DFID-SPARC Vacancy for State Technical Officer

The State Partnership for Accountability Responsiveness and Capability (SPARC) is a major programme funded by the UK government’s Department for International Development and managed by HTSPE Ltd assisting the Nigerian Government to build on governance reforms already under way in five states (Enugu, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano and Lagos) and at Federal level. The programme started in September 2008 and will run for six years.

STATE TECHNICAL OFFICER
DFID-SPARC Public Finance Management
We are now looking for a STATE TECHNICAL OFFICER (STO) to join the SPARC Team. The STO will be based at the SPARC Lagos office. The STO will work closely with SPARC Public Finance Management consultants and administrative teams at the PMU and other SPARC state offices.
The STO will be responsible for the following duties
• Support the TCM in developing and maintaining effective working relationships with the State MDAs associated with activities prioritised under the SPARC Public Finance Management work plans.
• Work closely with and facilitate Government officers, SPARC consultants and staff, and other key stakeholders to implement the PFM work plans
• Support activities of PFM consultants, acting as a link with Government and ensure that the consultants fulfill their ToRs and collaborate appropriately with Government officers
• Support PFM related meetings and workshops, including aspects of: identification and recruitment of participants, preparation of workshop and training materials, note taking, minute writing, reporting and aspects of their administration
• Follow up and support timely implementation of activities arising from meetings, workshops, training events, etc;
• Assist in preparing TORs for consultancy inputs, writing and checking consultancy reports, and following up timely implementation of their recommendations as appropriate;
• Liaise closely with SPARC staff assigned to other work streams ensuring mutual familiarity with work plans and deputising for others as may be required from time to time
• Comply at all times with SPARC guidelines, policies and procedures for Programme Management
• Assist in preparing and updating periodic PFM related cash flow forecasts for the Lagos Office
• Contribute to the strengthening of selected State organisations that can support and incentivise government for improved state-level performance.
• Responsible for the management of SPARC Technical inputs to FIR/STO
• Periodically contribute to the review of the performance of the FIR/STO
• Report on progress of Consultancy and other inputs in the FIR/STO
• Supports the TCM in coordinating consultancy inputs for State work in PFM
• Work with the relevant State MIDAs to schedule consultancy inputs and facilitating the work of the consultants during inputs.
• Supports the QA of Consultant’s input into the State work programme
• In collaboration with the TCM, ensure that all SPARC staff and consultants are briefed on the correct SPARC G and SI procedures.
• Working with central GSI team to support implementation of the internal and external SPARC GSI PFM processes
• Develop capacity and train technical and administrative staff on the practical application of GSI issues,
• Any other duties of a related nature which might reasonably be required and allocated by
• The Line Manager or STL

Requirements
• Minimum undergraduate social science degree, masters desirable
• Relevant work experience in programme support, project management or office administration essential
• Requisite knowledge of governance and development issues in Nigeria and international development issues generally would be an advantage
• Skills in utilising project management tools and software desirable
• Proficiency in using Microsoft Office applications essential
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills essential
• Requisite knowledge of public finance management development tools, approaches, methodologies and challenges in Nigeria desirable but not essential
• Familiarity with DFID or other donor assisted programmes in Nigeria would be an advantage

Requirements
Minimum undergraduate social science degree, masters desirable
Relevant work experience in programme support, project management or office administration essential
Requisite knowledge of governance and development issues in Nigeria and international development issues generally would be an advantage
Skills in utilising project management tools and software desirable
Proficiency in using Microsoft Office applications essential
Excellent verbal and written communication skills essential
Requisite knowledge of policy planning and strategy development tools, approaches, methodologies and challenges in Nigeria desirable but not essential
Familiarity with DFIO or other donor assisted programmes in Nigeria would be an advantage

Method of Application
If you believe you have both the skills and experience required to enhance our current offering please email/send your CV along with a brief outline of key points for our consideration to: [email protected] quoting ref: application for STO.
Interviews will be held in March 2010.0nly short-listed candidates will be contacted.

Further information on SPARC can be found at:http://www.sparc-nigeria.com/ and on HTSPE at: http://www.htspe.com/

Closing Date: 18th March, 2010