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To strengthen the institutional capacity of the Office of the Auditor General, Botswana

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Reference: G/BOT/107
Location: Gaborone, Botswana and normal place of residence, if applicable
Duration: 24 person weeks/120 person days over a period of 12 months
Closing Date: 13 Jul 2012

Background

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.

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.

OAG Botswana is a member of the internationally recognized standard setting body for Supreme Audit Institutions - International Organisation of Supreme Audit Institutions (INTOSAI) and the regional professional body - African Organisation of English-speaking Supreme Audit Institutions (AFROSAI-E). As part of its commitment to comply with international auditing standards and to promote effective governance in the public service of Botswana, OAG agreed to achieve level 3 of the AFROSAI-E Institutional Capacity Building Framework (ICBF). ICBF consists of five development levels with an institutional perspective at each level. These levels, 1 to 5, describe the development of a SAI at each stage and an SAI is considered to achieve level 3 when the plans, structure, standards etc are implemented and functioning.

Supporting that directional thrust, the OAG Botswana has accomplished a number of initiatives including:

  • Development of a draft Audit Act;
  • Development of a strategic plan;
  • Adoption of a new audit cycle;
  • Development of an administrative handbook framework;
  • Development of an audit manual;

However recent reviews of the OAG’s operation indicate some gaps and areas for improvement in the OAG’s processes and quality of audit work performed. These include:

  • The strategic planning process should measure not only activities and output but also outcomes;
  • Revised procedures for time management, recording and costing of audit services required;
  • A clearly defined recruitment, retention and capacity building strategy and competency framework required;
  • Mechanism to foster Greater coordination and collaboration between the OAG and the internal audit function of government required;
  • Revision of audit manual to include areas such as audit of capital projects and systems description templates to embrace/cover in-depth operational environment of local authorities, government ministries and state owned entities;
  • Comprehensive revision of the administrative handbook; and
  • Quality assurance policy and procedures required;

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 technical assistance and capacity development..

Purpose of the project

The purpose of this project is to strengthen the capacity of the Office of the Auditor General to operate more effectively and improve public sector governance and service delivery through technical assistance.

Scope of Work

The project will run for a period of 120 days during which the consultant or firm will, among others, assist the OAG to improve its operational processes, develop requisite skill sets, and provide policy advice to enhance governance within the Government of Botswana.

The Consultant(s) will undertake the following activities, inter alia

  • Review the existing governance and administrative systems/procedures within the OAG and recommend a clearly defined programme consistent with the TOR and needs of the organisation to enhance operational effectiveness.
  • Develop and or revise appropriate manuals for use at all staff levels.

The manuals should cover, inter alia,

  • Audit time management, recording and costing;
  • Strategic and Operational Planning – with an agreed methodology, measurable outputs and outcomes etc.;
  • Audit Cycle and its alignment to the budgeting and strategic planning processes;
  • Assessing Client satisfaction levels;
  • Coordination and collaboration with the Internal Audit function of government;
  • Change Management at all levels of the organisation;
  • Quality Assurance policy and procedures – including supervision, periodic reviews and peer reviews;
  • Training/capacity development policy and procedures;
  • Job descriptions and methodology for revising or developing job descriptions;
  • Train a core team of officials to review and update the manuals;
  • Train staff on how to integrate the manual procedures into their work and mentor a core team to train their colleagues; thereby ensuring sustainability and continuity of knowledge transferred.

In undertaking the above the Consultant(s) 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
  • Manuals revised/developed, disseminated and in use

Transfer of Expertise

The Commonwealth Secretariat attaches particular importance to the transfer of expertise and knowledge to counterparts. The Consultant/firm will mentor key staff in their required area of work as agreed by the Auditor General. The Manuals already prepared will be revised, 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 Consultant(s) will work closely with Commonwealth Secretariat Advisers in delivering this technical assistance. The Consultant(s) will be based at the Office of the Auditor General in Gaborone for a period of 80 days 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.

Approach and Methodology

Consultants must demonstrate knowledge of the subject by clearly interpreting the terms of reference and providing a methodology and approach that they will adopt in undertaking the assignment;

Consultants should submit a write-up of no more than 12 pages, describing methodology and approach for the consultancy, a detailed outline of the work plan along with milestones to achieve, a detailed financial plan and clarification of responsibilities between the consultants.

Budget

The budget for this assignment is an all-inclusive fee in the region of £80,000. It includes all professional fees (for local and international consultants) all travel (local and international) and flights, per Diems as well as local training.

Required Experience and Qualifications

  • A Masters Degree in finance, accounting, public financial management, business management, auditing or equivalent;
  • Professional accounting qualification e.g. F/ACCA, CIPFA, CA, CPA, or equivalent.
  • 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.
  • A minimum of 7 years leading the development and implementation of institutional capacity development of government-wide audit functions.
  • 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, mentoring and coaching;
  • Knowledge of machinery of government, local and central government structures, functions and political environment;
  • Development and review of manuals
  • Strong presentation, facilitation, negotiation, communication and report writing skills

Desirable:

  • Familiarity with AFROSAI-E Institutional Capacity Building Framework or similar frameworks for audit functions;
  • Experience in similar works within the Commonwealth; Africa will be considered a plus

How to Apply

Download the Terms of Reference

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