Public Financial Management Advisor

RTI International is an independent organization dedicated to conducting innovative, multidisciplinary research that improves the human condition. Please visit our website at www.rti.org/globalhealth for more information on our work in global health.

RTI International is seeking a “Public Financial Management Advisor” for the USAID-Health for Life (H4L) Project.  The Health for Life (H4L) is a five-year (2012-2017) project financed by USAID. The H4L project builds on accomplishments gained from USAID/Nepal’s health sector investment to date with a greater focus on health systems strengthening and measuring sustainable changes in systems performance. The primary goal of H4L is to strengthen the Government of Nepal’s capacity to plan, manage and deliver high-quality and equitable family planning, maternal, newborn, and child health services. H4L addresses key health system constraints: local health systems governance; data for decision making and evidence-based policy development; capacity development of service providers at grassroots; quality improvement systems, and knowledge and behavior change. Gender equality and social inclusion is an important crosscutting focus of the project. H4L works in partnership with the Government of Nepal/ Ministry of Health and Population (MOHP). The Project works in 12 Districts of the Mid-Western and 2 Districts of Western Development Regions. This position will be based in Kathmandu, Nepal.

This consultant will support the Department of Health Services (DoHS), Ministry of Health and Population (MOHP) and USAID/Nepal mission in guiding USAID-funded government to government (G2G) assistance and to support the implementation of capacity development activities aimed at strengthening Public financial management and procurement operations of MOHP.

The PFM Advisor will be will be based approximately 70% at the Department of Health Services (DoHS) and 30% at Health for Life (H4L).  The position reports to a Health for Life Senior Manager and receive guidance from the Chief Finance Officer, DoHS.  The PFM Advisor will also work closely with the technical advisor coordinating the effort between USAID and the DoHS/MOHP in carrying out USAID’s government to government support program, Redbook.  The consultancy  is expected to be for one year or longer to support the formulation and coordination of the USAID-supported annual Redbook plan and budget, including also the facilitation of these activities.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

The candidate will work with the DoHS/MOHP, USAID and H4L to improve and strengthen the Public financial management systems and work closely with a technical advisor.  The candidate’s duties will include:

A. Audit, Internal Controls and Risk Management:

• In consultation with functional units within the DoHS/MOHP, the incumbent will perform a financial management internal control gaps analysis. 
• To help bolster the capacity of the DoHS/MOHP to prepare for and address annual audit findings, the incumbent will provide assistance to DoHS to develop, implement and track a risk mitigation action plan (RMAP).
• The candidate will provide assistance and support to USAID and DoHS to address PFM risks specific to MOHP identified during Public Financial Management Risk Assessment Framework (PFMRAF) Assessment Stage 2 and during the development of the RMAP.
• With the endorsement of the MOHP leadership, provide technical advice to the MOHP management to support the implementation of the RMAP.
• Develop and execute a plan for Train-the-Trainer program for district-level authorities on public financial management.

B. Support monitoring and reporting of USAID Redbook activities 

• Provide a facilitation role for the health sector G2G activities of USAID/Nepal HFP Office including but not limited to the following processes:

          - Procurement

          - Internal control and audit

          - Funds Flow

          - Reporting, align reporting periods 

• Assist the DoHS/MOHP in the implementation of branding and marking requirements.
• Assist the DoHS in preparing quarterly accrual estimates for USAID.  Assist the DoHS in preparing trimester performance report and reimbursement claim for USAID Redbook support program. 

C. Communication Support

• Ensure the flow of information between DoHS/MOHP and USAID/Nepal, via the H4L project, regarding financial management issues and budget execution.
• Compile required information for USAID’s TrainNet information technology interface

D. Public Financial Management (PFM) Advisory Role

• Provide technical advice and guidance on financial management procedures, standards and systems for the Ministry’s budget planning and preparation, execution and audit functions. 
• Help the DoHS/MOHP develop regulatory and operational procedures for budget formulation and execution both at a ministry and department levels. 
• Help the MOHP improve its accounting, financial reporting and auditing processes and systems that meet international standards.
• Work closely with and advise the Nepal Health Sector Support Program (NHSSP) implementing the Financial Management Improvement Plan (FMIP) and Procurement Improvement Plan (PIP).
• Recommend financial management M&E indicators for inclusion in Redbook program PMP

DELIVERABLES:

The following must be completed by the end of the contract:

• Financial management internal control gap analysis and RMAP-through a workflow mapping exercise for all major financial management functions of the MOHP.  This will include a matrix including but not limited to the following elements for each function identified: division, department, function, control gaps identified, potential risk exposures from lack of the control activity, recommended action plan, implementation monitoring plan including performance indicators.
• Internal control guideline that is on par with best practices and international standards to be used by all divisions of the MOHP.

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES AND LANGUAGE:

EDUCATION:

• A Master's degree in financial management, economics, public accounting, or other relevant major.  A certification in public accounting is desirable. Relevant degrees may include: business administration, management, finance, economics, or public administration and public policy.  Academic degrees must have been completed at the time of application to be considered.

EXPERIENCE: The successful candidate will have: ten years minimum of progressively responsible professional experience in financial management. Experience should include:

• Experience in providing public financial management advisory services, developing internal control guidelines  
• Demonstrated ability to assess, design and implement a PFM capacity building program in any of the areas mentioned in section III above.
• Experience working in an overseas environment in developing countries, including Nepal, is desirable.
• A demonstrated ability to effectively interact with a wide variety of stakeholders, including government officials, donor representatives and international financial institutions. 
• Experience working with the Government of Nepal is desired.

SKILLS & ABILITIES: 

• The position requires mastery of the concepts, principles, practices, global standards, laws, and regulations of public financial management, including the budgetary and financial relationships between national and subnational governments in the developing world sufficient to analyze and recommend enhancements to large and complex programs. 
• The successful candidate will have: knowledge of international generally accepted accounting principles and U.S. audit standards;  ability to plan, prioritize, and carry out activities independently, while keeping relevant stakeholders informed; timely and effective decision-making skills exercising a high degree of judgment; ability to provide formal and informal leadership within a team, working effectively within and across agencies and stakeholders, to build consensus; ability to adapt to uncertainty, work within short timeframes, and adapt approaches as necessary; and demonstrated written and verbal communication skills. 

LANGUAGE: 

• The candidate must possess good English writing and editing skills, as well as an excellent ability to process information from a wide variety of sources into a cohesive, polished document is required.  Nepali speaking and writing skills are required.

To Apply: Qualified applicants should submit a resume with contact information to Operations Manager, Health for Life (H4L), P. O. Box: 3172, Lalitpur, Nepal or email:marora@np-h4l.rti.org with ‘Public Financial Management Advisor’’ in the subject line.  Deadline is 31 August 2014; however, applicants are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.

Only short-listed applicants will be contacted. Telephone inquiry will not be entertained.