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<div>Data &amp; Financial Modelling Specialist - SEZs Phase-Out Implementation Plan
Background
The Revenue Mobilisation, Investment and Trade (REMIT) Programme, funded by the UK&rsquo;s Foreign, Commonwealth &amp; Development Office (FCDO) and implemented by Adam Smith International (ASI), provides technical assistance to the Government of Pakistan to improve the business environment, attract investment, and support sustainable economic growth.
Pakistan&rsquo;s Special Economic Zones (SEZs) programme involves multiple layers of fiscal incentives, infrastructure investments, and contractual commitments across federal and provincial jurisdictions. However, fragmented and incomplete financial and operational data, combined with limited analytical consolidation, has constrained the Government&rsquo;s ability to accurately assess fiscal exposure, incentive effectiveness, and reform options.
As part of the IMF-mandated SEZ Phase-Out Implementation Plan, the Government of Pakistan is required to undertake rigorous fiscal costing, calibration analysis, and scenario modelling to support the transition from profit-based incentives to cost- and performance-based incentive frameworks. This requires robust data consolidation, validation, and modelling capacity. In this context, REMIT seeks to engage a Data &amp; Financial Modelling Specialist to provide specialised technical expertise in data management, fiscal modelling, and analytical support across Phase A (Planning and Assessment) of the IMF mandated SEZ phase out Implementation plan. 
Job Summary
The objective of the assignment is to provide technical expertise to support the Government of Pakistan in data consolidation, fiscal modelling, and quantitative analysis underpinning the SEZ Phase-Out Implementation Plan, with a focus on Phase A (Planning and Assessment) of the IMF-mandated reform programme.
The Data &amp; Financial Modelling Specialist will support the Board of Investment (BoI) and the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) by leading the collection, validation, consolidation, and analysis of financial and operational data from SEZ developers, zone authorities, and enterprises. The role will focus on developing fiscal exposure matrices, incentive costing models, and scenario-based calibration tools to inform evidence-based policy decisions.
The Specialist will work closely with the SEZ Policy &amp; Governance Lead, Fiscal &amp; Incentives Expert, Senior Economist, and Legal &amp; Contractual Expert to ensure analytical consistency across fiscal, legal, and policy reform components. 
Duties and Responsibilities
The Data &amp; Financial Modelling Specialist will be responsible for providing quantitative and analytical support for the SEZ Phase-Out Implementation Plan. Key duties and responsibilities include:<ul><li>Design and manage a structured data collection framework for financial and operational information from SEZ authorities, developers, and enterprises.</li><li>Collect, validate, clean, and consolidate large datasets related to incentives, land, infrastructure costs, enterprise operations, and fiscal expenditures.</li><li>Establish and maintain a centralised analytical data repository to support fiscal, legal, and policy analysis under the assignment.</li><li>Develop fiscal exposure matrices capturing direct and indirect costs of SEZs, including tax incentives, infrastructure investments, utilities, and administrative expenditures.</li><li>Build and apply financial and fiscal models to estimate current and projected fiscal impacts of SEZ incentive regimes under different reform scenarios.</li><li>Support calibration analysis by developing scenario-based models to test alternative cost- and performance-based incentive structures at enterprise and developer levels.</li><li>Provide quantitative inputs to the fiscal cost analysis, Concept Note, and other analytical deliverables, ensuring internal consistency and robustness.</li><li>Support IMF-related technical engagements by preparing data tables, modelling outputs, and analytical annexes responding to IMF information requirements.</li><li>Contribute to the design and assessment of a pilot SEZ, including modelling fiscal impacts and monitoring indicators for piloted incentive structures.</li><li>Provide technical quality assurance for data and modelling outputs, ensuring transparency of assumptions, replicability of results, and alignment with TOR objectives.</li><li>Work closely with the REMIT team and other experts to translate quantitative findings into policy-relevant insights and decision-ready outputs.</li></ul> 
Qualifications and Experience<ul><li>Advanced degree (Master&rsquo;s or higher) in Economics, Finance, Statistics, or a closely related quantitative discipline.</li><li>Minimum 10 years of professional experience in financial modelling, fiscal analysis, data analytics, or quantitative policy analysis.</li><li>Demonstrated experience in consolidating, validating, and analysing large and complex datasets, preferably in a public sector or policy reform context.</li><li>Proven expertise in developing fiscal costing models, scenario analyses, and exposure matrices to support policy decision-making.</li><li>Strong proficiency in quantitative and analytical tools and modelling techniques (e.g. Excel-based models, statistical software, or equivalent).</li><li>Experience supporting incentive reform, public finance analysis, or investment policy reforms is highly desirable.</li><li>Familiarity with IMF-supported reform programmes and associated data and modelling requirements is an advantage.</li><li>Ability to clearly document assumptions, methodologies, and results to support transparency and stakeholder confidence.</li><li>Experience working within multidisciplinary technical teams and supporting stakeholder consultations with data-driven insights.</li><li>Strong analytical, problem-solving, and reporting skills, with the ability to deliver under tight timelines.</li></ul>
Reporting line<ul><li>The Data &amp; Financial Modelling Specialist will work closely with REMIT team and will report to REMIT Team Lead and Investment Climate Lead. The assignment will require close engagement with key governments stakeholders along with presentation and review of deliverables by REMIT team, FCDO and other key stakeholders.</li></ul>
Closing Date: 18 March 2026</div>

