Budget Strengthening Initiative (BSI) South Sudan and Uganda Country Programme: Management and Support Services Background The ODI Budget Strengthening Initiative (BSI) began in May 2010 and is a major initiative to address budget strengthening and PFM reform in fragile and poorest states: This project works in collaboration with an international network of donors (including IMF through a joint conference) and budget reform stakeholders such as the IBP, CABRI and others to provide high-level policy advice on budgeting issues to governments of fragile states and to develop a centre of knowledge and good practice in effective approaches to PFM reform those contexts. It is hosted by the Centre for Aid and Public Expenditure (CAPE) and links closely with the existing portfolio of work on aid instruments and PFM reform. The Budget Strengthening Initiative currently works with Ministries of Finance in three fragile states: Southern Sudan, Liberia and DRC; with a long term aim to expand to up to 3 more fragile states. BSI provides contacts with international experts, demand-led policy advice and technical assistance; and access to peer learning and networks. Requests for advisory support have been wide ranging including on aid strategies; budget reform (incl. MTEF implementation); infrastructure financing; and IMF negotiations. South Sudan is the largest programme and has focused to date on introducing cash management controls and support to the development of the aid strategy and the implementation of the MTEF. BSI has also supported development of the capacity of the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning through the provision of a reliable internet 1
linkage and the introduction of email and electronic calendars as well as through the peer learning programme with Uganda. A mentor country programme in Uganda has Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development acting as the focus for peer learning for South Sudan (and for other countries as the programme expands). There is also a small programme of support to Uganda focusing on Budget policies and processes in Northern Uganda and the Parliamentary Budget Office. Programmes are agreed on an annual basis with the representative governments. The latest annual budget for support to South Sudan and Uganda combined is 950k and is expected to continue at this level. Around 100-150 days of international advisory inputs and around 1-2 peer learning visits per month are expected. Purpose of Contract BSI is looking for an organisation to provide support to the South Sudan and Uganda Country Programmes. Support will need to be based in either South Sudan or Uganda and it is envisaged that this will be provided through 3 roles: A Country Programme Manager providing senior technical and managerial support on a part time basis (100-150 days per year), A locally employed training, coordination and support role at graduate level on a half to full time basis, A locally employed administrative support role on a half to full time basis. The South Sudan Country Programme Manager will be responsible for developing and running the country programme in Sudan as well as the mentor country programme in Uganda 1 : coordinating activities, providing technical support, coordinating the peer learning programme and managing the team. Details are listed in sections A-D. Details of the support roles are outlined in section E. 1 With a view to developing mentor country programmes in other countries. 2
Main Duties & Responsibilities A. Provision of mentoring and technical support services in South Sudan and Uganda: i. Provide technical support services to the government of South Sudan and Uganda in line with the agreed workplans and requests of the client countries. B. Management of the BSI country programme: i. Act as the primary point of liaison between BSI and the client country; liaise with the client focal points and BSI coordinators; ensure effective communication with the client and other relevant organisations to ensure BSI activities are coordinated with and not duplicating the activities of others. i Oversee the preparation of workplans; oversee the implementation of agreed workplans. Support the sourcing and identification of BSI experts; draft requirements or ToR; coordinate the country programme team. Provide quality assurance for the work of BSI advisory support. v. Plan and execute monitoring and evaluation activities for the country programme, including logging impact against activities and on an ongoing basis. vi. Report on BSI activities, providing regular and timely updates and supporting into BSI reporting requirements; liaise with all members of the country programme team and ensure each member is reporting appropriately after every mission and on ongoing work. C. Provision of cross support to the BSI Programme: i. When required, provide cross programme support to other elements of the BSI programme, including design, provision of technical support in other BSI country programmes, research services and cross programme learning. D. Develop and coordinate the peer learning programme: i. Coordinate the peer learning programme between South Sudan and Uganda. Develop and potentially manage a peer learning programme in other countries. E. Provision of support to the country and peer learning programme: i. Support drafting letters, plans, reports, briefing notes etc. Support recording impact/progress against a programme log frame and wider M&E strategy. 3
