Public Financial Management Reporting Specialist

The United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) makes public and private finance work for the poor in the world’s 46 least developed countries. With its capital mandate and instruments, UNCDF offers “last mile” finance models that unlock public and private resources, especially at the domestic level, to reduce poverty and support local economic development. 

The Local Transformative Finance Practice aims to be a centre of excellence and innovation fund for local government finance. Over a 30-year period the Practice has developed deep expertise in intergovernmental fiscal transfers (IGTF), local development funds, public financial management and performance-based grants. LTF supports policy reforms and advocates for a greater appreciation and use of IGTF and performance based local government financing mechanisms in development finance. 

On the basis of this experience, LTF designed and manages the Local Climate Adaptive Living Facility (LoCAL), which is a mechanism to integrate climate change into local authorities’ planning and budgeting through the regular intergovernmental fiscal transfer system using performance-based grants in a participatory and gender-sensitive manner, increase awareness and capacities to respond to climate change at the local level including through ecosystem-based solutions, and increase the quality and number of local investments that address climate change. LoCAL combines performance-based climate resilience grants (PBCRGs), which ensure the programming and verification of change expenditures at the local level, with technical and capacity-building support. It uses the grants and demonstration effect to trigger further flows for local climate action including global climate finance and national fiscal transfers. LoCAL also aims to support private finance for small and medium businesses and municipal finance and public-private partnerships.   

LoCAL is presently working with 34 countries across Africa, Asia the Caribbean and the Pacific, and has cumulatively mobilised over US$200m for more than 2,100 adaptation projects.  In the Pacific, LoCAL has been deployed in Tuvalu since 2016.  UNCDF is now working with the Government of Solomon Islands to activate the LoCAL mechanism. 

The PFM Specialist reports to the LoCAL Programme Specialist, P-3, based in Honiara, Solomon Islands, and works in close collaboration with the GESI specialist and other LTF and LoCAL colleagues in the Pacific regional office/Asia-Pacific regional office, HQ and across the region.  The incumbent will work closely with MPGIS, IEDCR staff, and the LoCAL national and regional team.   

UNCDF has supported the Government of the Solomon Islands (GoSI) to design the LoCAL Mechanism with the aims of increasing the resilience of communities and local economies across the country, through regular, predictable, systemic and verifiable climate finance in support of local climate responses, through increased provincial government access to climate finance to implement climate change adaptation investments in Solomon Islands (Outcome 1) and institutionalising a standard and internationally recognized country-based mechanism of performance-based climate resilience grants in the country, further attracting climate finance, domestic and international (Outcome 2). 

LoCAL-Solomon Islands will raise awareness and strengthen capacities for subnational climate change adaptation at both PG and central levels (Output1); support the integration of climate change into local planning and budgeting processes and finance local adaptation interventions and investments (Output 2) and establish and deploy across the whole country an effective performance-based climate resilience grant system (financing mechanism) that can attract various sources of climate finance (Output 3). 

LoCAL will be embedded in Solomon Islands’ Provincial Capital Development Fund (PCDF) and empower the Provincial Governments to develop and fund adaptation strategies and plans, and climate change adaptation infrastructure and services. Working closely with the Ministry of Provincial Government and Institutional Strengthening (MPGIS), and alongside the World Bank’s Integrated Economic Development and Community Resilience (IEDCR) program.  LoCAL will also support Provincial Governments’ access to technical expertise on climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction, to support the implementation of climate change adaptation projects funded through the PBCRGs and strengthen the entire project cycle from planning, execution to monitoring. 

Under the supervision of the LoCAL Solomon Islands Programme Specialist, P3, and in close coordination with MPGIS, and the LoCAL national and regional team, the Public Financial Management Reporting (PFM) Specialist will have the following responsibilities listed below. The PFM Reporting Specialist will have a staff oversight role, coordinating the work of the (up to nine) LoCAL Field Managers. 

Summary of key functions: 

• Lead program strategy on the delivery of LoCAL’s Performance-Based Climate Resilience Grants (PBCRGs) at the sub-national level 
• Provide strategic advice on public financial management-related issues throughout project implementation 
• Coordinate the work of the LoCAL Field Managers in overseeing monitoring/evaluation of the grants, and ensure effective implementation of PBCRGs at the local level, in coordination with partner agencies, Provincial governments, and communities. 
• Lead LoCAL’s partnership with the Office of the Auditor General 
• Support the GESI Specialist in mainstreaming Gender Equality Social Inclusion (GESI) into the programme’s work from a public financial management perspective. 