Data & Financial Modelling Specialist - REMIT Programme

<div>IMF Negotiation Expert - SEZs Phase-Out Implementation Plan
Background
The Revenue Mobilisation, Investment and Trade (REMIT) Programme, funded by the UK&rsquo;s Foreign, Commonwealth &amp; Development Office (FCDO) and implemented by Adam Smith International (ASI), provides technical assistance to the Government of Pakistan to improve the business environment, attract investment, and support sustainable economic growth.
Pakistan&rsquo;s Special Economic Zones (SEZs) regime is undergoing a fundamental policy transition under the Government of Pakistan&rsquo;s IMF-supported reform programme. The existing framework&mdash;anchored in profit-based fiscal incentives&mdash;has generated high fiscal costs while delivering limited gains in industrial relocation, exports, and competitiveness. As part of its IMF commitments, the Government has agreed to formulate and implement an SEZ Phase-Out Implementation Plan that progressively replaces profit-based incentives with cost- and performance-based mechanisms, while safeguarding contractual obligations and investor confidence.
Effective engagement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) is central to this transition. The reform process requires sustained technical dialogue with IMF missions, alignment with structural benchmarks and prior actions, and the translation of IMF requirements into implementable policy, fiscal, legal, and institutional reforms. In this context, REMIT seeks to engage an IMF Negotiation Expert to provide specialised expertise in IMF engagement, negotiation support, and reform coordination. 
Job Summary
The objective of the assignment is to provide technical expertise to support the Government of Pakistan in engagements and negotiations with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) related to the SEZ Phase-Out Implementation Plan, with a focus on Phase A (Planning and Assessment) of the IMF-mandated reform programme.
The IMF Negotiation Expert will support the Board of Investment (BoI) and the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) by coordinating technical inputs for IMF discussions, advising on the interpretation and operationalisation of IMF structural benchmarks, and supporting the alignment of SEZ reform proposals with IMF programme requirements. The role will focus on bridging the policy&ndash;technical interface between IMF expectations and domestic reform design.
The Expert will work closely with the SEZ Policy &amp; Governance Lead, Fiscal &amp; Incentives Expert, Legal &amp; Contractual Expert, Senior Economist, and Data &amp; Financial Modelling Specialist to ensure that analytical outputs, reform sequencing, and implementation proposals are coherent, credible, and IMF-compliant. 
Duties and Responsibilities
The IMF Negotiation Expert will be responsible for providing specialised support for IMF-related engagements under the SEZ Phase-Out Implementation Plan. Key duties and responsibilities include:<ul><li>Support and participate in IMF technical missions, programme reviews, and consultations related to SEZ reform and incentive rationalisation.</li><li>Interpret IMF structural benchmarks, prior actions, and conditionalities relevant to SEZs and advise government counterparts on their implications for policy and implementation.</li><li>Coordinate the preparation of technical briefs, policy notes, and presentation materials for IMF discussions, drawing on inputs from fiscal, legal, economic, and data teams.</li><li>Advise on reform sequencing and transitional arrangements to ensure consistency with IMF programme timelines and approval processes.</li><li>Support the integration of IMF feedback into the SEZ Phase-Out Implementation Plan, ensuring that analytical and policy outputs reflect agreed positions.</li><li>Assist government counterparts in responding to IMF queries and data requests, including coordination of inputs across institutions.</li><li>Provide strategic advice on managing IMF engagement risks, including areas of potential divergence between policy objectives and IMF requirements.</li><li>Support internal coordination between BoI, SIFC, Ministry of Finance, and other relevant institutions to ensure a unified government position in IMF engagements.</li><li>Contribute to the preparation of IMF-facing sections of key deliverables, including the Concept Note, calibration analysis, and pilot design documentation.</li><li>Participate in stakeholder consultations and inter-ministerial meetings to align domestic reform proposals with IMF-approved frameworks.</li><li>Provide technical quality assurance for IMF-related outputs, ensuring accuracy, clarity, and consistency of messaging.</li><li>Work closely with the REMIT team to ensure effective planning and follow-up of IMF engagements and timely delivery of agreed actions.</li></ul> 
Qualifications and Experience<ul><li>Advanced degree (Master&rsquo;s or higher) in Economics, International Finance, Public Policy, or a closely related field.</li><li>Minimum 12 years of senior-level professional experience engaging with the International Monetary Fund or similar international financial institutions.</li><li>Demonstrated track record of supporting governments during IMF programme negotiations, reviews, and technical missions.</li><li>Strong understanding of IMF conditionalities, structural benchmarks, prior actions, and programme monitoring frameworks.</li><li>Proven experience translating IMF requirements into implementable policy, fiscal, and institutional reforms.</li><li>Familiarity with industrial policy, incentive rationalisation, and investment-related reforms is highly desirable.</li><li>Strong ability to operate at the political&ndash;technical interface, supporting senior policymakers during negotiations.</li><li>Excellent communication, negotiation, and stakeholder coordination skills.</li><li>Prior experience working in emerging markets and with donor-funded technical assistance programmes is an advantage.</li></ul> 
Reporting line<ul><li>The IMF Negotiation Expert will work closely with REMIT team and will report to REMIT Team Lead and Investment Climate Lead. The assignment will require close engagement with key governments stakeholders along with presentation and review of deliverables by REMIT team, FCDO and other key stakeholders.</li></ul>
Closing Date: 18 March 2026</div>

