Sector Director (FMG/PA 4)

Job Purpose

To analyse and monitor the financial performance of EAs and the effectiveness of the Executive Agencies’ (EAs) financial and management information systems and procedures, proposing improvements for more effective accountability, transparency, control and performance.

Key Responsibilities

EA performance  monitored

• Analyse the annual Report and Accounts (which includes the audited financial statements) prepared by each Executive Agency, highlighting strengths and weaknesses so that corrective actions can be taken and improvements made;
• Review the annual achievements against the key performance targets, and net funding requirements for each Executive Agency; 
• Obtain and collate the views of the agency financial and planning staff and MoFP (based on a sample of interviews) on the effectiveness of delegations, the funding regime, planning, budgeting and monitoring mechanisms;
• Meeting when necessary with the PX Units to exchange information about the performance of the EAs, their performance against corporate plans, any budgetary or cash issues, and any exceptions in financial reporting or FAA Act compliance;
• Liaise with the PX Units to consider schedule of forthcoming meetings relating to monitoring EAs  (e.g. Audit Committees, performance reviews etc) and determine whether the attendance of both EAMU and PX Unit representatives is required;
• Assist the Unit Head to collate the monitoring results of all EAs to form judgements on the effectiveness of the EAs and the FIEA in achieving greater accountability, transparency, control, and performance improvement;
• Assist the Unit Head to produce quarterly and annual reports on EAs’ financial and operational performance;
• Report to the Unit Head, EAMU, and the Deputy Financial Secretary annually (contribute to the Annual Report);
• Ensure that any matter which is of such importance and urgency that it cannot properly be left until the routine annual report is brought to the attention of the Unit Head and Deputy Financial Secretary as soon as possible;
• Represent the Ministry of Finance & Planning at audit committee meetings;
• Liaise with audit staff on matters of concern;
• Liaise with CEOs and MoFP staff to identify key issues and priorities for action;
• support the preparation of the Director’s Annual Report;

Control and compliance

• Liaise with the PX Units, facilitating a closer relationship between the EAs and their parent Ministries, in terms of sharing best practices, devising strategic objectives and shared programmes, and sharing information;
• Review current financial and operating systems or lend specialist assistance in the review of financial and management information systems in EAs
• Liaise with CEOs and MoFP financial and planning officers to identify key financial and operating systems issues and priorities for action;
• review reports produced by the Auditor-General in relation to the audit of each EA for compliance, weaknesses and recommendations for improvements;
• review reports produced by Chief  Internal Auditors of EAs for compliance, weaknesses and make recommendations for improvements;
• review reports produced by audit committees noting satisfaction with response to queries, and the quality of management response to Chief Internal Auditors findings.
• Participate in the Audit Committees of each Executive Agency (where the Director is an ex officio member of each EA Audit Committee in accordance with FIEA);
• Request an audit on any aspect of the financial systems and procedures for management and control of an EA, where the Director deems appropriate;

Corrective action and performance improvement

• Take or facilitate corrective action;
• Devise a strategy for improvement where necessary and taking action with the EA or the Ministry as appropriate;
• Propose improvements to the EAs’ financial systems and procedures;

Executive agencies policy framework and procedures

• Provide comments to unit head on areas of the Regulations for Executive Agencies and EA Financial Instructions (FIEA) requiring revision;
• Undertake research to stay informed of new developments in Generally Accepted Accounting Practices and International Accounting and Auditing Standards, and other key issues affecting the EAs;
• produce drafts of best practice guides in various areas as required and issue new guidelines to agencies whenever practicable;

Coherence of public expenditure policy, strategy and operations

• Liaise continuously and co-operatively with Unit Head and other PXPC Units to review high level policy, legal and strategy developments in all relevant areas, to ensure their coherence and integration with each other, for example working with the Legal and Public Sector Reform Unit on EA, and related issues, e.g. performance indicators;
• Assist with the implementation and maintenance of an information sharing and consultation network between EAMU and other PXPC units, and the PX Division, to ensure that staff are communicating with each other on key issues and co-ordinating the developments in their respective areas to ensure coherence at the detailed level;

Capacity building of EAs and MoFP and core ministries monitoring EAs

• Proactively identify the training needs of EA staff, and those from portfolio ministries overseeing them, and MoFP staff, making arrangements for the training;
• Prepare and deliver training and development programmes;
• facilitate other development opportunities for EAs and MoFP/core ministry on topics of interest (through, for example, newsletters, seminars, peer group meetings, contact groups) to share information, experiences and case-studies;
• create and update website and circulate information leaflets, to promote EAs amongst ministries and the public;

MoFP representation

• Represent the MoFP, as required on Boards and Committees;
• Liaise effectively with internal or external stakeholders who might have an interest in the outcomes of this representation, for example, the Financial Secretary, the PX Unit heads, Public Enterprises Division;

Required Knowledge, Skills and Competencies

• Master’s Degree in Accounting, or appropriate Professional Accounting Certification, e.g. ACCA or CPA.
• Minimum of four years’ experience in preparation and analysis of financial statements in a commercial accounting environment.  

Minimum Required Qualification and Experience

• Sound knowledge of Executive Agency Act and policies
• Good knowledge of the operations of Executive Agencies
• Thorough knowledge of auditing and accounting practices. 
• Thorough knowledge and understanding of Accounting Standards. 
• Thorough knowledge of management information and computer systems.
• Good presentation skills.
• Computer proficiency in word processing and spreadsheets and ability to interrogate computerised accounting applications.
• Strategic Management
• Communication skills
• Problem Solving and Analysis skills
• Interpersonal Skills
• Negotiation & Persuasion skills
• Initiative skills
• Project Management skills

SPECIAL CONDITIONS OF THE JOB

• May be required to work beyond normal hours in order to meet deadlines.

We thank all applicants for the interest expressed; however, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.