Call for Financial Sector and Central Banking Experts - Bangladesh

Location: Dhaka, Bangladesh (with flexibility for remote or hybrid engagements).  

Adam Smith International (ASI) is seeking experienced experts in central banking, financial sector reform, and public finance governance to support our forthcoming proposal for the Technical Assistance Facility for Transforming the Financial Sector (TFS) Programme in Bangladesh, funded by the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO).

BACKGROUND

Adam Smith International (ASI) is a global advisory firm that works locally to strengthen economies, improve governance, and build more stable societies. For over 30 years, we have delivered technical assistance in over 100 countries, partnering with governments, development partners, and the private sector to achieve lasting systemic reform.

ASI has a strong track record of delivering public financial management (PFM) and financial sector reform programmes globally, including in Bangladesh, Somalia, Kenya, Pakistan, and Iraq, supporting ministries of finance, revenue authorities and central banks to strengthen governance, improve fiscal transparency, and enhance institutional performance.

We are currently part of the consortium implementing FCDO’s six-month foundational intervention in Bangladesh, which is laying the groundwork for the longer-term Transforming the Financial Sector (TFS) programme. This ongoing work is helping to establish the legal framework for central bank independence and advance organisational and HR reforms within Bangladesh Bank, the country’s central bank.

Building on this foundation, we are now preparing to bid for the forthcoming Technical Assistance Facility for Transforming the Financial Sector (TFS) — a five-year, £7–9 million FCDO-funded programme that will support Bangladesh Bank, the Ministry of Finance, and related financial regulators to strengthen the resilience, governance, and inclusiveness of Bangladesh’s financial sector. The programme will provide demand-driven technical assistance to accelerate institutional transformation and regulatory reform across the financial system.

Indicative objectives include:

• Strengthening the legal and institutional framework for central bank independence and effective governance.

• Supporting organisational restructuring and HR modernisation at Bangladesh Bank.

• Advising on regulatory and supervisory reform, including risk-based supervision and crisis management.

• Enhancing financial stability and inclusion, especially for MSMEs and women-led enterprises.

• Advising on financial technology and digital infrastructure, including payment systems, cybersecurity, and data management.

• Strengthening the coordination, policy formulation, and analytical capability of financial sector institutions.

ABOUT THE ROLES

We are seeking Bangladesh-based and international experts with substantial experience in financial sector reform, central banking, or institutional development.

We are particularly interested in advisers with expertise in:

• Central bank governance, monetary policy, or financial stability

• Financial sector regulation and supervision

• Legal and regulatory reform, including drafting financial legislation

• HR reform, organisational restructuring, and change management

• Financial technology, digital systems, and cybersecurity

• Financial inclusion and market development

• Institutional capacity building and high-level advisory support

We particularly welcome applicants who have:

• Experience working within or in close collaboration with Bangladesh Bank, the Ministry of Finance, or other central banks and financial regulatory institutions in comparable contexts;

• Proven ability to engage effectively with development partners such as FCDO, the IMF, World Bank, or ADB;

• Strong understanding of Bangladesh’s financial and political context, or experience supporting central banks and finance ministries in similar emerging or developing economies.

REQUIRED EXPERTISE

While specific needs will depend on the final Terms of Reference, we are particularly interested in advisers who offer:

• Experts at various levels of seniority, from mid-career professionals (minimum 5 years of relevant experience) to senior advisers with extensive experience in financial sector or public financial management reform.

• Proven ability to deliver or lead complex reform initiatives within central banks or financial institutions.

• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills.

• Postgraduate qualification in economics, finance, law, or related discipline.

• Excellent written and spoken English (Bangla proficiency is an asset).

ASI encourages applications from candidates of all social backgrounds, ethnicities, genders, abilities, and orientations. Qualified female applicants and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply. We offer flexible working arrangements, please write to us to discuss further.

WAYS OF WORKING

Experts are expected to adhere to the following values and obligations:

• At all times work collaboratively and openly with other members of the programme team, proactively providing guidance, advice and sharing experiences to solve problems, overcome challenges and manage risks together.

• Free and open sharing of information gained from the client, beneficiaries, or other international projects with other members of the team.

• Respect for the confidentiality of the team’s discussions, assessments, decisions and plans or agreements with the Client.

• Adhere to decisions taken by the programme’s leadership and taking collective responsibility for implementing those decisions and communicating them to counterparts or other external parties.

• Ensure they have an accurate understanding of policies and decisions made by the Contracting Authority that relate to the programme and respecting and adhering to those policies.

• Careful coordination with other team members of communications and meetings with the Contracting Authority to ensure coherence of technical advice and an efficient use of the client’s time.

• Constant monitoring of risks to programme delivery and achievement of deliverables/objectives, as well as the reputation of ASI and the Client, and swift referral of those risks to the Senior Programme Manager.

• Comply with ASI’s operational and logistical procedures.

• Comply with ASI’s Duty of Care and security procedures designed to ensure safety of personnel and notify the Senior Programme Manager of any incidence that threatens the security of personnel or assets of the project.

• Understand and strictly adhere to ASI’s Code of Conduct.

READY TO APPLY?

If you are interested in contributing to Bangladesh’s financial sector transformation, we are keen to hear from you.

Please submit your CV, detailing relevant experience and expertise, by Friday, 24 October (COB). Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis ahead of the closing date, so we strongly encourage candidates to submit early. Due to high volumes, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.