IMF Negotiation Expert - REMIT Programme

<div>Fiscal &amp; Incentives Expert - SEZs Phase-Out Implementation Plan
Background
The Revenue Mobilisation, Investment and Trade (REMIT) Programme, funded by the UK&rsquo;s Foreign, Commonwealth &amp; Development Office (FCDO) and implemented by Adam Smith International (ASI), provides technical assistance to the Government of Pakistan to improve the business environment, attract investment, and support sustainable economic growth.
Pakistan&rsquo;s Special Economic Zones (SEZs) regime has delivered limited results due to structural and governance challenges, including high land and energy costs, infrastructure gaps, and weak investor facilitation. While fiscal incentives have been a central feature of the SEZ framework, their effectiveness in driving industrial relocation, exports, and competitiveness has been limited, while the fiscal cost of open-ended, profit-based incentives has continued to rise.
In response, and in line with commitments under Pakistan&rsquo;s IMF programme, the Government of Pakistan is undertaking a fundamental reorientation of its SEZ policy framework through the formulation of an SEZ Phase-Out Implementation Plan. This plan aims to progressively transition from profit-based incentives toward calibrated cost- and performance-based incentive mechanisms, while honouring existing contractual obligations and safeguarding investor confidence. As part of this effort, REMIT seeks to engage a Fiscal &amp; Incentives Expert to provide specialised technical expertise on fiscal analysis, incentive rationalisation, and calibration. 
Job Summary
The objective of the assignment is to provide technical expertise to support the Government of Pakistan in the fiscal and incentive-related design and implementation of the SEZ Phase-Out Implementation Plan, with a focus on Phase A (Planning and Assessment) of the IMF-mandated reform programme.
The Fiscal &amp; Incentives Expert will support the Board of Investment (BoI) and the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) by leading analytical work on the fiscal costs, effectiveness, and sustainability of existing SEZ incentive regimes and by designing alternative cost- and performance-based incentive models aligned with IMF requirements. The role will focus on conducting fiscal diagnostics, cost analysis, and calibration exercises at zone and enterprise levels, and on translating analytical findings into implementable policy options.
The Expert will work closely with the SEZ Policy &amp; Governance Lead, IMF Negotiation Expert, and other team members, and will contribute to technical engagements with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) by preparing fiscal analysis, briefing materials, and responses to IMF queries. Through rigorous analysis and policy advisory support, the Fiscal &amp; Incentives Expert will help ensure that the proposed SEZ transition framework is fiscally sustainable, investor-credible, and operationally feasible. 
Duties and Responsibilities
The Fiscal &amp; Incentives Expert will be responsible for providing specialised fiscal and analytical support for the SEZ Phase-Out Implementation Plan. Key duties and responsibilities include:<ul><li>Conduct detailed fiscal diagnostics of existing SEZ incentive regimes, including tax exemptions, customs concessions, and other fiscal benefits at zone and enterprise levels.</li><li>Undertake a comprehensive fiscal cost analysis of SEZs, covering direct and indirect costs such as incentives, land, infrastructure, utilities, and administrative expenditures.</li><li>Develop and apply calibration models to assess the fiscal impact, efficiency, and investor response of alternative cost- and performance-based incentive options.</li><li>Support the design of cost-based and performance-linked incentive frameworks that are fiscally sustainable, IMF-compliant, and aligned with Pakistan&rsquo;s industrial and investment objectives.</li><li>Analyse enterprise- and developer-level data to assess incentive uptake, utilisation patterns, and fiscal exposure under different transition scenarios.</li><li>Prepare technical inputs for the Concept Note, including sections related to incentive reform rationale, fiscal implications, calibration outcomes, and proposed transition pathways.</li><li>Provide analytical support for IMF technical discussions, including preparation of fiscal briefs, costing notes, and responses to IMF queries related to incentive rationalisation.</li><li>Support the design and assessment of a pilot SEZ, including modelling the fiscal and incentive implications of piloted cost-based incentive structures.</li><li>Contribute to stakeholder consultations by presenting fiscal findings, explaining incentive reform options, and incorporating feedback into refined analytical outputs.</li><li>Provide technical quality assurance for fiscal and incentive-related deliverables, ensuring methodological robustness, consistency with IMF benchmarks, and alignment with TOR objectives.</li><li>Deliver senior-level briefings and presentations to government leadership, including BoI, SIFC, and other relevant forums, clearly communicating reform options, risks, and recommendations.</li><li>Work closely with the SEZ Policy &amp; Governance Lead and REMIT team to ensure coherence between fiscal analysis, legal reforms, and governance recommendations.</li></ul> 
Qualifications and Experience<ul><li>Advanced degree (Master&rsquo;s or higher) in Economics, Public Finance, Fiscal Policy, or a closely related discipline.</li><li>Minimum 12 years of professional experience in fiscal analysis, incentive design, public finance reform, or related areas, preferably in the context of industrial policy or investment climate reforms.</li><li>Demonstrated experience conducting fiscal cost-benefit analysis of tax and non-tax incentives, including estimation of direct and indirect fiscal impacts.</li><li>Proven expertise in designing and applying calibration models, fiscal scenarios, and sensitivity analyses to inform policy decisions.</li><li>Strong understanding of SEZ incentive regimes, tax policy instruments, and cost-based versus profit-based incentive frameworks in emerging markets.</li><li>Proven experience advising governments, international organisations, or donor-funded programmes on incentive rationalisation, subsidy reform, or fiscal sustainability.</li><li>Familiarity with IMF fiscal conditionalities, structural benchmarks, and incentive reform requirements is highly desirable.</li><li>Ability to translate complex fiscal analysis into clear, actionable policy recommendations for senior policymakers.</li><li>Demonstrated experience participating in and technically supporting stakeholder and investor consultations, including synthesising feedback and ensuring its appropriate incorporation into final document.</li><li>Excellent stakeholder coordination, policy advisory, and strategic communication skills, with the ability to engage effectively with senior government leadership and diverse technical counterparts.</li></ul> 
Reporting line<ul><li>The Fiscal &amp; Incentives Expert will work closely with REMIT team and will report to REMIT Team Lead and Investment Climate Lead. The assignment will require close engagement with key governments stakeholders along with presentation and review of deliverables by REMIT team, FCDO and other key stakeholders.</li></ul>
Closing Date: 18 March 2026</div>

