Syria Public Financial Management Capacity Strengthening Project

pipeline

The proposed Syria Public Financial Management Capacity Strengthening Project aims to provide the foundational Public Financial Management (PFM) systems and skills to enable the Transitional Government of Syria (TGoS) to manage domestic revenues and external funds in a transparent and accountable manner. The project will be designed based on the ‘Basics First’ approach in PFM reforms focus on building foundational systems and capacities before attempting advanced reforms. This is particularly relevant in Syria’s context with limited technical and managerial capacity. It is important to acknowledge that while a lot needs to be done, considering the current capacity challenges, a programmatic approach over the medium-term will provide a better chance of transitioning from fragility by building a solid foundation to scale up later. The proposed project will follow an incremental approach by focusing on the ‘basics first’ to build foundational systems and capacities and prepare the ground for more advanced reforms. The PDO covers the three main thrusts of the project scope: (i) coordination capacity through the PFMRCU, (ii) budget controls through improved compliance from just-in-time support and PFM-procurement professionalization, and (iii) transparency through publication of accurate and timely fiscal information. The essential PFM PFM functions that will be targeted by the project are budget preparation and execution, procurement, and financial reporting including simplification and digitalization of the related business processes. Also the upskilling through professionalization of the PFM and procurement functions will be institutionalized to ensure sustainability. Instead of efficiency of spending in terms of budget outcomes, the project focuses on efficiency in terms of timeliness, comprehensiveness, and accuracy of the PFM functions. Improved payroll, procurement, and budgeting will contribute to better health, education, or infrastructure services. By mid-term of this project, a PEFA assessment is proposed to be conducted to develop a medium to long-term PFM reform strategy and action plan for future outcome-oriented reforms with gender and climate considerations.The project components/sub-components are: Component 1: Public Financial Management Reform OversightSub-component 1.1 Public Financial Management Reform Coordinating Unit (PFMRCU)Sub-component 1.2 Syria External Assistance Fiduciary Section (SEAS)Component 2: Capacity development for essential public financial management and procurement functions.Sub-component 2.1 PFM ProfessionalizationSub-component 2.2 Improving Public Procurement Management and Professionalization Sub-component 2.3 Flexible just-in-time (JIT) technical assistanceComponent 3: Syria Integrated Financial Management Information System (SIFMIS)