Public Financial Management Advisor

Ministry of Finance and Planning

Request for expressions of Interest

Individual Consultants

Public Financial Management Improvement Project (P162850)

The Palestinian Liberation Organization, for the benefit of the Palestinian Authority, has received financing from the World Bank, International Development Association in the amount of USD 3.5 million towards the cost of the Public Financial Management (PFM) Improvement Project (the Project).

The Project development objective (PDO) is to enhance the expenditure controls, financial accountability and procurement management of the Palestinian Authority. To achieve this PDO, the project will mainly cover four components: (i) Component 1- Improving Budget Expenditure Management, Financial Control and Cash Planning; (ii) Component 2- Improving Financial Accountability of the PFM System; (ii) Component 3- Modernizing Public Procurement; and (iv) Component 4- Project Management.

The Project will be implemented over 4 years by the Ministry of Finance and Planning (MOFP) in cooperation with the High Council for Public Procurement Policies (HCPPP) and State Audit & Administrative Control Bureau (SAACB). HCPPP will manage the implementation of Component 3. A Project Management Unit (PMU) will be established at the MOFP to manage the implementation of this project. It will be composed of a Project Manager, Procurement Specialist, Financial Management Specialist, Monitoring & Evaluation Specialist and a Resident PFM Advisor, as well as consultants in various technical fields, to manage the overall implementation and coordination of the Project.

MOFP is considering the appointment of qualified Project Manager, Procurement Specialist and Resident PFM Advisor for the PMU. The PMU team will be housed within MOFP in Ramallah. The duration of each assignment is one year on a full-time basis, extendable to the full length of the Project (4 years). The expected start date is September 1, 2018 for the Project Manager and Procurement Specialist and January 1, 2019 for the PFM Advisor.

An individual Consultant shall be selected for each of the above-mentioned posts in accordance with the World Bank’s procedures as specified in the World Bank’s Procurement Regulations for Borrowers under Investment Project Financing dated July 1, 2016 (“Procurement Regulations”).

Public Financial Management Advisor

Scope of Work: The PFM Advisor will be providing technical assistance to the MOFP, on a wide range of PFM areas. He/she will be physically located in the Accountant General’s Department to support the implementation of the envisaged reforms/improvements (including through working with other international/local consultants hired under the project or through the MDTF), but would be working and reporting directly to the Project Manager. He/she will be responsible for the following set of tasks:

• Providing support for the implementation of the PFM Improvement Project activities under Component 1 – Improving Budget Expenditure Management, Financial Control and Cash Planning; and Component 2 - Improving Financial Accountability of the Public Financial Management System.
• Conducting of specialized technical and strategic diagnostic reviews, provision of technical advice, training, preparation of technical manuals, and support to planning of PFM and related organizational reforms;
• Supporting the International Relation’s Directorate on the implementation of the PFM strategy 2017-22;  
• Working with other consultants on the PFM Improvement project as necessary in order to implement reforms included in the PFM strategy;
• Preparing the necessary action plans to support the implementation process of fiscal rules and policies;
• Reporting on a quarterly basis to the Project Manager.

جميع الحقوق محفوظة لموقع جوبس.

Minimum Required Qualifications

• Postgraduate university degree (or relevant qualification, e.g. CPA or CA) in finance, accounting, or other field relevant to the above duties;
• A minimum of 10 years of practical experience in a senior line or advisory position within a ministry of finance or a related budgetary institution; experience in PFM reforms and capacity building;
• Strong oral and written communication skills (including electronic media);
• Familiarity with national and international PFM institutional stakeholders;
• Ability to provide technical assistance and advice to support the government efforts in having effective budget execution and control;
• Familiarity with all control tools applied during budget execution, including appropriation, commitment, aggregate cash, verification, regularity and accounting controls;
• Previous experience with financial management information systems (FMIS) and internal audit frameworks and how they support budget execution;
• Previous practical background of Cash & Debt Management, TSA and chart of accounts;
• Has a robust budgetary, financial and statistical reporting skills based on COFOG, IPSAS and GFS classifications and principles;
• Experience in designing and conducting training courses and workshops;
• Well-developed analytical and research skills;
• Full proficiency in English.
• Track record of proven achievements in Public Reform Agendas;  A charismatic change agent - with extensive experience in context specific - practical techniques for change management.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to work as part of a team, maintain effective and cooperative relations all stakeholders.
• Significant experience in Middle Eastern countries including West Bank and Gaza.

Interested candidates are requested to send their CVs and a cover letter to the Ministry of Finance and Planning – The International Relations and Projects Directorate, at this email address: [email protected]

The closing date for applying is COB of Aug 7, 2018. Please clearly indicate the position to which you are applying in the subject line of your email.