SIGTAS User-Support Adviser

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REPÚBLICA DEMOCRÁTICA DE TIMOR-LESTE

MINISTÉRIO DAS FINANÇAS:

Planning and Financial Management Capacity Building Program

Terms of Reference 

Contract No.        DGRC29

Position                 SIGTAS User-Support Adviser

Reporting             Director General for Revenue and Customs through the Senior Management Adviser SMA (Revenue and Customs)

Counterpart         National Director of Domestic Revenue

                              National Director of Petroleum Revenue

National Staff in the Domestic and Petroleum Revenue Directorates

Duration               30^th June 2011 with the possibility of an extension.

Selection Criteria

·         A university degree in a relevant discipline such as Taxation, Commerce, Business Administration, Accounting, Economics, or Financial Management.  A post graduate degree is preferred in a related field is preferred.

·         At least 12 years experience in tax administration and management, particularly in the areas of systems controls and monitoring, and reporting of tax management and administration. Experience in World Bank/IDA-assisted project in the government sector would be a distinct advantage.

·         At least 10 years experience in computer applications, particular experience with SIGTAS and other related tax accounting software is highly desirable.

·         Demonstrated computer literacy skills in the operation of Microsoft Office Outlook, Word, Excel, Access, Power Point and related accounting software.   

·         Demonstrated work experience in a developing country context and in a multi cultural setting. 

·         Familiarity with the operations of central government bodies financial and tax accounting procedures would be an advantage.

·         Demonstrated understanding of government systems and processes, including integrity systems, customer service culture, and systems and processes to promote accountability and transparency.

·         Demonstrated knowledge and skills in capacity building methodologies, including preparing and running training sessions and workshops, and providing structured on-job training.

·         Excellent oral and written communication skills and proficiency in English and willingness to learn Tetun, Portuguese or Bahasa Indonesia.

Background 

The Ministry of Finance of the Government of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste is looking to recruit a SIGTAS User-Support Adviser for its Planning and Financial Management Capacity Building Program (PFMCBP). PFMCBP is a five-year technical assistance program supported by a grant from the International Development Association and a co-financing Multi-Donor Trust Fund. The Program started in late 2006, and is scheduled to close in June 2011 but with a possible extension by a further twelve months. PFMCBP provides technical assistance to sustainably strengthen planning, budgeting, public expenditure management and revenue administration for growth and poverty reduction, with emphasis on efficiency, effectiveness, accountability, integrity, service culture, and transparency. 

PFMCBP has assisted the Government of Timor-Leste take forward an important reform agenda. Key achievements include implementation of a major reorganization of the Ministry of Finance; strengthening public expenditure management through simplification and strengthening of treasury systems and processes, and increased delegation of authority to line ministries; improved revenue management, including increased transparency in tax administration and reinforcing Petroleum Tax administration; and a gradual improvement in macroeconomic planning. There are important challenges ahead as the Ministry of Finance implements a strong reform program in a capacity constrained environment. PFMCBP itself has a challenge to build capacity and enable an increased transfer of responsibility to Timorese public servants. 

A recent Mid-Term Review of the progress of the PFMCBP within the Ministry of Finance, and a follow-up World Bank Mission to assist in formulating a strategic plan for the General Directorate of Revenue and Customs, indicates that more work is needed in strengthening and expanding the functionality of the SIGTAS application. The Review recommends (i) conduct an independent review of features and functionality of SIGTAS; (ii) work towards interconnectivity of SIGTAS, ASYCUDA and FreeBalance; (iii) ensure SIGTAS manuals are available and staff are trained. The SIGTAS User-Support Adviser is expected to play a key role in assisting in the implementation of the recommendations of the PFMCBP Mid Term Review and the follow-up World Bank Mission. 

Scope of Work 

The SIGTAS User-Support Adviser will work with the Director General for Revenue and Customs, National Directors of Petroleum Revenue and Domestic Revenue, the SMA for Revenue and Customs, relevant National staff within the National Directorates, and other Advisers across the Ministry on the following:

1. Primary Function: Capacity Building of counterpart

·         Capacity building of direct counterpart through on the job training, formal training, coaching and mentoring;

·         Evaluation of capacity building outcome and adjustment of strategies as required.

 

2. Secondary function: Capacity building directed at the National Directorates of Petroleum Revenue and Domestic Revenue level
   
    

·         Support and mentor all SIGTAS users to build on their understanding of and operational effectiveness in the SIGTAS taxation administration application;

·         Support and mentor staff in developing their capacity to analyse and reconcile taxpayer tax accounts; and

·         Support senior management and staff to review, simplify and streamline operating procedures and user manuals.

