Public Finance Management/Aid Management Advisor Adam Smith International

Adam Smith International (ASI) is seeking an experienced PFM/Aid Management Advisor for an existing three-year, DFID-funded assignment in Afghanistan. This is a full-time, permanent position with 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

ASI is undertaking a three year project to support the Budget Department and the Ministry of Finance in Kabul across a range of reform objectives. The project is funded by DFID and has recently completed its inception phase. One of the roles of the project will be to provide the Aid Management Directorate with advice on aid management issues, particularly as they relate to implementation of the aid management policy which is aimed at bringing more aid on budget and aligning it with national policy priorities. The role will involve close collaboration with the Aid Management director as well as with another short term advisor to the AMD on PFM issues and the team leader of the ASI project.

Responsibilities

The advisor will be responsible for delivery of the public financial management aspects of aid management advice. In particular this will focus on supporting donors in their efforts to bring aid on budget, in line with the Kabul Conference commitment to bring 50% of aid on budget. This will require extensive interaction with donors to assist them in interacting with Afghanistan’s budgeting and PFM systems, and helping to identify specific donor  needs in order to facilitate greater on-budget spending. In addition, the role will involve supporting donors in aligning 80% of their aid with the Afghan government’s policy priorities, also as agreed at the Kabul conference. Afghanistan is one of the largest recipients of aid in the world, and the role will be a crucial one in ensuring greater Afghan government ownership of its development and moving away from parallel systems of aid provision.

Independently from the aid management function, there are likely to be other requirements for the role – in particular supporting budget execution. Afghanistan has a low rate of execution of its development/capital budget. The role would include work supporting the Budget Execution Directorate in analysing and improving budget submissions and in identifying and resolving bottlenecks in spending so that Afghanistan can make the best possible use of the resources available to it.

Skills and experience required

Essential

• Sound understanding of Afghan PFM regulations and budget and treasury systems (or that of a similar country); and
• Experience working with multi-lateral and bi-lateral financial institutions including donors reporting requirements.

Desirable

• Experience in implementation of program-based budgeting
• Experience working in Afghanistan
• Experience of issues surrounding bringing aid on budget

How to apply

Please send a CV and short cover email to amy.johns@adamsmithinternational.com with a subject line of “PFM/Aid Management 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.