Project Manager & Public Financial Management Expert

Background

Since the early 2010s, the Government of the Bahamas (GoBH) has been experiencing a deteriorating fiscal performance. This led to the design and implementation of the Public Financial Management and Performance Monitoring Reform (PFM/PMR) Project with the support of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB). As part of this overall reform, Cowater International was contracted in September 2018 by the GoBH to implement a portion of component III of the Project, which encompassed the design, procurement, and implementation of an Integrated Financial Management and Human Resource Management Information Systems (IFMIS/HRMIS). Our mandate also included Technical Assistance and Change Management in support of key PFM and HRM reform interventions.
 
The project team has delivered 75% of the contract since its inception, although overall reform implementation delays have recently led to a revised scope of work and an extension of the contract until 2022. The focus of the remaining deliverables therefore shifted toward ensuring readiness conditions for the implementation of the IFMIS/HRMIS system are in place. In particular, the project will be focused on delivering technical assistance around the following priorities:

• Supporting the implementation of the Public Financial Management Act 2021;
• Revising the Chart of Accounts to integrate accrual accounting and COFOG;
• Providing Public Financial Management Capacity Building; and
• Delivering Change Management Support.

Description of the Consulting Mandate
Cowater International is looking for a Project Manager & PFM Expert who will oversee the project team and provide technical assistance toward the completion of our mandate with the GoBH. Under the supervision of the Senior Project Director, the selected candidate will be the primary point of contact for GoBH stakeholders and of the project team and will plan, coordinate, and provide quality control on the work of the various experts supporting the reform priorities outlined above. He will also have primary responsibility for delivering the technical support on the PFM Act 2021 and the delivery of the PFM capacity building.
 
The mandate will be primarily conducted remotely and will take place over a period of 7 months starting in July 2021 with a level of effort of 60 days. A field mission in the Bahamas is possible after October 2021, depending on COVID-related travel restrictions.
 
Due to IDB funding restrictions, candidates must be either citizens or residents of IDB member countries. A list of member countries can be accessed here: https://www.iadb.org/en/about-us/how-are-we-organized
 
Key responsibilities:

• Ensure the day-to-day management an oversight of the project team and serve as the primary focal point of the project for the Client;
• Coordinate and supervise the work of consultants and provide quality assurance on their deliverables before their submission to the Senior Project Director for approval;
• Monitor the implementation of the work plan and update the planning as necessary in collaboration with the Senior Project Director;
• Lead the process and provide technical assistance toward the update of the PFM manual and the revision of the TO-BE PFM processes report in line with the PFM Act 2021;
• Provide technical assistance and oversight toward the integration of COFOG and accrual accounting in a revised Chart of Accounts;
• Lead the process, provide technical assistance, and deliver training for PFM capacity building deliverables;
• Provide technical assistance and oversight for the change management activities;
• Prepare the end of the project report outlining key activities and deliverables of the project, and outline challenges and lessons learned during implementation.

Requirements
 
Education/Training:

• A master’s degree in economics, business administration, accounting, or finance or a related discipline;
• An accounting certification, with an IPSAS qualification a strong asset.

Experience:

• Minimum of 10 years of international experience providing technical assistance to PFM Reforms with at least 5 years of experience working on chart of accounts;
• Minimum of 3 years of experience supporting Financial Management Information System related projects;
• Experience implementing PFM reforms in the Caribbean is desirable.

Key Abilities:

• Demonstrated knowledge and expertise with the design and development of PFM procedures, including budget planning and execution, accounting, and auditing;
• Demonstrated knowledge and expertise in accounting with direct experience of public accounting reforms, including transitions from cash toward accrual accounting and chart of accounts revisions;
• Direct experience and expertise in the provision of PFM training and the transfer of knowledge to government officials;
• Good knowledge of Financial Information Management Systems;
• Good knowledge of Change Management in the context of PFM reforms;
• Demonstrated abilities in project management and leading multicultural teams as part of international development projects;
• Strong oral and written communication skills in English, including good intercultural communication abilities;
• Flexibility and a good capacity to adapt to changing client priorities and circumstances as part of complex reform processes;
• Proficient user of MS-Word, Excel, PPT, Teams, and related office applications.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Candidates are encouraged to apply by July 19, 2021/as soon as possible on our Careers Page.

For your application to be considered, please upload your documents as followed: Candidate Last Name, First Name, date, Title of the Position.

We thank all applicants, however only those shortlisted will be contacted.