International Consultant - Health Financing

UNICEF Timor-Leste is currently looking for an International Consultant to strengthen the financial management services at the Ministry of Health (MOH) in view of improving the performance of Timor-Leste’s Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI) and the Health System at large.

UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential.

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone.

And we never give up.

For every child, Health

https://www.unicef.org/timorleste

How can you make a difference?

Under supervision of Health Manager the  consultant will strengthen the financial management services of Directorate of Finance staff in the Ministry of Health (MOH) and Municipal as well as community Health Center (CHC) finance teams in view of improving the performance of Timor-Leste’s Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI) and the Health System at large. The consultant will embed him/herselves within the Finance Directorate team and associated EPI team providing hands-on capacity building. The consultant will also work together with these teams to provide the requested technical assistance.

Due to the unprecedented period of COVID-19, some work may be done remotely, if the conditions dictate so (especially at the beginning and towards the end of the contract).

WORK ASSIGNMENT:

I.  Support to improve budgeting/planning, reporting and audit management related to Gavi grants and general financial management system at all levels:

1. Coaching /ad-hoc support to finance teams at different levels [Central MOH, Municipalities and CHCs]
2. Reporting: 

• Compiling and consolidating accounts for Gavi grants;
  • Assist with reporting from government system to Gavi required formats;
  • Support fiscal year reporting and further Gavi financial reporting in accordance with Gavi’s Financial Reporting and Audit Requirements.
  • Assist to clear backlog of any un-submitted financial reports and audits; and
  • Assessment, capacity building and material development for reporting from Municipality and district levels to EPI Program.

    3. Planning and Budgeting:

• • Develop and provide training on guidelines for budget and financial management; and develop tools for monitoring and supervision of budget execution against actual expenditures;
  • Create work plan preparation as required; and conduct training as required at all levels;
  • Attend and participate in programmatic meetings and give inputs to financial related matters for Gavi grants in alignment with general state budget;
  • Monitor programme progress and offer feedback through field visits; and
  • Review and monitor programme performance whilst making recommendations to improve performance in relation to financial management.

II. Support in improving quality and timeliness of financial requests and overall documentation:

1. Training, streamlining of processes including new tools.

2. Analysis and Improvement of financial management system:

• • Review of financial and accounting systems at central and Municipal levels.
  • Update procedures related to budget-vs-actuals, HR management, fixed asset management, procurement procedures, financial oversight and supervision of implementation entities and update policy on segregation of duties between the Central and municipal levels; 
  • Implement recommendations from external audits and Gavi assessments; and
  • Develop processes for detecting fraud/corruption at central and peripheral levels.

    3. Training:

• • Provide training in - among others - bank reconciliations, regular financial reporting, reporting in accordance with Gavi’s cost framework, budgeting, transfer of funds, cash forecasting, audit preparation; and
  • Review/update and provide training on various procedure for budget-vs-actuals, HR management, fixed asset management, procurement procedures, financial oversight and supervision of implementing entities, and policy on segregation of duties.

DELIVERABLES:

• Ensure backlog of financial and audit reports are completed in accordance with Gavi requirements;
• Assist to ensure ongoing compliance with future reporting requirements;
• Within 4 weeks of beginning work, prepare an overview of specific actions required to strengthen the financial management capacity of the Directorate of finance and Public Health teams, along with a work plan for the duration of the contract;
• Develop tools and training materials identified as needed for the above;
• Training of national and Municipal finance teams on financial management skills;
• Guidelines for budget and financial management; tools for monitoring and supervision of budget execution developed;
• Recommendations for monitor programme performance whilst making recommendations to improve performance;
• Check-in calls with Gavi at least every four (4) weeks (monthly call);
• Monthly activity reports including any trip reports from any field visits approved by MoH Director of Finance and UNICEF Health Manager;
• Completion of any budgets to be prepared/submitted to Gavi during the consultancy period;
• Completion of any financial reports required during the consultancy period;
• Completion of audit reports required during the consultancy period; and
• Final report on consultancy including recommendations for further support/next steps on or before 30 April 2022.

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

• • A relevant master’s degree with a minimum of seven years’ work experience in public financial management, accounting and/or audit;
  • Preferably a CA/CPA or working towards one of these;
  • Fluent in English. Knowledge of Portuguese or Tetum strongly advantageous;
  • Familiarity with financial management in developing countries, and a first-hand knowledge of assessment and capacity building approaches and techniques, in developing countries;
  • Prior work experience with Government Systems and financial management in the region;
  • Significant experience on planning, budgeting, and preparing financial reports for donor-supported programs;
  • Strong knowledge of IPSAS and IFRS practices and methodology;
  • Good communication skills;
  • Proven experience in capacity-building, and mentor/mentee relationship-development and management skills;
  • Knowledge and experience with Gavi grants and processes are an advantage;
  • Prior work experience with GoTL is an advantage;
  • Ability to travel and train various staff across the country may be required

CONTRACT DURATION: 11 months

Interested candidates are requested to submit a cover letter, CV, technical and financial proposal by 14 May 2021.

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For every Child, you demonstrate UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, and Accountability (CRITA) and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results.

To view our competency framework, please visit here.

Click here to learn more about UNICEF’s values and competencies.

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 be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.

Remarks:

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

Individuals engaged under a consultancy or individual contract will not be considered “staff members” under the Staff Regulations and Rules of the United Nations and UNICEF’s policies and procedures, and will not be entitled to benefits provided therein (such as leave entitlements and medical insurance coverage). Their conditions of service will be governed by their contract and the General Conditions of Contracts for the Services of Consultants and Individual Contractors. Consultants and individual contractors are responsible for determining their tax liabilities and for the payment of any taxes and/or duties, in accordance with local or other applicable laws.