Macroeconomic Advisor

• Type: Contract
• Location: Dili, East Timor
• Organisation: Ministry of Finance
  The Ministry of Finance The Ministry of Finance is the Government's main body responsible for the design, execution, coordination and assessment of the policies defined and approved by the Council of Ministers, along the areas of budget and finance and the Government's annual planning and monitoring of their programs. The Ministry's responsibilities include: -Propose macroeconomic, monetary and exchange-rate policies, in collaboration with the central bank; -Propose policies and draft laws and regulations on tax and non-tax revenues, budgetary framework, procurement, public accounting, public finance, auditing and control of the State treasury, issuing and management of the public debt; -Administer the petroleum fund of Timor-Leste; -Work in cooperation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to coordinate the relationship of Timor-Leste with the donors; -Manage the external public debt, the State's stakes in companies and external assistance, coordinate and define its financial and tax aspects; -Manage the State's assets, without prejudice to the powers of the Ministry of Justice in terms of real estate assets; -Compile and publish official statistics; ?-Implement the budget allocated from the State Budget; -Draft the necessary regulations and perform financial control over the expenses of the State Budget that are allocated to other ministries, in view of pursuing a policy of granting greater financial autonomy to the services; -Look after the good management of the funds transferred from the State Budget to bodies that are indirectly administered by the State and by the local government bodies, through audits and monitoring; -Administer and promote international technical assistance in terms of technical advisory for State bodies, except for the areas of human resources training; -Set up collaborative mechanisms with other Government bodies to improve coordination along related areas of concerns. In a recent report on the present status and challenges faced by the Ministry of Finance, it was noted that the overall condition of the Ministry is fragile; that systems and procedures installed in 2000-2001 require renovation; that technical assistance lacks integration and that its primary capacity will depend on staffing key positions with qualified people. The report recommended actions for the short term, through to the end of 2008, to improve the effectiveness of the Ministry and ensure that it can play its proper role as the government seeks to ameliorate the social and economic conditions of the country. The Ministry, in response to this report's assessment and recommendations, has deemed that 2008 will be a year of consolidation of basic functions, as well as the period in which the ministry determines what needs to be done in the medium to longer term, 2-5 years, to improve administrative capacity in finance. The Report also made various proposals to improve transparency information sharing within the MoF and with MoF's clients. These proposals drew on experience in the Canadian Ministry of Finance which promotes frequent consultation across the ministry as a whole, at the senior management level and a form of cascading of such consultation throughout the ministry and with major client groups elsewhere in Government.
• Closing Date: 21-May-2008
• Description:
  Job Title: Macroeconomic Advisor Reporting to: Head, Macroeconomic and Tax Policy Unit Primary counterpart: Head, Macroeconomic and Tax Policy Unit Other counterpart staff: Staff of Macroeconomic and Tax Policy Unit. Duration: One year subject to renewal commencing in 2008 for a maximum of 3 years (till 2011), subject to review of performance and the needs of the program Location: Ministry of Finace, Dili, Timor-Leste Background 1.Since the restoration of independence in 2002, the Government of Timor-Leste (GoTL) has made steady progress in building its public financial management system. The Government is conscious of the key role of the public financial management system for growth, service delivery and poverty reduction. Similarly, it recognizes 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 the rapid expansion of the budget and increased petroleum sector activity. 2.Early capacity building initiatives undertaken by the Government focused understandably 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 Advisors, who have largely focused on in-line performance and, to a limited extent, on the transfer of skills. 3.With the recent entry of the 4th Constitutional GoTL, a more focused approach on capacity-building is envisaged. There 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 the three pillars of capacity building: skills and knowledge; systems and processes; and attitudes and behaviors. 4.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 public; and (ii) to create a sustainable Planning and Finance Management (PFM) system that would be increasingly managed and run by national staff, with the number of international Advisors decreasing over time as national staff take on increasing responsibility. The Public Financial Management Capacity Building Program (PFMCBP) 5.The Government signed a multi-donor program aimed at strengthening the planning, budgeting, public expenditure management and revenue administration for growth and poverty reduction. 6.The PFMCBP was designed as a coordinated program of targeted capacity building in planning and financial management, both for the Ministry of Finance (MoF) 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. 7.The program is managed and implemented by the GoTL through Annual Action Plans and Annual Results Frameworks. 