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Public Financial Management Adviser - Tuvalu

DT Global Asia Pacific Pty Ltd

Australia's development program invests in an open, prosperous and resilient Indo-Pacific. Australia’s efforts contribute to stability, restarting economies post-pandemic, and managing the effects of resurgent poverty and inequality.

Cardno is a global consulting organisation that manages projects for major donors, delivering aid work in various disciplines such as education, health, governance, resource and environment management and infrastructure. Our work expands across Europe, Latin and North America, Asia, the Pacific and Africa. With over 6,000 staff worldwide, our vision is to be a world leader in the provision of professional services to improve the physical and social environment.

About the BPaC Program

The Building Pacific Capacity Program (BPaC) is an Australian Government initiative funded by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) and managed by Cardno Emerging Markets. It provides Pacific Island Countries with a suite of flexible, fit-for-purpose options that support broad governance and stability development outcomes.

About the Partner Organisation

For this advisory role BPaC is partnering with the Treasury Department, Ministry of Finance, Government of Tuvalu. The Ministry of Finance is charged with delivering the key economic development strategic priority under Tuvalu’s national development plan, Te Kete: National Strategy for Sustainable Development 2021 to 2030. A key outcome will be to improve macroeconomic resilience, with the specific object to improve public financial management and efficiency across all Government ministries.

About the Role

The Public Financial Management (PFM) Adviser may commence remotely, until such time as deployment is possible. The role will then be based in Funafuti, Tuvalu at the offices of the Treasury Department, Ministry of Finance. The Adviser will provide hands-on training, mentoring and consult widely within Government.

This role reports directly to the Government Accountant and works closely with Treasury staff, Aid coordination and Budget Unit staff, and is accountable to the Acting Chief Executive Officer of the Ministry of Finance. The Adviser will supplement the capacity of the Department.
The role of Public Financial Management Adviser is new and has not been filled by a technical adviser previously.

The Public Financial Management Adviser will provide support to the Government of Tuvalu to improve uptake of the Government’s new Financial Management Information System (Technology One – TechOne) through capacity development, training, and mentoring. TechOne will enable the GoT to track expenditure and asset lifetime data through better receipt and expenditure recording, whole-of-life asset tracking, and procurement systems.

The Adviser will provide expertise in assisting the Government to build capacity in the efficient and effective management of public funds and financial reporting, including in the production of financial statements that comply with the International Public Sector Accounting standards and the Public Finance Act.

The Adviser will assist the Government of Tuvalu to develop and implement a range of add-on packages, including an HR module that will assist the Government of Tuvalu in tracking whole-of-government staffing needs, training assessments and needs, and general workforce planning.

Role responsibilities, deliverables and capacity development objectives:

Placement objective 1: Support Treasury to implement reforms under the Public Financial Management Reform Roadmap 2020-2024

  • Provide training to all staff on the use of applications for TechOne in: accounts payable; accounts receivable; accounts reconciliation; general ledger; fixed assets; and, GL reconciliation
  • Provide training on the budget module for TechOne.
  • Ensure all donor funds within the Tuvalu Development Fund (TDF) are processed through TechOne; produce reports
  • Roll-out payment orders for all expenditures using TechOne
  • Provide recommendations and provide support in the implementation of reforms to improve internal controls within Treasury
  • Improve reconciliation processes on major receipts (fishing licences and taxes, including customs revenues)
  • Establish interface between TechOne and external systems in customs (ASYCUDA), inland revenue (RMS), and fisheries (FMS)
  • Migrate all information from Tuvalu Development Fund (TDF) and Special Infrastructure (SI) into the TechOne system.
  • Create TechOne interface for Tuvalu Development Fund and Special Infrastructure.
  • Prepare a timeline and provide inputs to establish a payroll module using TechOne and to be more flexible to changes to any new increases in salary structure

Placement objective 2: Provide assistance to Treasury Department to produce complete financial statements
In conjunction with the Government Accountant:

  • Ensure TechOne can produce the complete Financial Statements and comply with International Public Sector Accounting Standard (IPSAS) and the Public Finance Act
  • Ensure TechOne can produce inventories as part of the Financial Statements
  • Establish an improve accounting framework
  • Coordinate and oversee staff tasks during audit time (May-July)
  • Establish a more robust system of reconciliation of cash and bank balances using TechOne

Placement objective 3: Ensure TechOne fully utilised to deliver maximum efficiencies

  • Collaborate with the Planning and Budget department and the Audit Office to help implement the Regional Roadmap and address PEFA findings
  • Establishment practices to ensure public financial management aligns with the Public Finance Act and Financial Instructions (including participating in the Government review of the Treasury Legal Framework)

Placement objective 4: Asset management, procurement

  • Work with the Central Procurement Unit (CPU) and Central Contract Management Unit (CCMU) to better account and report on government spending going towards large public procurements
  • Responsible for ensuring a complete, accurate and current asset register is available through TechOne
  • Regular updating of the Tuvalu Asset Management Register under the Asset Management Framework
  • Explore ways to integrate the Tuvalu Asset Management Register under the Asset Management Framework in TechOne
  • Review asset stocktake schedules with Asset Manager

Placement objective 5: Provide training to Treasury staff, Accounting Office and public officers in the management and reporting of public funds

