Consultant , Senior Technical Specialist – Financial Information Systems

Terms of Reference Job Title: Senior Technical Specialist – Financial Information Systems Objective: Given the decision by GoTL to focus much of its reform efforts around improved systems, the unit responsible for strengthening the financial information systems upgrade within the Ministry of Finance will be upgraded from a small unit to a national directorate. Reporting to: Director General, State Finances, Ministry of Finance Senior Management Adviser - State Finances Counterpart: Directorate General of State Finance. Duration: 12 month contract with possibility of extension (based on performance assessment) Location: Ministry of Finance, Dili – Timor Leste I. SELECTION CRITERIA Essential · Master’s Degree in Computer Science or financial management, management information systems, information technology, public policy. · Proven experience (at least 10 years) in implementation of FMIS systems in the governments of developing countries as Systems Administrator, Senior Project Manager for large IT projects · Proven experience (at least 10 years) in designing and/or implementing FMIS technical programs, policies and systems in the governments in the developing countries on different platforms. · Experience of working in Enterprise Resource Planning environment having robust FMIS capabilities such as SAP, Oracle Financials etc. · Knowledge of Excelsior, Determining, Business Intelligence and other latest techniques for complex reporting. Advance knowledge of Databases such as SQL Server, Oracle and open source databases. Advance knowledge of Microsoft Excel. · Proven ability to set strategic direction and develop a work program in relevant areas. · Proven ability to build and maintain relationships with key personnel in government and donor agencies. · Strong interpersonal, oral and written communication skills in English. Desirable · An understanding of the social, cultural, political and institutional factors affecting development in Timor-Leste. · Proven ability to manage development activities in a developing country, preferably including experience in the start-up of development projects or facilities. · Good oral command of one of the major languages in Timor-Leste including Tetum, Portuguese or Bahasa Indonesian. II. BACKGROUND The Government of Timor-Leste’s Strategic Development Plan highlights the need for a high performing Ministry of Finance (MoF) capable of delivering the public financial management services required of a middle-income country in the year 2030. The Government of Timor-Leste has successfully undertaken a wide range of reforms in the area of public financial management. These reforms include the design of a new MoF organizational structure, more efficient expenditure execution processes and devolution of responsibility and access to financial resources to line Ministries. These reforms have been supported by, and linked with a substantial upgrade of the FMIS system, including upgrading and rolling out new FMIS modules in Performance Budgeting, Procurement, Contract Management and Asset Management. These reforms now need to be embedded and institutionalized, which will require the MoF to shift its focus from design and implementation to training and institutionalization. The MoF Strategic Plan identifies the need to continue activities that improve service delivery to clients and the general population, and also create sustainable public FMIS that are increasingly managed and run by civil servants (with a corresponding reduction in reliance on international advisers). Accordingly, the MoF is planning an intensive training program linked to the government wide rollout of new FMIS modules. The training would be available for staff from across government, including staff responsible for financial management in district offices. The Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID) has agreed a program of interim support with the Government to assist the MoF with the FMIS training component of its strategic plan – particularly in relation to the establishment of a Government wide financial management training centre. This includes supporting the MoF to engage a senior FMIS adviser to provide advice on the longer term development of the Government’s FMIS and an FMIS training adviser to support preparation of training strategies, modules and materials. III. Duties and responsibilities A. Duties The three main duties of the consultant are: Assist the MoF in setting up of the financial information systems national directorate including: Assist in the development of a long term vision for the delivery of financial information systems and policies with a focus on sustainability. Provide guidance on the structure and staffing of the financial information systems national directorate. c. Provide guidance on the technical IT systems and procedures required to establish Quality Assurance benchmarks and facilitate monitoring and evaluation of implementation results and outcomes, and advice on how to achieve such changes through the financial information systems approach. Assist the MoF to optimise the outcomes of its current and future financial information systems contracts: Provide technical advice and analysis to inform the Government’s monitoring and implementation of financial information systems software developed for the Government. Identify infrastructure/ equipment requirements for the proposed financial information systems programs and make recommendations on equipment, software and facility requirements to improve the technical implementation delivery. Monitor, assess and report on the progress of tasks required to ensure successful implementation of the technical financial information systems activities. Provide technical input and support to the MoF in the implementation of key FMIS reforms; such as: The design, configuration, training and resource requirements of the MoF Help Desk Initiative; a. A knowledge management system for the financial information systems technical and functional documentation; and b. Ensuring customer-centric approaches in all financial information systems services to all Line Ministries in GoTL. B. Responsibilities Given the decision by GoTL to focus much of its reform efforts around improved systems, the area responsible for managing the financial information systems upgrade within the Ministry of Finance will be upgraded from a small unit to a national directorate. The Senior Technical Specialist will provide strategic and technical advice to the Directorate General of State Finances in: the establishment of the financial information systems national directorate, the development of a more detailed strategy for the delivery of the financial information systems and policies, and Implications and requirements for strengthening of financial information systems staffing and organisational structures. The Senior Technical Specialist will work closely and cooperatively with the management, staff, advisers, service providers and stakeholders of the Directorate General of State Finance. IV. Performance Reporting and Evaluation The Adviser’s output and performance will be monitored through a monthly report using the MoF-observed template on performance/progress reporting. Performance of the Senior Technical Specialist will be assessed by the Director General of State Finance, using the Performance Appraisal System put in place and carried out by the Directorate-General for Corporate Services. There is a probation period of three months. V. APPLICATION PROCEDURE Applications need to be sent to the Director-General for Corporate Services (DGCS), Ministry of Finance at email address, jobs@mof.gov.tl , no later than 17:00hours Timor-Leste time on 2nd March 2012. Applications received by this date will take priority; however, late applications will be considered if the position has not been filled. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.