Fiscal & Incentives Expert - REMIT Programme

<div>SEZ Policy &amp; Governance Lead Expert - SEZs Phase-Out Implementation Plan
Background
The Revenue Mobilisation, Investment and Trade (REMIT) Programme, funded by the UK&rsquo;s Foreign, Commonwealth &amp; Development Office (FCDO) and implemented by Adam Smith International (ASI), provides technical assistance to the Government of Pakistan to improve the business environment, attract investment, and support sustainable economic growth.
The current Special Economic Zones (SEZs) regime has delivered limited results due to structural and governance constraints, including high land and energy costs, complex approval processes, infrastructure gaps, and weak monitoring and coordination across federal and provincial authorities. Consequently, many zones remain under-colonised, investor grievances persist, and expected gains in industrial relocation, exports, and competitiveness have not materialised, while the fiscal cost of open-ended, profit-based incentives continues to rise.
In light of these outcomes, and under the Government of Pakistan&rsquo;s IMF programme, a fundamental reorientation of SEZ policy is required. The IMF has mandated the formulation of an SEZ Phase-Out Implementation Plan to transition away from the existing incentive-led model. In response, REMIT is providing technical assistance across the Planning and Assessment phase, IMF negotiations, and pilot testing of the SEZ Phase-Out Implementation Plan. As part of this effort, REMIT seeks to engage an SEZ Policy &amp; Governance Lead Expert to provide the technical and policy expertise needed to design and deliver a credible, fiscally sustainable, and implementable transition framework. 
Job Summary
The objective of the assignment is to provide technical expertise to support the Government of Pakistan in the design and delivery of the SEZ Phase-Out Implementation Plan, with a primary focus on Phase A (Planning and Assessment) of the IMF-mandated reform programme.
The SEZ Policy &amp; Governance Lead will lead and manage a multidisciplinary team of technical experts, providing strategic leadership and technical oversight to support the Board of Investment (BoI) and the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) in transitioning SEZs from profit-based fiscal incentives to calibrated cost- and performance-based incentive frameworks, while ensuring compliance with existing contractual obligations and safeguarding investor confidence.
The role will oversee zone- and enterprise-level financial, legal, and contractual diagnostics, full fiscal cost and calibration analyses, and the preparation of policy, legal, and institutional reform inputs required to operationalise the transition.
The Lead will also support and participate in technical engagements and consultations with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), including preparation of analytical inputs, briefs, and responses to IMF queries in support of programme discussions and approvals. The position requires close coordination with federal and provincial stakeholders, development partners, and the private sector to drive alignment with IMF structural benchmarks and national reform priorities.
Through strong policy advisory, governance leadership, and strategic communication, the SEZ Policy &amp; Governance Lead will ensure that the Phase-Out Implementation Plan is evidence-based, credible, implementable, and capable of strengthening SEZ governance, fiscal sustainability, and Pakistan&rsquo;s investment competitiveness over the medium to long term.
The expert will also provide technical quality assurance for the plan and present key findings and recommendations to senior government leadership, including the Prime Minister. 
Duties and Responsibilities
The SEZ Policy &amp; Governance Lead Expert will be responsible for providing strategic and technical support for the development of SEZ Phase-Out Implementation Plan. Key duties and responsibilities include:<ul><li>Provide overall strategic and technical leadership for the development of the SEZ Phase-Out Implementation Plan, with a focus on Phase A (Planning and Assessment) in line with IMF structural benchmarks.</li><li>Lead and manage a multidisciplinary team of experts, ensuring effective coordination, task sequencing, and timely delivery of high-quality analytical, legal, and policy outputs.</li><li>Guide and oversee comprehensive financial, legal, and contractual diagnostics at the zone, developer, and enterprise levels to assess existing obligations, fiscal exposures, and reform space.</li><li>Direct the conduct of a full fiscal cost analysis of SEZs, covering direct and indirect costs including incentives, land, infrastructure, utilities, and administrative expenditures.