Lead program strategy on the delivery of LoCAL’s Performance-Based Climate Resilience Grants (PBCRGs) at the sub-national level:

• Lead program strategy on the delivery, management and monitoring of LoCAL grants, including effective programme implementation.
• Set direction for LoCAL’s field-based staff (up to 9 x LoCAL Field Specialists based at the Provincial Level) to meet program objectives at the sub-national level.
• Document progress towards the achievement of outputs and contribute to the preparation and timely submission of comprehensive technical and financial reports.
• Track expected progress against performance measures and minimum standards, and proactively identify risks or opportunities. 
• Ensure Provincial Governments provide timely reporting on LoCAL’s PBCRGs, including through the use of the ACCAF tool. 
• Periodically review activities across the provinces and vertically between the provincial governments relating to PFM interventions and the PBCRG grants.
• Monitor and analyze the trends on PFM at the local government level in order to ensure provincial and local governments receive the required support to manage public administration functions more effectively and strengthen their PFM systems. 
• Design elements of, and take part in, training activities on financial reporting for the nine provinces that may be organised by the Ministry or other partners.
• Lead engagement on evaluations for LoCAL’s work in Solomon Islands, working with the LoCAL Program Manager and Global/Regional Financial Management and Local Government Specialist(s). 
• Take a proactive role in the management of the risk log of the project.

Check and verify if the agreed chart of accounts for LoCAL is being fully utilised and correctly used and provide feedback to the users of the accounts.

• Working with the PGSP and IEDCR, cross check the PG budgets and investment plans to verify if the budgets are prepared according to the PCDF investment menu for LoCAL and that the allocation criteria are strictly followed.
• Lead on LoCAL’s contribution to the PCDF’s Annual Performance Assessment process, mobilizing resources if required.
• Lead inputs to LoCAL’s annual financial and progress reports on PBCRG implementation, and public financial management.
• In consultation with the LoCAL Programme Manager and Regional PFM and Local Government Specialist, propose updated MCs or Performance Standards for LoCAL’s PBCRGs at key review points.
• Monitor and analyze the trends on PFM at provincial and local government levels in order to ensure provincial and local governments received the required support to manage public administration functions more effectively and strengthen their PFM systems.
• Work closely with the provinces, the IEDCR project PMU, the finance team at PGSP, LoCAL field-based officers and the MPGIS to receive and analyse quarterly financial and output reports to provide feed back to the provinces. 
• Through the Ministry, follow up the feedback issues identified in the financial and output reports of respective provinces to ensure they are adequately addressed before the next report.
• Design elements of, and take part in, training activities on financial reporting for the nine provinces that may be organised by the Ministry or other partners.
• Develop TORs and manage evaluations for LoCAL’s work in Solomon Islands, working with the LoCAL Program Manager and Global/Regional PFM Specialist. 
• Take a proactive role in the management of the risk log of the project.

Provide strategic advice on public financial management-related issues throughout project implementation:

• Work with the Ministry of Finance and Treasury (MoFT) and MPGIS to ensure mobilization of funding for LoCAL’s PRCRGs to Provincial Governments through the budget process.
• Support MPGIS in providing technical guidance in relation to PFM-related issues of the program.
• Review the initiatives, knowledge products, and training packages created for various stakeholders on PFM to strengthen LoCAL reporting and delivery.
• Working with government, other partners and LoCAL’s Regional PFM and Local Governance Specialist, identify and design capacity building interventions to address key gaps in PFM capacity.
• Develop TORs, contract and manage external advisors required to lead training or development of tools as required. 
• Provide technical advice to the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management in relation to PFM for international climate funds, where required.
• Provide technical advise for preparation of the LoCAL Annual workplans to support PFM.
• Enhance coordination among agencies for the effective implementation and coordination of LoCAL activities particularly on strengthening PFM systems at the provincial government level.

Set strategy for and coordinate the work of the LoCAL Field Managers in overseeing monitoring/ evaluation of the grants and ensure effective implementation of PBCRGs at the local level, in coordination with partner agencies, Provincial governments, and communities:

• Working with MPGIS, MECDM, Provincial Government, LoCAL’s field-based staff, and other partners, support compliance with procedures defined under the PBCRG (particularly minimum conditions, and LoCAL’s climate change-related performance measures) with early identification of potential issues to allow time for remediation where required.
• Regularly monitor the risks and issues pertaining to PFM and the mitigation measures in discussion with Provincial Officials, Field Officers, and provide inputs to the overall risk log of the Programme. 
• In close coordination with LoCAL’s field-based staff, ensure that the implementation of activities is technically sound.
• Participate in field visits to the provincial governments, and project sites, as required. 
• Analyse and verify if the agreed chart of accounts for LoCAL is being fully utilised and correctly used and provide feedback to the users of the accounts.
• Working with the PGSP and IEDCR, analyse and cross check the PG budgets and investment plans to verify if the budgets are prepared according to the PCDF investment menu for LoCAL and that the allocation criteria are strictly followed.
• Lead on LoCAL’s contribution to the PCDF’s Annual Performance Assessment process, mobilizing resources if required.
• Lead inputs to LoCAL’s annual financial and progress reports on PBCRG implementation, and public financial management.
• In consultation with the LoCAL Programme Manager and Regional Public Finance and Local Government Specialist, propose updated MCs or Performance Standards for LoCAL’s PBCRGs at key review points.
• Work closely with the provinces, the IEDCR project PMU, the finance team at PGSP, LoCAL field-based officers and the MPGIS to receive and analyze quarterly financial and output reports to provide feedback to the provinces.
• Through the Ministry, follow up the feedback issues identified in the financial and output reports of respective provinces to ensure they are adequately addressed before the next report.
• Monitor and proactively address program risks and contribute to a safe and healthy working environment.

