Public Financial Management and Capacity Development Advisor (Re- advertisement) position with MoF/ MBAW (UNDP) (2316 Views)

About MoF/ MBAW (UNDP)

UNDP is the UN’s global development network, an organization advocating for change and connecting countries to knowledge, experience and resources to help people build a better life. We are on the ground in 166 countries, working with national counterparts on their own solutions to global and national development challenges.

UNDP Afghanistan is supporting the Government to find innovative solutions to its development challenges based on the on-going Country Programme Document approved by the Executive Board for the period 2006 – 2009. A new Country Programme Document was approved by the Executive Board during September 2009 for the period 2010-2013. Key priority areas for UNDP assistance are in strengthening democratic governance, crisis prevention and recovery, and reducing poverty. UNDP is strengthening the institutional capacities of key national government and sub-national authorities which aim to enhance human security, human development, peace and stability in Afghanistan.

UNDP Making Budgets & Aid Work (MBAW) project provides the essential support to the Ministry of Finance to strengthen budget planning, implementation and monitoring processes. In addition, the project promotes the effective use of the national budget as a tool for coordination of international development assistance to the government of Afghanistan through implementing various activities that build on the outputs and outcomes of the project in line with the ANDS and UNDAF.

At the London Conference in January 2010, the Government of Afghanistan and its development partners agreed to work together to increase assistance to Afghanistan through the central budget to 50% over the next two years. This commitment represents a critical shift in financing for development.
To ensure effective utilization of these resources, Government agreed to present credible plans in the Kabul Conference for further strengthening Public Financial Management systems, reducing the risk of corruption, improving budget execution, developing a financing strategy for development and improvements in Government’s capacity to deliver.
In line with the London Conference, Kabul Communiqué, re-stated their strong support for channeling at least 50% of development aid through the Afghan Government’s core budget while the Afghan Government achieves the necessary reforms to strengthen its public financial management systems, reduce corruption, improve budget execution, and increase revenue collection to finance key National Priority Programmes.
This Public Financial Management Action Plan will set out how the Government intends to strengthen the ability of Government to effectively design and implement programming while demonstrating the highest standards of transparency and accountability. It is focused on three key aims: Strengthening the Budget in driving effective delivery of key priority outcomes; Improving Budget Execution; and Increasing Accountability and Transparency. A key cross-cutting theme – critical in the implementation of all of these goals – is increasing the capacity of line-ministries to implement programs effectively and efficiently.

The Government aims to measure the successful implementation of these aims through three key indicators:
1.Medium-term fiscal framework (MTFF) has been strengthened to better forecast, plan and prioritize both expenditures and domestic revenues, to assist working towards fiscal sustainability.
2.Budget execution has increased by 10-20% annually over the medium-term (compared to the amount of executed budget for the previous year) through focused capacity development in planning and procurement practices at the provincial level and in line ministries.
3.Afghanistan’s rating in the Open Budget Index has improved to 30% for 1390 by improving communication across Government bodies, as well as with civil society organizations, improved resources for both internal and external audit, and increased use of financial reporting through AFMIS
Execution of the Core operating budget could be rated as satisfactory. However, although the execution of the Core development budget progressed from, the performance of the Core development budget will need to be significantly improved. This will be indispensable for keeping donors motivated to implement their programmes through the Core budget, which is instrumental for making budget central instrument of developing the country.
Underlying this is a greater need to have more realistic budget, to build the capacity to implement the budget by line ministries as weak project preparation and project management capacity of the line ministries resulted in formulating overambitious Core development budgets. The budget appropriation and allotment procedures have also constrained budget execution.
In order to promote the better execution process, the newly proposed core development budget preparation mechanism should be effectively understood and followed by line ministries. Application of IMF budget classifications needs to be followed strictly and coding errors should be kept at minimum both by MoF and line ministries. At the same time, increased information exchange on budget issues and progress between MoF and line ministries will be pursued. The project assist improving understanding on AFMIS functionality in regards to budget execution and monitoring as well as strengthen MoF’s allotment and contract management functions appropriately positioned within the Ministry.
Building sustainable institutional capacity within MoF Departments and line ministries is a key for longer-term sustainability of outputs.

Job Summary

The successful applicant will work under the Direct Supervision of line ministry Minister and overall supervision of the Director General Budget. The incumbent of the position administratively direct by Project MBAW Management and provide essential report to the project. The purpose of this position is to provide advisory, mentoring and coaching to the line ministry which help them toward improved budget execution and institutionalization and capacity development which is the mandate of the project.
Summary of Key Functions:

1.Policies/Strategies development for improvement of budget execution performances and delivery management.

2.Develop capacity of line ministries/institutions and help them in budget preparation and execution process.

3.Provide direct mentoring and on the job training/coaching for line ministry officials and oversight activities of government counterpart.

4.Ensure facilitation of knowledge building and knowledge sharing focusing on capacity development and contribute to sustainable relations building between the MoF and Line Ministries.

Duties and Resposibilities

1.Policies/Strategies development for improvement of budget department performance and activities

-Take lead and active role in developing proper standards for all budget activities for effective and timely performance of the line ministries.
-Advise and provide direct coaching to government counterpart on budget formulation and execution activities as per budget department action plan.
-Oversight implementation of Budget calendar activities with line ministries and the relevant departments at the national and sub-national level.
-Develop capacity of government civil servants in the preparation of budget request, formulation, as per guidelines and instruction prepared and issued by budget department.
-Enhance performance reporting of the unit government staff in preparation of detailed monthly, financial plan/cash flow projection and other reports as per guidelines and instructions prepared and issued by Ministry of Finance.
-Assist budgetary units in developing new chart of accounts codes. Check accuracy of codes/budgets amounts with the approved budget.
-Enhance capacity of government staff in using databases, data entry, and generation of reports and reconciliation of data.
-Review and Data Entry of allotments in DAD/SBPS. Reconciliation of end year allotment data among DAD/SBPS, AFMIS and line ministry to assure the accuracy of end year balance carryover.
-Support and advise government staff on main budget activities like BC1/2, budget statement, allotment procedures, reporting, data analysis, database entries, etc
-Advice the unit staff in implementation of new reforms linked with budget related activities.

