Federal Republic of Somalia
Ministry of Finance and Planning
Position of Accountant General
Terms of Reference (ToR)
Issue date: August 14, 2013
Closing Date: August 24, 2013
A. Background
1. Building robust Public Financial Management (PFM) systems and processes will be an essential step in making the Federal government a more effective institution that is able to deliver basic public services to the people of Somalia. To date there has been a lack of reliable information regarding the functioning of government PFM systems, further exacerbated by the absence of a modern public finance management (PFM) legal framework, weak compliance with laws that are in place. However, H.E. President Mohamud has clearly prioritized enhancing public financial integrity institutions as one of the top three priorities of the new Federal Government (along with adequate security and enhancing the capacity of the Judiciary system and other public institutions to deliver services).
2. The Minister of Finance and Planning (Mohamoud Hassan Suleiman) presented the FRS PFM self-assessment report and proposed PFM strengthening initiative (2013-2016) to Development Partners on April 4 2013. The PFM self-assessment reported revealed the following key weakness.
• Inadequate controls for revenue management
• Absence of long term planning and policy analysis to underpin annual budget formulation
• Budget execution and procurement processes lack adequate transparency and efficiency
• Inadequate banking supervision mechanisms by the Central Bank
• Lack of comprehensive reporting on the use of state resources
• Weak Parliamentary oversight over PFM functions
• Absence of a truly independent Auditor General
• The existing PFM legal framework is inadequate and requires modernization.
• Human resource and logistics challenges
3. The overall PFM reform objective is “to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of public financial management processes, and systems in order to provide timely, transparent and accurate financial information across the public sector to underpin policy formulation and inform Government decision making in support of service delivery”. In addition to achieving the expected budgetary outcomes of (i) aggregate fiscal discipline; (ii) strategic allocation and use of public resources; and (iii) efficiency of service delivery and probity. The reforms specifically aim to:
• Improve transparency and openness of the national budget process;
• Enhance fiscal discipline through internal and external controls;
• Focus public expenditure on priority areas of Government programs;
• Enhance efficiency and effectiveness of public expenditures; and
• Strengthen overall financial management and accountability.
4. The Somalia ‘PFM Reform Architecture’ is underpinned by the Government’s “Foundations of New Beginning: Six Pillar Policy”; particularly pillar one that deals with good governance. The PFM reforms are anchored on four platforms: (i) instituting PFM fundamentals for budget credibility; (ii) effective budget execution and financial accountability; (iii) improved policy formulation, planning and budget preparation; and (iv) institutional structures; Strategic Human Resource Management (SHRM); Financial Management Information Systems (FMIS); and cross-cutting issues.
5. The extant PFM legal framework comprise of: the Financial and Accounting procedures of the State, Regulations for the Accounts of the State, and Stores Regulations; which regulate public financial transactions. These regulations were promulgated in 1961 with some amendments made in 1971. There are also, custom regulations (1965) that form the basis for the assessment of custom duties. In accordance with Article 26 of the Financial and Accounting procedure of the State, 1961 as amended, the Minister of Finance shall prepare the annual accounts and shall have the accounts submitted to the Magistrate of Accounts for audit in accordance with Article 90 of the Constitution, not later than the 30th of April of the year following that to which the said Annual Accounts relate. Also, Article 27 of the Financial and Accounting procedure of the State, 1961 as amended further provides that “the annual accounts approved by the council of Ministers and accompanied by a report of the Minister and a report of the Magistrate of Accounts on his audit shall be presented to the National Assembly for approval not later than 30th June following year to which the accounts relate”.
B. Job Description
6. Reporting to the Minister of Finance and Planning, the Accountant General shall be the Chief Accounting Officer of the Government responsible for the keeping, rendering and publishing of statement of public accounts as required by law. As Chief Accounting Officer of Government, perform all functions specified in extant PFM legal framework; he or she shall:
i) be the Chief Adviser to the Minister of Finance and Planning and the Government on accounting matters;
ii) provide general leadership for the accounting cadre within the Civil Service and ensure strategic human resource management with continues professional development for all staff;
iii) supervise the Deputy Accountant General who in turn will have general supervisory responsibilities for Principal Accountants; Senior Accountants; Accountants; and Assistant Accountants;
iv) approve all departmental accounting instructions and ensure that the rules and regulations affecting Public Sector Accounting are adhered to at all times;
v) establish a risk management framework and maintain an efficient internal controls environment
vi) promote the development of efficient accounting systems within all Government Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDA);
(iv) establish on behalf of the Government such accounts with the Central Bank of Somalia and other banks, as he/she deems necessary for the deposit of public monies and for making payments;
(v) authorize the opening of bank accounts on behalf of MDAs as required by Law;
(viii) ensure efficient and timely recording of all government revenue and processing of payments;
(ix) efficient management of the government payroll
(x) concur on the introduction or revision of accounting systems
(xi) prepare and submit annual financial statements and such other statements of accounts as required extant PFM legal framework;
(xii) carry out any other duties that may be assigned by the Minister of Finance and Planning;
7. The suitable candidate should possess the following knowledge, skills, ability and other characteristics (integrity, ethics etc) marked as Essential (E) or Desirable (D).
Knowledge
i. Be knowledgeable in Public Financial Management with a relevant university degree (E)
ii. Professionally qualified accountant with current membership of a professional accounting body that is a member of the International Federation of Accountants (E). An MBA will be an added advantage.
iii. Conversant with audit procedures and investigations and the expectations of auditors (D);
Experience
iv. At least ten (10) years post-qualification relevant working experience in the private or public sector in a reputable organization (E);
v. Competent in preparing financial statements in compliance with International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS) and familiar with IMF-GFSM 2001compliant chart of accounts (E);
vi. Be skilled in issues surrounding the use of package-based information management solutions (E);
vii. Demonstrated ability to lead a multi-disciplinary project management team (D); and
viii.Must have extensive experience in using practical techniques for change management (D)
Personality
ix. Charismatic and visionary leader (D);
x. Excellent interpersonal skills (E);
xi. Ability to communicate effectively with junior and senior government officials, politicians, the general public and development partners (E); and
xii. Organised and confident with ability to work under pressure (D)
F. KEY DELIVERABLES
(i) Publication of financial statements by the statutory deadline
(ii) Motivated and highly skilled and experienced accounting cadre
(iii) Government financial transactions recorded, maintained and stored in a timely manner required by law and regulation
(iv) Maintain and oversee treasury banks accounts and ensuring that they are reconciled regularly
(v) Timely cooperation with Auditor General and other public sector oversight authorities
Salary and general conditions of service are expected to be very attractive and at the same time considerate to the rules and regulations of the Civil Service Commission.
Interested and qualified candidates are requested to submit online applications only according to the following procedure:
An updated CV; and an application letter which should include contact information for three work-related referees.
Hand delivered applications will no longer be accepted.
Applications that do not meet the above requirements will be disregarded
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
Send your application on the following email: [email protected] and [email protected]
QUALIFIED FEMALE CANDIDATES ARE PARTICULARLY ENCOURAGED TO APPLY
An essential requirement is defined as a requirement without which the post-holder would be unable to do the job. A desirable requirement is defined as a requirement which contributes to effective performance, but which is not essential.