</li><li>Oversee calibration analysis at enterprise and developer levels to design fiscally sustainable, investor-credible cost- and performance-based incentive models to replace profit-based incentives.</li><li>Provide strategic guidance on SEZ governance frameworks, incentive regimes, and investment facilitation mechanisms, with a focus on improving colonisation, infrastructure readiness, and investor aftercare.</li><li>Benchmark Pakistan&rsquo;s SEZ framework and proposed transition approach against international best practices and peer country experiences, ensuring competitiveness, credibility, and policy coherence.</li><li>Lead the preparation of key analytical and policy outputs, including the Concept Note, reform rationale, proposed legislative and regulatory amendments, KPIs, and monitoring principles.</li><li>Support and participate in technical engagements and consultations with the IMF, including preparation of analytical briefs, responses to IMF queries, and inputs for programme discussions and approvals.</li><li>Provide technical quality assurance across all deliverables, ensuring consistency with TOR objectives, IMF requirements, REMIT standards, and Government of Pakistan priorities.</li><li>Lead structured stakeholder engagement with federal and provincial governments, SEZ developers, enterprises, and development partners to build consensus and manage institutional sensitivities around the transition.</li><li>Oversee the design of a pilot SEZ to test cost-based incentive models, ensuring alignment with calibration outcomes, legal adjustments, and implementation readiness.</li><li>Deliver senior-level briefings and presentations to government leadership, including BoI, SIFC, and other relevant forums, clearly communicating reform options, risks, and recommendations.</li><li>Work closely with the REMIT Team Lead and Investment Climate Lead to ensure alignment, policy relevance, and effective institutional ownership of the SEZ transition process.</li></ul> 
Qualifications and Experience<ul><li>Advanced degree (Master&rsquo;s or higher) in Economics, Public Policy, Development Studies, Business Administration, or a closely related field.</li><li>Minimum 15 years of progressively responsible professional experience in industrial policy, SEZ governance, investment policy reform, or the design and implementation of large-scale economic reform programmes.</li><li>Demonstrated experience leading and managing complex, multi-stakeholder assignments, including close engagement with federal and provincial governments, regulatory authorities, and development partners.</li><li>Proven track record in providing strategic policy direction, overseeing multidisciplinary technical teams, and ensuring the delivery of high-quality analytical, legal, and policy outputs.</li><li>Strong understanding of SEZ policy frameworks, incentive regimes, and investment facilitation mechanisms, particularly in emerging market contexts undergoing fiscal and structural reform.</li><li>Demonstrated expertise in SEZ diagnostics, including financial, legal, and contractual analysis at zone and enterprise levels, and familiarity with fiscal cost analysis and incentive calibration approaches.</li><li>Proven experience advising governments, international organisations, or donor-funded programmes on investment climate reforms, industrial competitiveness, or institutional strengthening initiatives.</li><li>Prior experience engaging with or supporting IMF-related reform programmes, including translating structural benchmarks and conditionalities into implementable policy and institutional reforms, is highly desirable.</li><li>Demonstrated capacity to structure and sequence policy, legal, and fiscal reform actions, clarifying institutional responsibilities and ensuring that proposed SEZ transition measures are practical, credible, and implementable.</li><li>Demonstrated experience participating in and technically supporting stakeholder and investor consultations, including synthesising feedback and ensuring its appropriate incorporation into final document.</li><li>Excellent stakeholder coordination, policy advisory, and strategic communication skills, with the ability to engage effectively with senior government leadership and diverse technical counterparts.</li></ul> 
Reporting line<ul><li>The SEZ Policy &amp; Governance Lead Expert will work closely with REMIT team and will report to REMIT Team Lead and Investment Climate Lead. The assignment will require close engagement with key governments stakeholders along with presentation and review of deliverables by REMIT team, FCDO and other key stakeholders.</li></ul>
Closing Date: 18 March 2026</div>

