Information for Appplicants Short Term Adviser

Transcription

1 Information for Appplicants Short Term Adviser Position Information Position Title: MTEF and Budgeting Adviser ARF Professional Discipline Category: C ARF Job Level: 3 ARF Monthly Rate Band: AUD $ AUD $ per day Position Location: Port Moresby, PNG *tax free status may apply for Australian residents Contract Duration: Up to a maximum of 70 until 30 June 2014 Estimated Start Date: March 2014 Application Closing Date: 4pm Friday 11 April 2014 Overview Thank you for your interest in the position of MTEF and Budgeting Adviser. This document includes information on the following: Summary of the Health and HIV Implementation Services Provider Program; Introduction to Abt JTA; Application process; Definition of a Short Term Adviser (STA); Overview of the compensation and benefits associated with STA roles; Terms of Reference; and Key Selection Criteria. Please read this document carefully as applications that vary from the specified requirements may not be accepted. Please be advised that the mobilisation of this position is subject to Australian Aid approval. Page 1

2 Insert Program Name Background In 2011 Australia and Papua New Guinea (PNG) agreed to a new strategic direction for the aid program that targets four key sectors: education, health including HIV, law and justice, and transport; with a focus on delivering better health (including HIV) and education outcomes at sub-national level. These key sectors are reflected in Australia s Partnership for Development with PNG which commits both countries to work together to achieve the Millennium Development Goals. Under this partnership, a Schedule for each of the key sectors outlines the shared objectives, funding commitments and implementation arrangements. The Health and HIV Partnership Schedule under the Papua New Guinea Australia Partnership for Development is aligned with the National Health Plan (NHP) , the National HIV Strategy (NHS) , and to the Government of PNG s Medium Term Development Plan The aim of the partnership is to support the Government of Papua New Guinea in achieving an efficient health system which can deliver an internationally acceptable standard of health service; and, a healthy population free of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and HIV. Specific targets under this Schedule are as follows: Health Increase the percentage of 1 year old children nationally vaccinated with 3 doses of pentavalent vaccine from 51 (in 2010) to 80 per cent and measles vaccinations from 50 (in 2010) to 80 per cent by 2015; Increase the percentage of deliveries supervised by a trained nurse, midwife or doctor from 40 (in 2010) to 44 per cent by 2015; and Increase the availability of essential medical supplies, including drugs and testing equipment for HIV, tuberculosis and malaria, through reducing stock outs from 53 per cent (in 2010) to 15 per cent by HIV Increase the percentage of men and women aged who had more than one sexual partner in the past 12 months who report the use of a condom during last intercourse from 38.9 per cent to 80 per cent by 2015; Increase the percentage of pregnant women on antiretroviral treatment (for prevention of mother to child transmission) from 23 per cent in 2010 to 80 per cent in 2015; and Increase the percentage of the population (both men and women) in need of antiretroviral drugs who receive those drugs from 59 per cent (2010) to 80 per cent by Australian Aid s Health and HIV Program leads the delivery of delivery of the strategies and the achievement of the health and HIV targets. PNG Health and HIV Implementation Services Provider (HHISP) The PNG Health and HIV Implementation Services Provider (HHISP) supports the Health and HIV program, on behalf of Australian Aid and Government of Papua New Guinea (GoPNG). The overarching objectives for HHISP are to support the improvement of maternal and child health outcomes and deliver increased health and HIV services to the Page 2

3 rural majority and high risk populations in support of the Health and HIV Partnership Schedule under the Papua New Guinea Australia Partnership for Development outcomes. HHISP commenced on 1 April Abt JTA Who We Are Abt JTA is a global development consulting firm with over 10 years experience operating within the health and social sectors in the Australian and Asia-Pacific region. We are a company that has a personal commitment to its staff and as such we value the long-term relationships that we build with the people who work with us. For more information about our company and what we do visit our website at Our Values Mission-Driven. We are united by our mission to improve the lives of people worldwide. Global. We are a global community, bringing diverse knowledge, expertise, and perspectives to the many challenges faced by today's world. Committed to Excellence. We strive to meet and exceed the highest professional standards. Collaborative. We know that working collaboratively produces excellence. Accountable. We take responsibility for what we do and how we do it. Balanced. We sustain the energy and commitment we bring to our roles by promoting a healthy balance between our personal and professional lives. Page 3

