UNCDF Jobs - 29411- Chief Technical Advisor UNCDF

Chief Technical Advisor UNCDF

Advertised on behalf of

UNCDF

Location :

Honiara, SOLOMON ISLANDS

Type of Contract :

FTA International

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

26-Apr-12 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

P-5

Duration of Initial Contract :

One year with the possibility of renewal

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence. UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

Background

UNCDF is the UN’s capital investment agency for the world’s 48 least developed countries. It creates new opportunities for poor people and their small businesses by increasing access to microfinance and investment capital. UNCDF focuses on Africa and the poorest countries of Asia, with a special commitment to countries emerging from conflict or crisis. It provides seed capital – grants and loans – and technical support to help microfinance institutions reach more poor households and small businesses, and local governments finance the capital investments – water systems, feeder roads, schools, irrigation schemes – that will improve poor peoples’ lives. UNCDF programmes help to empower women, and are designed to catalyze larger capital flows from the private sector, national governments and development partners, for maximum impact toward the Millennium Development Goals.

The Provincial Governance Strengthening Program (PGSP) is a program of the Solomon Islands Government (SIG) that aims on building the capacity of Provincial Governments, so that they can better allocate and spend public resources, deliver infrastructure and services, manage natural resources and promote local economic development. PGSP is executed by the Ministry of Provincial Government and Institutional Strengthening (MPGIS), with UNCDF and UNDP acting as implementation support agencies.

This is a Development Project funded position.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Chief Technical Advisor will support, and work closely with the Permanent Secretary of the MPGIS, and support the Under Secretary of the Ministry of Provincial Government and Institutional Strengthening in his/her function as the PGSP Project Coordinator and in fulfilling his/her responsibilities related to the implementation and coordination of all activities under this project. The CTA shall work closely with the Permanent Secretary as a counterpart and advise the Ministry on policy issues and build the capacity of the Ministry and Provincial Executives on public policy development and implementation.

In particular he/she shall:

Support the MPGIS to conceptualize and formulate policy issues and documents by working closely with the Ministry and Provincial executives in building their capacities in developing policies for the Ministry and the provincial governments.
Assist SIG in the administration of a performance-based grant system to fund development expenditures of Provincial Governments, the Provincial Capacity Development Fund (PCDF).
Approve the specifications of all equipment to be procured and all facilities to be repaired with project funding.
Monitor the implementation of all sub-contracts awarded and administered by UNCDF or UNDP under the project and certify all payments under such contracts.
Plan and oversee all training, information and dissemination activities to be executed under the project.
With the MPGIS, ensure that the PGSP management structure is in place and functioning.
Represent PGSP in all steering and coordination bodies set up to ensure a smooth interaction of PGSP with SIG, line ministries and international development partners’ initiatives.
Deputize/delegate her/his functions as required (either for absence or to improve overall project performance) among the other long-term international advisors, based on the analysis of individual skill sets, experience and leadership.
Technically backstop the finance division in mobilization of PCDF funds for disbursements to the provincial governments on a timely manner.
Coordinate with the Financial Controller to build the capacities of the MPGIS and provincial Treasurers in PFM and PEM including other related activities in the PEM cycle by mentoring.
Support the MPGIS to prepare the Annual Workplan and Budget, monitor and report quarterly on its execution.
Support the MPGIS to make sure that the PGSP M&E framework is established and functioning, including the establishment of MIS in the MPGIS.
Plan and coordinate the work, approve the workplans and monitor the performance of the PGSP Advisors and support staff based at the Ministry level (Capacity Development, Financial, and Human Resources Management) as well as those based in the Provincial Governments
Prepare and finalize TORs and coordinate the recruitment of all short term advisors and assist them with all aspects of their assignments.
Review and provide oversight of the institutional dimensions of the provincial PEM cycle and the production of corresponding outputs.
Develop and supervise PG’s procedures for investment programming, annual budgeting, implementation and procurement, assets management, accounting and financial reporting, internal controls and M&E.
In collaboration with the MPGIS, the MoFT and the PGSP Chief Technical Advisor, develop a plan and timeframe for fully integrating the PCDF into the SIG/PG treasury system
Establish a process for review of Provincial Financial Management Ordinances and Financial Instructions to ensure compliance with national regulatory framework.
Assist the MPGIS and MoFT to jointly develop, monitor and publish, key indicators of financial performance of the PGs.
Support Provincial Advisers in undertaking their counterpart capacity development duties as they relate to financial management
The CTA will work closely with the Permanent Secretary to provide policy advice and support in furtherance of the governments objectives for public management, territorial governance, local economic development and poverty reduction, with emphasis on the role of the sub national branches of the government apparatus. This may include providing inputs to reports and other analytical work carried out by government.

The CTA will report to:

The Permanent Secretary of the MPGIS for day-to-day issues issue regarding PGSP implementation in accordance with the signed project document
The assigned regional technical advisor at the UNCDF regional office for strategic programme direction, relations with development partners and contractual matters.
The CTA will work closely with the UNCDF Programme Officer based in Honiara.

Competencies

Technical Competencies:

The CTA will be an experienced professional with a demonstrated track record in providing sound technical support and policy advice to projects/programmes in the area of his/her assignment.
S/he has excellent written English and capacity to provide high quality reports in a professional and timely manner.
The CTA shall have a strong background and experience in public sector finance and accountancy.
The CTA will be an experienced professional with a demonstrated track record in providing sound technical support in public financial management reforms, fiscal decentralization and local government reforms.
The PGSP CTA will have strong experience in decentralized public expenditure and financial management processes, and including reporting and financial accountability systems.
S/he shall have extensive experience in advising government officials in appropriate fiscal policies, accounting policies , strategies and systems that can be institutionalized and sustained.

Corporate Competencies:

Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards.
Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.
Treats all people fairly without favoritism.

Functional Competencies:

In-depth knowledge on development issues.
Ability to advocate and provide policy advice.
In-dept knowledge in public finance and accountancy
Ability to lead reform in public sector finance at sub-national level.

Management and Leadership:

Works with teams effectively and shows conflict resolution skills.
Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude.
Demonstrates strong oral and written communication skills.
Remains calm, in control and good humored even under pressure.
Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Postgraduate degree in Public Finance, professional Accounting and Public Policy .

Experience:

At least 10 years of professional experience in leading roles within decentralization and local government support programs, preferably in LDCs.
Extensive experience in public finance and demonstrated ability in leading reforms in public finance and accounting.
Experience in providing high level technical inputs in public sector planning and budgeting and linking them to public sector financial reporting system.
Strong experience in decentralized public expenditure and financial management processes and including reporting and financial accountability systems.
S/he has extensive experience in advising government officials in appropriate fiscal policies, strategies.
Experience in managing large teams of international and local staff.
Experience and demonstrated substantive knowledge of fiscal and administrative decentralization processes.
Experience in the set up and implementation of comprehensive M&E systems, including MIS software applications.
High level management skills applicable to public sector, statutory, or government-funded organizations.
Highly developed inter-personal and leadership skills with the ability to: communicate effectively, mentor and guide others from different social, ethnic and cultural backgrounds; adapt to different cultures; and listen to ideas and concerns of others.
Knowledge of UNDP procurement rules and procedures.
Experience working in the Solomon Islands or the South Pacific Region is preferable, though not required.

Language Requirements:

Excellent command of the English language, with outstanding written and oral communication skills