FISCAL POLICY EXPERT (LOCAL)
FJS
•
Posted 2 years ago
This job is open for Maldivians only
This employer does not accept Online Application through Jobsicle for this job. Please submit Applications as instructed below.
Salary Range
Not Stated
Job Type
Full-time
Qualification
Master's Degree
Location
Male'
Experience
Not Stated
Ref No
Sector
Private (Others)
Closing On
05 Jun 2024
FISCAL POLICY EXPERT (LOCAL)
TITLE/POSITION: Fiscal Policy Expert (Maldivians Only)
LEVEL OF EFFORT: Initially through to 7 February 2025, with option of extension subject to the agreement of the Ministry of Finance and concurrence by USAID
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: On/a May 2024 – on/a February 2025
PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: On-site in the Ministry of Finance of the Maldives, Male’
This position will be hired through DAI.
BACKGROUND
The PFM Maldives Activity is 5-year, cost-plus-fixed-fee contract funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The Activity seeks to develop the capacity of the Government of Maldives such that it can achieve the following objectives: 1) Establishing and implementing a transparent and accountable budgetary system that leads to improved national budget allocations and management; 2) Identifying and implementing efficient public investments in services and facilities; and 3) Mobilizing sufficient public revenue, commensurate with public investments and services. PFM will work with the Ministry of Finance (MOF), the Ministry of National Planning, Housing and Infrastructure (MNPHI), and other agencies as needed through strategic technical assistance and targeted project interventions aimed at improving their ability to make appropriate and cost-effective budget decisions.
OBJECTIVE
The Fiscal Policy Expert will work closely with the Fiscal Affairs Department (FAD) of MoF, and in coordination with the Project’s experts working under Objective 3 (Mobilize sufficient public revenue, commensurate with the determined level of public investments and services - build capacity for fiscal policy analysis and reform), to advance agreed reform objectives to: build Fiscal Affairs Department capacity for fiscal policy analysis and reform; strengthen fiscal and macroeconomic research capacity and evidence-based policy making in the MoF; contribute to the mainstreaming of gender and inclusion concerns into tax policy analysis; support – as required - the conduct of a taxpayer perception survey; and increase public engagement around tax revenue.
The expert will also assist where required with essential project activities related to implementing the agreed annual work plan, providing inputs into the Activity Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Plan (AMELP), and evaluation and monitoring framework.
TASKS
The Fiscal Policy Expert will work closely with the Fiscal Affairs Department (FAD) of the Ministry of Finance of the Maldives, and in coordination with the Project’s Objective 3 experts, to contribute to, and undertake the following planned tasks:
1. Develop and deliver capacity building and training to strengthen FAD’s and MOF’s capacity for fiscal policy analysis and reform. This will integrate a variety of capacity building methodologies, including technical assistance, advisory, mentorship, workshops, as well as longer-term training, with a focus on analytical research and practical applications.
2. Identify in coordination with the Minister’s Office and FAD, and collaborate with the Objective 3 experts as appropriate, areas for fiscal research and analysis, and conduct fiscal research and analysis. This will include exploring macro fiscal behavior with a long-term focus, understanding the linkages between fiscal policy and growth, the impact on poverty, decentralization, work on the macroeconomic impacts of climate change. and the impacts associated with different revenue and expenditure measures.
3. Assist in coordinating analytical and advisory work from the USAID project, ministerial advisors, and multilateral agencies, including World Bank, ADB, IMF. Support the streamlining of policy briefs to support evidence-based policymaking and collaborate in their development. Assist in improving the publications and fiscal transparency efforts of the Ministry
4. Contribute to review of revenue and expenditure policies and analyze data on major expenditure items (such as wages, pensions and subsidies) and forecasting the long-term expenditure patterns of these items, to identify the key drivers of these expenditures.
5. Assist in improving the medium- term fiscal framework and set up the framework for fiscal sustainability analysis and conduct fiscal sustainability analysis.
6. Assist in budget preparation and development of budget processes and assist in the monitoring of budget programs and projects.
7. Assist in the forecast of economic and fiscal variables and assist in enhancing the existing fiscal and macroeconomic forecasting tools. Develop key models used in macro-fiscal and tax policy analysis, such as Medium-term frameworks/revenue forecasts, short-term early warning, macro-fiscal (annual) trends, input-output, tax gap, fiscal risk, and international comparative analysis; solidify research formality, develop user manuals for the models; use the models to run simulations testing actual and potential policy scenarios, supporting evidence-based policymaking
8. Assist in monitoring and compilation the public sector investment programs and assist in the strengthening of the public investment management processes.
