Senior Public Policy Expert – National Fiscal Pact Reform

Senior Public Policy Expert – National Fiscal Pact Reform

Senior Public Policy Expert – National Fiscal Pact Reform

Background

The Revenue Mobilisation, Investment and Trade (REMIT) is a multi-year (2021 – 2028) program funded by the UK's Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and is implemented by Adam Smith International (ASI). The program provides technical assistance (TA) to Pakistan with a broader objective to implement reforms for strengthening macroeconomic stability and improving conditions for high and sustained growth, mutual prosperity, job creation, and poverty reduction. The Programme works towards supporting the Government of Pakistan, its relevant ministries, institutions, and departments to strengthen revenue mobilization reforms/initiatives, address investment environment challenges, facilitate trade and drive competitiveness by reducing trade barriers, and improve the macroeconomic policy and its management.

Activity Context

A major milestone under the Government's macroeconomic reform agenda has been the signing of the National Fiscal Pact (NFP) in September 2024. The NFP, aligned with the 18th Constitutional Amendment and a key reform under Pakistan's IMF Extended Fund Facility (EFF), aims to rebalance federal and provincial responsibilities in public expenditure. Its implementation requires the devolution of selected federal functions and expanded provincial spending in areas such as education, health, social protection, and regional infrastructure.

In response to a request from MoF, REMIT has provided technical assistance to support NFP implementation. This has included detailed data collection and expenditure analysis across federal and provincial levels, alongside the development of policy simulations to quantify fiscal impacts of different devolution scenarios. Estimates prepared by REMIT suggest that full implementation of agreed NFP actions, such as the devolution of Higher Education Commission (HEC) expenditures, rationalisation of PSDP, and provincial participation in BISP, could result in federal savings of over PKR 1.1 trillion in FY2025–26.

In May 2025, the Government of Pakistan announced the formation of a High-Level Committee on NFP Implementation, co-chaired by the Deputy Prime Minister. MoF is designated to provide secretariat support to the Committee and lead the technical preparation for intergovernmental consultations. In this context, REMIT has been asked to expand its support to the MoF.

Under the current work plan (2025–2026), REMIT will support MoF across two main areas:

• Implementation of agreed NFP actions, including cost-sharing arrangements for HEC and BISP, and rationalisation of PSDP in line with NEC and SIFC decisions.

• Federal fiscal architecture review, where REMIT will help develop technical options to improve coordination across federal and provincial governments, simulate fiscal impacts of alternative policy arrangements, and identify next steps in institutional reform.

REMIT is seeking an experienced Senior Public Policy Expert – National Fiscal Pact. This role involves working with the Ministry of Finance to provide high-level policy analysis, develop technical options to support intergovernmental consultations, and contribute to the implementation of key NFP reforms including expenditure devolution, PSDP alignment, and cost-sharing arrangements for HEC and BISP. The expert will also support the Ministry in its secretariat role for the High-Level NFP Implementation Committee and assist in building a data-informed reform narrative.

The position requires a comprehensive approach, combining economic and fiscal policy expertise, institutional knowledge of intergovernmental systems, strong analytical capabilities, and the ability to facilitate policy dialogue and consensus across government stakeholders.

Job Summary

The Senior Public Policy Expert will provide technical policy analysis, technical inputs, and coordination support to the MoF for the implementation of the NFP. The expert will prepare key assessments and develop reform recommendations.

Duties and Responsibilities

The expert will undertake the following responsibilities:

• Conduct a situation analysis of NFP implementation to date and identify gaps against IMF requirements

• Prepare an action matrix to guide next steps in implementation

• Develop policy recommendations and technical notes on expenditure devolution (e.g., HEC, BISP, PSDP alignment)

• Assist MoF in preparing documentation for the NFP Implementation Committee

• Contribute to the design and facilitation of intergovernmental consultations with provinces

• Review fiscal simulation results and ensure consistency with policy goals

• Provide written inputs into MoF presentations, internal memos, and reform proposals

• Support communication and reform narrative development aligned with NFP objectives