This memo describes the main tasks involved in the position and the qualifications requested from candidates to the job.

Transcription

1 1. Preliminary Job profile Senior Financial Management Adviser (Senior Adviser) (N2), Modernisation Programme Office Ghana Revenue Authority Tax and Development Programme Ghana 1.1. Short background: Ghana has a strong record of good governance, with regular elections and democratic changes of government since the 1990s. Civil and political rights are widely respected although progress with implementation of economic, social and cultural rights is slower. Underlying principles related to human rights and good governance have been positively assessed, although there are areas of concern, including the need for continued vigilance against corruption. The Ghana Shared Growth and Development Agenda (GSGDA), the 10-year Government of Ghana-Development Partners Compact: Leveraging Partnership for Shared Growth and Development, (the Compact) and the Denmark-Ghana Partnership Policy ( ) are the basis for the cooperation relationship between Ghana and Denmark. The successor to the GSGDA is being finalised and it reflects continuity in overall strategy and objectives with an underlying theme of socio-economic transformation of Ghana but with a firmer focus on attaining genuine middle-income country status. There are acknowledged constraints on GoG s capacity to implement its policies. Institutional capacities are generally found to be weak with unclear mandates for some Government Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) and subvented agencies and generally, inadequate resources for fulfilling their roles. With respect to decentralisation, the lack of clarity in respect of the distribution of power and lack of resources has put an additional strain on implementation. The budgetary process and systems also severely handicap the implementation of the national development programme due to limited fiscal space, budget rigidity and lack of budget credibility. With fiscal deficits already running very high and with very little room for manoeuvre on the allocation of available resources, the Ministry of Finance has little scope for redirecting expenditure towards new strategic priorities. Safeguarding and consolidating macroeconomic stability will be essential if Ghana is to create the fiscal space required for implementation of its medium term programme. Given the current difficult macro environment, this requirement is even more essential Purpose of memo: This memo describes the main tasks involved in the position and the qualifications requested from candidates to the job Expected composition of the selection committee: Applicants for the position will be selected for interview by the Danish Embassy following consultation with the local authorities, who will also be represented at the job interview. Mercuri Urval will participate in the process of appointment by conducting personality tests and test interviews with the selected candidates, as well as by taking part in the final 1

2 interview. The final interview panel consists of the Sector Coordinator from the Embassy, a representative from the local authorities, and the consultant from Mercuri Urval A/S in charge of the recruitment process. 2. The Programme 2.1 The Tax and Development Programme - in brief The Tax and Development Programme is designed to support the exit phase for Denmark s participation in the Multi Donor Budget Support modality as a complementary measure to support economic governance and the sustainability of Government of Ghana s (GoG) public finances. The Programme fits well into Denmark's overall strategy for the evolution of its relationship with Ghana. It contributes to the Denmark-Ghana Partnership Policy which reflects the evolving relationship between Ghana and Denmark as Ghana becomes increasingly self-reliant and the scope for commercial relations increases. The overall objective of the Programme is to improve economic governance by increasing revenue mobilisation, strengthening revenue administration and improving accountability of the Government to its citizens. In pursuit of these objectives, the total grant to the Tax and Development Programme is DKK 200 million. The Programme covers three engagements, one on tax and development with the Ghana Revenue Authority, and the other two, dealing with domestic accountability, the two legs complementing each other. The capacity development being sourced under this procurement does not cover the domestic accountability engagements Development Engagement 1: The Development Engagement on Tax & Development will provide support to the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), under the Ministry of Finance, and is aimed at strengthening Ghana's revenue capacity in a manner which also strengthens the environment for doing business in Ghana and provides the GoG with additional funding to deliver better services to its people and keep its promises to the public. It also reflects the position of Denmark s Action Plan on Tax that Stronger tax systems can boost government revenue and pave the way for a redistribution of resources that will benefit the entire population. Such systems also promote democratic accountability between state and citizens, because a tax-paying population has a stronger incentive to hold their political leaders accountable for the use of their taxes. Development Engagements 2 & 3 Complementing the Tax and Development Engagement will be two others on Domestic Accountability. The Development Engagements on domestic accountability have the objectives of strengthening GoG accountability to its domestic constituencies within budget analysis and budget monitoring as well as tax analysis and advocacy on the transparency in the use of revenues from natural resources. The support to domestic accountability reflects the need to support the CSOs in order to build civil society capacity to play its watchdog role efficiently in the management of public resources. The support is provided to two Civil Society Organisations: IMANI - Center for Policy and Education and the Ghana Integrity Initiative, the Ghana Chapter of Transparency International. Programme specifics: The GRA is a consolidated body which has a good track record since its establishment in 2009 and increasingly well-articulated, though rather ambitious, strategic development and modernization plans. A number of areas have been identified by GRA and relevant stake holders as key for successful implementation of the GRA Modernization Plan and will be 2

