UNDP Jobs - 49522- Public Finance Management Expert, NPPP III

Public Finance Management Expert, NPPP III - (Open to Nepalese Nationals only)

Location :

Kathmandu, NEPAL

Type of Contract :

Other

Starting Date :

24-Nov-2014

Application Deadline :

02-Oct-14 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

Other

Duration of Initial Contract :

One year (Possibility of extension)

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

The duration of the assignment will be until the programme is completed in December 2015.

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

DFID Nepal is working with the Government of Nepal (GON) by providing funding support through large scale programmes in sectors such as health, education, local governance, forestry and climate change. In the climate change sector, DFID is co-financing Nepal Climate Change Support Programme (NCCSP) with European Union (EU) for a period of three years starting from January 2012. The total contribution of DFID and EU in the programme is £12.6m. UNDP provides Technical Assistance to the project. The main output of the programme includes implementation of 100 local adaptation plan for actions at 14 districts in the mid and far western regions of Nepal.
The programme funds will be channelled to the dedicated account of the respective DDCs through District Development Fund (DDF). The programme funds are currently channelled through District Treasury and Controller Office (DTCO) to the respective DEECCs via DDF. In these contexts, DFID seeks the services of a consultant or a group of consultants in the field of public financial management who can provide the oversight services as detailed out in the Scope of Work on behalf of DFID.

Duties and Responsibilities

The overall objective of the assignment is to liaise between DFID and the programme and to provide financial management quality assurance and to oversee the introduction of measures for the mitigation of fiduciary risk. The scope of work of financial management expert shall include but not limited to the following tasks:

Review the existing financial management, systems, processes and practices of NCCSP and suggest improvements to ensure proper financial management and fiduciary risk mitigation of NCCSP. This includes suggesting procedures for proper management following sound accounting, budgeting, financial control and audit procedures;
Agree and implement Financial Management Improvement Plan for NCCSP;
Advise the LDOs and accounts officers of respective DDCs and guide DAFAs and AFAs on matters related to implementation guidelines and procurement guidelines applicable to the programme;
Review and refine the design of FMR template of programme expenditure;
Report periodically to DFID (at least once a month) on the status of budget and expenditure under various administrative and economic codes incurred by individual spending units and the NCCSP as a whole;
Prepare periodic financial progress report as needed for presentation to the meetings of project steering committee and to MoSTE.
Design and establish a system and procedures to draw down donors’ funds to the NCCSP bank account which should include the templates of statement of sources and uses of funds and bank reconciliation statement;
Assist MoSTE in maintaining the records and accounts of foreign currency account including the preparation of bank reconciliation statement;
Assist MoSTE in procedures applicable to internal and external auditing and settlement of audit objections;
Assist NCCSP in preparing FMR;
Provide guidance to MOSTE Account Officer, DAFA stationed at the district level as well as Administration and Finance Staff stationed at the central NCCSP Office regarding the following aspects applicable to the programme: a) Fund flow mechanism from the centre to district levels; b) Financial reporting requirements of different spending units in the programme hierarchy;
Hold training sessions for MoSTE financial personnel, DAFA and AFA from time to time to train them on special aspects of fiduciary risk and financial management applicable to the programme; and
Coordinate with Chief, Finance Administration Section, MoSTE on regular basis on all financial management matters and to facilitate coordination and information sharing with other relevant stakeholders.

Assignment Approach

While performing the tasks assigned in the present terms of reference, the Public Finance Management Expert will work in close collaboration with designated officials at DFID to ascertain the specific requirements and needs of the programme and donors. S/he should also be in regular and consultation with the finance and accounts officials of MoSTE, and NCCSP while making suggestions/recommendations in the tasks entrusted. Besides, s/he should also be in constant consultation with the officials of Financial Comptroller General Office and Office of the Auditor General in aspects related to internal and external auditing.

The financial management expert shall also be required to closely and constantly consult and interact with the Local Development Officer, DEECC Coordinator and DAFA in the districts and finance officers stationed at NCCSP central office.

Outputs

The incumbent(s) will deliver the following outputs in relation to the assignment:

Design FMR template and prepare FMRs for project expenditures incurred during the year.
Implement the system and procedures to draw down donors’ funds to the NCCSP bank account within one and half month from the date of commencement of consulting services;
Assist NCCSP in preparing FMR related to NCCSP expenditure of each trimester until the programme is complete.
Agree and implement Financial Management Improvement Plan (FMIP) for NCCSP.
Submit progress reports every month to DFID with a copy of the same to MoSTE within 7 days from the close of the month;
The progress report should include the status of budget and expenditure of individual spending units and NCCSP as a whole, outstanding works yet to be accomplished and issues/problems faced in the performance of services.
The consultant will report to UNDP on administrative matters only. All outputs will be submitted to DFID with a copy of same to MoSTE.
Reporting Arrangements:Expert should have prior consultation with MoSTE before submitting reports to DFID for information and clarification. The Financial Management Expert will then report to the designated officer at DFID for the submission of all outputs related to this assignment.

Location and Working Patterns:

The normal place of work of the Financial Management Expert will be NCCSP Office at the Ministry of Science, Technology and Environment Building, Singh Durbar. He / She will also be required to frequently visit spending units at the field level. The Expert will keep DFID informed of the movements to districts and report any issues needing urgent action.

Competencies

Functional Competencies:

Identifies needs and interventions for capacity building of counterparts and clients;
Displays initiative, sets challenging outputs for him/herself and willingly accepts new work assignments;
Participates in the development of mechanisms, including identifying new approaches to promote individual and organizational learning;
Performs appropriate work analysis and identifies and recommends remedial measures to address problems in systems design or implementation;
Anticipates client needs and demonstrates understanding of client’s perspective.

Core Competencies:

Building staff competence, creating an environment of creativity and innovation;
Building and promoting effective team;
Creating and promoting enabling environment for open communication;
Sharing knowledge across the organization and building a culture of knowledge sharing and learning.

Required Skills and Experience

Education

A Master's degree or equivalent in a field relevant to the assignment.

Experience

At least 7 years’ experience preferably 10 years in financial reporting and internal control;
At least 5 years of experience in project financial management in Nepal;
Previous work experience with donors including DFID will be an added advantage.

Language

Proficiency in written and spoken English and Nepali.