A new Head of the PEFA Secretariat is being recruited. The Head of the PEFA Secretariat will be responsible for the day-to-day management of the PEFA program activities and resources and of the Secretariat, and serve as a primary source of knowledge and advice to the PEFA partners about the oversight and management of the PEFA framework. This is a leadership position. 

Application deadline: 01-Mar-2018

 

Background

PEFA is a partnership program, initiated and managed by seven international development partners: the European Commission, International Monetary Fund, the World Bank, French Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs, and the UK's Department for International Development. The PEFA program provides a framework for assessing and reporting on the strengths and weaknesses of public financial management (PFM) using quantitative indicators to measure performance.

The PEFA Secretariat is housed in the World Bank, Washington DC, and is legally operating as a part of the Bank. It is fully funded by the resources of the PEFA Program. 

The Head of Secretariat is accountable to the World Bank's Practice Manager for the Governance Global Practice’s Governance Systems, Standards and Codes (GGOSC) Unit on all issues concerning administration of the program, including issues concerning relationships between the PEFA Secretariat and the World Bank.

Duties and accountabilities

The Head of Secretariat will focus on the key priorities the PEFA Program. The detailed responsibilities of the Head supported by the Secretariat core staff include: 

1. Ensuring the program’s implementation per the program document, including: 

  • Maintaining the PEFA’s standing as the main system-wide PFM diagnostic tool with strong ownership by government and clear relationships to other PFM analysis and support instruments.
  • Providing support, guidance and demonstrating that PEFA is adding value to PFM strengthening in countries by informing the development of reform action plans and the monitoring of PFM reform implementation through increased knowledge of PEFA and PFM and high quality PEFA reports.
  • Influencing international policy dialogue on PFM through dissemination of knowledge on PEFA and PFM developed from the PEFA program and other sources. 
  • Ensuring that the PEFA program will remain an important source of knowledge for users and to underpin research on the impact of PFM reform actions.
  • Promoting the sharing of knowledge and lessons learned from analysis of the PEFA data to increase understanding of PFM reform impacts.
  • Further developing the PEFA initiative’s capacity building and training activities.
  • Establishing the program monitoring framework and ensuring regular reporting against the logframe.
  • Contributing to the development of a communication strategy as well as a long-term strategic vision for the PEFA initiative beyond the current program phase V.

2. Coordinating and liaising with relevant partners, including:

  • Preparing for and presenting to the PEFA Steering Committee meetings, including on the activities and budgets of the Secretariat.
  • Managing the Secretariat – World Bank relationship on a day-to-day basis (involving working in close collaboration with the representatives of the Governance Global Practice).
  • Advising, coordinating and liaising with the PEFA partners on “as needed” basis. 
  • Coordinating, collaborating and consulting with relevant international bodies and groups. 
  • Coordinating the sharing of information between PEFA partners, including on planned applications of the Framework.
  • Broadening ownership of the PEFA framework by reaching out beyond the PEFA partners to a variety of stakeholders for technical feedback, monitoring, and to promote usage and harmonization with other tools, especially other international development agencies, government officials of current and prospective participating countries (closely coordinating with the lead donor agency), private sector assessors and training institutions, civil society organizations, and research institutions.
  • Supporting PEFA partners in developing the PEFA strategy.

3. Managing and leading the other technical work of the PEFA Secretariat, including:

  • Providing the global central reference point regarding interpretation of the PFM Performance Measurement Framework and guidance on its use.
  • Advising the development of guidance tools related to the application and further development of the framework.
  • Overseeing systematic and timely technical quality reviews of planned and draft applications of the PFM Performance Measurement Framework, on a demand basis from PEFA partners as well as other institutions, including administering the PEFA Check system.
  • Providing timely advice to governments and assessors applying the Performance Measurement Framework at the country level.
  • Implementing the plan of activities previously approved by the Steering Committee, including informing the SC on the status of implementation of agreed plan.
  • Preparing annual progress and other periodic reports, workplans and budgets for the SC.

4. Managing the PEFA Secretariat, including:

  • Supervising the PEFA Secretariat staff, funds and consultants. The Secretariat currently has seven core staff members, including the Head, as well as three associated short-term consultants working remotely.
  • Coordination of the secretariat's activities and deciding the allocation of tasks to staff members in consultation with the staff.
  • Ensuring that all relevant World Bank procedures, including those regarding trust funds, any other funds, contracting, procurement and administration, are adhered to. The Head of Secretariat will be the Task Team Leader (TTL) for the PEFA trust fund, if the Head is eligible according to the World Bank's rules concerning conflict-of-interest, appointment type and accreditation for that function. Otherwise the World Bank will appoint an eligible staff member as trust fund TTL.

Selection and criteria

  • Master Degree or equivalent in economics, accountancy or other relevant field with sustained record of achieving high-quality substantive results over an extended period (typically at least 12 years, including 2 years in a relevant management position).
  • Well established and recognized expertise in public financial management (PFM), including extensive knowledge across a broad range of PFM issues, and specialist knowledge in some areas, and a proven track record of assessing and/or leading/supporting reforms in the PFM area and capacity development across the diverse spectrum of developing economies including Low Income Countries (LICs) as well as Middle Income Countries (MICs), and working with partner governments. 
  • Demonstrated experience in dealing with donors and PFM partners.
  • Recognized as a leader in the PFM field 
  • Demonstrated team leader as well as strong planning and organizational skills, including in administrative and budget management.
  • Excellent diplomacy and ability for political judgement; coordination, liaison, interpersonal and team working skills. Ability to work with multiple stakeholders, and to respond flexibly to challenges.
  • Experience in using and establishing performance monitoring frameworks 
  • Familiarity with e-learning methods, e-databases and related IT-skills would be an advantage. 
  • Excellent analytical, drafting and presentational skills.
  • Familiarity with the international aid effectiveness agenda, including knowledge of the PFM dimensions of aid management from the donor perspective.
  • Experience of working in diverse environments.
  • Lead and Innovate—Inspires and influences others to drive innovation.
  • Collaborate Within Teams and Across Boundaries—Leads collaboration across organization and with partners drawing on robust professional networks.
  • Strong oral and written communication skills in English are required. Ability to work in French, Spanish or any other UN languages would also be an advantage.