Political Economy and Implementation Advisor

Background

Revenue Mobilisation, Investment and Trade (REMIT) programme is a technical assistance programme funded by the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), United Kingdom to support Pakistan in implementing strategic reforms in the realm of economic development, trade, investment and revenue mobilisation. The key outcomes under the programme will be contributing towards strengthening the macroeconomic stability and improving conditions for high and sustained growth, mutual prosperity, job creation and poverty reduction in Pakistan. More specifically, REMIT programme aims at supporting the Government of Pakistan in the following areas:

1. Enhance revenue mobilisation capabilities and help raise the tax/GDP ratio by increasing the number of taxpayers.

2. Address the investment climate constraints faced by local and international businesses and support Pakistan in moving towards being one of the top reformer countries to do business in creating ease for businesses.

3. Facilitate trade and drive competitiveness by reducing barriers to trade and reducing Pakistan's trade deficit by helping increase exports.

4. Modernise formulation and implementation of macroeconomic policy to avoid future financial crises.

Scope of Work

The objective of this assignment is to provide senior technical and advisory support to the programme leadership on relevant areas of political economy, as well as the programme's strategic direction, implementation strategy and intervention planning across all workstreams on a proactive basis

The Political Economy and Implementation Advisor will work with the Team Leader to drive results of the programme. Specifically, the Advisor is responsible for providing political economy analysis (PEA) for the programme, for strategic direction and ensure high quality results. S/he will also be responsible for quality assuring programme results and deliverables.

Key responsibilities include:   

·       Political Economy Analysis: Produce PEA which guides the programme strategic direction, enabling REMIT to deliver mega-wins in the final phase of implementation.

·       Quality Management: The Political Economy and Implementation Advisor is responsible for ensuring the programme is designed to deliver maximum impact. 

·       Strategic Direction: Works with Technical Leadership, to support in the setting of the strategic direction of the programme, ensuring overall alignment of the workplan with strategic priorities throughout all planning and delivery.

·       Alignment and Coordination: Works in coordination with the technical leadership, FCDO and other key stakeholders to establish aligned objectives, coordinate resources, and create commitment towards joint plans, ensuring that project resources are effectively and efficiently directed

Political Economy Analysis and Strategic Direction

·       Undertake sector level political economy analysis to identify entry points and potential mega-buys for the REMIT programme. Suggest conditions/interest/allies that are in favour and how REMIT can leverage these; and conditions/interest/allies that are not in favour and need to be navigated to maximise programme impact and value for money. 

·       Review in-detail the existing PEA analyses produced to date on the programme. Update the PEA analyses in light of the evolving political and economic situation in the country and its implication on the key reform areas under REMIT including: (i) macroeconomic policy, (ii) trade, (iii) investment and (iv) tax/revenue mobilisation

·       Articulate the PEA and influence analysis of all relevant power structures within each of the 4 REMIT areas listed above and how they have changed with the evolving political landscape.  In addition, undertaking PEA for specific REMIT interventions. This may include analysis at policy, institutional, functional, and ministerial level.  The analysis should help identify implications for the programme in these reform areas as REMIT moves into the final phase of implementation.   

·       Presentation of the analysis to the REMIT team and FCDO where needed, and provision of support and strategic guidance to the programme team in periodically evaluating programme direction/structure vis. a. vis evolving economic/political environment.

·       Provide overall strategic oversight and technical and tactical support to delivery, including supporting development of annual plans, workplans, and logframe.

Quality Assurance:    

·       Play a leading QA role on overall direction, strategy and results framework for the programme.

·       Works in close partnership with the Team Leader and Programme Director to oversee the direction and execution of the programme strategy and vision, with a focus on achieving results, and iterating strategies to improve delivery.

·       Provides guidance and constructive feedback to all members of the team, with the aim of building their capacity and technical effectiveness over time

·       Takes leading role in regular Strategic Reviews along with Team Leader and PD.  :

·       Reviews and approves MEL Framework design/redesign,

·       Quality Assuring terms of reference to enable high quality delivery from interventions

·       Contribute to decisions on recruitment, in particular where quality is concerned

·       Provides final QA of results reported to the client.  

Level of Effort

The expected level of effort for this position will be 15 days per month.

Reporting
The Political Economy and Implementation Advisor will report to the Programme Director. S/he will work closely with the Team Leader and other Output Leads.

Application Deadline

This position will be filled on a rolling basis.

Level of Effort

The expected level of effort for this position will be 15 days per month.

Reporting
The Political Economy and Implementation Advisor will report to the Programme Director. S/he will work closely with the Team Leader and other Output Leads.

Application Deadline

The deadline to apply is Wednesday 5th November Please note that the applications will be considered on a rolling basis.