Senior Economist: Local Government Budget Analysis at National Treasury

Qualification/s Requirements

• A Grade 12 is required coupled with a minimum National Diploma (equivalent to NQF level 6) or a Bachelor’s degree (equivalent to NQF level 7) in the following disciplines: Economics, Public Finance, Accounting or Commerce;
• 4 years’ experience is required of which 2 years should be at an Assistant Director or equivalent level obtained in budget analysis, dissemination of financial reports;
• Knowledge of report writing, monitoring and evaluation of budgets; and
• Knowledge and experience of the regulatory framework on budgets and financial management within municipalities and provinces.?

Key Performance Areas

Budget Preparation and Support: 

• Provide guidance on the budgets and long-term financial strategies to non-delegated municipalities, including issuing of budget circulars;
• Assess and provide feedback on municipal budgets of non-delegated municipalities in alignment with the provisions of the Municipal Finance Management Act (MFMA), DoRA, MBRR and mSCOA;
• Coordinate and participate in budget engagements with municipalities to discuss budget and related matters;
• Formulate budget assessment reports and annual budget reports to facilitate and support oversight by various stakeholders, including municipalities, National Treasury, Minister of Finance, TCF, Budget Council, Budget Forum, PCC, SCOF in the NCOP and Cabinet; and
• Review consolidated reports on budgets of Provincial Treasuries.?

Implementation and Monitoring of Municipal Budgets and Revenue Management: 

• Monitor in-year implementation of budget and trends in local government budgets and expenditure;
• Identify in consultation with provincial treasuries municipalities that are in financial distress as per Section 138 of the MFMA or municipalities that are in financial crisis as per Section 140 of the MFMA;
• Implement the appropriate corrective steps to turn around poor performance and deal with municipalities in distress, including supporting and participating in municipal interventions;
• Participate municipal mid-year budget and performance assessment;
• Formulate reports on budget implementation to internal and external stakeholders, including municipalities, DG: National Treasury, Minister of Finance, TCF, Budget Council, PCC and Cabinet; and
• Review consolidated mid-year and S71 reports of Provincial Treasuries. ?

Intergovernmental Co-ordination (Stakeholders Management: 

• Participate in forums/ workshops related to scope of sector responsibilities;
• Compilation of routine publication on municipal budget and in-year financial performance, including the bi-annual Local Government Budget and Expenditure Review;
• Coordinate budget and financial data for IGFR, MTBPS, Budget Review and other National Treasury publications;
• Contribute to provincial and municipal CFO Forum meetings by presenting on municipal finances and budget and reporting reforms; and
• Provide advice to sector departments and stakeholders on budgets, long term financial strategies and reporting requirements for municipalities and their finances and facilitate disputes between organs of state?.

Financial Management Reforms: 

• Promote effective budgeting and financial management in non-delegated municipalities;
• Advice non-delegated municipalities and Provincial Treasuries on in-year financial reports and verify data;
• Monitor In-Year Financial Reports, Annual Financial Statements and Annual Reports by non-delegated municipalities and Provincial Treasuries;
• Follow-up on budget and financial returns from non-delegated municipalities and ensure Council-endorsed documents; and
• Assess the SDBIP’s of non-delegated municipalities in alignment with the annual budget of non-financial targets and indicators. ?

Strengthening of provincial treasuries to perform their delegated functions in terms of Chapter 4 of the MFMA: 

• Coordinate the monitoring of the implementation of the province specific strategies and support plans to address municipal finance performance failures (key “game changers” are revenue management, funded budgets, asset management, mSCOA and SCM); and
• Capacitate and support provincial treasuries on oversight and support to delegated municipalities on the matters related to budgets, financial management and reporting reforms and in-year reporting.?

Transversal Issues: 

• Participate in mSCOA and MBRR governance structures and working groups, incl. FAQ committee, Technical Committee, Steering Committee, Coordinating Committee, national project team and LGBA Technical Working Group;
• Support the implementation of revenue management initiatives, including ESKOM Debt Relief Applications;
• Participate in the technical work, working groups and support the institutionalisation of City Support Programme initiatives;
• Support the monitoring of financial recovery plans for municipalities placed under intervention by provinces; and
• Arrange the quarterly War Room Meetings for municipalities placed under national intervention.