4 Preparing Your Application Please read the following information carefully as incomplete applications may not be accepted. To submit an application: 1. Visit the Abt JTA website ( and navigate to the Careers section. 2. Locate the position you are applying for and select Job Details. 3. Click on the Apply Online button and follow the prompts. It should take between minutes for you to complete the online application. Before submitting your application it is recommended that you have the following documentation prepared so that these can be readily uploaded during the application process: 1. An electronic version of your CV (less than 3MB); 2. A statement addressing the key selection criteria (maximum three (3) pages). This document should clearly describe how your skills, experience and qualifications will enable you to meet the requirements of the position; and 3. Details of at least three (3) professional referees (preferably your current supervisor and two (2) previous supervisors). Other Points to Consider: 1. If you are successful in being short-listed or are selected for this position you may be required to undertake a police check, psychometric test and/or a medical examination. 2. A performance assessment will be undertaken for all advisers at least annually and upon completion of their appointment. By submitting your application for this role you are consenting to Abt JTA undertaking this assessment and to providing a record of this assessment to Australian Aid for inclusion in their adviser database. Further information on the performance assessment requirements and process can be accessed from the Australian Aid website at Australian Aid Adviser Remuneration Framework. Australian Aid Remuneration Framework On the 15th of February 2011 Australian Aid released the Adviser Remuneration Framework (ARF). The ARF is a set of market-based, long and short term remuneration rates and entitlements which apply to Australian Aid-funded positions that are commercially contracted by Australian Aid directly, or through a managing contractor such as Abt JTA. Further information on this framework can be accessed from the Australian Aid website at Australian Aid Adviser Remuneration Framework. What is a Short Term Adviser? A Short Term Adviser (STA) role is considered any appointment that is up to six (6) consecutive months in duration. Page 4

5 Compensation & Benefits Short Term Adviser In accordance with the ARF, the compensation and benefits associated with this Short Term Adviser position are outlined below. The successful adviser will receive: 1. A daily Professional Fee (plus GST where applicable) to be paid monthly upon receipt of an invoice outlining the services provided. The rate band for this position is: AUD $ AUD $ per day 2. Comprehensive pre-departure and in-country briefings (security and role specific). 3. Reimbursement for expenses associated with visas, medical clearances and vaccinations. If an adviser is required to move away from their home base to undertake this role (either domestically or internationally) they will also be entitled to: 1. Return economy flight for mobilisation and demobilisation for the adviser only. 2. A per diem of AUD $ per day to cover reasonable living expenses. N.B. This allowance is only applicable for those advisers whose partner and/or accompanying dependants (where applicable) are not currently in receipt of such an allowance from Australian Aid or any other employer. 3. Reimbursement of accommodation costs up to the value of AUD $ per day (inclusive of VAT/GST). N.B. This is an Australian Aid discretionary allowance and is only applicable for those advisers whose partner and/or accompanying dependants (where applicable) are not currently in receipt of such an allowance from Australian Aid or any other employer. 4. Travel and medical insurance for the adviser only. Lodging Your Application: All applications should be submitted online through our website at: Should you experience any difficulties with the submission process, or have any questions about this role then please contact: Contact name: Stephen Kennedy stephen.kennedy@abtjta.com.au Phone: Closing Date: 4pm Friday 11 April 2014 Page 5