3 supported by Denmark with financial resources and technical assistance. The GRA represents the area with the most potential for Denmark to add value in supporting the sustainable strengthening of Ghana s revenue collection and administration capacity, while also improving the business environment. With the establishment of the Modernisation Programme Office (MPO), which is responsible for the elaboration and implementation of the GRA Modernization Plan, GRA has demonstrated its intention to implement reforms of the revenue administration. The Danish support in will fall in two phases. In the first phase expected to last to the end of 2016, support will be channelled through the MPO. The Office will be supported by three Danida long-term advisors in the areas of i) Customs, ii) planning and institutional capacity building and iii) financial management and will furthermore be supported by short-term technical assistance as per agreement with GRA to assist GRA strengthen the quality, content and implementation of strategic initiatives. The technical support to the Office will furthermore assist to create conditions for establishing a Basket Fund by improving current planning, budgeting, accounting and reporting procedures. The Basket Fund will address existing challenges regarding the absence of a joint-funding mechanism and the need to further improve existing coordination mechanisms in GRA in anticipation of an expected increase in donor support to GRA. In the second phase expected to start by the beginning of 2017 Danish support to the implementation of the GRA Modernization Plan will be channelled through the GRA Basket Fund. The outcome of the Development Engagement has been identified as: Increase fiscal sustainability in Ghana by enhancing domestic revenue mobilisation through identifying new sources of revenue, counteracting tax evasion, and increasing efficiency in the tax administration while at the same time strengthening the environment for doing business in Ghana. The outcome indicator is the Revenue to GDP ratio. Details of capacity building and technical assistance to the GRA Denmark will provide targeted technical assistance to GRA on a number of areas in order to assist GRA improving the probability of successful implementation of the GRA Modernization Plan and, moreover, support risk mitigation. These areas have been identified in response to shortcomings in the Modernization Plan - as also recognized by GRA - and are only partially benefitting from technical assistance from other Development Partners. The areas include:! Support to GRA s Modernisation project Office (MPO) to increase absorption capacity and in the transition towards establishing a Basket Fund with regards to improving planning, budgeting, accounting and reporting;! Support to the Customs area of GRA to support the reform activities defined in the Modernization Plan;! Support to GRA with regards to improvement and implementation of the overall GRA IT Governance strategy, Enterprise Architecture, data interoperability, data mining and business intelligence either through possible twinning arrangements with other partners in the South, with Danish public institutions or through contracted technical assistance;! Support to GRA to improve and implement the Human Resource development strategy by strengthening the linkage between GRA strategic objectives and the definition of future skill set requirements and the embedding in the Human Resource 3

