BACKGROUND & INTRODUCTION:
USAID-funded Sindh Community Mobilization Program (CMP) is improving education in schools across all 29 districts of Sindh by fostering community and private sector involvement in school reforms. In 2013, USAID and the Government of Sindh (GOS) signed a memorandum of understanding to implement the comprehensive Sindh Basic Education Program (SBEP), now one of the major bi-lateral initiatives that supports the government’s school reform efforts. As a major component of SBEP, CMP is increasing enrollment of girls and improving coordination between parents and educators, bridging the gap between communities and schools for the sake of quality education for all.
One of CMP’s objectives is to supports USAID and GOS efforts to form public-private partnerships and obtain other types of cash and in-kind support. CMP assists the Public Private Partnership Node (PPP-Node) of the GOS Sindh Education and Literacy Department (SELD) to procure, manage, and monitor education management organization contracts, which outsource the management of newly-constructed schools. CMP is working with GOS to develop and implement a sustainability plan for reform, encouraging long lasting relationships between the GOS, private sector, and communities.
SCOPE OF WORK:
The Contract Management Specialist - Finance will be responsible to provide technical assistance and advice to the PPP-Node of SELD, GOS. The incumbent will be responsible for overall financial management and record keeping of the financial books for the Public School/ facilities operated by Education Management Organizations (EMOs), in lieu with the Annuity Amount Payment Schedule as agreed by the stakeholders. The ideal candidate would be expected to assist SELD to deliver as per agreed timelines; by procuring, developing and supervising the correlated financial information / reporting by liaising with representatives of the Independent Expert (IE), Independent Auditor (IA), the EMOs, the Escrow bank, Finance Department and other stakeholders.
The incumbent will work in close coordination with “Contract Management Specialist – Education” and report to Senior Education Reform Expert. This position will be based in Karachi with frequent visits to other places where Sindh Community Mobilization Program (CMP) is being implemented.
Responsibilities:
- Take lead in supplementing efforts in assisting SELD for financial management of the finance and budget of the school/facility/package in accordance with terms and conditions and the Annuity Amount Payment Schedule as agreed in Concession Agreement between government and EMOs as well as tri-partite agreements among SELD, EMOs, and IAs/Escrow bank.
- Assist SELD in monitoring and evaluation of quarterly financial reports of the EMOs by conducting field visits, if and when required. Also provides assistance in responding complex inquiries regarding contract obligations and revisions of the financial management matters.
- Provide technical support to SELD to develop and integrate financial management tools, templates, methods and processes for the budget, finance and audits of the payments and expenditures under Annuity Amount Payments.
- Assists PPP-Node of SELD in reviewing and managing contractual financial obligations of the parties; and provides guidance for continual review to ensure that all terms and conditions are met.
- Assists PPP-Node of SELD in coordinate with Independent Auditor and Independent Expert, Escrow Banks and form a mechanism for validation and verification of expenditures in accordance with the financial proposals submitted by the EMO`s.
- Provide technical assistance to SELD in ensuring that all stakeholders of the EMO reform are tax compliant.
- Provide T&A to SELD and Finance Department GoS in creating a workflow for the funding mechanism as per the VGF and PSF mechanisms.
- Develop liaison with Contract Compliance Manager of EMOs ensuring compliance of contractual obligation and progress reports. Also establish bridge between contract compliance sections of SELD and EMOs.
- Work with Contract Management Specialist (Education) to assist in technical monitoring and evaluation of the KPIs and other contractual obligations in accordance with Concession Agreement as well as technical and financial proposals of EMOs submitted under concerned RFPs.
- Take lead in organizing round-table conferences, consultative sessions, seminars and workshops to explore and identify best practices to refine financial models for EMOs procurement documents and process.
- Provide technical assistance and support to the SELD in identifying and forming operational relationships with Independent Auditors, and Independent Experts to effectivity administer the signed partnerships/agreements for financial management of public schools.
- Provide support to the PPP Node of SELD for technical documentation, inter-and-intra departmental coordination for procedural matters, budgetary allocations, sharing of details, technical queries, etc.; and applying consensus-building skills to promote coordination among diverse interests and institutions for EMOs reform.
- Organize stakeholders’ sessions at provincial and district levels aimed at facilitating implementation of EMOs reform, acquiring support and endorsement of district administration, district education departments and harmonizing relationships among involved stakeholders.
- Any other responsibilities suitable to task and commensurate with responsibility
Required Qualifications and Experience:
- Advanced University Degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in Finance, Business Administration, Accounting, or related fields, a degree / certificate/diploma to Education or Education Management will be preferred.
- Overall 5 years of experience with 3 years of specific experience in public financial management and operation can be considered in lieu of Advanced University degree)
- Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of private sector engagement, vision of PPP Policy & GoS; experience of linkages with major local, multinational, and global corporations, foundations, philanthropists’ networks, diaspora groups, social entrepreneurs and other private sector entities which support social development projects.
- Demonstrated knowledge and experience of budget, finance, accounts and audit for social development initiative, especially in education sector including Public Private Partnership (PPP) contracts, Accounting & Finance.
- Strong communication skills, including engaging and informative formal public speaking with strong preference for knowledge and experience in communications for private sector audiences.
- High competency in spoken and written English, and use of computers and communications technology.
- Working knowledge and functioning of the GoS SELD, Finance Department, PPP Unit and District Administration.