6 Terms of Reference The Services that the MTEF and Budgeting Adviser is to provide include, but are not limited to, fulfilling the following Terms of Reference. Title: MTEF and Budgeting Adviser, NDoH Reports To: TA/Economics, NDoH, GoPNG Status: Contract Appointment Period: 70 days in three sessions (Up to June 2014) Advisers Role: Supplementation Occupant: Vacant Project: Health and HIV Implementation Services Provider (HHISP) Location: NDoH, Port Moresby, PNG Authorised By: Deputy Secretary, National Health Policy and Corporate Services ARF Classification: C3 BACKGROUND AND CONTEXT Under the National Health Administration Act of 1997 (NHAA), the functions of the Papua New Guinea National Department of Health are to: Oversee implementation of the National Health Plan (currently the National Health Plan ); Advise the National Health Board and act as its executive; Advise provincial governments and provincial administrators about how to implement the National Health Plan; Provide technical advice and training to health staff in provinces; Provide technical services, specialist medical equipment and pharmaceuticals to help provincial governments to deliver health services; and Maintain a national information system and national health planning and data system. Health services in PNG are delivered via a complex system involving a network of aid posts, health centres, district health centres, rural hospitals, provincial hospitals, regional hospitals and one tertiary hospital. Churches administer approximately 50% of all rural health facilities. The PNG health sector is funded from several sources: Government recurrent funding of the NDoH (vote 240); Government recurrent funding of hospitals (vote 241); Church Health Services grants (included in vote 241); Functional Health Grants (provided directly to provinces); Provincial revenue; District Service Improvement Grants; Development Budget funding (for infrastructure development) through the Department of National Planning & Monitoring; and Development Partners assistance. Each year, the National Department of Health prepares and submits its budget request. As a result of its role leading the implementation of the National Health Plan, the Department attempts to take a holistic view of the government and donor funds available for health across the sector. The diversity of funding lines and the decentralised nature of service delivery makes this a complex task. Page 6

7 THE MEDIUM TERM EXPENDITURE FRAMEWORK (MTEF) The health sector MTEF is a 3-year rolling plan that should facilitate strategic forecasting of the health sector total resource envelope and budget composition. The World Bank recommends that, in order to have an impact, the MTEF should be integrated with the budget process from the start, with the MTEF outer projections published as part of the budget document. In PNG s case the idea of developing and adopting a MTEF began in late 2001 and early 2002 when the Government through the Department of Treasury directed each department to develop its respective sectoral MTEF, in line with the Government s Medium Term Budget Framework (MTBF) and Medium Term Fiscal Framework (MTFF). The NDoH took the initiative and, in 2003, the Department with the assistance of AusAID started working on its sectoral MTEF. Since its inception and adoption by the NDoH in 2004 as the management tool with regard to making decision on resource allocation in the sector, the MTEF has not been fully utilised to make that happen. There is disconnect between budgeting and the planning process, notably at the national level. The late submission of the budget ceilings by Treasury to agencies like NDoH contributes to the MTEF not being updated on time as anticipated. Development Partners are also slow in providing the necessary MTEF figures as required by the NDoH. Some Development Partners do not make any effort at all in providing the MTEF figures, even though they say they will during the initial consultations with the NDoH, making it difficult to ensure alignment of Development Partner funding. It requires a lot of time and energy to collect the relevant MTEF figures and then consolidate and use the data to update the MTEF. With PNG s decentralised funding of infrastructure development and health function grants, another weakness is that the MTEF is not able to capture other budget data (like the PSIP, DSIP and the LLGSIP). In summary, the MTEF is not being fully utilized to its full potential as a management tool with regard to making decisions on resource allocation in the sector. A review of the MTEF process is called for. PURPOSE AND OUTPUTS OF THE POSITION In order to assist it with finding a solution to the need for coherent financial planning, forecasting and budget development, the NDoH seeks a consultant during the first half of The consultant, called the MTEF & Budgeting Adviser, will be expected to work in a collaborative manner with NDoH staff economists, under the direction of the TA/Health Economics. By the end of his/her period of employment, the MTEF & Budgeting Adviser should have responded to two requirements: 1. to develop a July budget submission that makes use of a stronger MTEF process; and 2. to recommend whether and how to proceed with the MTEF in future years. In doing this, the consultant should assist staff economists to address the following questions: Is the MTEF being used by other sectors and is it feeding into a whole of government strategic budgeting process?; What are the views of other departments of government regarding the use of the MTEF and the potential for collaborative, cross government sector planning (NEFC, Treasury, Finance, DPM, DPLGA, DoNP)?; How can Development Partners contributions be brought into the MTEF process in a timely and targeted manner in order to better apply the principles of aid effectiveness?; Page 7