i Schedule and support meetings. Manage correspondence. v. Maintain a library of resources. vi. v vi ix. Support with training and peer learning activities. Data entry and systems development work as needed. Organise and assist with travel and logistics for the BSI team working on South Sudan and Uganda country programmes and peer learning programmes. Submit invoices and expense claims to ODI in the required format. Country Programme Manager Person Specification Knowledge and Qualifications i. Education to post-graduate level with a Masters in Economics or related discipline. i At least 10 years experience of advising governments in the areas of budgetary and public financial management reform as well as managing and designing development assistance strategies. Experience and in depth knowledge of (but not limited to) Uganda and South Sudan. Expertise in public budgeting and expenditure management. v. Expertise in aid policy and management Skills/Abilities i. Demonstrated ability to operate effectively at the highest levels of government and network effectively. i Tact, diplomacy and persuasiveness backed by strong analytical skills. Excellent written and spoken communication in English including the ability to write and explain technical matters clearly in non technical language and tailor outputs towards the target audience (i.e. policy briefs for Ministers). Demonstrated capacity for policy advice based on an analytical approach, and an innovative and creative communications ability. 4
v. Ability to translate request for assistance into implementable projects/activities. vi. v vi ix. Demonstrated capacity to undertake policy relevant research drawing on experience of a wide range of countries (including outside of Africa) Ability to manage and work as part of a team. A self starter who can work without direct supervision and can be relied upon to make sound judgments on which ODI can act. Project management, coordination and time management skills. x. Skills in negotiation, listening, communication of ideas, problem solving, decision making. Training, Coordination and Support Person Specification Knowledge and Qualifications i. Education to post-graduate level with a Masters in Economics or related discipline. i Experience working within a Ministry of Finance (preferably in Uganda or South Sudan). Knowledge of public budgeting and expenditure management. Skills/Abilities i. Excellent written and verbal communication in English, including training and facilitating groups of people and negotiating with busy ministry staff to arrange training and meeting schedules. Programme management skills. Administrative Support Person Specification Knowledge and Qualifications i. Experience working in an office environment and with remotely based colleagues. i Good working knowledge of administrative and IT systems, especially Windows applications, word processing, e-mail and the Internet. Experience making travel arrangements. 5
Skills/Abilities i. Ability to work on own initiative and as part of a team. i Methodical approach and proven attention to detail. Numerate. Other Information The value of the contract will be determined by the experience of the candidate, BSI operates within a framework of fee rates which have been agreed with the funder. The contract will also allow for reimbursable expenditure needed to execute the contract effectively 2. The overall contract will be subject to an overall maximum value (and subject to a minimum number of days) and reimbursements will be made monthly based on actual days worked/ expenditure. The contract will be based on a minimum of 100 days per year (for the Country Programme Manager role, support can be provided on a part/full time basis) and the selected candidate would have to have the flexibility to provide this level of input in a timely manner as required by the needs of the client and will keep in close contact with the BSI Director and team. BSI is currently primarily funded by a 5 year grant from the UK Department for International Development (DFID). The contract will initially be valid for a period of 2 years from September 2011, with an option to renew for a further 2 years 3. The organisation contracted to undertake this work will need to be based in either Kampala or Juba to ensure the contract is delivered in the most cost effective way possible and: o the Country Programme Manager must be willing to travel and be available in Juba for not less than 8 times a year for least 70 days and 4 times a year in Kampala for at least 30 days. 2 All reimbursable expenditure must be agreed in advance, costs may include a contribution towards running costs (office rent and equipment). 3 The contract will be dependent on the ongoing funding from DFID/other funders and the ability to operate in South Sudan. 6
o BSI operates as a global team, with headquarters at the ODI offices in London and experts located all over the world. The successful Country Programme Manager will need to maintain regular and reliable communication with their colleagues all over the world (including at least 1 visit to London per year). Process Applicants should submit CVs and a statement of support responding to the contract outline and specifications provided above along with a schedule of fee rates for each post by COB on the 21 st of to bsi-cape@odi.org.uk (with the reference: BSI/SS/CPM in the subject line of the email). Applications ideally will be from an organisation able to put forward candidates for all (three) roles however applicants for just the Country Programme Manager role will also be considered. Interviews for shortlisted candidates will take place during the week commencing 25 th of July and successful candidates will need to be available to commence work within two months. Anyone wishing to discuss this role or other elements to BSI in more detail are requested to direct emails to: bsi-cape@odi.org.uk 7