ASSESSMENT OF THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH’S FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT SYSTEM

### REQUEST FOR CURRICULUM VITAE FOR CONSULTANT FOR ASSESSMENT OF THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH'S FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT SYSTEM

UNDER THE HEALTH, HIV/AIDS, AND TB PROJECT

I.                        BACKGROUND

The Government of Swaziland (GOS) has emphasized health as a priorityon the national agenda. The 2009 National Health Sector Strategic Plan (NHSSP) identifies critical areas in the health sector that require support, and aims to improve poor health outcomes and inefficiencies. A new Health, HIV/AIDS and TB project is proposed to support the Government in its commitment to improve the health status of the Swazi population.  The World Bank and the European Union (EU) are jointly financing theproject with the Government.  Specifically, the proposed project will: (i) improve access to and quality of health services in Swaziland, with aparticular focuses on primary health care, maternal health and TB, and (ii) increase social safety net access for OVC.

II.                        OBJECTIVES

The overall aim of this activity is two-fold: (i) to assess the financial management system capacity, current financial management practices and the hardware and software being used; (ii) to improve the system's efficiency, effectiveness and accountability, reduce the risks of malpractice and develop the ability to better track resources in the health sector, including domestic and external funds.

III.                        DUTIES

• Review existing financial management systems and practices and procedures at MOH (central and regional levels) and other health sector related agencies related with flow of funds of different origin (national or foreign).

• Review procurement regulation and practices with the purpose to improve and enhance the resource tracking capacities of the MOH and other health sector related agencies as answering the following questions:  a) Are procurement processes regulated properly? B) Are the current procurement practices performed according to proper controls and made transparent for the efficient and effective use of financial resourcesin MOH?, c) Are the resources invested in the MOH properly tracked?

• Review of the Financial Management System' reporting and control structure and practices with a focus on the following: a) Is the flow of funds and expenditures tracked, recorded, followed-up according to law and regulations?

• Assess institutional capacity – general management set-up and staff capacity in terms of financial management knowledge and proficiency (including procurement)

• Assess corruption risks of the current MOH FM structure and practicesas well as development partners organizations financial management systems. Details should focus on the following questions: a) Are there any significant risks relating to financial malpractices? b) If so, what control measures is the MOH taking to mitigate the negative impact of these practices, and are these measures credible? c) Recommend effective risk-mitigating measures and improvements in the system as per the situation obtaining on the ground.

• Provide suggestions to the MOH on ways to channel funds to the organization, follow-up, procurement processing, auditing, and reporting. Review any model or standard arrangements.

• Consult Development Partners that provide support closely aligned with government systems.

• Cover aspects, issues and risks that may need further and more in-depth analysis, probing and action.

• Assess the current existing automated FM systems (software) in the MOH and evaluate its current functioning and compliance with international standards and MOH needs, and prepare a basic design for structure, basic requirement and functionalities for a new automated FM system (software) for the MOH.

• Prepare the following Reports:

a.       Detailed work plan including assessment methodology.

b.      Assessment report which will include: Executive Summary, background, methodology, findings, conclusions, recommendations (including the basic design defined in activity no.9).

c.       Conduct a consensus workshop for the assessment report with the FM team of the MOH and the working Committee members.

d.       Final report containing the following structure: i) executive summary, ii) background, iii) methodology, iv) results of the assessment, v) results and evidences of the consensus workshop, conclusions and recommendations, in the areas of regulations, financial management practices, accounting and audit regulations and procedures, specific resourcestracking issues and recommendations at central and regional levels, vi) reporting issues and vii) recommendations and the basic design, basic requirements, basic structure and functionalities of a proposed newFinancial Management automated System.

DELIVERABLES

• Inception report including Work Plan and methodology

• Assessment report

• Consensus Workshop Report for the assessment report with the FM team of the MOH and th