Individual consultancy to Provide Technical Assistance to the Parliament of Mozambique on financial oversight Full-Time

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Purpose and Objective:

In 2017, with the support from the UNICEF, the Parliamentarian Technical Cabinet[1] created a unit of financial, economic and budgeting analyses and technical support – UEEFO. The unit is led by a Snr Financial Analyst that is funded by UNICEF since August 2017. The financial analyst has the support of one parliamentary staff member and occasionally, a trainee. UEEFO is now functioning but the demand to do more is still very high.

The SPEAR section agreed with Parliament’s Secretariat’s Technical Gabinet to support the UEEFO unity with the provision of a Technical Assistance that provides such expertise in financial oversight for Members and staff of the Parliament. The TA will take overall responsibility for the timely development and delivery of high-quality analytical products for use of members and committees, establishing the basis for the development and use of these tools which will be absorbed by Parliament in the future. He/she will oversee and lead the production of all the UEEFO financial and economic products and ensure they are of the highest quality and analysis is independent and authoritative. The consultant will support the Secretariat to develop Induction module on Child Sensitive Budgeting and financial oversight.

The consultant, in consultation with UNICEF will ensure the maintenance and delivery of an effective strategy for the UEEFO in terms of production and dissemination of financial analyses and oversight and ensure that the office has the appropriate resources and skills to operate effectively. He/she will support and empower the team, to ensure they operate to their maximum ability, identifying and addressing training and mentoring needs. Where required the consultant will coordinate external expertise to augment and support the TC’s financial oversight capacity. The successful candidate will be an experienced financial analyst with strong communication skills and networker who can develop necessary relationships and create demand for the analytical products being developed by TC department related to financial oversight.

Moreover, and most importantly, the consultant will specifically and deliberately ensure sustainability of this work by teaching/mentoring staff, so that in the longer term they can take over this work and lead in budget analysis and financial oversight functions for Parliament and Parliamentarians.

The proposed technical assistance, as a full-time, year-round assistant based at the Parliament, will help to create a stronger financial oversight role for MPs, working on concrete steps towards making the Parliament a better-informed and equipped actor for the development of Mozambique. The vision is that the consultant will build the foundation to establish a position/function, within the structure of the Parliament, and financed by Parliament, of financial oversight, similar to a Parliamentary Budget Office, or technical unit on support to budgeting. The performance of the consultant will be crucial as results will influence decisions of Parliament as to formally establish this function with its organogram.

Methodology and Technical Approach:

Provision of qualified technical assistant to the Parliament through placement of a consultant in the Technical Cabinet. The consultant will be based at the Parliament, working in accordance to the stipulations of the Technical Cabinet (as it relates to hours and schedule), and report monthly to UNICEF in terms of main activities undertaken, products produced, challenges and achievements. The consultant will be attending strategic UNICEF meetings which includes Social Policy weekly and monthly meetings, UNICEF mid-year and annual meetings and other relevant meetings upon request. Until the end of 2019 the consultant will be working more in the development of induction material in close collaboration with the Secretariat and UNICEF. The consultant will work in close collaboration (albeit independently) with the Planning and Budgeting Committee of Parliament (CPO) and increasingly with Social Action, Gender and Child Committee, particularly with its President, Vice-President, and Rapporteur. Furthermore, the consultant will support two trainees recruited by WFD to support the role of financial oversight.

The consultant needs to develop and maintain key relationships with the Planning and Budget Committee, the Social Action, Gender and Child Committee; the Secretary General Cabinet; the Centre for Parliamentary Study and Training; the Ministry of Economy and Finance; the Tribunal Administrativo; the Banco de Moçambique (Central Bank); the Library and Research department; and local experts and economic analysts.

The consultant will be responsible for the establishment of analysis tools and mechanisms as well as for the training/mentoring staff in the TC office who will carry this work forward over the long-term.

