JOB DESCRIPTION: 
SALAR International, in the framework of the "Support to decentralisation and local selfgovernment reforms in Armenia" (DeaLoG) Project is looking for a pool of local experts in the field of Public Finance Management with a particular focus on local finances. The positions shall be a consultancy contract for a period of 5 months with the possibility of prolongation.
The experts should be experienced, professional, self-motivated persons with high proficiency in Armenian and preferably in English, who can work effectively in a dynamic and changing environment, support Project partners (especially the Ministry of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure and the Ministry of Finance of Armenia) in development of relevant knowledge and capacities in the field of public finances and fiscal aspects of local self-governance and decentralisation in order to reach the targeted results within a limited timeframe.
Required Expertise
The DeaLoG Project is looking for highly qualified local experts in the field of public finances to support in the elaboration of relevant policy proposals, models and tools of fiscal decentralisation and local finances, as well as in the development of relevant capacity at both local and central levels.
Below are the potential directions of support:
- Fiscal decentralisation models and tools;
- Local finance management, local budgeting;
- Local revenue generation, local taxes, tax sharing;
- Equalization tools and mechanisms;
- Alternative financing sources for local governance, local borrowing channels and tools,
fiscal discipline;
- Debt management at local level;
- Intergovernmental transfers/grants;
- Financing of sectoral services (e.g. education, healthcare, social, etc.);
- Public asset managements and public investment management at local level;
- Financial control and oversight over local governments;
- Sustainable and green finance.
RESPONSIBILITIES: 
- Provide ad hoc technical support/consultancy to the Ministry of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure of Armenia, the Ministry of Finance of Armenia and all communities, based on the changing needs of the Armenian Government in the policy and priority directions in the field of public finances at both local and central levels, within the support directions identified above;
- Keep SALAR International in Stockholm and Project management unit in Yerevan continuously and regularly updated about challenges and achievements.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS: 
- At least a Master's Degree or equivalent in Economics, Public Finances, Public Administration or other relevant fields;
- At least 7 years of profound experience in the field of public finances, in-depth
understanding of the fiscal system at both local and central levels in Armenia, familiarity
with relevant international experience;
- Familiarity and good understanding of public administration system and multi-level
governance in Armenia, familiarity with international experience;
- Profound understanding of the concept of local democracy and the system of local self-governance, including local finance and budgeting;
- Extensive experience in elaboration of analytical papers and policy proposals, high-quality analytical writing skills;
- Experience in development and conduction of capacity development measures, including
on-job trainings and coaching;
- Capable of working with strict deadlines in a multitasking position;
- Ability to work in a multicultural environment;
- Proficiency in using the software package of MS Office;
- Fluency in Armenian and English languages (verbal and writing).
APPLICATION PROCEDURES: 
Interested applicants should send their proposal, comprising the following documents, to SALAR International no later than October 30, 2023, 18:00:
- A short explanation of the applicant’s suitability for the assignment (maximum one A4-
page);
- Up-to-date CV indicating relevant experience and qualifications.
The pool of Public Finance Experts will be selected based on their professional experience and competencies matching the requirements described above.
Proposals and questions should be sent by email to: *******@******************.**.
Mark your email with Pool of Local Experts on Public Finance DeaLoG in the subject.
No compensation is paid for costs incurred for writing the proposal and participating in
interviews during the recruitment process.
Questions regarding the position can be sent to the same email: *******@******************.**. Responses to questions will be shared to applicants by email. Interviews with shortlisted applicants are expected to be held in person or via Teams in the period between October 31- November 3, 2023. Only shortlisted applicants will receive a respond by email after the final round of interviews.
Please clearly mention in your application letter that you learned of this announcement through Career Center and mention the URL of its website - www.careercenter.am. Thanks.
REMUNERATION/ SALARY: 
A competitive consultancy fee will be offered to the successful candidate.
ADDITIONAL NOTES: 
SALAR International embraces diversity and respects human rights in all areas of its work.
SALAR International strives to create a gender-equal and diverse working environment.
Consultants shall respect the equal rights of individuals and strive to create an atmosphere where people’s differences are accepted and valued. SALAR International supports working arrangements that enable personnel to combine work with family commitments.
ABOUT: 
The DeaLoG Project of the Swedish Association of Local Authorities and Regions (SALAR) is implemented by SALAR International and funded by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida).
The Project aims to support the government of the Republic of Armenia with decentralisation reforms and strengthening of local self-governments building on a longstanding history of local self-governments in Sweden and on the global cooperation experience, expertise and networks of SALAR International.
The Project is developed in cooperation with the Ministry of Territorial Administration and
Infrastructure (MTAI) and other government bodies, as well as in consultations with local actors and relevant representative organisations in Armenia.
The overall objective of the Project is to increase political and institutional awareness,
commitment, competence and trust among national and local stakeholders to advance
decentralisation, manage the change processes and expand local self-government autonomy, responsibilities, capacities and accountability vis-a-vis citizens (women, girls, men and boys).
SALAR International’s work in Armenia consists of two areas of support:
1) Institutional framework for decentralisation with focus on political dialogue, advocacy
and reform communication to advance evidence-based decentralisation reform,
2) Fiscal decentralisation focusing on establishing a consensus about key concepts of
fiscal decentralisation among all reform stakeholders, strengthening capacities of the
actors at central and local levels on different aspects of management of public finances
and fiscal decentralisation, developing models and tools for financing of decentralised
functions.
The following strategies are used:
- strengthening political leadership of local governance reform by providing policy advice
and advocacy support to the Ministry of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure
- awareness raising about the decentralisation, its benefits, the principles of the
European Charter of Local Self-Government and their meaning, providing mentoring,
analytical and advisory support to improve capacities of actors at central, regional and
local levels. Support to the design and implementation of a more decentralised
democratic governance system.
- supporting development of horizontal and vertical cooperation and consultation
mechanisms and frameworks between relevant actors in the targeted local
government competence areas.
The Project is implemented in phases and its first implementation phase runs from September 2022 till end of February 2024.
Conditions and Logistics
A short-term joint framework (consultancy) contract (from starting date until February 2024
with possibility for prolongation) will be signed between SALAR International and each of
selected experts, which will outline the conditions for the consultancy in detail, including
concrete tasks and fields of support for each experts. The contract will be based on Sida’s
Standard Conditions for Short and Long-Term Consulting Services (2002). In line with Sida’s Standard Conditions, SALAR/SALAR International’s project covers all major costs relating to services provided by the experts during their assignments, including consultancy fees and costs for participation in project activities. Please note, this position is not an employment position, meaning that applicants must be established as consultants and will be liable to pay all relevant taxes and insurances themselves.