8.The management of the PFMCBP is lead by a Program Implementation Unit (PIU) which is supported by a pool of Advisors that includes: the Advisor for Coordination and Performance Assessment of Advisors, a Human Resources and Capacity Building Advisor, a short-term Attitudes and Behaviors Advisor, a Financial Management Information System (FMIS) Advisor, and a Financial Management Advisor. These Advisors collectively assist the PIU in ensuring best practice capacity building efforts throughout the program. Objectives of the assignment The main objective of the engagement is to: 1.Provide advice to the Macroeconomics and Tax Policy Unit of the Ministry of Finance; 2.Assist in building the capacities of the staff working in the Unit along the areas of macroeconomic monitoring, analysis, and planning; 3.Extend support to the Head of the Unit in the operational management; and, 4.Perform the specific in-line work as will be required by the Unit. Deliverables Capacity building Help to build sustainable capacity in the unit through following activities: 1.Run targeted training programs in the Macro-Economic and Tax Policy Unit on: a.basic macroeconomic skills for non-economists b.conceptual frameworks for macroeconomic and sectoral policies 2.Develop an on-the-job training program for basic skills on national accounts, balance of payments, modelling, macro and expenditure medium-term frameworks, monitoring and reporting. Technical development of macroeconomic tools 1. Support further enhancements to the existing macroeconomic model of the Unit. 2. Develop a medium-term fiscal framework establishing macroeconomic parameters and determining the overall resource envelopes and aggregate expenditure levels. The Advisor will work in harmonization with the Budget Directorate in the development of a medium-term budget framework for 2009 financial year. 3. Produce spreadsheets and other tools to support the Unit's regular economic analysis and reporting. Operational management support to the Head of the Unit 1. Support the Head of Unit and staff to review, simplify and streamline operating procedures and other user manuals of the Unit, if exists. 2. Provide essential operational support, as agreed with the Head of the Unit, to cover the technically more complex areas as well as additional technical support at times of peak workload. 3. Provide advice as required, to the Government of Timor-Leste, on economic policy issues and the economic implications of policy decisions, including, those related to investment, savings, income and employment policies. Work Plan and Reporting Within the two (2) weeks of the assignment, the Consultant will prepare a Work Plan for the duration of the engagement, based on the objectives of the assignment and specific functions, which will be approved by the Head of the Macroeconomic and Tax Policy Unit, for implementation. The Consultant will then work jointly with the staff of the Macroeconomic Unit to implement the Work Plan and shall submit to the PIO a monthly Work Progress approved by the Head of the Macroeconomic and Tax Policy Unit or his/her authorized representative on a timely basis. Level of Engagement and Reporting The Advisor will report to the Head of the Macroeconomic and Tax Policy Unit and will provide adequate advisory and operational management support to the Unit. In addition, the Advisor will work closely with local staff in the Unit, assist local staff on key technical areas and provide complex technical assistance in times of peak workload. The Advisor will also build linkages with staff in other key agencies and work with the PIO in developing work plans to incorporate both capacity building and technical activities within the Unit. Performance Evaluation The Advisor shall undergo a three-month probationary period and a review of the performance will be based against the work plan of activities and deliverables. Ongoing performance shall be assessed by the Programme Implementation Unit through the Program Implementation Officer in accordance with the agreed deliverables in the TOR and performance review framework for Advisors. Personal Profile The selected candidate should: 1. be service-oriented, disciplined, mature, honest, open, transparent, a self-starter, able to maintain good working relationships with counterparts and other staff members, and have a strong professional work ethic. 2. have excellent qualifications and substantial experience of at least five (5) years in programs or projects relative to the area of expertise. 3. have a good judgment and able to assess situation and render decision taking into account their political implications. 4. have significant leadership experience in the operational work of Government. Languages 1. Fluent in written and oral English; 2. Excellent communication skills; and 3. Demonstrate willingness to undertake further language training in Tetun and/or Portuguese, as needed. Required Competencies 1. Strong collegial spirit and demonstrated ability to work well as a member of a multicultural team. 2. Openness to issues facing new States including establishment of planning and budget systems, and recognition of specific systems and skills needed to implement relevant legislation. 3. Diplomacy and tact in dealing with development partners so as to be able to influence positively the identification, development and delivery of capacity building programs. 4. Good moral character. 5. Good management and organizational skill. 6. Strong commitment to institutional values, policies and procedures. 7. Ability to proactively seek and recommend sound policy initiatives. 8. Ability to solve complex problems. 9. Strong interpersonal communicative skills; experience in team leadership and participatory management. 1. Ability to work under pressure on a wide range of tasks, and able to deliver quality outputs on time. 2. Ability to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor work plans. 3. Computer literate of a high order and familiar with systems design 4. Ability to write and produce complex project and activity report. 5. Knowledge and familiarity of basic office decorum. 6. Ability to organize and follow procedures and systems. 7. Pleasing personality, strong character and good team work traits. 8. Strong motivation and initiative including willingness to work cordially with other staff working within the Ministry, including the line ministries. 9. Willingness to work for extra hours, as will be required. 10. Ability to work and adjust in a constant changing work-environment. Capacity-building competencies 1. A commitment to supporting Timorese staff to achieve the outcomes and objectives of the Ministry; 2. Committed to training and promoting the professional development of the Ministry's staff; 3. Recognition and respect of peers, and a demonstrated ability to interact effectively and collegially with peers at all levels; 4. Demonstrated ability to make sound judgments on capacity issues that will require management referral and guidance; 5. Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a mentoring role; 6. Demonstrated ability to communicate ideas and analyses clearly and tactfully, both orally and in writing; 7. Demonstrated ability to assist and support the development of useful processes and procedures within the unit to implement effectively the work program; 8. Demonstrated ability to transfer skills and knowledge - previous training or teaching experience a plus; 9. Demonstrated ability to adapt to challenges in the workplace, including finding creative solutions; and, 10. Familiarity with Timor-Leste and Timorese culture 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. 10373     Hits: 14