SUPPORT TO REFORMING INSTITUTIONS PROGRAMME (SRIP)
Directory of National Experts for Yobe State

1. BACKGROUND
The Support to Reforming Institutions Programme seeks to improve
the capacity of key public finance institutions, in selected state
and local government authorities which includes Yobe State, to render
the budgeting process a more transparent, effective and accountable
means of managing public expenditure and the ability of civil society
to access information, make inputs and monitor the implementation of
government budgets. SRIP activities will include training of public
servants and civil society, studies, information networking and
supply of basic equipment.

The Programme, closely linked with the Water Supply and Sanitation
Sector Reform Programme (WSSSRP), supports the NEEDS, SEEDS and LEEDS
actions for improved governance and poverty reduction. As specified
in the Indicative Programme signed with the EC, the Government policy
priorities are to stimulate growth in the non oil sectors, reduce
poverty, fight corruption and improve transparency and efficiency in
public finance management. SRIP and WSSSRP will combine forces in
order to contribute to the reduction of poverty through better public
service delivery to poor communities with water and sanitation as a
priority.

Ø SRIP aims at promoting and producing the following practical changes;

· Communities need to be become more active and assertive
defending their rights and interests especially those of the poor;

· CSOs linked to communities need to become more intrusive
in public governance affairs and more vocal in their fight against
corruption;

· Public Service Agencies with a priority on WS&S Agencies,
but including other sector agencies (e.g. Ministry of Health,
Ministry of Education, Ministry of Women Affairs and Social
Development, State Office of Statistics, State Auditor General’s
Office, etc.) need to better design, plan and organize their service
obligations especially for the poor;

· Budget agencies need to change the procedure by which
budgets are prepared, executed and evaluated as well as reported, in
order to have budget constructed around programmes dealing with
politically debated priorities, monitored continuously with respect
to their actual performance and taking into account past experience.

According to the Financing Agreement between European Union and
the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Programme plans to achieve two
results.

a. Transparent budgeting processes that take account of past
experience, reflect the political priorities identified through
political debate, and serve as a binding guide to their
implementation, using the prudently estimated resources available; and

b. Citizens who through civil society organizations can
participate effectively in budget processes, highlighting cases of
corruption and business crime.

Given that the core focus of SRIP is to enhance budgetary
processes within each state, and ultimately to deliver adequate basic
services to all, programme activities will focus on institutional and
capacity building for state and local government authorities.

2. SERVICES REQUIRED
The State Technical Unit which is assisting the government of Yobe
state in implementing the reform programme requires the services of
qualified and highly experienced Consultants for short term
assignments to support effective and efficient management of SRIP in
Yobe state.

The services are required to carry out various studies and
assessments (institutional and human resources capacity needs, public
finance management, information networking etc.), to provide training
for public servants and civil society; and to facilitate
participatory planning, monitoring and evaluation.

Specific assignments will include:

· Assistance and training to fine tune the
state strategic plans i.e. YOSERA which is the SEEDS medium term
strategic plan for YOBE state and support for preparation of LEEDs
for the LGAs.

· Diagnostic studies and detailed assessment of
existing processes and systems in all components of the Public
Finance Management (PFM) systems, including Budgeting, Public Finance
and Expenditure Management, Accounts and Reporting in key Budget and
Finance Institutions at the state and four focal LGAs in Yobe state.

· Elaboration of Systems and structures to
enhance transparent budgeting and Public Finance Management for
improved service delivery in key MDG Sectors that will lead to
poverty reduction and promote pro poor programmes.

· Setting up new work methods, new
administrative forms and components of the PFM systems and preparing
the introduction of these innovations with the relevant stakeholders.

· Computerization and installation of
computerized networks between public finance institutions.

· Participatory Monitoring and Evaluation.

· Needs assessment, design and training for
staff of the Public Finance institutions in the following but not
limited related subject, Performance Based Budgeting, Budget Tracking
and Monitoring, Public Finance and Accounts, Auditing of Public
Accounts. Each training activity must be elaborated in specialized
modules and prepared using Microsoft Power Point Office Tools (Hard
copies to be available for each trainee).

· Gender mainstreaming in planning and
budgeting and training for key MDG sectors;

· Training of CSOs including labour unions and
the media on their roles in the budgeting process and how to
identify, expose and report corrupt cases.

· Community Mobilization and Advocacy,
Awareness Campaigns, organizing village meetings, drama and focused
group discussions including training for enhanced participation of
communities in policy and development process and to promote closer
interaction between citizens and their leadership.

Qualified candidates are requested to submit to
sripyobe@sripnig.org a detailed Curriculum Vitae in the prescribed EU
format (available on the SRIP website) and including three
references, stating which assignment is of interest and any limits on
availability. Only short listed candidates who meet the necessary
requirements will be contacted