Data & Financial Modelling Specialist - REMIT Programme

SEZ Incentives Phase Out & Transition Plan – Data & Financial Modelling Specialist     

Background

The Revenue Mobilisation, Investment and Trade (REMIT) Programme, funded by the UK's Foreign, Commonwealth & 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's Special Economic Zones (SEZs) framework has delivered limited results due to structural, institutional, and implementation challenges, including weak data systems, limited monitoring of zone and enterprise performance, incomplete financial information, and insufficient evidence on the fiscal and economic impact of existing incentives. While fiscal incentives have been a central feature of the SEZ regime, there is limited consolidated analysis on their fiscal cost, effectiveness, and contribution to investment, employment, exports, and industrial development.

In response to these challenges, and in line with commitments under Pakistan'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 robust data collection, financial modelling, fiscal analysis, and scenario-based assessment to support evidence-based decision-making and inform discussions with the IMF.

As part of this effort, REMIT seeks to engage a Data & Financial Modelling Specialist to lead the quantitative analysis, data management, and financial modelling required to support the design of a credible, fiscally sustainable, and implementable SEZ Transition Plan.

Job Summary

The objective of the assignment is to provide technical expertise to support the Government of Pakistan in the quantitative assessment, financial analysis, and economic modelling required for the SEZ Phase-Out and Transition Plan, with a particular focus on Phase A (Planning and Assessment) of the IMF-mandated reform programme.

The Data & Financial Modelling Specialist will support the Board of Investment (BoI), Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC), and the wider technical team by leading the collection, validation, analysis, and modelling of financial, economic, and operational data related to Pakistan's SEZ regime. The role will focus on developing evidence-based models to assess the fiscal, economic, and investment implications of transitioning from profit-based incentives to alternative cost- and performance-based mechanisms.

Working closely with the Fiscal & Incentives Expert, SEZ Policy & Governance Lead, Institutional Analysis Expert, and Legal & Contractual Expert, the Specialist will develop analytical tools, financial models, and scenario assessments to inform policy decisions, support IMF discussions, and provide an evidence base for the design of transition options and pilot interventions. Through rigorous quantitative analysis, the Specialist will help ensure that the proposed SEZ transition framework is financially viable, economically sound, and aligned with broader investment and fiscal sustainability objectives.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Data & Financial Modelling Specialist will be responsible for leading the quantitative analysis and modelling workstream of the SEZ Phase-Out and Transition Plan.

Key duties and responsibilities include:

·       Design and implement a comprehensive data collection and validation framework covering SEZ authorities, zone developers, and zone enterprises.

·       Compile, clean, validate, and manage financial, operational, investment, employment, trade, and fiscal datasets relevant to SEZ performance and incentives.

·       Develop financial and economic models to assess the costs, benefits, and fiscal implications of existing SEZ incentives.

·       Conduct scenario analysis to evaluate alternative transition pathways, including the phase-out of profit-based incentives and introduction of cost- and performance-based mechanisms.

·       Support the estimation of direct and indirect fiscal costs associated with current SEZ incentive arrangements.

·       Develop forecasting models to assess potential impacts on investment, exports, employment, government revenues, and enterprise performance under different reform scenarios.

·       Prepare quantitative inputs such as baseline analysis, fiscal estimates, economic projections, and transition scenarios.

·       Support the Fiscal & Incentives Expert in calibrating alternative incentive options and assessing their expected economic and fiscal outcomes.

·       Develop data visualisations to support decision-making and stakeholder engagement.

·       Contribute to the design of pilot interventions through financial feasibility assessments and performance modelling.

·       Support IMF-related technical discussions by preparing analytical briefs, datasets, modelling outputs, and evidence-based assessments.

·       Ensure data quality, consistency, transparency, and documentation throughout the assignment.

·       Work closely with other technical experts and the REMIT team to ensure alignment between quantitative analysis, institutional assessments, legal reviews, and policy recommendations.

Qualifications and Experience

• Advanced university degree in Economics, Finance, Statistics, Econometrics, Mathematics, Data Science, or a related field.

• Around 8 years of experience in financial modelling, quantitative analysis, economic forecasting, and data management.

• Demonstrated experience developing economic, fiscal, and scenario-based models to support policy and investment decisions.

• Proficiency in data analysis and statistical software.

• Strong analytical and reporting capabilities.

• Experience managing and analysing large datasets from multiple sources and developing evidence-based analytical outputs.

• Experience supporting governments, development partners, international organisations, or donor-funded programmes through analytical and modelling assignments.

• Familiarity with investment climate reforms, SEZs, industrial policy, public finance, or economic development programmes will be an advantage.

• Strong analytical, problem-solving, quantitative reasoning, and presentation skills.

• Ability to translate complex quantitative findings into clear and practical policy recommendations.

Reporting line

·       The Data & Financial Modelling Specialist will work closely with the REMIT team and will report to the REMIT Team Lead and Investment Climate Lead. The assignment will require close engagement with key government stakeholders, along with presentation and review of deliverables by the REMIT team, FCDO, and other relevant stakeholders.

·       Closing Date: 30th June 2026