Senior Budget Adviser , Ministry of Finance

REPÚBLICA DEMOCRÁTICA DE TIMOR-LESTE

MINISTÉRIO DAS FINANÇAS:

Planning and Financial Management Capacity Building Program

Contract No.: DGSF

Job Title: Senior Budget Adviser

Objective:

To undertake a mixture of capacity building efforts and capacity support (operational activities), aimed at building institutional capacity in the National Budget Directorate and in particular to support the National Budget Director.

Reporting to: Director-General State Finances, through the Senior Management Adviser

PIU-PFMCBP (for contractual and operational purposes)

Counterpart: National Budget Director, Budget Directorate

Duration: From as soon as possible, to 15 November 2012

Location: Ministry of Finance, Dili, Timor-Leste

I. SELECTION CRITERIA

Essential Candidates not meeting these essential requirements need not apply

· A Master’s degree in a field relevant to the position and at least 12 years in a public financial work environment, within a Central Agency, a Treasury or Budget Unit.

· Experience working in a developing country in a government budget division, with knowledge of capacity development approaches.

· Significant experience in the development and execution of national budgets.

· Significant experience in supporting the implementation of a new structure, systems and processes.

· Significant experience in the development of new systems and processes, specifically FMIS with the objective to devolve the budget preparation to line agencies.

· Demonstrated ability to plan and conduct capacity building strategies for staff including adult learning methodologies for the transfer of skills and knowledge.

· Proven track record in the development and implementation of a client focused work culture

· Proven ability to approach problem solving in a culturally sensitive manner to ensure cooperation, ownership and acceptance.

· Fluency in English.

Desirable

Knowledge of Tetum, Portuguese or Bahasa Indonesia.

II. BACKGROUND

The Ministry of Finance of the Government of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste is recruiting a Senior Budget Adviser for its Planning and Financial Management Capacity Building Program (PFMBP). The PFMCBP aims to strengthen capacity in the Ministry of Finance for prudent, effective, and accountable planning and management of public finances to promote growth and poverty reduction.

Funded by a grant from the International Development Association and a World Bank administered multi-donor trust fund (with contributions from AusAID, EC, Irish Aid, New Zealand and Norway), the PFMCBP is a coordinated program of targeted capacity building in planning and financial management. The Program started in late 2006 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. After a successful five years of operation, the program has been extended to November 2012.

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; a complete overhaul of budgeting systems, documentation and financial management legislation; 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 on Financial Management 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 is integrated with the 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.

II. DUTIES AND RESPONSABILITIES

A. Scope of Work

The Senior Budget Adviser will work to build the capacity of the National Budget Director. Activities will involve a mixture of capacity building efforts and capacity support (operational activities), aimed at building institutional capacity in the Expenditure Review Department and contributing to the development of a budgeting system which encompasses a robust planning process. Key areas of focus include managing the integration of the work of the Expenditure Review Department within the National Budget Directorate, working to enhance coordination and client focus in dealings with line ministries, and assist with the development of a strong and integrated planning and budget system.

The position involves work with national counterparts to ensure that the following tasks are managed:

• Where requested, report to and advise Senior Management on matters of budget design and execution.
• Develop the management and leadership skills of the National Director, focusing in particular on:
  • clear comprehension of his core roles and responsibilities;
  • identifying how directorate workflows fit into these roles and responsibilities;
  • effective delegation;
  • realistic workload assessment and planning; and
  • Inculcating some basic concepts of team-building.
• Support the development and execution of the national budget in line with the budget guidelines.
• Assist in the integration of the services provided by the Ministry to line ministries in the areas of budgeting, planning, treasury functions and procurement;
• Build capacity within the National Budget Directorate with a view to, over time, a greater percentage of the work of the units being undertaken independently by national staff.
• Build the capacity of local staff to oversee the management of line Ministry budget processes;
• Provide advice and support to the implementation of the performance budgeting element of the FMIS.
• Instil and further develop a client focus culture in the budget and expenditure review units.

• Provide advice on the budgetary impacts of various government initiatives to the Minister for Finance.
• Provide holistic/ strategic advice on ministry issues, as requested.
  · In Consultant with the professional Development program, identify training needs for staff in the National Directorate of the Budget and develop strategies to secure the necessary skills needed to ensure the long viability of the National Budget Directorate.
• Perform such other technical and inline functions as may be required by the Senior Management Adviser, the National Budget Director; and the Senior Program Manager – PFMCBP with regard to reporting on progress and outcomes.

B. Deliverables

· Assignment Work Plan for the duration of the contract, within four weeks of commencement

· Managerial strengthening program for the National Budget Director to be approved by the SMA.

· Integration of services from Ministry of Finance to line Ministries, Government of Timor Leste.

· Updated systems and processes for budget book presentation.

· A Procedures Guideline/Template with flowcharts of the operations and functions for the National Budget Director and staff within the Budget Directorate.

· Reports and memoranda recommending required actions.

· Quarterly, and Annual Progress Reports to the National Budget Director, the Senior Management Adviser and the Senior Program Manager, PFMCBP against the Work Plan.

· End of Assignment report to the Senior Program Manager – PFMCBP no later than 10 working days prior to the end of contract.

IV. PERFORMANCE EVALUATION

Performance of the Senior Budget Adviser will be assessed by the Senior Management Adviser DGSF and Senior Program Manager PFMCBP in accordance with the performance review framework in place for advisors in the Ministry.

There is a probation period of three months.

V APPLICATION PROCEDURE

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 Program Implementation Officer-PFMCBP at email address: pfmcbp@mof.gov.tl no later than 17:00 hours Timor-Leste time on Friday, 29^th June 2012.

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.