Consultants

DAI is seeking experienced senior international and local consultants for an upcoming EU-funded Public Finance Management Support Programme in Pakistan. The procurement process is expected to commence in the first quarter of 2027. This programme aims to enhance the implementation of the Global Gateway initiative in Pakistan by strengthening public financial management at both federal and provincial levels, with a focus on strategic budgeting, integrated public investment management, and oversight. The project will emphasize gender and climate-responsive approaches, targeting federal institutions as well as the provinces of Sindh, Balochistan, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Key Responsibilities
- Support the development and piloting of sector strategies in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Sindh, and Balochistan, ensuring alignment with Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) cycles.
- Establish adaptive budget task forces and improve Medium-Term Budgetary Frameworks (MTBFs) and project costing to enhance execution, prioritization, and investment efficiency.
- Implement real-time monitoring and evaluation systems to track capital projects and facilitate data-driven planning adjustments.
- Strengthen and harmonize Public Investment Management (PIM) frameworks across federal and provincial levels, including reform plans and institutional coordination.
- Integrate gender and climate responsiveness into project appraisal, evaluation, and risk assessment for public-private partnerships and privatization pipelines.
- Conduct compliance reviews and deliver capacity-building initiatives on PIM, procurement, and governance systems.
- Provide technical assistance on macro-fiscal forecasting, economic modeling, and subsidy analysis to support fiscal sustainability and address emerging macroeconomic risks.
- Enhance budget tools and frameworks such as MTFFs and program-based budgeting at federal and provincial levels.
- Conduct expenditure reviews and support institutional capacity building for coordinated, strategic, sector-based budgeting.
- Institutionalize gender and climate budget tagging in annual and medium-term budgeting processes, focusing on priority sectors like water and renewable energy.
- Strengthen performance monitoring and reporting of gender, climate, and disaster-related public expenditures.
- Deliver targeted training to improve institutional capacities and coordination within the Government of Pakistan at both federal and provincial levels.

Required Qualifications

*Key Expert 1: Team Leader & Public Investment Management Expert*
- Master’s degree in Development Economics, Economics, Finance, Accounting, Public Policy, or Public Administration; PhD is an asset.
- Minimum 15 years of experience in Public Finance Management (PFM), including at least 10 years in developing countries.
- At least 3 years in a leadership role managing donor-funded programmes, preferably EU-funded, with experience coordinating national and sub-national government authorities.
- Extensive experience in public investment planning and management, including Medium-Term Budgetary Frameworks, output-based budgeting, fiscal policy, and public procurement.
- Familiarity with EU Global Gateway and EU financing instruments (e.g., EFSD+) is advantageous.
- Recent experience (minimum 3 years) working with Pakistan’s Ministry of Finance and/or Ministry of Planning is preferred.

*Key Expert 2: Senior Budget Planning Expert*
- Master’s degree in relevant fields; PhD is an asset.
- Minimum 12 years of PFM experience, with at least 8 years in developing countries.
- At least 5 years supporting donor-funded PFM or budget reform projects, preferably EU-funded.
- Minimum 8 years of budget planning experience, including Medium-Term Budgetary Frameworks, gender and climate budgeting, and public investment planning.
- Experience working in Pakistan’s PFM sector, particularly with the Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Planning at federal and provincial levels (Balochistan, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), is highly desirable.
- Proficiency in Urdu, Pashtun, or Sindhi is a strong advantage.

*Key Expert 3: Macro-Fiscal / Macroeconomic Forecasting and Modelling Expert*
- Master’s degree in Development Economics, Economics, Econometrics, Taxation, or related fields; PhD is an asset.
- Minimum 12 years of PFM experience, including 8 years in developing countries.
- At least 5 years in macro-fiscal reform projects funded by international donors, preferably EU-funded.
- Minimum 10 years in macroeconomic and fiscal planning, forecasting, and modelling, with at least 5 years in developing countries.
- Experience in Medium-Term Budgetary Frameworks, output-based budgeting, gender and climate budgeting, and public investment management is preferred.
- At least 2 years of experience in Pakistan’s PFM sector focusing on fiscal management at federal and provincial levels is advantageous.
- Knowledge of Urdu, Pashtun, or Sindhi is beneficial.

Location and Travel
The primary duty station will be Islamabad, Pakistan. Travel within the country will be required, subject to project and EU regulations, including security protocols and assessments.

Applications will be accepted until 30th November 2026. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.