4 development strategy of these requirements as well as the implementation of the strategy through support to the HR department to increase production of training; and! Technical assistance, twinning and studies: The extent of technical assistance offered by development partners emphasizes the need for strong coordination inside GRA and between GRA and development partners with regards to the allocation of technical assistance in GRA and the need to retain a certain degree of flexibility with regards to the planning of the implementation of Danida technical assistance to avoid overlap and duplication of efforts with activities carried out by other development partners. Danish long-term technical assistance to support the implementation of the Modernization Plan will be administered by the Danish Embassy. Short-term technical assistance funded directly by Denmark to support implementation of the Modernization Plan will be implemented in dialogue with GRA and GRA will formally request the said technical assistance from the Danish Embassy. In the second phase short-term technical assistance will be implemented following Basket Fund procedures. 3. The Position 3.1. Title Financial Management Adviser to the Ghana Revenue Authority, Senior Adviser (N2) Place of service The TA will be a part of GRA and be placed in the Modernisation Programme Office (MPO) at the GRA, Head Office in Accra under the direction of the Deputy Commissioner, Modernisation Programme Office. The workstation is Accra but the adviser should be prepared to travel widely in Ghana Conditions of employment Conditions according to Danida Staff rules. The contract period is two years starting from 1 st March Attractive salary based on qualifications and family status. There will be contribution to a pension scheme, health insurance and reimbursement of school fees, free housing and a grant for relocation Area of Responsibility The Financial Management Adviser position will be filled to ensure that the financial planning, budgeting, monitoring and reporting procedures are developed and are consistent with the implementation of a Basket Fund. He/she will work in coordination with the Institutional Development, Planning and Monitoring Adviser. Upon approval of the GRA, the tasks and functions of the TA will be fully aligned with the mandate of the GRA. Tasks and responsibilities will include but not necessarily be limited to the following: a. He/she will ensure that the programme s inception phase establishes the necessary conditions for a solid programme start up in terms of finalisation and adoption of adequate management structures, including the interim procedures for channelling Danish funds into MPO, and programme management systems and procedures; 4

5 b. Assist GRA/MPO and implementing units in registering modernization plan funds in the GRA Budget; c. Assist GRA/MPO in the management / monitoring of the flow of funds to all implementing units in the GRA Modernization Plan; d. Review progress and financial reporting and assist in preparing relevant information for Steering Committees; e. Assist MPO in assuring that funds in the Modernization program are inscribed in the State Budget; f. In line with the implementation of the Training Strategy and in line with the Strategic plan, assist in building the capacity of staff in the Basked Fund procedures through the identification of adequate training opportunities and/or through direct preparation of training sessions and materials; g. In collaboration with GRA and MPO actively participate in the overall improvement of the planning and budgeting instruments leading to programmatic budgeting and alignment with an Integrated Financial Management Information System, when possible; h. Assist in reaching the established benchmarks and preconditions for introduction of the GRA Modernization Basket Fund; and i. Before the termination of his/her engagement, confirm the accomplishment the Basket Fund requirements and propose specific and immediate follow up actions Success criteria Provide full-time technical advisory services and transfer of relevant knowledge and skills to GRA staff to ensure the effective functioning of the GRA in relation to its mission: to mobilise revenue for national development in a transparent, fair, effective and efficient manner. 4. Demand profile/qualifications 4.1 Requirements and expectations concerning the candidates formal qualifications:! A minimum of master s degree in financial management or similar academic background;! Solid knowledge of governmental financial management systems as well as donor requirements for accounting and financial reporting; including best practice understanding;! Experience in establishment of/working with multi sector funding mechanisms;! Previous experience of work in an advisory position and significant experience in capacity building and knowledge transfer in financial management would be an added advantage;! Experience of working in a developing country preferably within the area of revenue;! Experience of working with/ dealing with PFM systems and practices for government institutions preferably from an African setting is desirable; 4.2 Requirements and expectations concerning the personal qualities of the candidates:! Ability to work in a team in a complex environment! Flexibility, patience and ability to adjust! The applicant will need to combine political judgement and influencing skills with high quality technical knowledge on PFM and planning and be able to manage a complex and demanding programme! The candidate must also have good communication skills as well cultural sensitivity. 5

6 5. Recruitment procedures 5.1 How do you apply: Information about the mandatory application procedure can be found at: Reference number DK /GHA.02-W should be stated in the application. 5.2 Deadline for applications: 15 January 2015 at 12 noon (CET). 5.3 Preliminary interviews and personal evaluation: week 8 of Mercuri Urval will conduct a personal evaluation of selected candidates. 5.4 Language test: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has decided that all candidates called in for interview - except for those to whom the relevant language is mother tongue - shall be language tested in Denmark in the working languages of the duty station (i.e. English). 5.5 Presentation to the appointments committee: 19 February Decision: A decision is expected during week 8/9 in Expected commencement: March 2015 or as soon as possible. 6