PUBLIC FINANCE AND AUDIT (PFA) ACT COORDINATOR

Job Description

TERMS OF REFERENCE

PUBLIC FINANCE AND AUDIT ACT COORDINATOR

POSITION TITLE

Public Finance and Audit (PFA) Act Coordinator

POSITION NUMBER

445

Level

This is a long term role with a grading of C3 on the AusAID Adviser Remuneration Framework

DURATION OF CONTRACT

30 June 2013 with possibility of extension

PILLAR

Economic Governanance Pillar

SIG AGENCY

Ministry of Finance and Treasury (MOFT)

LOCATION

Honiara

SIG SUPERVISOR

Accountant General, MOFT

SIG COUNTERPARTS

Treasury Division, MOFT

SIG SUPPORT

Office space

SRSF COORDINATOR

Economic Governance Program Manager

PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT

The PFA Coordinator supports the Accountant General in coordinating the introduction and embedding of public financial management reforms within the Treasury and across the whole of government.

Performance management is undertaken jointly by the Accountant General, Economic Governance Team Leader and the SRSF Economic Governance Program Manager.

CODES OF CONDUCT

Compliance with the requirements of:

• Solomon Islands Government’s Code of Conduct for the Public Service. RAMSI Code of Conduct
• SRSF Code of Conduct, including as reflected in signing the URS Contract

BACKGROUND TO THIS POSITION

Since the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands (RAMSI) commenced in 2003, a key component has been assistance to the Solomon Islands Government (SIG) through the Economic Governance pillar to the Ministry of Finance and Treasury (MoFT). The Financial and Economic Management Strengthening Program (FEMSP) is guiding RAMSI’s latest phase of assistance in this pillar through to 2012/13. A key outcome will be to help build a more sustainable public finance and economic management system through MoFT and key spending and coordination agencies.

The role of the Treasury Division in ensuring the efficient management of Government’s public finances is continually evolving, with an increasing focus on improving IT systems and processes, modernising financial rules and regulations to facilitate efficient and accountable delivery of government services, improving the capacity of local staff to independently undertake work, and an increasing reliance on line Ministries taking responsibility for complying with financial processes, procedures and laws.

These financial services include accounting and maintenance of accounting records and systems, financial reporting for both monthly and SIG whole-of-government (WoG) annual audited financial statements, revenue collection, a centralised payment and cheque production service for WoG payments for goods and services, payroll services for approximately 14,000 public sector employees and maintenance of the financial instructions.

Public financial management (PFM) reforms are being pursued at the same time as broader public sector reforms. A key part of the reform effort challenge is ensuring that PFM reforms are developed and delivered in an effective and appropriate manner suitable for local context and that interactions between PFM reforms and broader reforms are properly scoped and complementary.

The Public Finance and Audit Act (PFA Act) is the key piece of legislation for the management of public finances across Government. To ensure the successful implementation of the replacement to this legislation, necessary are resources need to be dedicated for the coordination and implementation of the legislation.

PURPOSE AND EXPECTED OUTCOME OF THE POSITION

PURPOSE

The purpose of the Public Finance and Audit Act Coordinator role is to support the Accountant General in coordinating the introduction and embedding of public financial management reforms within the Treasury and across the whole of government. This includes supporting the development and implementation of replacement financial legislation and the design and coordination of public financial management (PFM) reform plans and ensuring broader public sector reform efforts are aligned with PFM reforms.

EXPECTED OUTCOME

The long term outcome is to properly embed sustainable reforms so that MoFT have the capacity to provide leadership in financial matters and high quality professional financial and economic services.

PRIMARY DUTIES

1. Support the Accountant General in promoting and affecting sustainable capacity building of staff, business processes and systems across government and the Solomon Islands Government Accounting Service (SIGAS), including by coordinating contractors, mentoring and building the capacity of Treasury and Budget staff and systems, and driving reforms.
2. Coordinate reform efforts in relation to the review of the Public Finance and Audit Act 1978 and the development and implementation of replacement legislation and supporting guidance, documentation and business processes.
3. Support the design and development of the Solomon Island Government financial framework and progression of public financial management reform programs, including by coordinating the work of contract staff and advisers where required.
4. Advise the Accountant General, Permanent Secretary and other senior officials on operational and strategic issues with regard to financial reform and their interaction with broader public sector reforms and performance.
5. Work with senior managers and advisers to build individual and systemic capacity in the Ministry of Finance and Treasury (MoFT).
6. Work with the in-country Senior Advisor for the Budget Unit, the Department of Finance and Deregulation in Canberra and the Solomon Islands Attorney Generals to support and coordinate consultation work required.
7. Support the Accountant General and senior officials in work with donors and line ministries to create a financial management environment that encourages donors to use SIG personnel, systems and procedures for the financial management of donor-funded programs.