  • Oversee the work of the Treasury Department and the development of staff capacity
  • Facilitate and/or lead training on TechOne
  • Provide Higher Executive and Executive Officers with on-the-job training and refresher courses on the use of TechOne
  • Provide training to Ministry staff on financial management and changes to system and processes, including the use of paperless payments system

Placement objective 6: Other

  • Provide sound financial advice to the Minister, Secretary, ministries and Cabinet, as required
  • Lead the establishment of a centralised debt register and asset management framework
  • Carry out other duties as required from time to time by the Secretary of Finance and the Government Accountant

Placement objective 7: Provide advice and guidance on cross-cutting issues

  • Ensure inclusive practices that enhance access for women, people with disabilities and other marginalised populations are incorporated into the operations of the Ministry of Finance

Relationship management, performance management and reporting

  • The PFM Adviser will report to the Acting Chief Executive Officer of the Ministry of Finance, DFAT and the BPaC Team Leader with performance management undertaken jointly by these parties.
  • The Adviser will be required to work closely with counterparts, including Departmental staff, with a focus on knowledge transfer and training.
  • Key outputs and deliverables, as defined in the approved Workplan, are to be reported to the Supervisor on a regular basis
  • The BPaC program requires performance reporting against the workplan on a six-monthly basis (as well as monthly situational reports)

About You

Selection Criteria

Essential personal attributes

  • Willingness to be deployed to Tuvalu
  • An understanding and appreciation of the challenges of working in different cultural contexts
  • An ability to work with limited resources and professional support in a remote location
  • Patience, resilience, adaptability, creative problem-solving skills, and a commitment to teamwork and consultation
  • Emotional intelligence, resourcefulness, openness to learning and an ability to manage stress

Essential qualifications and experience

  • Tertiary qualification in accounting, Public Financial Management or a related field
  • High level skills in managing staff in government or corporate accounting environments (as a Chief Accountant or Senior Accountant) and success in supporting and implementing change
  • Experience in computerised financial management information systems in a Government environment, such as Technology One (TechOne) or a similar system
  • Demonstrated experience and success in the development and implementation of formal and on the job training, including the development of relevant procedures and manuals
  • Knowledge or experience in managing the transition from cash-based to accrual accounting standards and practices
  • Proven ability to use a broad range of capacity development approaches
  • Ability to develop and maintain successful working relationships with Ministers, staff, international donor organisations and other stakeholders, in a cross-cultural environment.
  • Ability to work in a multicultural environment with sensitivity, a team approach and respect for diversity.
  • Excellent communication and analytical skills, including report writing.
  • Understanding of the importance of cross cutting development issues such as gender, anti-corruption and disability.

Desirable experience

  • Previous experience living and working in a developing country (particularly in the Pacific or small island states).

How to Apply?

We welcome your interest in joining the BPaC Program as an adviser.

Please review the Terms of Reference before applying: click here.

Please click 'Apply Now' and submit your CV, along with a cover letter that addresses the selection criteria (no more than 250 words per criterion).

Please also take the time to look at the BPaC information sheet: https://bit.ly/31wlPkc.

Kindly note that applications that do not address the key selection criteria will not be considered. Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.

We welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds and abilities, LGBTQ+, women, mature age workers and people with different abilities.

Country Context

There are inherent opportunities and challenges that come with living and working in developing country contexts, including considerations unique to remote small island states. Applicants should consider these prior to applying and be willing and able to deploy to Tuvalu upon commencement of the role.

  • Tuvalu is an independent country in the South Pacific within the Polynesian subregion. Tuvalu is comprised of three reef islands and six atolls.
  • Tuvalu has a population of approximately 11,000, over half of whom live in Funafuti, the capital.
  • COVID-19 has greatly impacted travel to and from Tuvalu, with limited flight options and mobility.
  • There are approximately 8km of roads in Tuvalu.
  • Tuvalu is a remote island nation with no local manufacturing and a limited human resources pool. It is heavily reliant on imports and vulnerable to supply shocks.
  • Tuvalu has the smallest GDP of any sovereign nation in the world. Key incomes sources are seafood exports and foreign aid.
  • Education in Tuvalu is free and compulsory between the ages of 6 and 15 years and the adult literacy rate is high. English is widely spoken, however for most daily use the Tuvaluan language is used.
  • As at 1 December 2021 Tuvalu is yet to record a case of COVID-19.
  • For more information visit https://www.dfat.gov.au/geo/tuvalu/tuvalu-country-brief

Other information

Amendments to the position’s Terms of Reference may be made during the period of the engagement as required.

Cardno is committed to Safety and the Prevention of Sexual Abuse and Harassment (PSEAH), Child Protection and bribery prevention. We want to engage with the right people to deliver our client programs. As part of our approach you will be subjected to formal background screening, criminal record checks, employment verification, and periodic compliance checks. All Cardno staff receive safety, compliance and safeguards training and are responsible for contributing to a safer working culture.

Cardno is equal opportunity employer.

Cardno encourages women to apply. Cardno recognises the moral and legal responsibility to provide an equal opportunity workplace by ensuring that all recruitment and selection decisions are based on the best qualified and experienced candidate who can perform the genuine inherent requirements of the position.

How to apply

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