Activities and Tasks:

Production and dissemination of Financial and economic research and analysis (40%)

1. Act as the Senior Financial Analyst leading the development of all UEEFO products and responses to requests;
2. Develop, within the first month of consultancy, a workplan, timeline and deliverables of the production and dissemination plan of analyses and technical information to MPs as well as the public in general;
3. Develop, within the first month of consultancy, a PF4C workplan, timelines and deliverables for Sept-December;
4. Undertake economic studies inclusive but not limited to, technical analyses of: State Budget Proposals and eventual revisions (by end February 2020 unless requested by CPO earlier), Plano Económico e Social (PES) Proposals (by end February 2020, unless requested by CPO earlier), Conta Geral do Estado, Budget Execution Reports, Audit Reports and recommendations and present them in and appropriate user-friendly formats. In-depth budget analyses on selected social sectors such as health, education, water and sanitation and social action/protection;
5. Provision of independent assessments of financial implications of draft legislation and policy;
6. Ensuring the TC maintains or has access to datasets to ensure it is able to respond quickly and accurately to requests for information and analysis;
7. Devising appropriate methodology for responding to requests from the TC’s end-users;
8. Ensuring timely completion of all analyses so they are delivered to deadline, meet the requirements of the end-user and are of high-quality and adhere to internal standards;
9. Liaise with and ensure appropriate information is provided to the Committees in a timely manner;
10. Take overall responsibility for the accuracy and editorial quality of the all the TC’s economic products and analyses.

Development (30%)

1. Development of Child Sensitive Budgeting and financial oversight materials for the Induction Modul for new Members of the Parliament;
2. Identify and arrange together with the Secretariat appropriate training and development opportunities for Second and Third Committees to ensure necessary skillsets are available and maintained;
3. Contribution to UNICEF PF4C Strategy and coordination of policy notes (Nutrition and Sanitation) products;
4. Ensure that the TC is continuously improving its services and products, ensuring relevance to all key customers in the Parliament

Mentoring and leadership (20%)

1. Provide leadership in an open, interactive and consultative style, which values the views and skills of all the TC’s staff;
2. Overall support to and training of the staff and possible interns;
3. Coordination of the TC’s team of possible economist and trainees by ensuring appropriate capacity development plan and ensuring effective delivery of economic products;
4. Provision of day-to-day on-the-job mentoring and guidance to the staff and other intern
5. Ensure all reporting requirements are effectively fulfilled.

Communications and stakeholder engagement (10%)

1. Constant communication with UNICEF ensuring ongoing assessment of their programme requirements;
2. Proactive communication and marketing across the Parliament of the TC’s services, soliciting use and incoming requests;
3. Proactive communication and marketing of the TC’s products and analyses;
4. Networking and developing contacts within the Parliament and wider external stakeholders including donors and relevant local experts;
5. Lead and oversee the TC’s digital and marketing strategy including ensuring appropriate website content is generated through the library department.

Deliverables and Payments:

Consultant will be paid on product delivery basis. The products (unless considered confidential by Parliament) will be accompanied by a narrative report documenting the progresses, challenges and way forward.

Deliverable 1:

• Delivery timeframe: by the end of September 2019
• Deliverable/product(s): UNICEF PF4C Theory of Change inputs, including stakeholder engagement. Annual workplan that includes a calendar for the production and dissemination of analysis and provision of technical information to MPs;
• Payment (indicate amount or %):

Deliverable 2:

• Delivery timeframe: by the end of October 2019
• Deliverable/product(s): Development of Induction Modul for new MPs in collaboration with UNICEF PF4C team: Child Sensitive Budgeting and Financial Oversight. Coordination of UNICEF Nutrition and Sanitation Budget Policy Note.
• Payment (indicate amount or %):

Deliverable 3:

• Delivery timeframe: by the end of November 2019
• Deliverable/product(s): Coordination of UNICEF Nutrition and Sanitation Budget Policy Note.
• Training and mentoring plan for UEEFO for 2020, including induction activities in collaboration with the Secretariat; Annual progress report on financial and economic research analysis, support and leadership, mentoring and development of the UEEFO team, communication and stakeholder engagement
• Payment (indicate amount or %):

Deliverable 4:

• Delivery timeframe: by the end of December 2019
• Deliverable/product(s): Deliverable/product(s): Analyses of CGE 2018. Analysis of the REO III 2018.
• Payment (indicate amount or %):

