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SCOPE OF WORK
Jordan Public Financial Management and Administration Activity (PFMA)
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Proposed Personnel |
TBD |
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Position |
IPSAS Advisor |
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Period of Performance On/About (From – To) |
Upon USAID approval |
Up to six (6) months |
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Base of Operations |
Amman, Jordan |
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position reports to |
Result Oriented Budget Lead |
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Project Background:
The Jordan Public Financial Management Activity (PFMA) aims to work in partnership with USAID/Jordan and the Government of Jordan (GOJ) to improve Jordan’s revenue system and enhance its budget management process. PFMA will build the capacity of the Jordanian Ministry of Finance and other government institutions to modernize the revenue collection system, encourage compliance—including making it easier for taxpayers to comply with tax obligations—upgrade public procurement management, and improve budget planning, preparation, and execution. Key objectives include 1) improving the revenue-raising system; 2) streamlining the budget management process; 3) optimizing public expenditure management, and 4) implementing crosscutting Public Financial Management reforms such as interventions to address COVID-19. Through a combination of technical assistance, capacity building, and facilitation, tangible and measurable results are expected during the anticipated five-year duration of the activity.
To this extent, PFMA is also mandated to provide support to the MOF in implementing the key benchmarks in the IMF EFF agreement; specifically related to the establishment of the Macro Fiscal Unit.
Assignment Background:
The GOJ has made the decision to move closer to the good PFM practices found in the accrual basis for International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS). The PFMA project will assist this]transition by sequencing prior efforts initiated with USAID support. PFMA efforts will focus on addressing critical requirements for the transition, including addressing legal, regulatory and policy requirements, process updates, financial reporting requirements, automation and GFMIS requirements, and enhancing capacities. PFMA assistance will also include planning, diagnosis, analysis, design and implementation, including any required revisions to the Chart of Accounts. PFMA will develop a clear roadmap for accrual-based accounting implementation and enhance the capacities of the IPSAS Project Management Unit (PMU) at the MOF to lead the transition.
The following represents a high-level summary of the IPSAS history to date.
- In Nov 2014, MOF adopted the IPSAS standards and accordingly, the Cabinet welcomed the application of IPSAS in the public sector. An IPSAS Steering Committee was formed with members from the Public Sector and NGOs subject matter Unions.
- MOF Initiated an IPSAS Implementation PMU and teams from concerned institutions.
- MOF developed a road map and an action plan for implementation, this road map was modified in 2017 to consider priority activities needed for IPSAS implementation.
- MOF developed an IPSAS compliant chart of accounts (COA) of (7) segments
- MOF proposed an outline of needed IPSAS policies and developed (9) policies
- MOF conducted capacity building sessions:
- Certified ACCA IPSAS training: a total of (251) employees were certified of around (5,000) training hours
- Practical IPSAS Accrual accounting training: a total of (410) employees of around (25,000) training hours.
- On the job training for inventory count of Fixed Assets and applying the reporting entity test to government institutions
- MOF in 2022 developed an IPSAS Compliance (a one-year plan) aiming at gradual and practical application of 1) Bringing GOJ cash accounting basis into full compliance with IPSAS; 2) Recording of GOJ Fixed Assets and 3) Recognizing Commitments, Payables and Receivables
General duties
The IPSAS Advisor will support the Ministry of Finance (MOF) in its efforts to transition to the most important IPSAS accrual requirements, some of which are already required for full compliance of IPSAS cash (including recommended notes). The IPSAS Advisor will closely work with PFMA’s Result Oriented Budget Lead and with the counterparts within the MOF.
The objective of the intended consultancy is to conduct an assessment and analysis and address MOF readiness and needed requirements in accordance with MOF IPSAS Compliance plan (a one-year plan).
Role Specific
The IPSAS Advisor shall perform the following tasks:
- Identify IPSAS Accrual requirements suitable for Jordan from similar implementations and needed transition adjustments including legal, regulatory, policy, & process requirements, financial reporting requirements, automation & financial systems requirements, and required capacities
- Bringing GOJ cash accounting basis into full compliance with IPSAS
- Identify IPSAS Cash Mandatory and Preferable (Optional) requirements
- Assess MOF Compliance with IPSAS Cash (Mandatory & Preferable)
- Identify MOF IPSAS compliance gaps in relation to GOJ Financial legislations and Practices
- Evaluate MOF applied need to IPSAS Cash compliance gaps
- Develop MOF detailed steps to comply with IPSAS cash
- Recording of GOJ Fixed Assets
- Identify Fixed Assets requirements in GOJ Financial legislations
- Identify Fixed Assets groups listed in MOF’s “Property, Plant & Equipment” Policy
- Review GOJ’s Chart of Accounts and identify fixed assets groups
- Select the targeted Fixed Assets Group or Groups (in detail)
- Identify clear requirements and procedures to record Fixed Assets
- Apply Fixed Assets module on Pilot sites
- Review Stock taking procedures and select the historical data Groups for Fixed Assets
- Identify Stock Taking procedures for the selected groups of historical data of Fixed Assets
- Identify procedures to record the selected groups of historical data in the fixed assets register
- Apply Fixed Assets Stock Taking procedures on Pilot sites
- Develop a Plan to implement the Related Modules in the GOJ
- Recognizing Commitments, Payables and Receivables
- Identify Commitments, Payables and Receivables requirements in GOJ Financial By-law and regulations
- Identify related MOFs IPSAS Policies (including revenue, expenditures, …)
- Identify IPSAS Standards related to Commitments, Payables and Receivables related and detailed groups
- Select the targeted groups for gradual application
- Map current procedures of target groups (at MOF and detailed budget institutions level)
- Develop new procedures to apply and record Commitments, Payables and Receivables
- Develop the receivables and payables registers (based on defined requirements and procedures)
- Apply commitments, payables and receivables processes on Pilot Sites
- Develop a Plan to implement the Related Modules in the GOJ
Expected Deliverables:
Following are the expected deliverable of this assignment
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Deliverable |
Description |
Expected due date |
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One week from assignment start date |
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One month from the Kickoff meeting |
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As time framed in assignment plan (see deliverable 1) |
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Weekly |
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A week from end of assignment |
Qualifications
Education:
- University bachelor’s degree in accounting. Masters/PhD/ CPA is a plus
Years of Experience
- 10-15 years
- Must have 7+ years of IPSAS transition experience with at least 3 years of experience in actual and successful IPSAS implementations within the Region.
Experience
- Success track record in transition cash-based accounting to accrual-based accounting missions at the Central Government level specifically in the region (at least three completed missions)
- Testimonials and completion statements (at least three completed missions)
- Reliable experience in the GOJ public finance sector
- A proven track record of highly successful representation and cooperation with public and private sector teams with superior external relationship skills
- Proven ability to effectively resolve disputes and handle crises with objectivity
Other Qualifications
- Ability to bring assignments to completion
- Effective communication and negotiation skills
- Complete fluency in written and oral English and Arabic
