Civil Service

Vice-Prime Ministers Office, Ministry of Finance and Economic Development

17. VICE-PRIME MINISTERS OFFICE, MINISTRY OF FINANCE AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

17.1 The Ministry of Finance and Economic Development (MOFED) is responsible for the formulation of economic development policies and for the economic management of the affairs of Government with a view to achieving faster and sustainable economic development. MOFED is also the principal instrument of policy in respect of public finance and as such is responsible for the financial soundness of Governments economic policy and for the proper control of revenue and expenditure. Its mission is to formulate sound economic development policies, maximize revenue mobilization, ensure efficient allocation and accountability for public resources with a view to achieving faster and sustainable economic development, enhanced competitiveness and better quality of life in a global economy. The objectives of the MOFED are to maintain a stable macroeconomic environment and improve fiscal discipline with low inflation, moderate budget deficit and sustainable public debt; efficient allocation of Government resources to achieve optimum outcome with available resources; promote efficient and effective public financial management so as to ensure accountability, transparency, good governance, sound financial practice and compliance; and facilitate growth of businesses and nurture an entrepreneurial environment. The MOFED comprises the Budget Strategy and Management Directorate; Business Development Directorate; Development Co-operation and Infrastructure Directorate; Strategy Planning Directorate; Social Policy Budget Directorate; Assessment Review Committee; Central Procurement Board; Procurement Policy Office; Financial Operations Unit; Internal Control Unit; Procurement and Supply Unit; and Administration. The Ministry has also under its port-folio: Treasury, Statistics Mauritius, Valuation Department, Companies and Business Registration Department formerly Companies Division and Registrar-Generals Department. The Financial Secretary is the Chief Executive/Supervising Officer of MOFED and is responsible to ensure that the functions of MOFED are carried out economically, efficiently and effectively and its objectives duly achieved. The MOFED is also responsible to provide human resources to all Ministries to facilitate the smooth running of their core business in three main areas namely: Financial Operations, Procurement and Supply and Internal Control. These functions are carried out by officers of the Financial Operations, Procurement and Supply and Internal Control Cadres respectively and they are posted in line Ministries.

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17.6

The functions performed by the three cadres are today critical for the achievement of the goals and objectives of the line Ministries. With the reforms underway, including greater decentralisation to Ministries to reduce delays and also the need to focus on outputs and outcomes, financial operations, procurement and supplies and internal audit are expected to enlarge their scope of work. Hence, to be able to cope with the challenges and the changing work environment, it is imperative for the staff to be equipped with the necessary skills and expertise in their fields so as to be able to deliver effectively and sustain the Programme Based Budgeting, the Public Procurement policies, in accordance with the new legislations and the need to improve the standards and quality of internal audit, performance and procurement auditing including ex-post verification. These challenges require a mix of skills which go beyond accounting and finance and an upgrading of the skills of the current staff as well as those joining the cadres. In order to address the above issues and achieve greater effectiveness through improvement of financial management in the Government Sector and also for more flexibility and accountability for outputs and outcomes, we are making provision for a new grade of Financial Management Officer. We are also in line with the general policy of providing flatter structures for greater efficiency and optimum use of human resources, merging and restyling a few grades and also reviewing the modes of appointment at certain levels in various classes and cadres.

17.7

Financial Management Officer (New Grade) Recommendation 1

17.8

We recommend that: (i) appointment to the grade of Financial Management Officer be made by selection from among officers in the Financial Operations, Internal Control and Procurement and Supply cadres possessing a degree in one of the following subjects: Accounting, Economics, Business Studies, Mathematics, Computer Science or Information Technology, Finance, Financial Management, Public Financial Management, Auditing, Risk Management, Procurement and Supply, Logistics or a pass at the final examination required for admission to membership of a recognised professional accounting body or an equivalent qualification.
in the absence of qualified serving officers in the above cadres, appointment to the grade of Financial Management Officer be made by selection from among candidates possessing the required qualifications.

