Egypt MESR - Program Budgeting Specialist

SCOPE OF WORK

Macro-Economic Stabilization and Reform (MESR) Activity

Program Budgeting Specialist

DAI works at the cutting edge of international development, combining technical excellence, professional project management, and exceptional customer service to solve our clients’ most complex problems. Since 1970, DAI has worked in 150 developing and transition countries, providing comprehensive development solutions in areas including crisis mitigation and stability operations, democratic governance and public sector management, agriculture and agribusiness, private sector development and financial services, economics and trade, HIV/AIDS, avian influenza control, water and natural resources management, and energy and climate change. Clients include international development agencies, international lending institutions, private corporations and philanthropies, and host-country governments.

Project Background:

The USAID Macro-Economic Stabilization and Reform (MESR) project will address Egypt’s macroeconomic challenges, assist with implementing critical public financial management reforms, and set the stage for broad-based economic growth and achievement of Egypt’s Sustainable Development Strategy 2030. The MESR project will focus on human capacity building and institutional development to promote sustainability of reforms and empower government staff to improve capital investment processes and the effectiveness of public finance systems. Stakeholders and counterparts include the Ministry of Finance (MOF), the Ministry of Planning (MOP), Egyptian tax authorities, economic think tanks, universities supporting training efforts, the private sector, and international organizations working in the area of public financial management.

The project is organized around two objectives: 1) Improved public investment planning, implementation, and monitoring and 2) upgraded effectiveness of public financial management. For component 1, key project activities will include improving the process of capital investment planning and appraisal, developing alternative financing schemes, implementing a continuous improvement system, upgrading the monitoring and evaluation of capital investments, and enhancing coordination between the MOP and MOF in budget planning and formulation. For component 2, key project activities will include improving government’s cash management, reforming budgeting processes to achieve program results, enhancing tax administration and forecasting, and developing improved capacity to address fiscal risks. Assistance from the project will enhance government capacity, promote more effective policies, and support better-functioning institutions, thus encouraging a virtuous cycle of economic growth in Egypt that supports private sector development, increases international competitiveness, decreases public debt, and reduces poverty.

Responsibilities and Key Tasks:

The Program Budgeting Specialist will be responsible for improving the budgeting process within the Ministry of Finance as part of the Public Financial Management Objective:

• Lead strategy for overall improved effectiveness and efficiency of budgeting processes within MOF to ensure public expenditures are allocated properly to achieve program results, according to strategic priorities and fiscal objectives.
• Conduct initial gap analysis to plan strategic reforms, identifying opportunities for improved efficiencies, looking at both short-, medium-, and long-term goals.
• Develop a strategic plan to address gaps in the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF), conduct training, and mentor government staff on the process to ensure it is widely and properly used.
• Lead the development of a roll-out plan for program and performance-based budgeting, focusing on a training program and monitoring and evaluation system to inform resource allocation decisions.
• Mentor and train MOF advisors and manage regional training to ensure that line ministry finance staff are provided proper guidance on completing program budget drafts and setting targets for performance-based budgeting.
• Support better coordination between MOF and MOP to unify the overall budgeting process and ensure the budget envelope meets the needs for high-priority projects.
• Work closely with the Government Financial Management Information System (GFMS) team, as the GFMIS will be a critical tool and source of information for program budgeting.
• Develop a capacity building plan to ensure sustainability of reforms, including a verification methodology to monitor capacity building and measure compliance with new budgeting procedures.

Qualifications:

• Minimum requirement is a B.A. in economics, finance, accounting or related field. A relevant master’s degree is preferred.
• At least 8 years of experience assisting government in program budgeting, resource allocation, monitoring and evaluation, and budget training programs.
• Knowledge of and previous work with Egypt’s Ministry of Finance required. Experience with the Ministry of Planning would be a plus.
• Experience in providing international technical assistance with USAID or other donor organizations is preferred.
• Good communication and writing skills, fluency in English required.

Location and Reporting:

The Program Budgeting Specialist will be based in Cairo, Egypt and will report to the Public Financial Management Team Lead.

To apply, please send your CV to * Apply to send email to the employer with the subject line “Program Budgeting Specialist” by September 17, 2018. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.*

Location: Egypt

Job Code: 3939