Public Financial Management Consultant

Public Financial Management Consultant

This role was posted on October 31, 2023. Please note that we will review applications on a rolling basis and prioritize those received within the first two weeks of posting.

As of March 1, 2022, Last Mile Health is requiring staff to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 wherever legally allowable and adhere to COVID-19 vaccination requirements to perform core work activities in all locations. To learn more, review our policy.

The Role

At Last Mile Health (LMH), we are all stewards of our reputation and resources. 

Are you experienced in conducting thorough desk reviews and developing tools to improve Public Financial Management efficiency for PFM practices? Do you possess expertise in mapping out Public Financial Management systems and processes using the USAID "Guided Self-Assessment" for Public Financial Management Performance in Liberia? Moreover, are you familiar with the Public Health System of Liberia? If you answered yes to these questions, then you might be the perfect fit for our PFM Consultant position.

As a PFM consultant, you will work alongside our Senior Health Financing Advisor and Health Financing Coordinator to gain a deeper understanding of the existing Public Financial Management (PFM) processes. Your task will be to identify bottlenecks that hinder improved and sustained allocation and release of funds for the Community Health programs. Based on the findings, you will make appropriate recommendations for interventions that, when implemented, will lead to optimal health budget release and more efficient spending on program interventions.

The role is opened to national and international candidates based in Liberia.

What you'll do

It is expected that the Consultant will deliver the following Output and Activities

• A fully detailed map of the Public Financial Management system and processes in Liberia outlining fund flow, budgeting, accounting, and financial reporting, is co-designed with the Ministry of Health
• Complete a comprehensive data analysis and process review that identifies specific enhancing factors and bottlenecks to highlight key barriers within the PFM system that promote or hinder optimal budget releases for health programs conduct sessions to disseminate and share results
• Develop country specific recommendations to address identified PFM bottlenecks, including actionable steps, which are identified and highlighted  in the final report
• A comprehensive analysis of the Community Health Program spending is conducted with focus on areas of efficiency/correctness, inefficiency, duplication, or misallocation of resources
• Findings and proposed PFM implementation approach are co-designed and validated with the MOH and stakeholders for the implementation of PFM mechanism across the country

• A roadmap for implementation, including capacity-building initiatives and ongoing monitoring mechanisms, is co-designed with the MOH and stakeholders

• A robust monitoring and evaluation framework is co-developed with the MOH and stakeholders to track the progress of implementation .

Activity 1: Comprehensive Mapping of PFM Systems and Processes

• Conduct an in-depth analysis to create a fully detailed map of the Public Financial Management (PFM) system and processes in Liberia, outlining the flow of funds, budgeting, accounting, and financial reporting within the health sector.

Activity 2: PFM Bottleneck Identification for Optimal NCHP Fund Releases (Special focus on the G-to-G Activity constraints)

• Identify and assess specific bottlenecks within the PFM system that hinder optimal budget releases for health programs. Conduct stakeholder consultations, data analysis, and process reviews to pinpoint these barriers.

Activity 3: Recommendations for Mitigating Bottlenecks 

• Formulate targeted recommendations to address the identified PFM bottlenecks. These recommendations should include actionable steps to streamline budget disbursements, enhance transparency, and improve overall efficiency in health fund allocation.

Activity 4: Inefficiency Identification in Health Spending (CHW Program)

• Perform a comprehensive analysis of health spending, with a focus on the Community Health Worker (CHW) program. Identify areas of efficiency/correctness, inefficiency, duplication, or misallocation of resources within the program's budget utilization.

Activity 5: Recommendations for Efficiency Improvement in CHW Program

• Propose specific interventions and mechanisms to enhance efficiency in the CHW program's spending. This could involve restructuring workflows, optimizing resource allocation and disbursement, and introducing technology solutions to monitor and manage program expenses.

Activity 6: Stakeholder Engagement and Validation

• Engage relevant stakeholders, including government officials, health authorities, and financial experts, to validate the findings, recommendations, and proposed interventions. Incorporate their input to ensure a holistic and well-informed approach.

Activity 7: Pilot Implementation of Recommendations

• Work with MoH to select a pilot region or district Monitor.

Activity 8:  Knowledge Sharing and Capacity Building

• Organize workshops, training sessions, and at least one knowledge-sharing event to disseminate best practices for PFM, health financing, and policy.

Activity 9: Continuous Monitoring and Evaluation Plan

• Establish a robust monitoring and evaluation framework to track the progress of implemented interventions. Regularly assess the impact on budget releases, health program efficiency, and overall health outcomes.

DELIVERABLES:

• Technical brief summarizing opportunities and recommendations to avail funds at the central level for MOH to fill emergency funding gaps for community health programs during the transition of the program to government ownership
• Dissemination materials relating to the results and recommendations from the assessment.

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE, EXPECTED LEVEL OF EFFORT (LOE), REPORTING,

AND  TRAVEL

Reporting: The consultant will report to the Last Mile Health Liberia Country Director through the Director of NCHS and is expected to lead the work described above and be responsible for the final deliverables.

Location: The consultancy will be based in Liberia and is  open only to people with relevant experience living and authorized to work in Liberia .

Period of Performance: The consultant’s period of performance begins on December 1, 2023, for a total LOE of up to 90 working days.

What you'll bring

• Master's Degree (minimum) in Finance, Business Administration, Economics, Public Financial Management, or another relevant field.
• Extensive years of relevant professional experience in managing progressively complex public financial management programs, preferably in the health sector, and preferably in improving government budget processes.
• Experience working with USAID, or other bilateral or multilateral  programs is preferred (but not required).
• Recognized expertise in domestic resource mobilization and public financial management, preferably in the health sector and in Liberia or other Low- and Middle-Income countries in Africa.
• Proven track record of working effectively with government counterparts at various levels in Liberia.

You’ll impress us if you have

• Experience leading, designing, and executing similar initiatives.

Expected start date: January 3, 2024

About Last Mile Health

Last Mile Health partners with governments to design, scale, strengthen, and sustain high-quality community health systems, which empower teams of community and frontline health workers to bring life-saving primary healthcare to the world’s most remote communities. LMH is a registered 501(c)3 non-profit organization. For more information, visit www.lastmilehealth.org.

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at LMH. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.