9. Contribute to establishment of a macro-fiscal database in collaboration with selected ministries and governmental agencies (data providers), develop processes for revenue data to feed into the database, assess data quality and recommendations to address gaps, and develop data for visualization and statistical analysis programs to monitor variables over time.
10. Contribute to the development of macroeconomic forecasting models used by the Ministry
11. Design and contribute to an “Economic response monitoring” system and monitor international tourism (by country) and collect data and undertake analytical work.
12. Contribute to development and support public engagement mechanisms to solidify public confidence in the tax system, and design and carrying out of a tax perception survey that will assess public confidence and guide strategies for increasing public trust in the system.
13. Assist in mainstreaming gender and inclusion concerns into tax policy analysis.
14. Work with Public Finance Institute of MOF in developing in a core PFM and Public Finance course in coordination with MOF administration.
15. Any other tasks assigned by the Chief of Party (COP) in relation to the implementation of the PFM Maldives project.
DELIVERABLES
1. Completion of the tasks set out above.
2. Reports as required detailing tasks that were completed and the extent to which other tasks set out above have progressed.
3. Input into essential project activities as required to implement the agreed annual work plan, Activity Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Plan (AMELP), and evaluation and monitoring framework.
4. Any other tasks assigned by the COP (Chief of Party) in relation to the implementation of the PFM Maldives project.
QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE
• Minimum completion of Masters’ Degree in Economics, Business Administration, Public Administration, Accounting, Finance, Financial Management, or suitable equivalency from a recognized university.
• Minimum five (5) years of relevant experience
• Proven advanced economic and statistical analysis skills, including proficiency in using statistical software applications.
• Possess strong analytical, administrative and computer skills including proficiency in using software applications such as MS Word, MS Excel, MS PowerPoint
• Evidence of preparation of reports/studies/research demonstrating application of analytical and survey skills in economics, macroeconomics and statistics, to economic phenomena.
• Strong management and communication skills in presenting, discussing and resolving difficult technical issues and possess the ability to work efficiently and effectively within a multidisciplinary team.
• Excellent English and Dhivehi language skills.
• Proven high-level written and oral communication skills.
REPORTING
The Fiscal Policy Expert will report to the PFM Maldives COP and in close coordination with the Head of the Fiscal Affairs Department of the Ministry of Finance of the Maldives.
HOW TO APPLY
Interested candidates please email CV to hr@fjs.mv on or before 5th June 2024.
TITLE/POSITION: Fiscal Policy Expert (Maldivians Only)
LEVEL OF EFFORT: Initially through to 7 February 2025, with option of extension subject to the agreement of the Ministry of Finance and concurrence by USAID
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: On/a May 2024 – on/a February 2025
PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: On-site in the Ministry of Finance of the Maldives, Male’
This position will be hired through DAI.
BACKGROUND
The PFM Maldives Activity is 5-year, cost-plus-fixed-fee contract funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The Activity seeks to develop the capacity of the Government of Maldives such that it can achieve the following objectives: 1) Establishing and implementing a transparent and accountable budgetary system that leads to improved national budget allocations and management; 2) Identifying and implementing efficient public investments in services and facilities; and 3) Mobilizing sufficient public revenue, commensurate with public investments and services. PFM will work with the Ministry of Finance (MOF), the Ministry of National Planning, Housing and Infrastructure (MNPHI), and other agencies as needed through strategic technical assistance and targeted project interventions aimed at improving their ability to make appropriate and cost-effective budget decisions.
OBJECTIVE
The Fiscal Policy Expert will work closely with the Fiscal Affairs Department (FAD) of MoF, and in coordination with the Project’s experts working under Objective 3 (Mobilize sufficient public revenue, commensurate with the determined level of public investments and services - build capacity for fiscal policy analysis and reform), to advance agreed reform objectives to: build Fiscal Affairs Department capacity for fiscal policy analysis and reform; strengthen fiscal and macroeconomic research capacity and evidence-based policy making in the MoF; contribute to the mainstreaming of gender and inclusion concerns into tax policy analysis; support – as required - the conduct of a taxpayer perception survey; and increase public engagement around tax revenue.
The expert will also assist where required with essential project activities related to implementing the agreed annual work plan, providing inputs into the Activity Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Plan (AMELP), and evaluation and monitoring framework.
