UNDP Jobs - 51008- Programme Management Expert

Programme Management Expert - Technical Support to Provincial Governance Strengthening Programme

Location :

Honiara, Solomon Islands, SOLOMON ISLANDS

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

03-Nov-14 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

International Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

62 working days

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

62 working days

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

The PGSP is an institutional strengthening program aiming to develop the capacity of the Ministry of Provincial Government and Institutional Strengthening (MPGIS) and the nine Provincial Governments in order to fulfil their mandates in service delivery. PGSP is implemented by the Ministry of Provincial Government and Institutional Strengthening (MPGIS), with UNCDF and UNDP providing support for the implementation of the program as participating UN agencies. UNDP has been delegated the role and responsibility as the Administrative Agent of the Joint Program.

The first phase of PGSP focuses on basic capacity for public expenditure management (PEM) and will develop in all nine Provinces a level of capacity characterized by the ability to program, produce and execute credible budgets, through appropriate participatory and transparent procedures. To provide incentives for the adoption of improved governance and administration practices, the PGSP has set up a “Provincial Capacity Development Fund” (PCDF) as a provincial budget support facility for discretionary development spending. The program will also start building the capacity of the central administration (particularly the Ministries of Provincial Government and Institutional Strengthening and Finance and Treasury) to effectively support and supervise the performance of the provincial governments.

The overarching goal of the PGSP is poverty reduction and achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in the Solomon Islands. The intermediate outcome for the program is improved provincial governance for development, more specifically, an expanded, more effective and more efficient role of Provincial Governments in the promotion and management of local development and in service delivery.

The Project Document of Phase II was signed and approved by the main stakeholders in July 2014 after the Cabinet endorsed the programme in the same month. This paved the way for the implementation of PGSP Phase II to commence by August 2014. The first work plan of the project shall run from August to December 2014, which shall be the interim work plan and shall be followed by a 12 month work plan from January 2015 - December 2015. The technical support of the contracted PME shall be required to guide the programme and provide the necessary capacity building support to the Ministry and other stakeholders during this period.

Duties and Responsibilities

Scope of work/Expected Output:

The PME’s scope of work shall cover the following areas but not limited to:

IPSAS (International Public Sector Accounting Standard) Training:

Develop training materials for the training of 27 provincial government officers in International Public Sector Accounting Standard (IPSAS) Cash;
Deliver the training to the 27 selected provincial and ministry officers in one week training.

Training on annual work plan and budgets for provincial governments:

Develop training materials on provincial government planning and budgeting for 2015/16 fiscal year;
Deliver training to provincial government chief planning officers, Treasurers and Ministry officials on
Provincial planning and budgeting for a period of one week.

Conceptualise the institutionalisation of Provincial Capacity Development Fund:

By developing a detailed Memorandum of Understanding between the Solomon Islands Government Ministries of: Development and Aid Coordination, Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Finance and Treasury and the Ministry of Provincial Government and Institutional Strengthening;
Develop the MoU that will ensure steady and predictable capital development funds to the provincial governments for five years from 2015 - 2019;
Technically support the Ministry of Provincial Government in the presentation of the MoU to stake holders.

Development of Financial Management Strategy for Malaita Provincial Government:

Develop a detailed financial management strategy for the provincial government of Malaita as per project steering committee on the 28th March 2014;
Present the strategy to the provincial Executive of Malaita Province;
Present the strategy to PGSP project board meeting in its next sitting for endorsement.

Hunan Resource Development Strategy for the MPGIS:

Based on the conceptual framework developed for human resource development plan;
Develop questionnaires for development of comprehensive human resource development plan for the MPGIS;
Administer the questionnaires and analyse the data;
Produce a human resource development strategy for the MPGIS that meets the long term human capacity needs of the ministry and provincial governments core officers.

Ward profiling and strategic planning:

Technically guide the completion of ward profiling of 115 wards that have so far been covered and ensure the final drafts are ready for release to the provinces and the constituencies;
Technically guide and supervise the development of draft and final strategic plans of six initial provinces;
Ensure the strategic plans of the six provinces are in line with the agreed strategic planning template;
Support the Ministry in the formulation of ward profiles in the remaining three provinces of Malaita, Central and Renbel.

Database construction for PCDF projects:

Develop terms of reference for the construction of an online database for Provincial Capacity Development Funds of PGSP;
Technically guide the international consultant during the design stage of the database with regard to data requirement of the capacity of the database;
Guide the consultant with regards to detailed systems requirements for the database;
Coordinate capacity building for inputting and retrieving data into the system.

Monitoring and Evaluation:

Based one the baseline report of PGSP phase I and Phase II, technically draft;
Develop a terms of reference for the development of monitoring and evaluation framework for the provincial governments based on PGSP phase II project and SiG development projects;
The Monitoring and Evaluation consultant shall develop a training manual and conduct training for the MPGIS and project M&E Officers.

Technically support the Ministry Education and Human Resource Development in the application of sector grants that may be piloted in the six qualifying provinces in 2014:

Support the sensitization of Education Authorities and provincial governments in understanding the PCDF concept and how it may be applied in the context of education infrastructures at the provincial level;
Finalise the MoU on Education Sector Grant and technically support the MPGIS and the Ministry of Finance and Treasury in understanding the new funding window from SIG sectors;
Provide high level advice to the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education and Human Resources on the application of Education Grant using PCDF mechanisms;
Technically support the incorporation of MEHRD investment menu and performance measures into the PCDF Operations Manual when it is due for review.

Annual Performance Assessment for Provincial Capacity Development Fund:

Develop terms of reference for the annual performance assess 2014 for access to PCDF in 2015/16;
Conduct induction trainings for consultants that will carry out the assessment in 2014;
Support the Ministry finalising the template for the assessment;
Technically support the Ministry in finalising the report of the assessment for presentation to Provincial Fiscal Grant Coordination Committee and to the Joint Oversight Committee of PGSP.

Deliverables:

An Inception report describing the scope work to be carried out;
A comprehensive MoU for institutionalisation of Provincial Capacity Development Fund;
Financial management strategy for the provincial government of Malaita by end of September 2015;
Materials and delivery of training on IPSAS Cash Basis of Accounting to Provincial Government Treasurers and the MPGIS officers. Materials and delivery of training on provincial planning and budgeting for the fiscal year 2015/16.

Competencies

Functional Competencies:

Excellent training skills;
Proven background in conducting training in IPSAS cash basis of accounting;
Good track record in leading a decentralised programme in a least developing country;
Good track record in managing performance based grants programmes;
Good track record in designing and implementing strategic plans at sub-national level;
Good track record in developing human resource development plans or similar in human resource management or performance management systems.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Masters degree in accounting and finance or a related professional qualification.

Experience:

Over 10 years experience in public sector accounting and reforms;
Experience in policy design and hands on experience in conceptualising and development policy frameworks and implementing strategies;
Experience in leading a decentralised programme in at least a developing country with managing performance based grants programmes is a must;
Experience in implementing strategic plans at the sub-national level with good track records of human development plans; and
Proven track record in training skills.

Language:

Fluent in English.