(ii)

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17.9

Incumbent would be required, among others, to carry out research with a view to making policy proposals regarding financial , procurement and supply and internal control policies and assist in the formulation and implementation of these policies; review all operating processes in the financial operations, procurement and supply services and internal control and check adequacy and effectiveness of existing procedures in order to enhance goal effectiveness; ensure that legislations pertaining to financial operations, procurement and supply and internal control are relevant, up to date, understood by all stakeholders and correctly applied and complied with in accordance with the Financial Management Kit and established standards for the Professional Practice of Internal Auditing and other applicable legislations and Regulations; investigate into cases of complaints, frauds and irregularities and propose corrective measures to the Supervising Officer/Director, Economic and Finance; assist in the preparation and implementation of the Programme Based Budget; attend to and provide material for reply on audit queries on financial and procurement issues and take corrective measures as appropriate; develop capacity building within the cadres and provide on the job training to officers; and put in place best practices in financial, procurement and supply and internal control operations. At present, Lead Analyst formerly Assistant Directors in post as at 30.06.08 at the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development are allowed to move incrementally up to salary point Rs 68000 in the Master Salary Scale. We are extending this provision to the Lead Analyst formerly Assistant Director, Management Audit Bureau in post as at 30.06.08 at the former Management Audit Bureau.

17.10

Recommendation 2 17.11 We recommend that Lead Analyst formerly Assistant Directors in post as at 30.06.08 at the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development and Lead Analyst formerly Assistant Director, Management Audit Bureau in post as at 30.06.08 at the former Management Audit Bureau be allowed to move incrementally up to salary point Rs 87000 in the Master Salary Scale provided they have: (i) (ii) drawn the top salary for a year; and been consistently efficient and effective in their performance as evidenced by their Performance Appraisal Report during the preceding two years and have not been adversely reported upon on ground of conduct.

Senior Analyst (Personal) Recommendation 3 17.12 We also recommend that Senior Analyst (Personal) in post as at 30.06.2008 at the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development be allowed to move incrementally by two increments over and above the ~171~
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special provision set out at paragraph 10.46 of Volume 1 provided that they have: (i) (ii) drawn the top salary for a year; and been consistently efficient and effective in their performance as evidenced by their Performance Appraisal Report during the preceding two years and have not been adversely reported upon on ground of conduct.

Analyst Recommendation 4 17.13 We further recommend that incumbent in the grade of Analyst, who by nature of their duties, are required to attend various conferences/meetings in other organisations, receive delegates, organise workshops/events and work after normal working hours on a regular basis and drawing a monthly salary of at least Rs 35400, should be eligible to loan facilities and 70% duty remission for the purchase of a car as per relevant provision at paragraphs 18.2.46 and 18.2.23 of this Report (Volume 1). VICE-PRIME MINISTERS OFFICE, MINISTRY OF FINANCE AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT SALARY SCHEDULE Salary Code 01 00 97 Rs 156000 Financial Secretary 01 00 95 Rs 132000 Deputy Financial Secretary 01 00 93 Rs 111000 Director, Economic and Finance 01 00 86 Rs 87000 Deputy Director, Economic and Finance 01 74 82 Rs 59400 x 1800 68400 x 2400 75600 Lead Analyst Salary Scale and Grade

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Salary Code 01 58 71

Salary Scale and Grade Rs 35400 x 1200 36600 x 1500 54600 Senior Analyst (Personal)

01 43 67

Rs 22500 x 750 28500 x 900 33000 x 1200 36600 x 1500 48600 Analyst Financial Management Officer (New Grade)

08 27 49

Rs 14300 x 350 16050 x 450 18300 x 600 19500 x 750 27000 Executive Assistant (Finance)

24 11 36

Rs 10000 x 250 12500 x 300 14300 x 350 16050 x 450 17850 Driver

24 05 27

Rs 8500 x 250 12500 x 300 14300 Stores Attendant

24 04 24

Rs 8275 x 225 8500 x 250 12500 x 300 13400 Lorry Loader

24 00 22

Rs 7400 x 200 7600 x 225 8500 x 250 12500 x 300 12800 General Worker (Personal to employees in post as at 30.06.08)

24 00 16

Rs 7400 x 200 7600 x 225 8500 x 250 11250 General Worker

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