Provincial Budgeting Manager

Job Description

Job Code Title: Provincial Budgeting Manager
Organizational Unit: UNDP/Country Office, Afghanistan: Seconded to Budget Directorate General, Ministry of Finance Kabul
Project Name: Making Budgets & Aid Work Project (MBAW)
Type of Appointment: Service Contract (National)
Level: SC10
Duration: One Year
Duty Station: Kabul, Afghanistan
Closing Date for Applications: 15 May 2008

Note: UNDP Afghanistan reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement. We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP Afghanistan at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and education requirements.

__**UNDP Mission Statement:**
UNDP is the UN’s global development network, an organization advocating for change and connecting countries to knowledge, experience and resources to help people build a better life. We are on the ground in 166 countries, working with national counterparts on their own solutions to global and national development challenges.

Organizational Context:
The Budget Department within the Ministry of Finance (MoF) is responsible for the preparation of the National Budget, and for monitoring and reporting on its implementation. Donor funded and UNDP managed “Making Budget Work” project is based in the MoF, which aims at strengthening the National Budget process, in particular, a unified budget process based on principles of accountability and transparency.

Currently within Afghanistan, there is low and uneven government budgetary resources allocated across the 34 provinces, which are the service delivery arm of the central government. This is due to weak provincial budgeting practices by the ministries in Kabul. Allocations to provinces are decided by each central ministry (or primary budgetary unit) after the national budget is approved by the Parliament.

The budgetary reforms, which were started during the 1386 budget preparation, requires ministries to formulate indicative provincial budgets that ensure an equitable allocation of resources across provinces to facilitate effective service delivery. The reform is at a pilot phase. The pilot was introduced to the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Agriculture, and Ministry of Rural, Rehabilitation, and Development (MRRD) and to three pilot provinces (Balkh, Panshir, and Kandahar). The MoF is extending the pilot to seven more provinces during 1387 budget preparation and expected to roll-out to more ministries and provinces during 1388 and 1389 if the pilot is successful.__

Functions / Key Results Expected:
Summary of Key Functions:
• Overall Management of the Unit
• Planning and Implementation of Provincial Budgeting reform process
• Coordination and Liaison
• Training and Capacity Building

The successful applicant will work under the direct supervision of the General Director of Budget for the provision of the following services to Budget Department.

Unit Management and Leading
• Manage the Unit and its staff in a professional manner, with team spirit and high integrity standards, with high attention and detail and timely implementation of the pilot program;
• Assure that the work plan is adhered to in a timely manner, and deviations are reported upon to the management at an early stage in order to allow for adjustments;
• Adhere to the internal reporting mechanisms set out by the MBAW management;
• Provide leadership and oversee the implementation of the provincial budgeting to ensure that the necessary competencies, procedures and processes are in place to support the achievements of the program deliverables.

Coordination and Liaison
• Coordinate and liaise with sector managers ensuring that information on provincial budgeting (budget allotments, expenditures, and achievements) are available and communicated to various stakeholders through periodic reporting;
• Participate and lead by example provincial budgeting missions, providing trainings to budgetary units in the provinces, communicating with key stakeholders and providing feedback, in accordance to the work plan;
• In close consultation with the pilot provinces, examine current processes related to the involvement of provinces in the budget process, and make recommendations as well as provide inputs to improve procedural guide for primary budgetary units including the Budget Manual and the Budget Circular;
• Coordinate with the ANDS team to facilitate the inclusion of provincial priorities in the preparation of the annual national budget;
• Ensure increased engagement of provinces in the budget formulation, execution, and reporting processes.

Training and Capacity Building
• Share experience and knowledge generated with other units to improve the overall budget policy framework;
• In the medium term it is likely that the Provincial Budgeting Manager will be asked to participate in providing training to other government entities
• Guide the relevant MoF sectoral focal point and the representative of the pilot ministries in preparing their 1386 budget submissions according to the detailed guidelines; and
• Signal to the management any issues that might cause of concern at the earliest opportunity available;
• Adhere to the Code of Conduct of MBAW/UNDP;
• The human resources practices within MBAW are answered upon, interim reviews and staff annual evaluations are part of this process.

Other Tasks:
• Any other tasks and responsibilities as required for the implementation of the project and requested by the DG Budget and Project Manager.

Reporting Relationship:
• Reports to the DG Budget;
• Supervise all national staff working for the provincial budgeting unit.

Impact of Results:
Reporting Requirements
The incumbent will report on a regular basis to the MBW Project Manager, Director General Budget Department. He/she shall also maintain collegial relationship with the Technical Advisors of the MBW Project, and the designated Program focal points at the UNDP Afghanistan Country Office in Kabul.

Competencies:
Corporate Competencies:
• Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
• Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP;
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
• Treats all people fairly without favoritism.

Functional Competencies:
Knowledge Management and Learning
• Shares knowledge and experience and contributes to UNDP Practice Areas and actively works towards continuing personal learning and development;
• Ability to provide top quality policy advice services on economic issues;
• In-depth practical knowledge of inter-disciplinary development issues.

Development and Operational Effectiveness
• Ability to lead strategic planning, results-based management and reporting;
• Capacity to adapt policies, approaches and models to meet emerging needs;
• Ability to lead formulation and evaluation of development programmes and projects;
• Ability to apply economic theory to the specific country context, carry out high-quality economic research.

Management and Leadership
• Focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to critical feedback;
• Encourages risk-taking in the pursuit of creativity and innovation;
• Leads teams effectively and shows conflict resolution skills;
• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
• Demonstrates strong oral and written communication skills;
• Builds strong relationships with clients and external actors.

**Recruitment Qualifications:
Education:**
• Master’s Degree in Economics, Business Administration, Finance or International Relations.

Experience:
• Minimum 5 years of professional experience in the field of public financial management;
• Demonstrated experience of conducing budget analysis on central and/or provincial level;
• Knowledge and expertise in data analysis and presentation;
• Proven leadership and managerial skills;
• Strong written and oral communication skills in English;
• Ability to coordinate a team and different stakeholders in a complex work environment.

Language Requirements:
• Fluency in English (reading and writing) and proficiency in Dari or Pashto.

Submission of Applications:
The application comprises a one-page cover letter explaining your interest and suitability for the post, and a UN Personal History Form (P11) ( / ), your latest RCA (For UNDP contract holders) or an official performance evaluation report for all staff and non staff of the UN system. Interested Afghans national Candidates should submit their applications in writing (marked "Confidential", clearly indicating on the sealed envelope the Vacancy Announcement Number) to the Human Resources Officer of UNDP at Shah Mahmood Ghazi Watt Street, Kabul, Afghanistan; or email their applications (indicating on the subject line the VA number and the title of the position applied for) to .

Please note that incomplete applications & applications received after the closing date (**15 May 2008**) will not be given consideration. Only short-listed candidates whose application responds to the above criteria will be contacted for test and an interview.

Female Candidates are highly encouraged to apply