Public Financial Management (PFM) Consultant

Job Description

The Indo-Pacific Opportunity Program (IPOP) is a 4-year, regional activity in the Indo-Pacific region designed to address the Public Financial Management (PFM) objectives under the Indo-Pacific Strategy (IPS). It aims to create inclusive and sustainable economic growth, encourage regional cooperation, promote good governance, and improve the management of institutions. IPOP will focus on improving the macroeconomic policy and trade environment in the target countries. It also aims to strengthen democratic institutions to oversee PFM and implement sustainable infrastructure projects. IPOP is designed to contribute to four intermediate results:

• Improve trade and investment policy and capacity;
• Strengthen ability to implement sustainable and high-quality infrastructure projects
• Improve macroeconomic and fiscal policy; and
• Strengthen democratic systems to oversee PFM

Under IPOP, the Pacific Island Countries (PIC) PFM Activity will provide USAID with the technical advisory services to the Pacific Island countries and implement specific targeted technical assistance and capacity building activities to strengthen PFM systems in the region.

Responsibilities

The international consultant will be responsible for the following tasks:

• Consolidate all PFM legislative amendments:
  • Gather and review the PFMA, NPA and other PFM related legislations.
  • Incorporate all amendments for each piece of legislation into consolidated Acts.
  • Develop a set of consolidated PFM legislations for submission to the Office of Legislative Council and uploading on the DoF web site.
• Assist DoF’s FRCD to establish an internal government wide Financial Management Manual Technical Working Group (FMM TWG):
  • Ensure TWG participation of agencies and departments responsible for the management and implementation of PFMA and associated PFM legislations. This will include Departments of Treasury, Personnel Management, National Planning and Monitoring, Provincial and Local Government Affairs as well FMM users from other agencies (as determined by the DOF leadership)
  • Thoroughly review the consolidated PFM legislations and identify sections/provisions that require policy and procedural information to be developed for inclusion in the FMM.
  • Review business processes and workflows in IFMS, and current IFMS training materials to identify content and/or links for inclusion in the FMM.
  • Brainstorm with relevant stakeholders, gather data and information, and solicit stakeholder feedback on both the process as well as various draft sections of the FMM.
  • Convene FMM TWG meetings bi-weekly or as needed.
  • Follow up with agencies and departments on inputs, feedback and suggestions
• Develop Financial Management Manual
  • Develop a draft FMM for DOF (and other stakeholders) feedback
  • Incorporate feedback and produce a revised version
  • Present the draft FMM to the Office of the DOF Secretary for approval
  • Update and finalize the FMM, including digitalization
• Prepare material for an FMM to raise stakeholder awareness
  • Prepare media notices for the awareness campaign
  • Prepare PowerPoint presentation/s
  • Support the delivery of an initial awareness session at a Finance Forum

Scope of Work

Development and revision of the Financial Management Manual: Public Finances (Management) Act, 1995 (as amended) (PFMA) mandates the PNG Department of Finance to issue Financial Management Manuals (FMM). The PFMA was substantially amended in 2016 with further amendments in 2018, 2019 and 2021. In addition, the national procurement systems that applies to all levels of government was redesigned and resulted in the National Procurement Act, 2018 (amended in 2021). The collection and management of all non-tax revenue and the arrangements for financing the operations of public and statutory bodies has also been substantially revised, resulting in the creation of the Non-Tax Revenue Administration Act, 2022 (NTRAA). These amendments reflect changes to the legislative arrangements for managing public finances including budget preparation and control, revenue management, expenditure control, procurement, accounting, reporting and auditing for public and statutory bodies operating at the national and sub-national levels of government. In addition, the Government of PNG rolled out the Integrated Financial Management System (IFMS) in all national government departments, major statutory authorities, 15 provinces and 81 districts. The Department of Finance plans on rolling IFMS out to the remaining 5 provinces and 15 districts in 2023.

Reporting Requirements

The PFM consultant will report to field Project Director and Home Office Associate Project Director more directly as well as to the Chief of Party. During the engagement with the Department of Finance, the PFM consultant will report operationally to the Deputy Secretary, Operations.

Confidentiality

No confidential operational matters are to be disclosed to the USAID/IPOP staff without prior approval by the Secretary for the Department of Finance. All matters and information which are not in the public domain are considered to be confidential.

Qualifications

• University degree in economics, business, statistics, public policy, or a related field.
• A minimum of seven (12) years of experience with a master’s degree and five (10) years of experience with PhD supporting the public sector with PFM reforms and practices
• Proven skills and experience in PFM areas such as: budgeting, procurement, treasury functions, infrastructure financing, and medium-term frameworks.
• Excellent communication (written and oral), presentation, management and interpersonal skills. Experience conducting key informant interviews and stakeholder consultation is a must.
• Demonstrated professional experience developing and delivering trainings and capacity building programs to government authorities such as Ministries of Finance and Ministries of Economy, as well as civil society organizations and private sector stakeholders.
• Experience writing and editing assessments and reports.
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy, as well as excellent organizational skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively and professionally with remote and in-person co-workers.
• Excellent computer skills and proficiency in Microsoft Office applications (e.g., PowerPoint, Word, and Excel) as well as various integrated financial management information systems (IFMIS).
• Fluent in written and spoken English

Deliverables, Level of Effort, Schedule

• Operationalize FMM technical working group, (20 Days)
• Consolidate amendments to the PFMA and NPA, (10 Days)
• Circulate and finalize chapters/sections of the FMM to stakeholders, (33 Days)
• Submit draft manual to Finance secretary for approval, (7 Days)
• Finalize the FMM for circulation, including digitalization of the manual (5 days)
• Presentation at Finance Forum (5 days)

Level of Effort and Period of Performance

The period of performance will be from February to July 2023. The total level of effort will be 80 days. This assignment will need to be completed in the country with only two trips in total. One trip at the beginning and one in the middle of the assignment for one week.

EEO Statement

NOTE: This job posting should not be construed to imply that the requirements are the exclusive standards of the position nor will it be the sole basis for any subsequent employee evaluations. Incumbents will follow any other instructions and perform any other related duties as may be required by their supervisor.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), age (40 and older), physical and mental disability, genetic information (including family medical history) or characteristics, military status, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, citizenship or alienage, or any other protected status as established by applicable federal, state, or local law.

About the Organization

DevTech Systems, Inc. (DevTech) is an international consulting firm dedicated to development, with 38 years of experience providing advisory services and technical assistance to government, private sector, and civil society stakeholders in more than 100 countries. DevTech core practice areas include: Monitoring Evaluation, Research and Learning; Data Solutions; Public Financial Management and Fiscal Sustainability; and Education, Gender, and Youth.

At DevTech, we care deeply about doing work that leads to positive change in the world. We value diverse perspectives and are committed to an inclusive work environment. We encourage each person to learn, develop, and meet their professional potential. We rethink and evolve how we do things to grow and improve our company.