TASKS
The Fiscal Policy Expert will work closely with the Fiscal Affairs Department (FAD) of the Ministry of Finance of the Maldives, and in coordination with the Project’s Objective 3 experts, to contribute to, and undertake the following planned tasks:
1. Develop and deliver capacity building and training to strengthen FAD’s and MOF’s capacity for fiscal policy analysis and reform. This will integrate a variety of capacity building methodologies, including technical assistance, advisory, mentorship, workshops, as well as longer-term training, with a focus on analytical research and practical applications.
2. Identify in coordination with the Minister’s Office and FAD, and collaborate with the Objective 3 experts as appropriate, areas for fiscal research and analysis, and conduct fiscal research and analysis. This will include exploring macro fiscal behavior with a long-term focus, understanding the linkages between fiscal policy and growth, the impact on poverty, decentralization, work on the macroeconomic impacts of climate change. and the impacts associated with different revenue and expenditure measures.
3. Assist in coordinating analytical and advisory work from the USAID project, ministerial advisors, and multilateral agencies, including World Bank, ADB, IMF. Support the streamlining of policy briefs to support evidence-based policymaking and collaborate in their development. Assist in improving the publications and fiscal transparency efforts of the Ministry
4. Contribute to review of revenue and expenditure policies and analyze data on major expenditure items (such as wages, pensions and subsidies) and forecasting the long-term expenditure patterns of these items, to identify the key drivers of these expenditures.
5. Assist in improving the medium- term fiscal framework and set up the framework for fiscal sustainability analysis and conduct fiscal sustainability analysis.
6. Assist in budget preparation and development of budget processes and assist in the monitoring of budget programs and projects.
7. Assist in the forecast of economic and fiscal variables and assist in enhancing the existing fiscal and macroeconomic forecasting tools. Develop key models used in macro-fiscal and tax policy analysis, such as Medium-term frameworks/revenue forecasts, short-term early warning, macro-fiscal (annual) trends, input-output, tax gap, fiscal risk, and international comparative analysis; solidify research formality, develop user manuals for the models; use the models to run simulations testing actual and potential policy scenarios, supporting evidence-based policymaking
8. Assist in monitoring and compilation the public sector investment programs and assist in the strengthening of the public investment management processes.
9. Contribute to establishment of a macro-fiscal database in collaboration with selected ministries and governmental agencies (data providers), develop processes for revenue data to feed into the database, assess data quality and recommendations to address gaps, and develop data for visualization and statistical analysis programs to monitor variables over time.
10. Contribute to the development of macroeconomic forecasting models used by the Ministry
11. Design and contribute to an “Economic response monitoring” system and monitor international tourism (by country) and collect data and undertake analytical work.
12. Contribute to development and support public engagement mechanisms to solidify public confidence in the tax system, and design and carrying out of a tax perception survey that will assess public confidence and guide strategies for increasing public trust in the system.
13. Assist in mainstreaming gender and inclusion concerns into tax policy analysis.
14. Work with Public Finance Institute of MOF in developing in a core PFM and Public Finance course in coordination with MOF administration.
15. Any other tasks assigned by the Chief of Party (COP) in relation to the implementation of the PFM Maldives project.
DELIVERABLES
1. Completion of the tasks set out above.
2. Reports as required detailing tasks that were completed and the extent to which other tasks set out above have progressed.
3. Input into essential project activities as required to implement the agreed annual work plan, Activity Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Plan (AMELP), and evaluation and monitoring framework.
4. Any other tasks assigned by the COP (Chief of Party) in relation to the implementation of the PFM Maldives project.
QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE
• Minimum completion of Masters’ Degree in Economics, Business Administration, Public Administration, Accounting, Finance, Financial Management, or suitable equivalency from a recognized university.
• Minimum five (5) years of relevant experience
• Proven advanced economic and statistical analysis skills, including proficiency in using statistical software applications.
• Possess strong analytical, administrative and computer skills including proficiency in using software applications such as MS Word, MS Excel, MS PowerPoint
• Evidence of preparation of reports/studies/research demonstrating application of analytical and survey skills in economics, macroeconomics and statistics, to economic phenomena.
• Strong management and communication skills in presenting, discussing and resolving difficult technical issues and possess the ability to work efficiently and effectively within a multidisciplinary team.
• Excellent English and Dhivehi language skills.
• Proven high-level written and oral communication skills.
REPORTING
The Fiscal Policy Expert will report to the PFM Maldives COP and in close coordination with the Head of the Fiscal Affairs Department of the Ministry of Finance of the Maldives.
HOW TO APPLY
Interested candidates please email CV to hr@fjs.mv on or before 5th June 2024.