Governance Advisor, Education and Health

Focus of the Role

In Ethiopia, the scale of public investments in Ethiopia is very large relative to GDP, standing at around 20%. Ensuring these investments are well selected, implemented, and subsequently used and maintained is therefore crucial. A major challenge during the implementation of the previous and the current medium term development plans, has been the management of public investment projects which have been plagued with cost and time overrun.

These challenges include weak legal and institutional framework; lack of coordination among stakeholders; inadequate and unclear procedures and systems of project management, and capacity gap in public project cycle management at different level.

To systematically address these challenges, the Planning and Development Commission (PDC) in collaboration with development partners launched a diagnostic of Ethiopia’s public investment management (PIM) systems and processes. The PIM Diagnostic report was concluded in April 2017, providing the results of the diagnostic and the suggested next steps for the Government.

A Federal Government Public Projects Administration and Management System (PPAMS) No.1210/2012 has also been issued in which the PDC is responsible for ensuring compliance as well as providing of support for project planning and preparation by relevant public bodies.

The responsibilities assigned to PDC also include pre-screening of project concept notes as well as independent review of project feasibility studies. According to PPAMS, federal development projects should pass through project preparation, execution, and ex-pots evaluation cycles.

To effectively perform this new mandate, the PDC is undergoing extensive institutional reform to absorb the responsibility assigned to it by Proclamation 1210/2020 (also called “Federal Government Public Projects Administration Management System”). The structure of the PDC Directorate has been revised, with additional teams and experts added to the organizational structure. Following the recruitment process of junior and midlevel experts, new staff are expected to improve the expert composition of the PDC Directorate.

The Tony Blair Institute for Global Change has been working with the PDC in its reform process and would like to hire one project preparation and appraisal specialist for the Education and Health sectors.

Key Responsibilities

• With clear understanding of the mandate of PDC, the 10 Year Development Plan and the proclamation on the Federal Government Public Projects Administration and Management Systems. The Governance Advisor will primarily focus on designing a clear framework for the identification, preparation, appraisal and selection of education and health sector development projects
• Analyzing the 10 Years Development Plan of the country as well as through review of the Education and Health Sectors policies, strategies and programs with close discussion with MoE,  MoSHE, and MoH. The Governance Advisor will also prepare a public investment plan for the respective sectors for the next ten years
• Review previous project preparation, appraisal, and selection of education and health sectors development projects processes and methodologies to inform their effectiveness and suitability in achieving the sectoral objective as well as in achieving the goals identified in the development plan of the country
• Provide technical advice on education and health sectors development projects feasibility studies especially the technical, economic and financial, environment, and risk analysis aspects of these projects submitted by line ministries and agencies for independent review by the PDC.
• Support the preparation of sector specific guidelines to assist the MoE, MoSHE, MoH and other relevant institutions sector line ministries in areas of project planning and preparation by developing relevant studies and documents
• Identify and concretize the challenges in relation to the education and health sectors public investment prioritization, modes of delivering these sectors projects as well as the technical challenges and shortcoming in the preparation of the overall investment as well as individual projects of these sectors

Person Specification

• At least 10 years’ (for bachelor’s degree holders) or 8 years’ (for master’s degree holders) of professional experience in education and health sectors development projects
• Technical skills in designing of Education and Health sectors development projects and Financial and Economic analysis of Education and Health sectors development projects.
• Knowledge of Ethiopia’s Education and Health sectoral polices, programs, and strategies
• Knowledge and understanding of the Ethiopian governance structure, planning, budgeting process cycles, and institutional responsibilities
• Relevant skills and knowledge on reform of public investment management across level of governments
• Proven experience of leading and managing a teams and ability to work in groups, demonstrated ability to manage and work as a team and to work with a range of stakeholders from federal to regional level
• Experience in managing similar assignments
• Excellent writing and communication skills both in Amharic and English
• Bachelor’s or master’s degree in areas of educational planning, health economics, development economics, rural infrastructure planning/engineering, or any other related field

About The Institute

The Tony Blair Institute (TBI) is a mission-driven not for profit organisation. We exist to equip political leaders and governments to build open, inclusive and prosperous societies. We work hard, every day, to make a difference. When governments work well they are able to create economic and social change in a way that promotes fairness, social justice and opportunity. We work relentlessly to support leader and governments with the challenges they face. Giving them practical solutions and actionable insights, that once implemented, can be transformative for their people  

We do this within two connected divisions: 

 Government Advisory 

Our Advisory Practice works directly with political leaders and governments around the world to implement reforms that improve the lives of their citizens. It has both non-profit partners and a client base and its outputs cover a range of disciplines and projects across countries in Africa, the Middle East, Eastern Europe and South Asia. We are currently in a rapid expansion phase from c. 18 countries at present, to 30 by December 2022.

 Policy Futures 

Our Policy Futures work encompasses three broad areas: 

• Renewing the Centre: developing a bold and innovative domestic policy programme to help renew the centre ground of British politics; 
• Tech and Public Policy: exploring the policy challenges and opportunities presented by the technological revolution; and 
• Extremism Policy Unit: creating solutions designed to tackle the threat of extremist ideologies in the UK and around the world. 

As an organisation, the core beliefs we all embrace are: 

• Open and Progressive: you’ll believe in the value of teamwork 
• Bold and Pragmatic: you’ll approach everything you do with integrity and authenticity 
• Optimistic Changemaker: you’ll be focused on results 

TBI believes embracing diversity and inclusion make us a better place to work.  It’s our goal to reflect everyone in society and we actively welcome applications from individuals and groups who are under-represented in the workplace. We celebrate difference be it ethnicity, religion, age, gender or gender identity, sexual orientation or disability. We will only ever assess you on your abilities and fit for a role. We’re happy to discuss any adjustments you need to ensure a level playing field during recruitment and, if you\'re successful, discuss any adjustments you might need to thrive in your role.