National Accounts Advisor

• Type: Contract
• Location: Dili, East Timor
• Organisation: Ministry of Finance
  Background 1. Since the restoration of independence in 2002, the Government of Timor-Leste has made steady progress in building its public financial management system. There is strong awareness within the Government on the key role of the public financial management system for growth, service delivery and poverty reduction. 2. Similarly, the Government recognized the current fragility of institutions responsible for formulating plans, budgeting, budget execution, revenue collection, monitoring and audit in the face of the huge challenges posed by rapid expansion of the budget and increased petroleum sector activity. 3. Early capacity building initiatives undertaken by the Government understandably focused on getting the public financial management system up and running. With such focus, the system that was established remains heavily reliant on the presence of international advisers, who have largely focused on in-line performance and, to a limited extent, on the transfer of skills. 4. With the recent entry of the 4th Constitutional Government of Timor-Leste, a more focused approach on capacity-building is envisaged. This will be pursued without negating the scheme adopted by its predecessor which went beyond the transitional substitution of international for local expertise and focused on an integrated approach to institution building that relies on three pillars: skills and knowledge; systems and processes; and attitudes and behaviors. 5. Through integrated capacity development based on the three-pillar framework, the objectives for the PFM function are (i) improved service delivery, both to internal clients and to the population; and (ii) to create a sustainable PFM system that would be increasingly managed and run by national staff, with the number of advisers decreasing over time as national staff take on increasing responsibility. The Planning and Financial Management Capacity Building Program (PFMCBP) 6. The previous Government signed a multi-year, multi-donor program aimed at strengthening the planning, budgeting, public expenditure management and revenue administration for growth and poverty reduction. 7. The PFMCBP was designed as a coordinated program of targeted capacity building in planning and financial management both for then Ministry of Planning and Finance and for financial management staff in the line ministries and districts. The program encompasses expenditure, revenue, and macroeconomic functions, together with support for executive management of the Ministry, Ministry-wide systems, and program implementation. 8. The program is managed and implemented by the GoTL through an Annual Action Plans and Annual Results Frameworks. 9. The management of the PFMCBP is lead by a Program Implementation Unit (PIU) which is supported by a pool of Advisers, among them, the Adviser for Coordination and Performance Assessment of Advisers, a Human Resources and Capacity Building Adviser a short-term Attitudes and Behaviors Adviser, a Financial Management Information System (FMIS) Adviser, and a Financial Management Officer. These Advisers collectively assist the PIU in ensuring best practice capacity building efforts throughout the program.
• Closing Date: 21-May-2008
• Description:
  TERMS OF REFERENCE Job Title: National Accounts Advisor Reporting to: Director of Statistics Counterpart staff: National Accounts staff and other relevant statistics staff Duration: One year with possibility of annual extensions for up to five years subject to an annual review of performance and needs of the program. Location: Ministry of Finance Background 1.Since the restoration of independence in 2002, the Government of Timor-Leste has made steady progress in building its public financial management system. There is strong awareness within the Government on the key role of the public financial management system for growth, service delivery and poverty reduction. 2.Similarly, the Government recognized the current fragility of institutions responsible for formulating plans, budgeting, budget execution, revenue collection, monitoring and audit in the face of the huge challenges posed by rapid expansion of the budget and increased petroleum sector activity. 3.Early capacity building initiatives undertaken by the Government understandably focused on getting the public financial management system up and running. With such focus, the system that was established remains heavily reliant on the presence of international advisers, who have largely focused on in-line performance and, to a limited extent, on the transfer of skills. 4.With the recent entry of the 4th Constitutional Government of Timor-Leste, a more focused approach on capacity-building is envisaged. This will be pursued without negating the scheme adopted by its predecessor which went beyond the transitional substitution of international for local expertise and focused on an integrated approach to institution building that relies on three pillars: skills and knowledge; systems and processes; and attitudes and behaviors. 5. Through integrated capacity development based on the three-pillar framework, the objectives for the PFM function are (i) improved service delivery, both to internal clients and to the population; and (ii) to create a sustainable PFM system that would be increasingly managed and run by national staff, with the number of advisers decreasing over time as national staff take on increasing responsibility. The Planning and Financial Management Capacity Building Program (PFMCBP) 6.The previous Government signed a multi-year, multi-donor program aimed at strengthening the planning, budgeting, public expenditure management and revenue administration for growth and poverty reduction. 7. The PFMCBP was designed as a coordinated program of targeted capacity building in planning and financial management both for then Ministry of Planning and Finance and for financial management staff in the line ministries and districts. The program encompasses expenditure, revenue, and macroeconomic functions, together with support for executive management of the Ministry, Ministry-wide systems, and program implementation. 8. The program is managed and implemented by the GoTL through an Annual Action Plans and Annual Results Frameworks. 