Specifically: Administrative Handbook to guide the office in all administrative issues; Training Guide/Handbook).
- Introduce risk management and emerging best practices to transform the OAG into a competitive twenty-first oversight institution.
- Train a core team of officials to ensure sustainability and continuity of knowledge transferred.
In undertaking the above the expert will work closely with the Auditor General and staff, and other stakeholders who have been involved in the design and implementation of this project.
Project Phase Outputs (Deliverables)
- Effective administrative procedures and systems developed
- Trained staff in auditing procedures and use of audit manual
- Trained staff in administrative support and use of administrative systems
- R & D unit established and operating effectively
- Manuals developed, disseminated and in use
Transfer of Expertise
The Commonwealth Secretariat attaches particular importance to the transfer of expertise and knowledge to counterparts. The expert will mentor key staff or counterparts in their required area of work as agreed by the Auditor General. The Manuals already prepared will be consolidated and put into use, new and uncompleted manuals will be completed. Training will be provided to the staff members to be able to use, maintain and revise the manuals when required. Key staff or counterparts and the other trained officials will be able to continue, maintain and sustain the project outcomes to reflect the developmental objectives of the stakeholders.
Implementation Arrangements
The expert will work closely with Commonwealth Secretariat Advisers in delivering this technical assistance. The expert will be based at the Office of the Auditor General in Gaborone for a period of two years and will report to Auditor General.
The Project Manager in London will manage the project in collaboration with the Thematic Adviser for Public Expenditure Management in GIDD as well as rely on communication with the expert, stakeholders and the Auditor General.
Person Specifications
Required Experience and Qualifications
Education
Essential: A Masters Degree and professional qualification in financial management, accounting and auditing or equivalent such as ACCA, CIMA, ICAEW.
Desirable: Professional qualification in Accounting/Auditing in a Commonwealth jurisdiction or equivalent
Working Experience
- A minimum of 15 years in the accounting profession (good part of which spent in the Internal/External Audit environment) with a wide working experience both in the private and public sectors.
- The applicant should possess high level expertise in:
- The development, interpretation and implementation of policies and regulations;
- Organizational development, quality management and corporate planning Methods;
- Training development and institutional capacity strengthening;
- Knowledge of machinery of government, local and central government structures, functions and political environment;
- Strong presentation, facilitation, negotiation, communication and report writing skills; and
- Computer skills: word processing, spreadsheet, power point presentation.
Download the Terms and Conditions
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