SEZ Policy & Governance Lead Expert - REMIT Programme

<div>Senior Economist - SEZs Phase-Out Implementation Plan
Background
The Revenue Mobilisation, Investment and Trade (REMIT) Programme, funded by the UK&rsquo;s Foreign, Commonwealth &amp; Development Office (FCDO) and implemented by Adam Smith International (ASI), provides technical assistance to the Government of Pakistan to improve the business environment, attract investment, and support sustainable economic growth.
Pakistan&rsquo;s Special Economic Zones (SEZs) have not yet delivered their intended outcomes in terms of industrial relocation, export growth, and competitiveness. Structural constraints&mdash;such as weak infrastructure readiness, complex approval processes, unresolved investor grievances, and high operating costs&mdash;have limited colonisation and productivity. At the same time, the fiscal burden of profit-based incentives has increased without commensurate economic returns.
In line with commitments under Pakistan&rsquo;s IMF programme, the Government of Pakistan is undertaking an SEZ Phase-Out Implementation Plan to transition from profit-based incentives toward a more sustainable framework anchored in cost- and performance-based facilitation and non-fiscal reforms. Robust economic analysis is central to this transition to ensure that proposed reforms are evidence-based, fiscally sound, and aligned with broader industrial and macroeconomic objectives. As part of this effort, REMIT seeks to engage a Senior Economist to provide analytical and policy support across the Planning and Assessment phase of the SEZ phase out Implementation plan. 
Job Summary
The objective of the assignment is to provide technical expertise to support the Government of Pakistan in the economic analysis and policy design underpinning the SEZ Phase-Out Implementation Plan, with a primary focus on Phase A (Planning and Assessment) of the IMF-mandated reform programme.
The Senior Economist will support the Board of Investment (BoI) and the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) by leading and contributing to macroeconomic, sectoral, and microeconomic analyses related to SEZ performance, incentive effectiveness, and industrial competitiveness. The role will focus on assessing the economic impact of existing SEZ policies and proposed transition measures, and on translating analytical findings into actionable policy recommendations.
The Senior Economist will work closely with the SEZ Policy &amp; Governance Lead, Fiscal &amp; Incentives Expert, Legal &amp; Contractual Expert, and Industrial Infrastructure Expert to ensure coherence between economic analysis, fiscal reform, legal feasibility, and implementation considerations. 
Duties and Responsibilities
The Senior Economist will be responsible for providing analytical and policy support for the SEZ Phase-Out Implementation Plan. Key duties and responsibilities include:<ul><li>Conduct macroeconomic and sectoral analysis to assess the role of SEZs in industrial growth, exports, employment, and investment.</li><li>Analyse SEZ performance data, including colonisation rates, enterprise activity, and productivity indicators, to identify structural constraints and reform priorities.</li><li>Assess the economic effectiveness of existing SEZ incentive regimes, including their impact on investment decisions, competitiveness, and value for money.</li><li>Support the evaluation of cost- and performance-based incentive models from an economic efficiency and competitiveness perspective.</li><li>Contribute to the fiscal cost and calibration analysis by providing economic assumptions, behavioural parameters, and scenario inputs.</li><li>Assess approval, clearance, and investor facilitation processes from an economic efficiency and transaction-cost perspective, identifying bottlenecks affecting investment outcomes.</li><li>Provide analytical inputs to the Concept Note, including economic rationale, reform justification, KPIs, and monitoring indicators.</li><li>Support IMF-related technical discussions by preparing economic briefs, analytical notes, and responses to IMF queries on SEZ reform impacts.</li><li>Contribute to the design and assessment of a pilot SEZ, including economic viability, competitiveness implications, and expected investment response.</li><li>Participate in stakeholder consultations and technical workshops, presenting analytical findings and incorporating feedback into refined policy recommendations.</li><li>Provide technical quality assurance for economic analysis and policy outputs, ensuring consistency with TOR objectives and overall reform logic.</li><li>Work closely with the REMIT team to ensure alignment between economic analysis, policy recommendations, and implementation pathways.</li></ul> 
Qualifications and Experience<ul><li>Advanced degree (Master&rsquo;s or higher) in Economics, Applied Economics, Public Policy, or a closely related field.</li><li>Minimum 10 years of professional experience in economic analysis, policy advisory, or development economics, preferably in the context of industrial policy, investment policy, or public sector reform.</li><li>Demonstrated experience conducting macroeconomic, sectoral, and microeconomic analysis to inform policy design and reform prioritisation.</li><li>Proven expertise in assessing the economic impact of fiscal incentives, regulatory frameworks, and investment policies.</li><li>Strong ability to analyse approval, clearance, and facilitation processes from an economic efficiency and cost-effectiveness perspective.</li><li>Experience advising governments, international organisations, or donor-funded programmes on economic reform and policy design.</li><li>Familiarity with IMF-supported reform programmes and economic conditionalities is highly desirable.</li><li>Ability to translate complex analytical findings into clear, actionable policy recommendations for senior policymakers.</li><li>Experience supporting stakeholder consultations and incorporating feedback into final analytical and policy outputs.</li><li>Strong analytical, quantitative, and policy drafting skills, with the ability to work effectively in multidisciplinary technical teams.</li></ul>
Reporting line<ul><li>The Senior Economist will work closely with REMIT team and will report to REMIT Team Lead and Investment Climate Lead. The assignment will require close engagement with key governments stakeholders along with presentation and review of deliverables by REMIT team, FCDO and other key stakeholders.</li></ul>
Closing Date: 18 March 2026</div>

Senior Economist - REMIT Programme

<div>
 
 Legal &amp; Contractual Expert - SEZs Phase-Out Implementation Plan
 
 
 
 
 Background
 
 
 
 The Revenue Mobilisation, Investment and Trade (REMIT) Programme, funded by the UK&rsquo;s Foreign, Commonwealth &amp; Development Office (FCDO) and implemented by Adam Smith International (ASI), provides technical assistance to the Government of Pakistan to improve the business environment, attract investment, and support sustainable economic growth.
 
 
 Pakistan&rsquo;s Special Economic Zones (SEZs) framework has been characterised by fragmented governance, inconsistent enforcement, and complex contractual arrangements between federal and provincial authorities, developers, and enterprises. While fiscal incentives have been a core feature of the SEZ regime, weak contractual oversight, legal ambiguities, and uneven enforcement of development and enterprise agreements have undermined investor confidence and constrained effective implementation.
 
 
 In response to these challenges, and in line with commitments under Pakistan&rsquo;s IMF programme, the Government of Pakistan is undertaking a comprehensive SEZ Phase-Out Implementation Plan to transition away from profit-based incentives toward a rules-based, fiscally sustainable framework anchored in cost- and performance-based facilitation. This transition requires a robust legal and contractual foundation to ensure that reforms are compliant with existing obligations, minimise litigation risk, and provide predictability to investors. As part of this effort, REMIT seeks to engage a Legal &amp; Contractual Expert to lead legal diagnostics and support the design of legally sound transition arrangements.
 
 
 
 Job Summary
 
 
 
 The objective of the assignment is to provide technical expertise to support the Government of Pakistan in the legal and contractual assessment and design of the SEZ Phase-Out Implementation Plan, with a focus on Phase A (Planning and Assessment) of the IMF-mandated reform programme.
 
