Public Financial Management Specialist

Short-Term Consultancy Service
Public Financial Management (PFM) Specialist

Chemonics International Inc., a leader in global development, seeks Short-Term Public Financial Management (PFM) Specialist for its USAID-funded Enhanced Palestinian Justice Program (EPJP) in Al-Bireh.

Objective:

EPJP is assisting the HJC and the SJD design and implement improved public finance management (PFM) manual and automated systems in all regular and family courts (FC). In this regard EPJP contracted with a PFM expert to develop and implement improved public finance management manual and automated systems in the HJC and all HJC courts (HJC courts include; 13 Conciliation courts, 8 Courts of first Instance, 13 Civil Judgment departments, and 13 cashier offices), and in all 24 Family courts in addition to the Supreme Judge department.

An expected outcome of this intervention is to increase internal controls in the management of cashier office finances, lowering the risk of and opportunities for corruption and to unify financial management processes to improve services to the public.  An additional key improvement will be to make case related financial transactions more accessible so that a reviewing judge can examine litigant compliance with judgment established installment payment obligations and schedules. Also, the Ministry of Finance (MOF) is currently in the process of identifying a commercially available automated financial management system that may be used by government institutions. When, and if, a MOF automated system is identified and available for use in the courts the PFM specialist will assist the HJC, SJD and the courts integrate the automated system into the business processes of the courts.

EPJP is seeking a Public Financial Management (PFM) specialist to oversee and coordinate EPJP’s PFM interventions (including the services of the PFM expert) in the HJC and SJD.

The PFM specialist will provide technical guidance and technical assistance on all PFM design and implementation activities to achieve the expected Result: improved public finance management to mitigate fiduciary risks. Assistance will also include continuous diagnostic reviews, provision of training to both institution’s accounting/finance staff, facilitate/assist the authoring of  the FC technical manual, as well as oversee the work of the short-term PFM expert.

The PFM specialist will be based in the EPJP office with overall responsibility for providing technical guidance in the assigned area. The PFM specialist will work as part of a highly motivated team and be required to coordinate across EPJP’s Components One and Two, the PFM expert and EPJP Senior Management in support of program activities that lead toward the design and complete implementation of the public financial management reforms.

Technical Responsibilities

-Develop and supervise the implementation of the PFM action plan in the HJC and SJD and provide management support to the PFM expert throughout the assignment.
-Coordinate and ensure timely and complete communications between component one, component two, EPJP senior management, PFM expert and HJC and SJD counterparts.
-Provide technical assistance and support to the PFM expert including (but not limited to):

-Assist the PFM expert design and develop revised PFM processes, procedures and tools for the SJD and HJC.
-Assist the PFM expert in developing and delivering training to SJD and HJC courts.
-Design and follow-up on the mentoring and on-the-job trainings that will be provided by the PFM expert in SJD and HJC courts.
-Prepare specifications and terms of reference to procure and install the financial management system.
-Work with EPJP IT specialists to identify needed equipment to install the financial system in the SJD and HJC.
-Work with the PFM expert and in collaboration with all EPJP interns to prepare for the automation process (Bisan (or similar) system), and to
-establish mechanism for knowledge transfer upon assignment completion.

-Provide oversight of technical activities, including the diagnostics, technical assistance, and program strategy approach for sound public financial management.
-Draft technical reports as instructed and requested by the Acting Component One Leader and Component Two Leader, that help advance work plan objectives for Result: improved public finance management.
-In concert with the M&E Specialist, provide technical input for the monitoring and evaluation of targets related to this activity;
-Provide project management and technical support including, but not to be limited to, support for improvements in management, acquisition of professional services; design, development and logistical support for training programs; development and implementation of workshops, conferences, capacity building activities, and other related activities.
-Provide support in developing and/or obtaining procurement specifications from project counterparts, in addition to participating on RFP/proposal evaluation committees as needed
-Prepare summary reports on field visits, events, workshops, seminars and compile participant evaluations into summary reports using MS Office programs.
-Develop and maintain good working relationships with project staff, counterparts and other international donors working with the justice sector.
-Follow-up and manage EPJP PFM interns.
-Travel as required to inspect delivery of services and goods at counterpart sites; provide technical services to counterparts; and follow-up, monitor and mentor counterpart staff.
-Other tasks assigned by the Chief of Party and/or Deputy Chief of Party in support of Result: improved public finance management.

QUALIFICATIONS

-Degree in accounting, finance, or related field; MA or CPA is preferred.
-Minimum seven years of experience in financial management and accounting.
-Experience with government financial and accounting systems.
-Experience with courts or justice sector is an asset.
-Previous work experience with USAID will be an advantage.
-Strong oral and written communication skills in Arabic and English required.

Deliverables

-Comprehensive work plan to follow-up Public Financial Management intervention.
-A revised family court financial management assessment and recommendations report (to be prepared primarily by the PFM expert).
-A comprehensive action plan for implementation of the revised financial management systems in the SJD and HJC (to be prepared primarily by the PFM expert).
-Family Court Financial Management Manual and uniform guidelines brochure (to be prepared primarily by the PFM expert).
-Uniform PFM forms, financial reports and a uniform chart of accounts for both entities (to be prepared primarily by the PFM expert).
-Lesson plans and training materials for PFM training programs for both entities (to be prepared primarily by the PFM expert).
-Lesson plans and training materials for computer-based financial management system training programs for both entities (to be prepared primarily by the PFM expert).
-Pre- and post- knowledge assessments for all trainings shall be provided to EPJP within 5 days after conclusion of a training program; pre-test findings must be used in development of the learning objectives (to be prepared primarily by the PFM expert).
-A business process functional requirements report for a sustainable computer-based financial management system for use in in the family courts (to be prepared primarily by the PFM expert).
 -A final report that documents all relevant observations, significant issues, and suggested follow-up on tasks. This report should include:
 -Documentation of the status of the existing financial management system for each court;
 -A detailed outline or description of the revised financial management system intended for use in all courts;
 -Actions taken to upgrade each court’s systems to the revised financial management system;
 -A summary of the training programs provided to court staff including recommendations of possible future training needs;
 -A summary of the status of implementation of the revised financial management systems and automated systems including recommendations for possible future assistance to ensure full compliance with the new systems.
 -The report shall be in English in Microsoft Word format, and be no more than 50 pages

Please send your curriculum vitae (resume) to
 

[email protected]

with the position title in the subject line, by Saturday February 4, 2017. Application packages will be considered on a rolling basis. Qualified applicants will be contacted for an interview. Full scope of work is linked to this announcement. No telephone inquiries, please.

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