Public Financial Management Advisor At Adam Smith International

VACANCY NOTICE – PUBLIC FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT ADVISOR

The Governance for Growth Program (GfG) in Vanuatu is a DFAT led program which was established in 2007 as an instrument to support the conditions for inclusive economic growth and improved public expenditure in Vanuatu. GfG has worked through a range of partnerships with Government and statutory agencies, and with one commercial bank, enabling it to support improvements in public financial management, trade policy, energy and telecommunications policy and regulation, utilities reform and access to financial services. In addition to its continuous partnership and support to the Ministry of Finance & Economic Management, the program intends to strengthen its aid to the MFEM in the establishment of the MFEM’s Project Management Unit (PMU).

The MFEM is the central authority within the Government of Vanuatu (GoV) that governs and oversights budgeting and expenditure of public funds. This significant mandate paves the way for MFEM to address, develop, implement and advocate for required Public Finance and Economic Management (PFEM) reforms as and when, legally and contextually and appropriate. A Public Expenditure and Financial Accountability (PEFA) self-assessment conducted in 2015 identified a number of areas for ongoing work led by MFEM, which has formed the basis of a PFM Roadmap that development partners are supporting.

The establishment of a new Project Management Unit (PMU) within the MFEM is a strategic step towards strengthening the Ministry’s capacity for project oversight and execution. The PMU will be instrumental in coordinating multi-sectoral projects, optimizing resource utilization, and enhancing project outcomes through effective planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation. It will also play a crucial role in building institutional capacity, fostering collaboration with stakeholders, and driving the achievement of the objectives of the PFM Roadmap and beyond.

The Public Financial Management Advisor will be based full-time in the newly formed Corporate Services Unit at MFEM and will provide strategic advice to the Director General. The PFM Advisor will be engaged with MFEM for a period of 1 year with the opportunity for a 1-year extension. The PFM Advisor will focus on various activities, including:

1. Providing technical advisory services to MFEM
2. Supporting other potentially transformative and emergent PFM reform opportunities
3. Providing technical advisory services to DG MFEM and Development Partners as required
4. Supporting PFM coordination activities

Required Qualifications

• Master’s or other Advanced Degree in Accounting/Finance/Economics or related field
• Competent in English or French or both

Required Skills

• 10 years of experience advising on PFM, of which 5 years should be advising at a senior level
• Experience of working in Melanesia would be an advantage
• Experience of providing high-level PFM advice in multiple jurisdictions would be an advantage
• Experience in project management/program management/management supervisory role(s) in public or private sector institutions
• Strong attention to deadlines and budgetary guidelines
• Proven success working with all levels of management
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Excellent presentation skills
• Computer literate
• Knowledge of Integrated Financial Management Information Systems (IFMISs)
• Knowledge of Government accounting frameworks
• Be a practical, strategic and analytical thinker
• Have interpretation and research development skills
• Able to work collaboratively with other people

The PFM Advisor will be engaged with MFEM for up to 2 years.