Guide for Development of the Program Budget Implementation Unit in the Ministry of Finance

The unit will have a role in the initial implementation of PBB, as well as an ongoing role in the budget process. In the implementation phase, the unit can support the rolling out and initial development of programs. On an ongoing basis, the unit can support the continued updating of programs, and the collection of monitoring information for program indicators. The Ministry of Finance has requested information on what tasks this unit could undertake, and how PBB rollouts have occurred in similar countries. The unit will be responsible for supporting the continued development of the PBB submissions and adoption of PBB by additional ministries. The Ministry of Finance has noted that recruitment could be accomplished in a matter of weeks following the approval from the Prime Minister's office and the issuance of the protocol by the Minister of Finance. The unit could be staffed and begin its functions by the end of the year if approval is received by the end of November. The Ministry of Finance will need to consider the size of the unit and the content of the staffing. The unit will need to be staffed with a range of skill sets, including budget analysts, legal drafters, trainers, economists, and M&E specialists. The Ministry of Finance should also consider including staff from pilot ministries that have already done some preparation work on developing the program budgets for their ministries. The PBBIU will fall under the General Budget Sector Department, and the Head of this department will also lead the new unit. The Ministry of Finance has flagged an intention to recruit staff for the new unit from those pilot ministries that have already done some preparation work on developing the program budgets for their ministries. The PBBIU will need to collaborate with line ministry budget officers, staff in planning or strategy units, administrative or corporate services departments, and the Minister's office to ensure successful implementation of PBB. The unit will also need to engage with directors or principle directors of service delivery units to ensure the program structure aligns with service delivery needs. The Ministry of Finance has noted that a set of trainings should be conducted for staff covering topics such as program structures, how to link programs to Ministry strategies, sector strategies or overall government strategic and policy documents, and performance management concepts. These trainings can be supported by USAID/Nathan. The establishment of the PBBIU is a key step in the further development of the PBB submissions and adoption of PBB by additional ministries. The unit will play a critical role in supporting the continued development of the PBB submissions and adoption of PBB by additional ministries.