 
 The Legal &amp; Contractual Expert will support the Board of Investment (BoI) and the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) by undertaking comprehensive reviews of SEZ-related laws, rules, development agreements, and enterprise contracts to assess binding obligations, legal risks, and available reform space. The role will focus on ensuring that the transition from profit-based incentives to cost- and performance-based mechanisms is legally defensible, compliant with contractual commitments, and aligned with national legislation and IMF requirements.
 
 
 The Expert will work closely with the SEZ Policy &amp; Governance Lead, Fiscal &amp; Incentives Expert, and IMF Negotiation Expert, and will contribute legal inputs to IMF technical discussions, stakeholder consultations, and pilot design. Through rigorous legal analysis and advisory support, the Legal &amp; Contractual Expert will help ensure that the SEZ Phase-Out Implementation Plan is credible, enforceable, and resilient to legal and investor challenges.
 
 
 
 Duties And Responsibilities
 
 
 
 The Legal &amp; Contractual Expert will be responsible for providing specialised legal and contractual support for the SEZ Phase-Out Implementation Plan. Key duties and responsibilities include:
 
 
 <ul>
 <li>
 Conduct a comprehensive legal review of the SEZ framework, including the SEZ Act 2012, relevant rules and regulations, the Income Tax Ordinance, Customs Act, and associated subordinate legislation.
 </li>
 <li>
 Review and analyse development agreements and enterprise agreements across notified SEZs to identify binding contractual obligations, incentive commitments, and termination or transition clauses.
 </li>
 <li>
 Map legal and contractual constraints affecting the phase-out of profit-based incentives and assess the available legal space for reform, including transitional arrangements.
 </li>
 <li>
 Prepare legal advisory notes on managing the transition from existing incentive regimes to cost- and performance-based frameworks while safeguarding investor rights and government interests.
 </li>
 <li>
 Support the drafting of proposed legislative and regulatory amendments required to operationalise the SEZ transition and embed agreed reform principles.
 </li>
 <li>
 Advise on transitional provisions, grandfathering arrangements, and dispute-resolution mechanisms to minimise litigation risk and investor uncertainty.
 </li>
 <li>
 Provide legal inputs to the Concept Note, including reform rationale, scope, proposed legal changes, and compliance considerations.
 </li>
 <li>
 Support and participate in IMF-related technical discussions by preparing legal briefs and responding to queries related to contractual obligations and reform feasibility.
 </li>
 <li>
 Contribute to the design of a pilot SEZ, ensuring that proposed incentive models and implementation arrangements are legally sound and enforceable.
 </li>
 <li>
 Participate in stakeholder consultations with federal and provincial authorities, SEZ developers, and enterprises to validate legal findings and proposed reforms.
 </li>
 <li>
 Provide technical quality assurance for all legal and contractual deliverables, ensuring consistency with TOR objectives, IMF requirements, and international good practice.
 </li>
 <li>
 Work closely with the SEZ Policy &amp; Governance Lead and REMIT team to ensure coherence between legal analysis, fiscal reforms, and governance recommendations.
 
 
 </li>
 </ul>
 ,
 
 
 
 Qualifications And Experience
 
 
 
 <ul>
 <li>
 Advanced degree (Master&rsquo;s or higher) in Law, International Economic Law, Commercial Law, or a closely related field.
 </li>
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 Minimum 12 years of professional experience in legal and regulatory analysis related to investment policy, SEZs, infrastructure projects, or public-private partnerships.
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 Demonstrated expertise in reviewing and interpreting development agreements, enterprise contracts, and concession arrangements.
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 Proven experience advising governments, international organisations, or donor-funded programmes on legal reform, contract management, or regulatory transitions.
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 Strong understanding of SEZ legal frameworks, investment laws, and contractual risk management in emerging markets.
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 Experience assessing legal implications of incentive rationalisation and policy transitions, including dispute-resolution and investor protection considerations.
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 Familiarity with IMF-supported reform programmes and associated legal and institutional requirements is highly desirable.
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 Ability to translate complex legal analysis into practical, implementable reform options for policymakers.
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 Experience supporting stakeholder consultations and incorporating legal feedback into final policy and reform documents.
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 Excellent legal drafting, analytical, and advisory skills, with the ability to work effectively in multidisciplinary technical teams.
 
 
 </li>
 </ul>
 
 Reporting line
 
 
 
 <ul>
 <li>
 The Legal &amp; Contractual Expert will work closely with REMIT team and will report to REMIT Team Lead and Investment Climate Lead. The assignment will require close engagement with key governments stakeholders along with presentation and review of deliverables by REMIT team, FCDO and other key stakeholders.
 