2.Develop capacity of line ministries/institution and help them in budget preparation and execution process especially the budgetary units involved with Budget Department, MoF.

-Design appropriate capacity development approach mechanism to enhance budget formulation and execution of national budget activities.
-Provide trainings and conduct workshops on various budget activities to line counterparts and help them to overlap the existing problems.
-Review of the existing challenges within the line ministries/ entities and design appropriate action plan to overcome the challenges.
-Support and /or recommend modernization of systems and procedures for enhanced budget preparation and execution processes.
-Enhance the reporting mechanism of the concern budget entities in the line ministries to meet with the reporting requirement of the Ministry of Finance and donors.
-Participate in the preparation of the UNDP Annual Work Plan to formulate output, activities, baselines, targets, indicators and risks/assumptions.
-Prepare weekly, monthly, quarterly technical and analytical progress reports aligned with the UNDP AWP capturing key result activities and impacts according to timelines
-Ensure that reports are analytical, reflect accurate information and outline risks and challenges
-Ensure that reports are results based, submitted in time and follow the appropriate template
-Provide information and data related to Budget Execution for M&E reporting and for other UNDP reports when required
-Help in the regular collection and analysis of information related to Budget Execution and share them on a regular basis with the MBAW Project Manager and Reporting Officer
-Conduct continuous monitoring and review of information available on indicators and targets to assess progress and identify constraints and gaps in implementation
-Participate in the Bi-weekly unit meetings and share updates of key activities
-Provide essential training to line ministries staff on DAD/SBPS, AFMIS or other databases.

3.Provide direct mentoring and on the job training/coaching for line ministry officials and oversight activities of counterpart staffs.
-Attend the Training of Trainers courses focusing on the reforms undertaken by the MoF
-Provide direct mentoring and on the job coaching/training to line ministry officials
-Cooperate with the project “Capacity Development team” on various CD activities and implement it within the unit.
-Assist the HR & Capacity development team during staff performance appraisal and implementation of capacity development activities within the unit.

4.Ensure facilitation of knowledge building and knowledge sharing focusing on capacity development and contribute to sustainable relations building between the MoF and Line Ministries.
-Prepare detailed capacity development action plan aligned to the MBAW project CD plan, in line with UNDP capacity development assessment and plan methodology.
-Monitor and implement the CD action plan, under collaboration and supervision of the project MBAW CD Advisor.
-Consolidate lesson learned from the past to contribute in the enhancement of future policies, strategies and make recommendation for smooth implementation of budget department strategies/ policies.
-Ensure that no shortcuts are available toward institutionalization and capacity development of MoF staff.
-Strengthen the national budget process through close oversights and capacity development programs internally within the departments and outside for the stakeholders.
-Contribute to strengthening relations between the MoF and LM

Other Tasks:
-Any other tasks and responsibilities as required for the implementation of the project and requested by direct supervisor and senior management of Ministry of Finance in line with the job context.

Reporting Relationship:
Direct Reporting: The incumbent direct report the line ministry Minister and Director General Budget and provide technical report to the MBAWP Project management.
Indirect Reporting: The incumbent is also responsible for reporting to the Project management on his/her activities, achievements and administratively responsible to the project.

Qualification

Education:
- Master’s or Bachelor Degree in Economics, Financial management, public administration or any other relevant field.

Experience:
- With Master Degree Up to 5 years and with Bachelor Degree minimum 7 years of relevant experience at the national or international level in Public finance, economic development, budgeting and other relevant field.
- Experience of data analysis, reporting, and capacity building and training presentation is required for this position.
- A good understanding of the ANDS, MDG’s and development issues at national and sub-national level.
- Experience in management, strategic planning is highly desirable for this position.
- Previous working experience with Budget departments is an asset. Experience of working with Government agencies, donors, NGOs and United Nations.
- Experience of managing databases of complex information, generation of reports and quality control of data and information is essential is required for the position.
- Proof of ability in reporting, coordination and team work skills with many internal and external stakeholders.

Language Requirements:
- Fluency in English (reading and writing) and proficiency in local languages (Dari and Pashto).

Submission Guideline

Interested Afghan nationals should submit their updated application comprises your CV and a one-page cover letter explaining your interest and suitability for the advertised position.

Email: vacancies.mbaw@budgetmof.gov.af

Making Budget & Aid Work Project/General Budget Directorate Ministry of Finance, Kabul Afghanistan.

PLEASE MENTION THE VACANCY NUMBER & NAME OF THE POSTIONS YOU ARE APPLYING FOR, IN YOUR EMAIL SUBJECT LINE, OTHERWISE THE APPLICATION WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED, APPLICATIONS RECEIVED AFTER THE DEADLINE WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED.

ONLY SHORTLISTED CANDIDATES WILL BE CONTACTED FOR TEST/INTERVIEW.

Females are highly encourage to apply

The vacancy announcement is open only for Afghan national(s) applicants
Note: applicants already applied for this position are advised not to apply.

Keyword to search this job on jobs.af

Public Financial Management and Capacity Development Advisor