Tailoring Financial Consultant CV for a Contract (example)
Employment Record & Summary of Activities Relevant to the Specific Assignment
Oct 2015 - Mar 2016 Ministry of Labour & Social Security, Kingston, Jamaica
National Insurance Scheme Fund Accounting Consultant (Short-Term Contract)
Reviewed and documented procedures as they currently existed in the National Insurance Scheme’s Fund Accounts Department with a view to revising these to ensure transparency, accountability, greater efficiency and minimization of benefit fraud in keeping with government fiduciary requirements. Undertook a review of key documents, organizational structure/reporting relationships, monthly/quarterly reporting formats; desk audits; notification & remittance of monthly contributions to the National Insurance Fund Secretariat; procedures and formulae used for calculating the various types of pension benefits & payouts. Made presentations to major stakeholders including the Permanent Secretary and her senior management team, the Fund Accounting Department’s senior officers, the Ministry’s Internal Auditor, and members of the GOJ’s Auditor General’s Department. Prepared an action plan with recommendations for changes/improvements, and streamlining of functional fund accounting processes.
Jan 2012 – May 2012 and Jan 2003 –April 2006 Ministry of Local Development & Community Development, Kingston Jamaica
Senior Advisor to the Minister (Full-Time)
2012: Assisted the new Minister in developing his priorities re his portfolio responsibilities. Document review of all consultancy reports, Ministry papers, audits, local governance & community empowerment policies, programmes & donor funded projects undertaken by the Ministry, Parish Councils, Social Development Commission, Jamaica Fire Brigade & other agencies. Liaised with the Permanent Secretary & senior officers and made recommendations re the resultant revised organizational/staffing functional arrangements required for the Ministry in order to carry out the new Administration’s mandate. Developed TOR with the Local Government Reform team for a pilot project on decentralization and strengthening of the St Catherine Parish Council to include Town Manager positions in major townships, revised license fees structure to increase revenue collection, and grant funding for entrepreneurs to stimulate economic activity within the parish. Site inspections, field trips & meetings with Mayor, Secretary Manager & technical staff. [Note: Member National Solid Waste Mgt Authority BOD & Chair of Finance & Audit Committees, Member HR Committee (2012-2015)].
2003-2006: Responsibilities included building inspection audits of all Fire Stations & Golden Age Homes across the island. Worked on the development of the new design for major and sub-fire stations plus the financing requirements for upgrading the existing facilities. [Note: Member of the Jamaica Fire Brigade (JFB) Board and Chair of its Finance & Audit Committees]. Made recommendations for relocation or structural repairs of Golden Age homes and resulting financing arrangements (including possible public/private partnerships, and increased Central Government budgetary allocations). Reviewed Parish Council requests for disaster emergency funding for drain cleaning and clearing blocked parochial roads & liaised with MPs, Mayors and Parish Councilors in this regard. Worked with the Permanent Secretary & her Ministry team in requesting/negotiating with Ministry of Finance officials for increased Central Government budgetary allocations/warrants for the National Solid Waste Management Authority & executing the procurement process re the purchase of 100 new Fire trucks for the JFB.
National Insurance Scheme Fund Accounting Consultant (Short-Term Contract)
Reviewed and documented procedures as they currently existed in the National Insurance Scheme’s Fund Accounts Department with a view to revising these to ensure transparency, accountability, greater efficiency and minimization of benefit fraud in keeping with government fiduciary requirements. Undertook a review of key documents, organizational structure/reporting relationships, monthly/quarterly reporting formats; desk audits; notification & remittance of monthly contributions to the National Insurance Fund Secretariat; procedures and formulae used for calculating the various types of pension benefits & payouts. Made presentations to major stakeholders including the Permanent Secretary and her senior management team, the Fund Accounting Department’s senior officers, the Ministry’s Internal Auditor, and members of the GOJ’s Auditor General’s Department. Prepared an action plan with recommendations for changes/improvements, and streamlining of functional fund accounting processes.
Jan 2012 – May 2012 and Jan 2003 –April 2006 Ministry of Local Development & Community Development, Kingston Jamaica
Senior Advisor to the Minister (Full-Time)
2012: Assisted the new Minister in developing his priorities re his portfolio responsibilities. Document review of all consultancy reports, Ministry papers, audits, local governance & community empowerment policies, programmes & donor funded projects undertaken by the Ministry, Parish Councils, Social Development Commission, Jamaica Fire Brigade & other agencies. Liaised with the Permanent Secretary & senior officers and made recommendations re the resultant revised organizational/staffing functional arrangements required for the Ministry in order to carry out the new Administration’s mandate. Developed TOR with the Local Government Reform team for a pilot project on decentralization and strengthening of the St Catherine Parish Council to include Town Manager positions in major townships, revised license fees structure to increase revenue collection, and grant funding for entrepreneurs to stimulate economic activity within the parish. Site inspections, field trips & meetings with Mayor, Secretary Manager & technical staff. [Note: Member National Solid Waste Mgt Authority BOD & Chair of Finance & Audit Committees, Member HR Committee (2012-2015)].
