HEAD OF FIELD OF ACTIVITY - MOBILIZING GOVERNMENT REVENUES AND STRENGTHENING SOCIAL ACCOUNTABILITY POSITION DESCRIPTION:
Head of field of activity (m/f) Mobilizing government revenues and strengthening social accountability
JOB-ID: 27673
Field of activity
Over recent years, the Tanzanian economy has consistently grown by between 5% and 7% of gross domestic product each year. However, a large proportion of its budget continues to be financed externally, through donor funding or borrowing. This is primarily due to inefficiency on the part of the Tanzanian state, which exhibits deficiencies in areas including accountability, mobilization of government revenues, press freedom, and the rule of law. The Government of Tanzania is attempting to tackle these deficiencies within the public finance system as part of its efforts to reform its public finance management. However, progress so far has been limited. The reasons include a lack of capacity for reform implementation within state institutions at local and national level, and the political framework itself, which does not adequately promote good financial governance. Factors of particular relevance to inadequate local collection of government revenues, which underperforms both expectations and potential, include the following: generous tax exemptions, a narrow tax base resulting from inefficiencies in tax registration, poor cooperation between local government authorities and the Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA), a complex statutory framework for local revenues, and a lack of capacity within local government authorities to collect tax revenues efficiently.
The project supports the Public Financial Management Reform Program with the objective of strengthening Tanzania’s public finance system in line with the principles of good financial governance, particularly transparency, efficiency and accountability. It cooperates with the key stakeholders in the reform program, the Ministry of Finance and the National Audit Office of Tanzania in Dar es Salaam, and with agencies implementing reforms at local government authority level outside the capital. It builds capacity at national and sub-national level and involves non-state actors from civil society and the private sector. The project focuses on four areas: 1) strengthening external financial oversight, 2) strengthening the internal audit system, 3) mobilizing government revenues especially at the local level and 4) strengthening dialogue between citizens and the state.
The Good Financial Governance Program is implemented on behalf of BMZ and co-financed with third-party funding from the EU and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC).
In the area of mobilizing government revenues, the main focus is on strengthening the internal revenue systems of municipalities, towns and cities. This requires substantial and close interaction between the institutions involved. The project also aims to standardize tried and tested procedures and systems from 10 partner local government authorities and to prepare the ground for a national rollout. In the area of social accountability, the focus is on systematically improving the relationship between citizens and the state at local level.
Your tasks
You will advise the institutions involved in reforming internal revenue collection and, as head of the field of activity, you will coordinate initiatives launched by the project to mobilize government revenues within a complex framework of actors. Alongside the statutory framework for municipal finance, you will focus on data sharing between the Tanzania Revenue Authority and local authorities and on developing and sustainably mainstreaming in-service training provision in the area of internal revenue. Key actors include the President’s Office Regional Administration and Local Government and local government authorities, including the Legal Directorate, the Local Government Directorate and its ‘Municipal Finance’ and ‘Governance’ groups, and the Urban Development Directorate. Additional implementing partners include the Policy Analysis Directorate of the Ministry of Finance, which is responsible for formulating and coordinating fiscal policy and preparing cabinet documents in this area, and the Coordination Secretariat for Tanzania’s Public Financial Management Reform Program. Further actors include the Tanzania Revenue Authority’s Research and Policy Directorate, its Information and Communication Technology Directorate (with regard to data-sharing), and its in-house training institute. In addition you will work with the Association of Local Authorities of Tanzania, which in its function as the representative of local government plays a pivotal role in disseminating approaches, methods and good practice.
In the field of social accountability, the project supports negotiation of local dialogue mechanisms and the processing and publication of relevant information regarding public finance. As head of this field of activity, you will also coordinate the evaluation of instruments and mechanisms for promoting citizen involvement in public finance issues.
In your role, you will use your specialist expertise to advise and support the program manager within your specialist areas. You will also manage and coordinate areas of work conducted by other professionals in the fields of activity and combine their results in line with the program’s overall objectives or cast these in an over-arching context. You will support other project and partner employees in implementing their responsibilities and with making decisions in complex technical areas.
You will develop new areas of work, instruments and products to meet needs in your area of responsibility. You will also organize knowledge management in these areas of work. As well as contribute to managing and monitoring the program, fulfilling reporting requirements and managing sub-contractors. In consultation with your line manager you will also ensure coordination with other implementing organizations and donors and other bilateral and regional good governance projects, particularly in the area of mobilizing government revenues.
The position involves both technical and management responsibilities.
Your profile
You have a degree in administrative sciences, economics and/or finance; qualifications in political science or law may also be considered. You have excellent knowledge and several years’ experience in the area of public finance and/or fiscal decentralization and local governance. Your professional experience reflects your in-depth knowledge of reform of tax administration and local finance. You also have a high level of competence in advisory and management roles and excellent intercultural skills, are a good team player, and demonstrate resilience and a high level of sensitivity in handling difficult situations. Experience abroad, a track record in project management, and knowledge of international cooperation are desirable. Business fluency in English are expected. Good German skills would be an advantage.
Assignment period
The successful candidate will begin work as soon as possible. The post is available until 28.02.2020.
Conditions regarding location
Dar es Salaam is a safe city with good health care and a subtropical climate. It has international schools.
Our offer
We create prospects for people and with people. As GIZ has an international mandate, we offer a multicultural working environment. We are committed service providers and dedicated professionals, even under difficult circumstances. We take pride in enabling our employees to develop their professional and personal skills. There are plenty of reasons to join our motivated team – ranging from the diverse challenges you will face on a daily basis in one of our 130 partner countries, to the broad scope you will have for shaping your work.
Other information
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GIZ would like to improve the share of disabled employees, both in Germany and abroad. Applications from persons with disabilities are most welcome.
APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:
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