Job Description

MOES FINANCE ADVISOR

Position type: Advisor.  

Duration: One year. Start date TBD.

Supporting project: GPE SCG

Background

Somaliland MOES in collaboration with the Global Partnership for Education (GPE) has developed a comprehensive Education Sector Strategic Plan 2022-2026, GPE enabling factor analysis, GPE Partnership Compact and full GPE program document which are focused on the key policy priority objectives; programs, approaches, strategies, and activities that are required to be invested and undertaken to amicably address the challenges that hinder education growth and development in Somaliland context. The overall objective of the Somaliland GPE project is Improving Access to Quality Pre-primary and Primary Education for all children in Somaliland.  Under this program MOES is committed to (1) improve access to equitable and inclusive foundational education; (2) improve learning outcomes and (3) strengthen the education system capacity.  The Global Partnership for Education (GPE) has funded a proposal outlining the above key strategic policy priority objectives, plans and activities to be implemented under the approved integrated SL system transformation grant, girls’ education accelerator and system capacity grant. The overall program objectives have the potential to trigger education system transformation.

Education’s share of Somaliland’s government budget increased from 8 percent in 2017 to 9.24 percent in 2021 but fell short of reaching the expected increased targets for the subsequent years. Financing trends for the period between 2017-2023 indicates that primary education expenditure had the highest allocations of the government education budget in each year due to the free primary education programme (64-75 percent, followed by secondary (15-18 percent). The ECE sub-sector receives minimal budget allocation, usually below 1 percent. The failure to meet ESSP target levels of domestic financing has been attributed to economic and social disruptions caused by COVID-19, prolonged drought, famine and other unpredictable phenomena. Overall, there concerns about the volume, efficiency, and equity of the domestic financing system. The new GPE is expected to improve the transparency, accountability, & efficiency in MoES financial systems.

 In addition to the government’s domestic financing of education major donors like EU, GPE, FCDO, UNICEF and ECW have all contributed external aid resources to support Somaliland’s education through maily standalone projects implemented by INGOs, LNGOs and some UN agencies such as UNICEF.  ESC forum has been used to coordinate education sector strategic planning and analyses (through the ESSPs and ESAs) which they have used to develop joint priorities, strategies, work plans, budget, result frameworks and monitoring and evaluation systems.

The new GPE system capacity Grant (SCG) intends to emb a public financial management advisor to the MOES Finance Department. The engaged advisor is expected to work with relevant MOES, SCI and other implementing partners staff to strengthen the Ministry’s public finance management system by improving the use and standardization of the PMF system, tools, and procedures and to ensure proper accounting of finances and promote sound financial accountability. The role of the advisor is closely linked the implementation of the school capitation grants, training of the finance officers; headteachers; CECs; provision of teacher allowances; mobilization of local financing for education; financial liquidation of project activities directly implemented by the MoES through SGAs and MoUs;  and successful implementation of the two GPE triggers: Trigger 1: Absorption of newly trained teachers into the government payroll and their deployment to areas of greatest need. (12% of the top up). The Government of Somaliland will allocate resources to ensure the absorption of 600 recently qualified teachers (300 male and 300 female) from SNCE and other teacher training institutions. This is planned for early 2024. And Trigger #2: Improving school financing by implementing a school capitation system for primary schools in Somaliland - (8% of the top up)

Roles and responsibilities:

• To strengthen MOES public financial management through the review/development of relevant systems, tools, procedures and protocols
• Support the development of school capitation grant policy and guidelines.
• Support the training of 40 MoES central and regional finance staff in strengthening  of public financial management.
• Train 323 members of school CECs and DEDC in effective school financing system, management and accountability.
• Enhance the capacity of Somaliland National College of Education public financial management system.
• Support the provision, verification, and liquidation of female teacher allowances.
• Support the development of SIP budgets and subsequent provision of school capitation grants.
• Support the monitoring and supervision of school capitation grants.
• Support the mobilizing Local Financing for Education
• Support the financial liquidation of project activities directly implemented by the MoES through SGAs and MoUs.
• Support the implementation of the two triggers by the MOES- GPE result based financing.

Experiences and Qualifications

Requirements and qualifications

• Post graduate degree in finance and accounting,
• Minimum 7 years practical experience in areas of finance and accounting in education
• Fluency in English and Somali languages
• Demonstration of excellent financial report writing skills
• Ability to work as a good team player.

Deliverables

• A detailed annual work plan demonstrating activities to be implemented.
• Availability and use of standardized PFM tools
• MOES validated school capitation grant policy and guideline.
• Detailed report highlighting MOES staff trained, and areas covered by the training.
• MOES validated school SIP budgets.
• Detailed monthly reports highlighting activities implemented, challenges and lessons learnt.
• Accurate financial documentation of all activities supported.

Management:  Finance advisor will be line managed by the MOES Deputy Minister. GPE Director will provide technical supervision and monitoring of the expected deliverables. MoES will provide access to office as required.

Skills Required

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