 
 </li>
 </ul>
 Closing Date: 18 March 2026
</div>

Legal & Contractual Expert - REMIT Programme

<div>Industrial Infrastructure Expert - SEZs Phase-Out Implementation Plan
Background
The Revenue Mobilisation, Investment and Trade (REMIT) Programme, funded by the UK&rsquo;s Foreign, Commonwealth &amp; Development Office (FCDO) and implemented by Adam Smith International (ASI), provides technical assistance to the Government of Pakistan to improve the business environment, attract investment, and support sustainable economic growth.
Pakistan&rsquo;s Special Economic Zones (SEZs) have faced persistent challenges related to the availability, reliability, and cost of industrial infrastructure and utilities. In many zones, delays in the provision of internal and external infrastructure&mdash;including electricity, gas, water, wastewater treatment, internal roads, and common facilities&mdash;have constrained investor uptake and slowed the transition from land allotment to productive operations. These infrastructure gaps have undermined investor confidence, reduced colonisation rates, and weakened the competitiveness of SEZs, despite the availability of fiscal incentives.
In line with commitments under Pakistan&rsquo;s IMF programme, the Government of Pakistan is undertaking an SEZ Phase-Out Implementation Plan to transition away from profit-based incentives toward a model anchored in cost-based and non-fiscal facilitation. Improving infrastructure readiness and reducing infrastructure-related costs of doing business are central to this transition. As part of this effort, REMIT seeks to engage an Industrial Infrastructure Expert to provide specialised technical expertise on SEZ infrastructure diagnostics, optimisation, and implementation readiness. 
Job Summary
The objective of the assignment is to provide technical expertise to support the Government of Pakistan in assessing and strengthening the industrial infrastructure and utilities framework underpinning the SEZ Phase-Out Implementation Plan, with a focus on Phase A (Planning and Assessment) of the IMF-mandated reform programme.
The Industrial Infrastructure Expert will support the Board of Investment (BoI) and the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) by conducting detailed diagnostics of SEZ-level infrastructure and utility provision, identifying binding constraints to colonisation and operations, and advising on cost-effective, implementable infrastructure solutions. The role will focus on assessing both external connectivity (up to zero point) and internal zone infrastructure, and on linking infrastructure readiness with cost-based and non-fiscal incentive design.
The Expert will work closely with the SEZ Policy &amp; Governance Lead, Fiscal &amp; Incentives Expert, Legal &amp; Contractual Expert, and other team members to ensure that infrastructure considerations are fully integrated into the SEZ transition framework, pilot design, and implementation roadmap. 
Duties and Responsibilities
The Industrial Infrastructure Expert will be responsible for providing specialised technical input on infrastructure and utilities under the SEZ Phase-Out Implementation Plan. Key duties and responsibilities include:<ul><li>Conduct comprehensive infrastructure diagnostics of existing SEZs, including assessment of electricity, gas, water, sewerage, wastewater treatment, internal roads, boundary works, and common facilities.</li><li>Assess the availability and reliability of external utilities and connectivity up to the zero point, including coordination with relevant utility providers and authorities.</li><li>Identify infrastructure-related bottlenecks affecting colonisation, investor operations, and time-to-production, and analyse their impact on SEZ competitiveness.</li><li>Support the classification and prioritisation of SEZs based on infrastructure readiness, optimisation potential, and alignment with IMF constraints.</li><li>Provide technical inputs to the fiscal cost analysis, including estimation of infrastructure-related capital and operational expenditures and their implications for cost-based incentive design.</li><li>Advise on cost-based and non-fiscal facilitation measures related to infrastructure provision, shared services, and plug-and-play models to reduce investors&rsquo; upfront costs.</li><li>Benchmark Pakistan&rsquo;s SEZ infrastructure standards and service delivery models against international best practices and peer countries.</li><li>Support the preparation of the Concept Note and analytical outputs by contributing infrastructure-focused findings, reform options, and implementation considerations.</li><li>Contribute to the design of a pilot SEZ, including assessment of infrastructure gaps, sequencing of infrastructure investments, and implementation readiness.</li><li>Participate in stakeholder consultations with federal and provincial authorities, SEZ developers, and utility providers to validate findings and proposed infrastructure solutions.</li><li>Provide technical quality assurance for infrastructure-related deliverables, ensuring consistency with TOR objectives, IMF requirements, and overall SEZ transition strategy.</li><li>Work closely with the SEZ Policy &amp; Governance Lead and REMIT team to ensure coherence between infrastructure recommendations, fiscal reforms, and legal and governance measures.</li></ul> 
Qualifications and Experience<ul><li>Degree (Master&rsquo;s preferred) in Engineering, Infrastructure Planning, Industrial Development, or a closely related technical field.</li><li>Minimum 10 years of professional experience in industrial infrastructure development, SEZs, industrial estates, or large-scale infrastructure projects.</li><li>Demonstrated experience assessing zone-level infrastructure and utilities, including electricity, gas, water, sewerage, and internal road networks.</li><li>Proven experience working with public sector authorities, SEZ developers, and utility providers on infrastructure planning, delivery, or optimisation.</li><li>Strong understanding of infrastructure-related constraints affecting industrial competitiveness and investment facilitation in emerging markets.</li><li>Experience supporting infrastructure diagnostics and reform initiatives under donor-funded technical assistance programmes is highly desirable.</li><li>Ability to translate technical assessments into practical, phased, and implementable recommendations aligned with fiscal and institutional realities.</li><li>Experience participating in stakeholder consultations and incorporating technical feedback into final analytical and policy outputs.</li><li>Strong diagnostic, reporting, and technical advisory skills, with the ability to work effectively within multidisciplinary technical teams.</li></ul>
Reporting line<ul><li>The Industrial Infrastructure Expert will work closely with REMIT team and will report to REMIT Team Lead and Investment Climate Lead. The assignment will require close engagement with key governments stakeholders along with presentation and review of deliverables by REMIT team, FCDO and other key stakeholders.</li></ul>
Closing Date: 18 March 2026</div>

Industrial Infrastructure Expert - REMIT Programme

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