9. The management of the PFMCBP is lead by a Program Implementation Unit (PIU) which is supported by a pool of Advisers, among them, the Adviser for Coordination and Performance Assessment of Advisers, a Human Resources and Capacity Building Adviser a short-term Attitudes and Behaviors Adviser, a Financial Management Information System (FMIS) Adviser, and a Financial Management Officer. These Advisers collectively assist the PIU in ensuring best practice capacity building efforts throughout the program. The National Accounts Advisor The Timor-Leste National Statistical Directorate (Direccao Nacional de Estatistica, DNE) has successfully completed compilation of GDP estimates for 2000-2003 with the involvement of two consultants. That compilation exercise revealed two major weaknesses: the first was the lack of adequate source data for these accounts, and the second was the need for a sustained effort in improving staff skills in this area. DNE recognizes that national accounting is a highly specialized analytical skill which requires years of sustained practice. A one-time involvement in a compilation exercise is not likely to provide the necessary skill (or retention) level for proficiency in this area. Thus, this request to engage a Senior National Accounts Advisor for DNE. Duties and Responsibilities In close coordination with concerned national staff at the DNE and other Advisors, the Senior National Accounts Advisor shall undertake the following: - Assist DNE to develop good source data for the compilation of the national accounts (e.g. agriculture, industry, services, prices, etc.) pending availability of resources; - Assist staff in producing improved national accounts estimates following international standards and requirements; - Help the DNE establish a realistic timetable for producing regular national accounts and develop a detailed program for achieving it; - Assist with the preparation and updating of the methodological notes for compiling national accounts; - Train a group of staff to become national accounts specialists; and, - Train staff to cover relevant statistics as source data for national accounts compilation (e.g. price statistics, survey areas, sectoral data) in concepts, methodologies, operations, processing of data and data evaluation Deliverables As this position is envisioned to be engaged on a long-term arrangement, the Advisor will set up an action plan for the full four-year period with specific tasks, deliverables and staff input based on a monthly timetable. Similarly, a detailed assessment/report will be submitted to DNE within the first three (3) months after commencement of the engagement. Implementation of the approved workplan will commence afterwards. At the end of the four-year period, the DNE is expected to have the following: - Updated documentation of computation methodologies of national accounts. - A system of surveys (annual and possibly more frequent) by the DNE to provide underlying data for the computation of the national accounts. - A group of 2-5 DNE staff capable to continue production of national accounts on their own, following the established system. This group will form the core of a future National Accounts division within the DNE. - A group of 3-5 DNE staff capable of conducting the necessary surveys that feed into the computation of the national accounts (e.g. agriculture, industry, services, prices, etc.) - A set of recommendations on possible future refinements of the existing computations and steps to achieve them. Qualifications Technical competencies The selected candidate should have excellent qualifications, training and substantial experience as Statistician, Economist or National Accounts Adviser. Significant experience in the operational work of government is a plus. In addition, the candidate should have: - At least five years of compilation of macroeconomic statistics in a country with a developed statistical system; - Demonstrated understanding of the particular problems of developing economies or at least 5 years of experience in macroeconomic statistics in one or more developing countries including national accounts and development of relevant source data feeding into compilation of these accounts (establishment surveys, household surveys, price indices etc.) or similar experience; - Experience in countries similar to Timor Leste, in size and conditions; - Experience in the provision of training (both classroom and on-the-job) to statistical staff, preferably in developing countries; - Mastery of the basic concepts and methodologies to be applied for this position (e.g. national accounting, macroeconomic policy, sectoral policies etc.); - Strong leadership and management skills, including through effective leadership of statistical office staff in design work, field operations and survey processing; - Strong inter-personal skills and demonstrated cultural sensitivity; - Knowledge of Tetum or Portuguese would be an asset; and, - Willingness to commit for 4 years to see the DNE program through to its completion. Capacity-building competencies The selected candidate should be service oriented, disciplined, mature, honest, open, transparent, able to maintain good working relationships with counterparts and other staff members, and have a strong professional work ethic. In addition, the candidate should have: a. A commitment to supporting Timorese staff to achieve the outcomes and objectives of the division/ministry; b. Ability to model the attitudes and behaviors required, including openness, teamwork, transparency, cooperation, communication, accountability and a customer service attitude; c. Sensitive to and able to act appropriately in the Timorese culture; d. Flexible and responsive, disciplined and patient; e. Demonstrated ability to communicate ideas and analyses clearly and tactfully, both orally and in writing; f. Demonstrated ability to assist and support the development of useful processes and procedures within the unit and to integrate the attitudes and behaviours pillar effectively in the work program; g. Demonstrated ability to transfer skills and knowledge - previous training or teaching experience a plus; h. Demonstrated ability to adapt to challenges in the workplace, including finding creative solutions ; i. Familiarity with Timor-Leste and Timorese culture is desirable and/or willingness to acquire it.
• Applicant Requirements:
  Application Procedure To be considered for the post, applications with a covering letter, detailed curriculum vitae and at least three (3) references must be sent to the Programme Implementation Officer-PFMCBP at email address, pfmcbp@mof.gov.tl, no later than EOB on 21 May 2008.
• Application instructions:
  Application Procedure To be considered for the post, applications with a covering letter, detailed curriculum vitae and at least three (3) references must be sent to the Programme Implementation Officer-PFMCBP at email address, pfmcbp@mof.gov.tl, no later than EOB on 21 May 2008.
• Restrictions: Only short-listed candidates will be contacted. Please note also that applications received after the deadline will not be accepted.
• Other Contact Details:
  Ramon Oliveros Adviser to the Program Implementation Officer Planning and Financial Management Capacity Building Program (PFMCBP) Email address: roliveros@mof.gov.tl
• Contact Person: Ramon Oliveros pfmcbp@mof.gov.tl
• More information about this Contract...

Dev-Zone Opportunity ID No. 10371     Hits: 16