Office of Management and Budget
PLAN OF OPERATION
GSCAU-50-02

I. ESTABLISHMENT

There is hereby established the Office of Management & Budget (OMB) within the Executive Branch of the Navajo Nation.

II. PURPOSE

The purpose of the Office of Management & Budget is to direct and manage the allocation and appropriation processes of all funds for the Navajo Nation and to provide management support in the areas of fiscal management , budgets, program operation and management contracts grants and similar agreements. The Office of Management and Budget is to communicate key information necessary for decision-making using principles of sound management and generally accented processes and procedures.

III. STAFFING AND ORGANIZATION

A. Staffing

1. The Office of Management and Budget shall be administered by an Executive Director who shall be employed and compensated pursuant to Personnel Policies and Procedures of the Navajo Nation. The Executive Director shall report directly to the President of the Navajo Nation.

2. The Executive Director shall be authorized to recommend changes in staffing as needed to carry out the purpose(s) stated herein. Staffing changes shall be conducted in accordance with applicable Personnel Policies and Procedures and applicable budget rules established for conducting the annual Navajo Nation budget process.

3. The Office of Management and Budget shall include a Contracting Officer who shall be responsible for the administration of all contracts and grants as delineated at Section IV (C) (1 and 2) of this Plan of Operation. The Contracting Officer shall report directly to the Executive Director of the Office of Management and Budget for ministerial matters and to the President and/or appropriate standing committee for grant/contract issues.

B. Organization

The Office of Management and Budget shall be organizationally structured as illustrated in the attached chart.

IV. RESPONSIBILITIES AND AUTHORITIES

A. The Office of Management & Budget is responsible to:

1. Direct and coordinate the annual Navajo Nation budget development process.

2. Conduct comprehensive analysis of Navajo Nation allocations and appropriations

3. Monitor the appropriation processes of external sources (i.e. federal, state, etc.), and recommend appropriate actions to ensure optimum Navajo Nation participation and benefit.

4. Conduct comprehensive program analysis and monitoring.

5. Communicate information regarding allocation appropriation and budgeting of Navajo Nation resources.

6. Present any proposed policies and/or legislation pertaining to the financial and fiscal management of the Navajo Nation for approval by the Budget and Finance Committee pursuant to 2 NNC & 372 (A).

B. The Office of Management & budget is authorized to:

1. Recommend and develop actions on all appropriation processes (i.e. general federal, state, etc.) to ensure optimal Navajo Nation participation and benefit.

2. Direct and coordinate the submission of proposed budget Contract and Grant applications, and any other related agreements to ensure compliance with appropriate laws, regulations, and guidelines.

3. Conduct comprehensive program analysis and monitoring.

4. Establish and administer all necessary policies and procedures for the accomplishment of the purpose of the office.

5. Recommend and develop actions for improved program performance to appropriate Navajo Nation officials to ensure compliance with Navajo Nation laws, regulations and guidelines.

6. Represent the Navajo Nation within areas of the responsibility and authority of the office in relations with persons and organizations outside the Navajo Nation and in matters relating to agreements with state or federal agencies pertaining to appropriation and allocation of funding.

C. Contracts and Grants Section Responsibilities. The Contracts and Grants Section shall be managed by a Contracting Officer with the general responsibility to coordinate the contracts and grants administration process for the Navajo Nation government.
1. Responsibilities of the Contracting Officer:
a. Eliminate duplication and competition in Navajo Nation applications or proposals for external funding and to ensure that such applications and/or proposals are in compliance with current tribal government strategies, goals, objectives and work plans for overall tribal program planning and development.
b. Negotiate contracts, grants and similar agreements on behalf of the Navajo Nation.
c. Serve as technical advisor and provide technical assistance to the Navajo Nation in matters concerning contracts and grants, including the development of systems, procedures and manuals applicable to the proper administration and management of contracts and grants.

2. Authorities of the Contracting Officer:

a. Ensure all applications, proposals and related funding requests comply with applicable laws, regulations, and guidelines.

b. Review original applications and/or proposals to ensure prior to submission to the external funding source.

c. Arrange and coordinate joint meetings within the Navajo Nation and between the Navajo Nation and external funding sources to resolve contracts and grants issues.

d. Obtain Prop-ram information as required for conducting monitoring and compliance activities.

e. Negotiate, on behalf and in the best interest of the Navajo Nation, contracts, grants and other similar agreements in accordance with the needs and requirements of the Navajo Nation.

f. Recommend and develop actions to appropriate officials on any matters pertaining to Navajo Nation contracts and grants and other external funds.

g. Recommend approval or disapproval of any application and/or proposal based upon:

(i) consistency with current Navajo Nation strategies, goals, objectives and work plans for overall program planning and development, and;

(ii) compliance with current Navajo Nation policy and procedures for entering into contracts and grants and other similar agreements.

D. Budget Section Responsibilities. The Budget Section has the general responsibility to direct the appropriation process for the Navajo Nation and to ensure accountability of the budget and appropriation function. Other responsibilities include:

1. Direct and manage the Navajo Nation's budget allocation and appropriation processes.

2. Obtain, analyze and communicate pertinent information regarding the allocation appropriation, and budgeting processes of the Navajo Nation.

3. Direct and monitor the budget processes to ensure compliance with applicable laws, regulations and guidelines.

4. Serve as technical advisor to the Navajo Nation in matters concerning allocation and appropriation of Navajo Nation resources, including the development of systems, procedures, and documents applicable to the administration and management of the budget function.

E. Management and Policy Section Responsibilities. The Management and Policy Section (MPS) of the Office of Management and Budget shall have the following responsibilities:

1. To improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the Navajo Nation government by providing fiscal and budgetary policy development, management and organizational development services to the Navajo Nation government.

2. To facilitate decision-making through review and consultation, coordination fiscal analysis, planning, management and operational studies.

3. To assist programs through provision of timely, accurate and relevant information and analyses for use in developing, implementing and evaluating policies and program operations, especially those related to planning resource allocation and management of services.

4. To assist programs toward achievement of goals effectively and efficiently within political and economic constraints by developing, recommending, and monitoring performance based management and budgeting activities.

5. To provide research and analysis of management practices and fiscal policies to develop more efficient, innovative, and effective methods of utilizing- resources.

F. Systems Section Responsibilities. The Systems Section responsibility is to ensure the adequate use of information technology and automation by the office to complete its purposes. Other responsibilities include:

1. Review and advise the office of needs, methods problems and/or solutions regarding information technology.

2. Establish standard procedures and requirements for budget development and contract/grant monitoring activities.

3. Maintain the information technology hardware, software, and network for the Office of Management and Budget.

4. Advise OMB management on training of staff members on OMB's information systems/ technologies.

V. LEGISLATIVE OVERSIGHT

The Budget and Finance Committee of the Navajo Nation Council shall provide legislative oversight.

VI. AMENDMENTS

The Plan of Operation for the Navajo Nation Office of Management & Budget may be amended by the Government Services Committee of the Navajo Nation Council upon recommendation by the Budget and Finance Committee of the Navajo Nation Council and the Executive Director of the Office of Management & Budget.