·         Provide formal and OJT in SIGTAS operations, including the newly installed Refund Module and proposed interconnectivity of SIGTAS, FreeBalance and ASYCUDA.

3. Tertiary function: Undertake line functions as necessary, supporting the Director General of Revenue and Customs and National Directors of Petroleum Revenue and Domestic Revenue in their day-to-day management of the Directorates.

·         Help ensure the efficient operations of the SIGTAS application in the NDPR and NDDR;

·         Assist NDPR and NDDR to ensure  the continued development of the database and the development of relevant management reports;

·         Liaise with SIGTAS application provider re the provision of support and maintenance for the application, programming modifications and “fixes” as required; and assist with the proposed introduction of interconnectivity between SIGTAS, FreeBalance and ASYCUDA, and the “E-Tax” application

·         Perform such other supporting tasks, both administrative and technical in nature, to enhance the operations of the DGRC, and as will be required by the PFMCBP and the Ministry of Finance.  

Deliverables 

·         Prepare and agree an Assignment Work Plan, with specific timelines and expected outcomes within 4 weeks of commencement

·         Prepare Quarterly Progress Reports against the agreed Work Plan and PFMCBP related reports as required.

·         Conduct a SIGTAS User Needs and Skills Assessment followed by a competency based SIGTAS User Development Program to measure progress of staff.

·         Assist the Directorate for Revenue and Customs in working towards interconnectivity of SIGTAS, ASYCUDA and FreeBalance.

·         Provide revenue data and reports for the Senior Management Team of the Ministry of Finance as required.

·         Review and monitor processing operations to maintain a satisfactory quality of data input.

·         Provide assistance and support in operational tasks including reconciliation of taxpayer tax accounts and error identification and correction.

·         Provide assistance and support in the reconciliation of SIGTAS postings to BNU deposits and BNU transfers to BPA.

·         Liaise with NDPR and NDDR to ensure the continued development of the database and development of relevant revenue and debt reports.

·         Provide advice and assist the Ministry of Finance, Director General, National Directors and other stakeholders on the implications of recent and proposed tax reforms for tax administration, and draft related report(s).

·         Review and revise SIGTAS operating procedures as required;

·         Liaise with SIGTAS application provider re the provision of support and maintenance for the application, programming modifications and “fixes” as required.

·         Assist the NDDR and NDPR to ensure that taxation information documents (i.e, Taxation Guides, Tax Forms, etc.) are up to date as required.

·         Provide formal and On-the-Job Training in respect of proposed introduction of interconnectivity between SIGTAS, FreeBalance and ASYCUDA.

·         Provide support for the on-going maintenance and development of the SIGTAS system as the tool used by Revenue and Customs to effectively carry out its taxation administration and management responsibilities.

·         Provide formal and On-the-Job Training in respect of proposed introduction of “E-Tax” application.

·         Perform any other tasks necessary to enhance the operations of the Revenue and Customs Directorate, as required.

The SIGTAS User-Support Adviser will provide Quarterly Work Plan Progress Reports to the National Directors of Petroleum Revenue and Domestic Revenue, the Senior Management Adviser (R&C) and the Senior Program Manager PFMCBP on the progress and/or completion of the activities outlined in the Work Plan.

The Adviser will provide an End of Assignment report to the Senior Program Manager and Senior Management Adviser, with copy to the National Directors of Petroleum Revenue and Domestic Revenue, no later than 10 working days prior to the end of contract.

Performance Evaluation 

Performance of the SIGTAS User-Support Adviser will be assessed by the Director General for Revenue and Customs and the Senior Management Adviser in collaboration with the Senior Program Manager - PFMCBP in accordance with the performance review framework for advisers in the PFMCBP.  

There is a probation period of three months. 

Application procedure 

Please visit our website at www.mof.gov.tl/  and go to ‘Employment Opportunity’ to learn about our recruitment process and your application requirements including how to address the Selection Criteria in your application. 

Applications need to be sent to our Programme Implementation Officer-PFMCBP at email address, pfmcbp@mof.gov.tl, no later than 17:00hours Timor-Leste time on 12^th December 2010. 

Applications should include a covering letter and a detailed resume of no more than 7 pages. All

Applicants must also complete the Competency Framework Matrix below delineating how they have met the requirements. We do not expect that you would just cut and paste from your resume but rather explain concisely and succinctly how you have met these competences, possibly providing brief examples etc. 

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

 Competency Framework for the SIGTAS User-Support Adviser (International)

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