Consultant to Provide Technical Assistance to the Parliament of Mozambique on financial oversight

The purpose of the proposed Technical Assistance is to provide expertise in financial oversight for Members and staff of the Parliament. The consultant will, as a temporary measure, 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 TC’s financial and economic products and ensure they are of the highest quality and analysis is independent and authoritative.

PURPOSE OF THE ASSIGNMENT

The purpose of the proposed Technical Assistance is to provide expertise in financial oversight for Members and staff of the Parliament. The consultant will, as a temporary measure, 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 TC's financial and economic products and ensure they are of the highest quality and analysis is independent and authoritative. 

METHODOLOGY AND TECHNICAL APPROACH

• 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 work in close collaboration (albeit independently) with the Planning and Budgeting Committee of Parliament (CPO), 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 Constitutional Affairs, Legality and Human Rights 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 of two technical assistants embedded in the TC office who will carry this work forward over the long-term.

ACTIVITIES AND TASKS

1. Financial and economic research and analysis (50%)

• Act as the Senior Financial Analyst leading the development of all products and responses to requests
• Develop, within the first month of consultancy, a calendar for the production and dissemination of analyses, opinions, and technical information to MPs, and, when appropriate, the public in general
• Coordination of the TC's team of economic trainees ensuring appropriate deployment of various skills and ensuring effective delivery of economic products
• Undertake economic research with a focus on, but not limited to, technical analyses of: State Budget Proposals and eventual revisions (by end October, unless requested by CPO earlier), Plano Económico e Social (PES) Proposals (by end October, unless requested by CPO earlier), Conta Geral do Estado, Budget Execution Reports, Audit Reports and recommendations
• Ensure that high-quality analyses of the plan and budget documents include an in-depth look to social sectors such as health, education, water and sanitation and social action/protection
• Respond to requests from committees and parliamentarians, particularly requirements of the Planning and Budget committee, presenting findings in user-friendly briefings and other formats
• Produce periodic standard economic analyses responding to assessed and publication in an appropriate user-friendly formats
• Provision of independent assessments of financial implications of draft legislation and policy
• 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
• Devising appropriate methodology for responding to requests from the TC's end-users
• Ensuring timely completion of all analyses so they are delivered to deadline and meet the requirements of the end-user
• Ensuring all TC outputs and products related to financial/economic analyses are high-quality and adhere to internal standards
• Take overall responsibility for the accuracy and editorial quality of the all the TC's economic products and analyses.

1. Support to technical leadership and oversight (10%)

• Overall support to and training of the two economic trainees
• Ensure that the TC is continuously improving its services and products, ensuring relevance to all key customers in the Parliament
• Contribute towards the development of appropriate office systems and structures to provide effective and timely services to customers
• Liaise with and ensure appropriate information is provided to the Committees
• Ensure all reporting requirements are effectively fulfilled

1. Mentoring and development (30%)

• Provision of day-to-day on-the-job mentoring and guidance to the two trainees
• Build, within the four months of consultancy, a training plan for the trainees that will enable transitioning trainees into full-time financial analysts for the TC by the end of the second year.
• Assess training and development requirements of the parliamentary staff and Members
• Identify and arrange appropriate training and development opportunities for the Committees to ensure necessary skillsets are available and maintained

1. Communications and stakeholder engagement (10%)

• Constant communication with UNICEF and WFD focal points ensuring ongoing assessment of their programme requirements
• Proactive communication and marketing across the Parliament of the TC's services, soliciting use and incoming requests
• Proactive communication and marketing of the TC's products and analyses
• Networking and developing contacts within the Parliament and wider external stakeholders including donors and relevant local experts
• Provide technical leadership to and oversight of the TC's digital and marketing strategy including ensuring appropriate website content is generated through the library department

EXPECTED DELIVERABLES

The consultant will be paid on a monthly basis, upon submission of a monthly activity report accompanied by   a list of the main activities undertaken (based on the present ToR), including sharing products produced (unless considered confidential by Parliament), activities undertaken to train the trainees, among other activities, as well as the main challenges and progresses of the assistance.

Deliverables:

Delivery timeframe: Monthly

Deliverable/product(s): Monthly Activity Report that summarize delivered products, such as activities undertaken, products produced, etc.

QUALIFICATIONS AND SPECIALIZED KNOWLEDGE

Education. At least a Masters level degree in economics or a related field, and a sound academic background in economics and financial analysis.

Years of relevant experience. Demonstrated experience performing financial (including budget) analyses. Strong managerial experience (at least 5 years) of leading a small but busy team, ensuring a consultative and open atmosphere

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

Language skills. Fluency in written and spoken Portuguese and English.

Please indicate your ability, availability and daily/monthly rate (in US$) to undertake the terms of reference above (including travel and daily subsistence allowance, if applicable).  Applications submitted without financial information will not be considered.

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages qualified female and male candidates from all national, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of our organisation.

To view our competency framework, please click here.