8 Is it possible for the health sector MTEF to be conducted in a way that is practical and useful for real budget forecasting and planning?; and If not, what other approach should be used to capture government and Development Partners planned expenditure on health in a coherent manner that will allow forecasting, adjustments and final budget development? It is expected that the MTEF and Budgeting Adviser, working collaboratively with staff economists, will: Review the MTEF process; Propose a solution to capturing all government health expenditure; Propose a solution to incorporating DPs inputs; Build a link between forecasting (MTEF) and real budget submission; and Propose a framework of strategies for managing predicted funding gaps. The MTEF and Budgeting Adviser is expected to have extensive experience in use of the MTEF and in national government budgeting processes. The successful candidate will have experience in training or capacity building in applied economics or budgeting, as well as knowledge of health sector financial issues. Experience in PNG or other countries with similar national budget processes would be an advantage. ACCOUNTABILITY/WORKING RELATIONSHIPS a) The MTEF and Budgeting Adviser will report to the TA/Health Economics in the Strategic Planning and Economics unit of the Strategic Policy division of the National Department of Health. The Adviser is expected to work collaboratively with the team of three economists, enabling and facilitating the completion of the task described above. b) By the end of the assignment, the Adviser is expected to have supported and enabled the staff economists to conduct the planning, forecasting and budget development and the MTEF process review so that staff can carry on with the new process in following years. c) The MTEF and Budgeting Adviser will also be required to report to the HHISP Director through the Health Coordinator and the Counsellor (Development Cooperation) Health and HIV, of DFAT, on progress against expected outcomes. d) Ongoing performance management will be facilitated by TA/Health Economics with HHISP support as requested. KEY RESULT AREAS The expected outcomes are: The MTEF and Budgeting Adviser must document his/her significant contributions (as confirmed by the TA/Economics) to the following Key Results Areas: 1. Recommendation on how to proceed with MTEF in future years is submitted by the Health Economics Unit to the Deputy Secretary of National Health Policy & Corporate Service; 2. Recommendation on incorporating Development Partners funding into budget planning is submitted by the Health Economics Unit to the Deputy Secretary of National Health Policy & Corporate Service; 3. Budget request for 2015 is prepared and submitted by NDoH to Treasury; 4. Strong and productive Relationships are built with key stakeholders demonstrated by positive feedback on performance; and 5. Required reports are submitted on time and to a professional standard. REPORTING Page 8

9 The MTEF and Budgeting Adviser will report to TA/Health Economics in the Strategic Planning and Economics unit of the Strategic Policy division of the National Department of Health, while developing other key relationships within the National Department of Health (NDoH). The Adviser will also be required to report to the HHISP Director through the Health Coordinator on progress against expected outputs and outcomes. Project Reporting The MTEF and Budgeting Adviser will be required to: Provide regular updates to the TA/Health Economics in the Strategic Planning and Economics unit of the Strategic Policy division of the NDoH, the Counsellor (Development Cooperation - Health and HIV) DFAT - Australian Aid and the HHISP Director through the Health Coordinator and other stakeholders as required; Complete an Exit Report at the conclusion of the employment agreement; and Fulfil any other reporting requirements requested by HHISP, DFAT Australian Aid and the TA/Health Economics in the Strategic Planning and Economics unit of the Strategic Policy division of the NDoH, as appropriate. Each Report that is provided should be: Of the highest standard of quality, including report content, format, spelling and grammar; Prepared in accordance with HHISP reporting guidelines; Provided in electronic format in Microsoft Word; and Delivered by the required date. Key Selection Criteria For your application to be considered by the panel, interested applicants must submit a response to each of the following Key Selection Criteria: KSC 1: 10 years of demonstrated experience in high-level policy development, financial forecasting, modelling and budgeting. KSC 2: KSC 3: KSC 4: KSC 5: Demonstrated applied experience with the MTEF, ideally in the health sector. Demonstrated experience in training or capacity building in economics or budgeting. PhD or Master s Degree in Economics, Finance or related field. Familiarity with aid effectiveness principles of alignment and harmonisation in budgeting. If no response to the above Key Selection Criteria is made, applications will not be considered further. Page 9