2003-2006: Responsibilities included building inspection audits of all Fire Stations & Golden Age Homes across the island. Worked on the development of the new design for major and sub-fire stations plus the financing requirements for upgrading the existing facilities. [Note: Member of the Jamaica Fire Brigade (JFB) Board and Chair of its Finance & Audit Committees]. Made recommendations for relocation or structural repairs of Golden Age homes and resulting financing arrangements (including possible public/private partnerships, and increased Central Government budgetary allocations). Reviewed Parish Council requests for disaster emergency funding for drain cleaning and clearing blocked parochial roads & liaised with MPs, Mayors and Parish Councilors in this regard. Worked with the Permanent Secretary & her Ministry team in requesting/negotiating with Ministry of Finance officials for increased Central Government budgetary allocations/warrants for the National Solid Waste Management Authority & executing the procurement process re the purchase of 100 new Fire trucks for the JFB.
Detailed Tasks Assigned on Team of ExpertsAudits carried out on the Agency’s operations including Audited Financial Statements and Performance Audits.
(Lead Consultant) Assess the Agency’s sub-project cycle, culture of accountability, internal processes and controls, monitoring and evaluation (M&E) including a management information system, and mechanisms to facilitate the delivery of quality and timely sub-project results. (Support Consultant) Assess whether (i) financial and administrative rules and regulations are in place and being followed and how these impact on the delivery and execution of the Agency’s mandate; (ii) clear structures and procedures are in place to meet fiduciary requirements including procurement procedures and audits; and (iii) the financial, administrative and ICT systems are adequate. (Support Consultant) Assess the budgetary and financial structures including energy costs, and determine the gaps in such structures and recommend systems for strengthening the operations. (Lead Consultant) Develop an Action Plan with recommendations, options and associated costs aimed at improving service delivery and that are aligned with the strategic direction of the Central Government. (Support Consultant) |
Reference to Prior Work that Shows Capability to Handle the Assigned TasksReviewed Auditor General & Internal Audit Performance Audits & annual Audited Financial Statements to ensure agency/department activities were in keeping with government fiduciary and reporting requirements (including risk management/fraud minimization controls, other internal controls, disaster/emergency financing and breach of contract/damages contingencies). Also included reviews of Agency’s responses to audit queries, and the execution of action plans to remedy audit findings/discrepancies.
Conducted and/or reviewed operational audits of financial reporting system for sub-projects (for projects in execution and completed) to ascertain compliance with the terms of contracts (verifying that procurement and financial guidelines in contracts/credit agreements had been followed); and reconciling progress of work with financial expenses incurred (including explanations re cost overruns and variations between actual and previously budgeted targets). Reviewed and/or approved Minutes of Board of Directors’ Finance & Audit Committees and Procurement procedures as part of oversight of financial management system, and ensuring adherence to monthly budget projections and follow-up on audit findings. Reviewed Agency’s Financial and Procurement Manuals; ICT and financial management system; Monthly and Quarterly reporting format to Line Ministry; and whether there was timely receipt of monthly Central Government warrant allocations. Assessed organizational structure, staffing and support resources; sub-project programming and procurement process; and contract bid process, contract management practices and monitoring & evaluation processes. Assessed budgeting, direct contract and procurement procedures and unit pricing methodology and made recommendations for improvements aimed at improved service delivery and cost containment. Also assisted a major extraction/processing multinational firm with its negotiations with the Government of Jamaica re changes in their primary energy source to LNG to reduce their energy costs. Carried out gaps analysis with regard to: a) financial and risk management and procurement practices and policies; b) cash management and disbursement of funds efficiently (with safeguards) to recipients on a timely basis; c) production of forward-looking financial plans and budgets; actual performance at project-level financial management; d) follow-up procedures to internal audit reports; e) off-site securing of data back-up files and insurance to protect against loss of assets; and f) documented procedures on the disposal of fixed assets. Based on assessments, developed action plans with recommendations to address weaknesses/gaps highlighted. |