Introduction:
The purpose of the Iraq Governance and Performance Accountability (IGPA) project is to advance effective, accountable, and transparent governance in Iraq. This USAID effort, implemented by DAI, will work with the Government of Iraq (GOI) at all levels to better respond to citizen needs by supporting reform initiatives and Iraqi change agents on inclusive governance and public sector transparency, accountability, and economy. “Reform initiatives” include support to improve service delivery functions, public financial management, and open government initiatives. IGPA will support the GOI and the citizens of Iraq in forming partnerships and collaborative efforts to solve problems jointly. IGPA has four (4) objectives:
1. Enhance GOI service delivery capacity
2. Improve public financial management
3. Strengthen monitoring and oversight of service delivery and public expenditure
4. Support Iraqi change agents (cross-cutting objective)
Background:
Under the Federal Financial Administration Law No. 6 of 2019 (PFM Law), the Ministry of Finance is responsible for the following budget policy and planning responsibilities as part of the annual budget process in coordination with the Ministry of Planning:
1. Prepares a report on the financial policy, strategy, government program priorities, and central recommendations for the federal budget related to its elements, size, functional and sectoral allocation (Article 3.1).
2. Prepares a medium-term budget for three (3) years which is enacted by the COR with the first-year required to be implemented and the second and third years can be amended by the COM-based on Ministries of Planning and Finance proposals with COR approval (Article 4.2)
3. Prepares the guidelines for the specific financial policy goals for the annual Federal budget in March of each year (Article 4.3)
The MOF Economic Department and Research Department are mainly responsible for carrying out these budget policy and planning tasks. Recently, the IGPA/Takamul Macroeconomic Advisor trained the MOF Economic Department and Research Department staff and related MOF and MOP units on basic macroeconomic and fiscal analysis capabilities required for developing basic macroeconomic and fiscal frameworks for the annual budget, forecasting techniques, and modeling and statistical data requirements. As a follow-up to the training, the MOF and MOP departments will need further assistance to be able to fulfill their macroeconomic planning, fiscal reporting, and forecasting modeling responsibilities.
IGPA/Takamul will work with the MOF and MOP Economic Departments to select 1 – 2 change agents for each department to be coached and mentored by the Macroeconomic Analysis Training Consultant with the project’s support on the toolkits for preparing the medium-term fiscal framework and fiscal reports. This is in line with IGPA/Takamul’s approach to ensure the sustainability of it training and capacity-building activities.
Objective:
The main objective for recruiting the local Macroeconomic Analysis Training Consultant on a short-term STTA basis is to further build the macroeconomic planning, fiscal management, and forecasting modeling capabilities of the MOF/MOP Economic Departments, Government Investment Department, Statistics Department, and Budget Department, building on the skills developed through previous trainings. Specific objectives include:
1. Providing the MOF and MOP with a comprehensive toolkit of models, examples, and templates to assist the MOF and MOP staff in carrying out their fiscal and budget responsibilities as mandated in the PFM law including preparing the medium-term fiscal framework and quarterly fiscal reports.
2. Assisting the MOF/MOP Economic Departments, Government Investment Department, Statistics Department, and Budget Department staff in their work through informal small group training sessions and/or one-on-one training sessions at their government offices to prepare the medium-term fiscal framework and quarterly fiscal reports.
Specific Tasks of the Consultancy:
Under this Scope of Work, the local consultant will work to perform, but not be limited to, the specific tasks specified under the following categories:
Task 1: Develop a macroeconomic planning and forecasting toolkit, consisting of templates, practice exercises, and models. Under this task, the consultant will
condense and re-purpose the IGPA/Takamul Macroeconomic Advisor’s PowerPoint training presentation and other training materials to create a set of user-friendly, applicable, training materials on macroeconomic planning, fiscal management, and forecasting modeling. . The toolkit should include two (2) brief case studies. Under this task, the consultant will research and write the case studies on Middle Eastern countries preferably that have successfully prepared medium-term fiscal frameworks in recent years. The case studies should summarize the implementation of the medium-term fiscal framework rollout, as well as note any challenges or lessons learned that will be relevant to implementation in Iraq. The consultant will share these studies with IGPA/Takamul for approval prior to delivery to the GOI. Upon approval from IGPA/Takamul, these case studies will be distributed to the MOF/MOP Economic Departments, Government Investment Department, Statistics Department, and Budget Department staff to provide successful examples of the tasks they are currently attempting to complete. The case studies will be prepared in both the Arabic and English languages and will be no longer than 3 pages. The toolkit materials will be prepared in both the Arabic and English languages, and the consultant will distribute this toolkit to IGPA/Takamul for approval
Following approval, the consultant will introduce the materials to the MOF/MOP Economic Departments, Government Investment Department, Statistics Department, and Budget Department staff, solicit feedback on the practicability of the tools and make adjustments as required. It is imperative that these materials are practical tools for macroeconomic planning and forecasting and tailored to the specific context of the Government of Iraq’s financial policy goals and Federal
budgeting process and to be used to prepare the medium-term fiscal framework and quarterly fiscal reports.
Task 2: Provide further support and informal training to the MOF/MOP Economic Departments, Government Investment Department, Statistics Department, and
Budget Department staff. Under this task, the consultant will regularly visit the government offices of the MOF/MOP Economic Departments, Government Investment Department, Statistics Department, and Budget Department to guide the staff in effectively using the aforementioned toolkit and support the staff in completing their day-to-day tasks related to preparing the medium-term fiscal framework and quarterly fiscal reports and other budget planning and forecasting tasks as needed. . These visits will provide an opportunity for the MOF and MOP staff to ask the consultant specific questions that arise as they begin to use the toolkit and work on the Federal budget and serve as informal training sessions in small group and one-on-one settings.
Task 3: Draft final report. The consultant will prepare and submit a final progress report (7-10 pages) highlighting the achievements accomplished for each task,
recommendations, and lessons learned.
Deliverables:
1. Macroeconomic planning and forecasting toolkit including 2 case studies for preparing the medium-term fiscal framework and quarterly fiscal reports (A compilation of templates, practice exercises, and models, case studies).
2. Government office visits to the MOF and MOP for informal, small group, and one-on-one trainings. The consultant must submit proof of these visits through photos and a list of dates of the visits signed by the office managers.
3. Final report
Estimated timeframes and deadlines for completing tasks and deliverables under this scope of work will be updated once the consultant is hired in consultation with the DCOP, PFM Component Lead, IGPA/Takamul, and the Ministries of Finance and Planning. All deliverables are to be prepared in English and Arabic.
Required Qualifications:
A Master’s degree in economics, finance, or a related field is required. A PhD is preferred.
At least 15 years of experience working with a national government on macroeconomic modeling for the national budget.
Familiarity with relevant Iraqi public financial management related laws and regulations
Fluency in Arabic with professional proficiency in English
Excellent communication and reporting skills
Familiarity with the social, economic, and political context of Iraq
Skills:
Training and capacity building skills in PFM related areas
Computer skills in the MS office package, particularly with using Microsoft Excel spreadsheets
Macroeconomic modeling
Effective communication and facilitation skills with persuasion abilities
Place of Duty and Language of Deliverables:
The Macroeconomic Analysis Training Consultant will be based in Baghdad.. All deliverables must be prepared in both English and Arabic.
How to apply: You can address your application to: IGPArecruitment@dai.com Your application will not be taken into consideration if you do not insert the position title in the subject line of your e-mail.
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Applications will not be accepted after the closing date.
This position is for Iraqi nationals only.
