Monitoring And Evaluation Advisor Adam Smith International

Adam Smith International (ASI) is seeking a Monitoring and Evaluation Advisor for an existing three-year, DFID-funded assignment in Afghanistan. This is a temporary 4 month position with the possibility of extension. The Advisor will work with the Budget Department in the Ministry of Finance in Kabul, reporting to the Team Leader.

Background to ASI

ASI is a leading independent management consultancy firm that provides economic growth and government reform advice to a range of clients in the public, private and civil society sectors. The company was founded in 1992 in response to the growing need by development agencies for practical advice on economic and government reform in developing countries and emerging markets.

Based in London, with registered offices in Nairobi and New Delhi, and with major project offices located in many developing and transitional countries worldwide, ASI’s mission is to apply our professional and consulting skills towards improving the quality of life for the citizens of countries facing the need for economic, political and social change.

Background to the programme

In 1389, the GIRoA rolled out program budgeting as a new approach to budget preparation and implementation, with the objective of clearly linking budget allocation to Government policy objectives and specific services to be delivered.  All budget units developed their budgets broken into program and sub-programs, and defined outputs (service to be delivered) and outcomes (benefits for the citizens) indicators and targets of the programs. The 1390 National Budget Statement, presented to the Parliament, contained dual budget presentation – by line item and in a program format – for all budgetary units.

Performance reporting is a key aspect of the program budget approach with the aim of reinforcing accountability of the Government for the achieved results. While during budget preparation and negotiation process, budget units are requested to define service delivery targets that they plan to achieve with allocated funds, it is necessary for the Government to monitor whether the budget was spent in accordance with appropriation and whether the services have been delivered at the agreed level over the course of the year. Through introduction of performance reporting, Government will be able to regularly assess line ministries progress toward implementation of their programs and achievement of performance targets.

The main tools for performance reporting are semi-annual budget execution and performance reports, containing financial and output targets and actual achievements that line ministries submit to Budget Department, in the Ministry of Finance, on a regular basis. This allows the Budget Department to regularly assess efficiency (output vs. budget) of the allocated budget.

However, as Ministry of Economy, as well as Policy Department of MoF and Office of the Administrative Affairs all have mandates in performance monitoring and evaluation there is a risk of overlaps in the activities conducted. The first step in the implementation of effective performance reporting is to define and ensure a common understanding of roles and responsibilities among all stakeholders.

Responsibilities

The Advisor will be responsible for supporting the MoF in the development of a government-wide M&E framework, which will complement the development of Mid Term Expenditure Frameworks.  Within the government-wide M&E framework, the Advisor will ensure that this approach is integrated with the overall budget process, as well as working with key Ministry of Finance and other SAB advisors to develop a system for capturing and tracking performance monitoring data for review.

Skills and experience required

Essential

• Strong experience in monitoring and evaluation, with formation of databases and recording of results; and
• Sound experience of rolling out performance management systems within major government ministries.

Desirable

• Experience of rolling out cross-government performance management systems
• Sound knowledge of programme budgeting
• Experience working in Afghanistan

How to apply

Please send a CV and short cover email to amy.johns@adamsmithinternational.com  with a subject line of “Monitoring and Evaluation Advisor – [Name]” by 26 May 2013. Applications will be reviewed periodically, therefore applicants are encouraged to apply as soon as possible. Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.