UNDP Jobs - 5446- Consultant: Local Public Finance Management Expert

Consultant: Local Public Finance Management Expert

Location :

Jakarta, INDONESIA

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

08-Jul-08 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

Duration of Initial Contract :

50 working days within max 3 months period

Languages Required :

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

United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) aim at synchronizing government priorities with the citizens’ immediate expectations to further develop and entrench democratic values in society - for the consolidation of a truly democratic political system. Through its Governance Reform and DPRD Empowerment (GRADE) Project in partnership with the Directorate General of the Regional Autonomy of the Ministry of Home Affairs, UNDP is facilitating efforts to strengthen the capacity of the local parliamentarians (DPRD) and to enhance the accountability and functioning of the DPRD in implementing core functions i.e. of legislative, budgetary and oversight for Sulawesi provinces, districts, and municipalities DPRDs.

Unlike in the past when DPRDs were viewed as rubber stamps of the central government, devolution of functions to the regions has greatly increased DPRD powers. They not only make local rules and regulation (PERDA’s), but the role to monitor and oversee the local governments. As stated in Law 32/2004, DPRD’s has obligation and authority to conduct oversight of implementation PERDA’s and other regulations, decision of governor regents/mayors, implementation local budget, local executive policy and implementation with respect to international cooperation in the region.The provision strengthens not only the role of DPRD in policy-making, but also its authority to monitor local government and other officials. The DPRD oversight aims at establishment of institutional checks and balances between DPRD and local executive. People are increasingly aware of the DPRD’s role in monitoring government activities as part of their duties to represent the interest of society. Though the awareness is not yet widespread, it has pushed the DPRDs to act on complaint and grievances expressed by their constituents with respect to local policies and the quality of public services.
As part of its oversight role, the DPRDs have responsibility to follow up the BPK (Badan Pemeriksa Keuangan/ Audit Board)audit results report. Law No 15, 2004 stipulated that before head of region (governor or Major/Regent) submit their accountability report to DPRD, the financial report is prior to BPK audits, BPK then submit its audit result report to DPRD’s.

Base on this BPK report DPRD should undertake measures to follow up the BPK audit results. Success in implementing the responsibilities of local parliaments oversight function very much depends on their capacity and capability in undertaking their responsibilities. The capacity of DPRD members to supervise action taken by the executive as response to BPK audits results is a critical factor in making local government accountable to the people. In practice this duty is rarely performed with effectiveness in many DPRD in the regions of Indonesia due to insufficient capacity –lack necessary knowledge and skills to conduct oversight effectively- of DPRD’s– Unclear mechanism and procedure on how to conduct follow up of BPK audit results is also constraint faced by DPRD.

GRADE Project has recently received a request from the Provincial DPRD of Gorontalo to support their oversight performance particularly on how to follow up the BPK audit results report. Based on this need, GRADE Project will provide technical facilitation for Provincial DPRD of Gorontalo follow up of BPK audit results report capacity strengthening.
Objectives of Assignment

The objective of the technical facilitation is to improve the capacity of Provincial DPRD of Gorontalo to follow up the BPK audit results report.

Duties and Responsibilities

Scope of work:

Together with the Local Governance Expert, the Local Public Finance Management Expert should engage in planning and formulating the guideline on oversight function, organizing a workshop and on-site facilitation to the local DPRD members.

Provide inputs to the Local Governance Expert for the assessment on Gorontalo DPRDs needs to follow up the BPK audit results report.
Contribute to the development of the technical guidance on follow up of the BPK audit results report.
Assist the Local Governance Expert in organizing a workshop on the guidance and formulating technical facilitation agenda that are in mutual accord with the DPRD oversight work plan.
Providing onsite technical facilitation for Gorontalo DPRD in the event of hearing with executive.
Reporting on the technical facilitation activities.

Expected Results/ Final Products/ Deliverables:

Public finance section of Technical Guidance on follow up BPK audit results report for Gorontalo DPRD.
Workshop on the Technical Guidance in the area of local public expenditure management.
Improved understanding of Gorontalo DPRD on oversight function in the area public expenditure management.
Technical facilitation for Gorontalo DPRD to perform effective role to follow up the BPK audit results report related to public expenditure management.

Payment is linked to the following milestones/outputs:

Individual contract signing and develop detail work plan: due in 1st week
Need assessment and submission of detailed work plan and need assessment report: due in 3rd week
First payment term upon submission of itens no. 1 and 2 (30 % of contract): due in 4th week
Develop technical guidance; formulate ToR for workshop; and submission of draft of technical guidance and ToR for workshop: due in 7th week
Revision of technical guidance and second payment term upon submission of items no. 4 (30% of contract): due in 8th week
Onsite technical facilitation: due in 11th week
Reporting; submission of final technical guidance and technical facilitation report; and 3rd payment term upon submission of items no. 5, 6, and 7 (40% of contract): due in 12th week

Competencies

Excellent Planning and organising skills
Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain excellent working relationships
Well developed communication skills

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Master’s Degree or equivalent (S2) in Economics, Social Sciences or related field.

Experience:

Five (five) years of relevant experience at the national level in relevant areas such development Planning, Budgeting as well as Public sector auditing.
Prior experience on technical facilitation particularly on DPRD particularly on DPRD oversight function.
Experience in designing and developing capacity enhancement material for DPRD.
Demonstrated knowledge and experience in working on the relevant thematic area.
Experience in working with government agencies (central and local), civil society organizations and international organizations are an asset.
Experience in the usage of computer and office software packages.

Language Requirements:

Fluency in written and spoken English and Indonesian.