Lead LoCAL’s partnership with Office of Auditor General (OAG):

• Act as a key liaison point for LoCAL’s partnership with the Auditor General’s Office, including managing financial and progress reporting. 
• Monitor provincial level financial reporting and auditing progress, and proactively highlight challenges and opportunities.

Support the Gender, Equality and Social Inclusion Specialist in mainstreaming GESI into the programme’s work from a PFM perspective:

• Working with the GESI Specialist, provide innovative solutions to support the mainstreaming of GESI throughout LoCAL’s work, including providing advice and direction to strengthen GESI initiatives in the programme plan and implementation strategy as it relates to key elements of the PBCRGS.
• Support the creation of an environment to support the promotion of GESI and address GESI issues.
• Support the implementation of program safeguards and screening tools, working with the IECDR PMU Environment and Social Specialist.
• Ensure gender and inclusion issues are substantially incorporated in PFM-related reports, policy notes and briefs where possible.

The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.

Core competencies:

• Achieve Results: LEVEL 3: Set and align challenging, achievable objectives for multiple projects, have lasting impact. 
• Think Innovatively: LEVEL 3: Proactively mitigate potential risks, develop new ideas to solve complex problems. 
• Learn Continuously LEVEL 3: Create and act on opportunities to expand horizons, diversify experiences. 
• Adapt with Agility LEVEL 3: Proactively initiate and champion change, manage multiple competing demands. 
• Act with Determination LEVEL 3: Think beyond immediate task/barriers and take action to achieve greater results. 
• Engage and Partner LEVEL 3: Political savvy, navigate complex landscape, champion inter-agency collaboration. 
• Enable Diversity and Inclusion LEVEL 3: Appreciate benefits of diverse workforce and champion inclusivity. 

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies 

Business Direction & Strategy             

• System Thinking: Ability to use objective problem analysis and judgement to understand how interrelated elements coexist within an overall process or system, and to consider how altering one element can impact on other parts of the system.
• Negotiation and Influence: Ability to reach an understanding, persuade others, resolve points of difference, gain advantage in the outcome of dialogue, negotiate mutually acceptable solutions through compromise and create ‘win-win’ situation. 

Business Management           

• Project management : Ability to plan, organise, prioritise, and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals. 

Audit & Investigation – General           

• Financial and Managerial Accounting and Finance key concepts: Key concepts and principles of financial accounting, interpret financial analysis, managerial accounting, etc.

Finance              

• Financial risk management: Ensures financial resilience through proactive assessment of risk, implementation of controls and taking mitigating action. Understands risk and reward in relation to collaborative and commercial projects. Ensures a culture of positive risk management”.

Partnerships Management   

• Multi-stakeholder engagement and funding: Ability to engage with a wide range of public and private partners, build, sustain and/or strengthen working relations, trust and mutual understanding.
• Strategic engagement: Ability to capture and sustain attention, interest and agreement of high-level, influential policy and decision makers and secure their buy-in of high-level vision and objective. 

• A minimum of five years’ (with master’s degree) or seven years (with Bachelor´s degree) of experience in public financial management or a related area. 
• Experience working on public finance, governance, decentralisation or PFM-related issues, preferably including field-based roles. 
• Experience managing staff or a team or managing a program for results.   
• Strong general IT skills, including ability to work regularly with MS Office Suite
• Experience working with central and sub-national government, and sound understanding of government systems knowledge of government systems, including Provincial Government in Solomon Islands; of the Provincial Government in Solomon Islands. 
• Experience working within the UN or an international organisation is desirable. 
• Sound knowledge and experience in the field of Accounting and Financial management with capacity to function independently with minimum supervision.
• Demonstrated skills on undertaking analysis, preparing quality reports and other knowledge products. 
• Ability to participate and contribute to consultative meetings at national and state level with partners and senior stakeholders to identify priorities and manage the timely delivery of project activities.

Required Languages:

• English and Solomon Islands Pidgin