Public Finance Management Scoping (International Consultant)

Result of Service The consultant will: 1- Conduct a desk research on public expenditure processes and borrowing practices in four selected PICs (tentatively Vanuatu, RMI, FSM and Fiji), to scope the relevant stakeholders, the current processes in place and the span of technical assistance provided and needed to ensure that the benefits of UNODC’s assistance are maximized and to avoid any conflicting/competing assistance. 2- This first phase will inform the project design process phase. The scoping will recommend a prioritization and sequencing of the assistance to be provided so that resource-constricted countries may make the most efficient use of the assistance provided and their own staff – without overburdening or impeding progress.

The Consultant will be required to liaise closely with the UNODC Anti-Corruption Advisers for the Pacific and Southeast Asia, and relevant national counterparts. The assignment is home-based with travel missions, including to Vanuatu, RMI, FSM and Fiji, if/when possible.

Work Location Home-based with travel to Vanuatu, RMI, FSM and Fiji (tentatively 15 to 25 July 2022)

Expected duration July to August 2022 (20 days)

Duties and Responsibilities Corruption remains a significant obstacle to development globally and throughout Southeast Asia and the Pacific (SEAP) region. The United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) provides a comprehensive framework to strengthen anti-corruption frameworks in the region. As all SEAP countries, including 14 Pacific Island countries (Papua New Guinea, Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Niue, Palau, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu) have ratified this universal and the only globally binding treaty, which includes the mechanism for the review of implementation of UNCAC (UNCAC Implementation Review Mechanism). States parties are all currently undergoing the second review cycle, which will, in the coming years, provide reports on their implementation of the Convention to a wider range of preventive measures and recovery of assets.

The outcome of the UNCAC Implementation Review Mechanism provides a solid basis for formulating anti-corruption technical assistance programmes. The UNCAC review process helps countries to identify gaps in anti-corruption policies and frameworks, as well as technical assistance needs. UNODC provides technical support to countries so that they can translate the recommendations into effective legal and policy frameworks and sustainable anti-corruption strategies.

UNODC’s ROSEAP Regional Programme, Sub-Component 2 on Anti-Corruption and Global Anti-Corruption Programme have been designed to provide a comprehensive technical assistance to UNCAC States Parties, offering the specialized expertise, knowledge tools and sharing of experience and good practice examples in preventing and fighting corruption, enhancing the international cooperation and recovery of assets. Activities are aimed at assisting national authorities, in public, private and civil sectors, and conducting training and workshops events at national, regional and international levels.

UNODC’s anti-corruption efforts in the SEAP region focus on supporting countries to meet the requirements of UNCAC by providing technical assistance and facilitating regional exchanges to translate the provisions of the Convention into effective legal frameworks, policies and practices and to build national bodies of highly skilled anti-corruption practitioners that will allow States to be well-equipped to prevent and combat corruption. One tool that Member state have to combat corruption is to have a strong system for the management of public finances that ensures the proper spending of public finances, strengthens confidence in the institutions and ensures high quality of public services.

Article 9 of the UNCAC deals specifically with public procurement and the management of public finances. Paragraph 1 notes that “Each State Party shall, in accordance with the fundamental principles of its legal system, take the necessary steps to establish appropriate systems of procurement, based on transparency, competition and objective criteria in decision-making, that are effective, inter alia, in preventing corruption”. Its paragraph 2 highlights the measures required to promote transparency and accountability in the management of public finances. “Such measures shall encompass, inter alia: (a) Procedures for the adoption of the national budget; (b) Timely reporting on revenue and expenditure; (c) A system of accounting and auditing standards and related oversight; (d) Effective and efficient systems of risk management and internal control; and (e) […] corrective action in the case of failure to comply with the requirements established in this paragraph.”

In this framework, UNODC is looking at supporting four selected PICS (tentatively Vanuatu, RMI, FSM and Fiji) in strengthening their compliance with art. 9 of the UNCAC. The consultant will look at transparency and accountability framework in the area of public finance in four selected PICs.

Qualifications/special skills Academic Qualifications: An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in economics, finance, political science, public administration or related field is required. A first level university degree in similar fields in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. Experience: - Minimum of 7 years of relevant professional experience in public finance management (government public finance policies and processes) is required. One year professional experience in the Pacific region is desirable; - 2 years experience working with ministries of finance and planning is required; - Experience in the provision of practical policy advice is required; - Excellent writing and drafting skills and experience of providing policy advice at the international, regional or national level is required. - Previous professional experience with the United Nations or other International Organizations is desirable; - Understanding of Pacific economies is desirable. Language: English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this position, fluency in English, with excellent drafting and communication skills, is required. Knowledge of another United Nations official language and any government-used language of the Pacific is an advantage.

No Fee THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.