REPORTING

The Senior Adviser reports to the Accountant General, MOFT.

Reporting of confidential information pertaining to the affairs of the Solomon Islands Government will be provided to the Accountant General and Permanent Secretary, Finance.

Regular reporting on outcomes will be provided to the Permanent Secretary, Economic Governance Team Leader and the SRSF Economic Governance Program Manager.

On a day-to-day basis, the Senior Adviser will work closely with the Assistant Accountant General (SIGAS), the staff of the Treasury Division, the Director of IPAM and Chief Accountants in line ministries.

In progressing work on the development of replacement legislation the Senior Adviser will work with the PFA review team and with representatives of the Australian Department of Finance and Deregulation who are supporting the design of legislation and related arrangements.

Work Plan

Outlines expected outcomes, outputs, specific measures of achievement & strategic activities towards their achievement, planned and phased over the duration of the adviser input.

Work with counterpart to prepare.

Approved by counterpart and SIG supervisor. Documentation provided to EcoGov Team Leader and SRSF Program Manager.

Within three weeks of commencement of first input, with quarterly review

Situation Reports

Retrospective activities level report outlining:

• Activities planned and completed
• Achievements noted in the reporting period, including specific examples of system improvement and capacity development
• Factors enabling/supporting and inhibiting activities progression
• Any risks and challenges to activities progression and what options are available to reduce these constraints.

Approved by counterpart and SIG supervisor.

EcoGov Team Leader and SRSF Program Manager

Using the template provided by SRSF

Quarterly and/or dependant on program needs

Exit Debrief

To include:

• Achievements
• Examples of where the inputs have had an impact on policy, procedures, leadership, staff capacity or effectiveness.
• Areas where the agreed Work Plan has not been achieved, and the reason
• Factors impacting (positive & negative) achievement of objectives
• Sustainability of the activity and the changes put in place
• Outstanding areas that may require further input or focus
• Recommendations and lessons learned.

Approved by counterpart and SIG supervisor.

Documentation provided to MoFT PS, EcoGov Team Leader and SRSF Program Manager.

Within two (2) weeks before the conclusion of final input, enabling discussion to take place before the adviser leaves.

KEY OUTPUTS EXPECTED OF SENIOR ADVISER’S WORK

TARGETED PROGRAM/SIG OBJECTIVE

MEASURE OF ACHIEVEMENT

Support the coordination and implementation of legislation to replace the Public Finance and Audit Act 1978 together with supporting materials, guidance and changes to subsidiary legislation and processes.

Support the Assistant Accountant General (SIGAS) in the development and delivery of training programs, conferences and workshops for Chief Accountants and other public servants.

Continuing support for the Institute of Public Administration and Management through the development and/or delivery of finance-related training.

Support the Accountant General in contributing to ongoing reform of financial management across the Solomon Islands Government (SIG).

MoFT Corporate Plan objectives and SIG commitments to donors on key initiatives

Passage of legislation by Parliament and completion of supporting arrangements in line with project deliverables.

Feedback from Accountant General and Chief Accountants on effectiveness and appropriateness of reform efforts

Feedback from the Core Economic Working Group

Feedback from MoFT reporting systems

SELECTION CRITERIA

Required skills and experience:

Qualifications: Relevant qualifications and/or experience in financial management, public administration or a related field.

Skills and Experience: Applicants should be able to demonstrate:

1. A proven track record of providing leadership and management skills in a team environment with challenging deadlines and timeframes; Ability to operate effectively and positively influence outcomes working in a change management environment.
2. Extensive experience in public and/or private sector financial management at a senior level including demonstrated ability in one or more areas relating to the development and review of financial management policy, legislation and associated processes, the delivery of financial and resource management services, and/ or the management of financial and statutory reporting.
3. The ability to think strategically and conceptually about public financial management and public administration issues and to advise on and develop and implement appropriate and effective solutions.
4. Demonstrated high level communication and interpersonal skills including the ability to represent the government and ministry, and effectively communicate and negotiate with peers and other key internal and external stakeholders, including SIG officials and donor organisations.
5. High degree of judgment, initiative and ethical conduct.

Desirable skills and experience:

1. Previous experience working on financial and legislative reform.
2. Experience working in a developing country.
3. Solomon Islands Pijin language skills (verbal and written) would be an advantage

APPLICATIONS CLOSE 7 SEPTEMBER 2012 An Australian Government, AusAID initiative. Contract Manager: URS Australia Pty Ltd. URS is an equal opportunity employer of choice and is committed to child protection. We encourage women and men to apply.