Deliverable 5:

• Delivery timeframe: by the end of January 2020
• Analysis of the 2020 State Budget proposal; Technical Analysis of the 2020 PES proposal. Progress report on support and leadership, mentoring and development of the UEEFO team, communication and stakeholder engagement.
• Payment (indicate amount or %):

Deliverable 6:

• Delivery timeframe: by the end of February 2020
• Deliverable/product(s): Inductions sessions with relevant stakeholders. Analyses of PQG Social Sector prioritization. Analysis of the 2020 State Budget proposal – focus on the social sectors (agreed with 2nd and 3rd committee two of the following: Education, Health, Water and Sanitation, and Social Action and Social Protection); Progress report on financial and economic research analysis, support and leadership, mentoring and development of the UEEFO team, communication and stakeholder engagement.
• Payment (indicate amount or %):

Deliverable 7:

• Delivery timeframe: by the end of March 2020
• Deliverable/product(s): Inductions sessions with relevant stakeholders. Assessment report on the training and development requirements of the parliamentary Staff including members of the Technical Cabinet; Analysis of the REO IV 2019; Progress report on financial and economic research analysis, support and leadership, mentoring and development of the UEEFO team, communication and stakeholder engagement.
• Payment (indicate amount or %):

Deliverable 8:

• Delivery timeframe: by the end of April 2020
• Deliverable/product(s): Inductions sessions with relevant stakeholders. Progress report on financial and economic research analysis, support and leadership, mentoring and development of the UEEFO team, communication and stakeholder engagement.
• Payment (indicate amount or %):

Deliverable 9:

• Delivery timeframe: by the end of May 2020
• Deliverable/product(s): Inductions sessions with relevant stakeholders. Analysis of the REO I 2020 – focus on the social sectors; Progress report on financial and economic research analysis, support and leadership, mentoring and development of the UEEFO team, communication and stakeholder engagement.
• Payment (indicate amount or %):

Deliverable 10:

• Delivery timeframe: by the end of June 2020
• Deliverable/product(s): Analysis of the 2018 State Budget Accounts (CGE) with focus on social sectors (Education, Health, Water and Sanitation and Social Action and Social Protection); Analysis of the REO II 2020 with focus on the social sectors; Progress Report on-the-job training of the two junior economists and interns.
• Payment (indicate amount or %):

Deliverable 11

• Delivery timeframe: by the end of July 2020
• Deliverable/product(s): A final report of the overall consultancy – focusing on the progress, challenges and the way forward of UEEFO. The report should focus on UEEFO’s work add value to advance child rights agenda.
• Payment (indicate amount or %):

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

Qualifications and Specialized Knowledge:

Academic qualifications:

1. A sound academic background in economics and financial analysis
2. Minimum of a Masters level degree in economics or a related field

Work experience:

1. Demonstrated experience performing financial (including budget) analyses;
2. Strong managerial experience (at least 5 years) of leading a small but busy team, ensuring a consultative and open atmosphere;
3. Demonstrated experience working with the parliament.

Specific knowledge, competencies, and skills required:

1. A strong track record of delivery of high-quality products, meeting the needs of customers;
2. Strong knowledge of the Mozambican parliamentary system, the needs of parliamentarians and committees and the overall financial and state budget processes;
3. Experience of conducting financial and costing analysis of legislation and policies;
4. Exceptional numerical and analysis skills;
5. Experience of mentoring and up-skilling a young and dynamic team with the skills they require to develop;
6. Non-partisan and independent operator;
7. Willing and able to travel in Mozambique and regionally;
8. Experience of working in a parliamentary environment and/ or Financial Institution desired;
9. Diplomatic and approachable personality with a “can-do” attitude.

Language skills:

1. Fluency in written and spoken Portuguese;
2. Fluency in written and spoken English.

Other:

Mozambican nationality

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF’s core values of Commitment, Diversity and Integrity and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results.

Annex 3 – Terms of Reference TA to Parliament on Financial Oversight 7.2019 v1.docx

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.

UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. UNICEF also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.

Remarks:

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.