Trade Advisor - REMIT Programme

About the Programme

The Revenue Mobilisation, Investment and Trade (REMIT) programme funded by the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and implemented by Adam Smith International (ASI). The programme provides technical assistance (TA) to Pakistan to implement reforms for strengthening macroeconomic stability and improving conditions for high and sustained growth, mutual prosperity, job creation and poverty reduction. The Programme works towards supporting the Government of Pakistan, its relevant ministries, institutions, and departments to strengthen revenue mobilisation reforms/initiatives; address investment environment challenges, facilitate trade and drive competitiveness by reducing trade barriers, and improve the macroeconomic policy and its management.

Objectives

One of REMIT’s outputs is help Pakistan establishe a more conducive environment for trade by implementing trade policy and facilitation reforms aimed at improving trade competitiveness, productivity and diversification. The workstream entails working closely with relevant ministries and key stakeholders to ensure that Pakistan is able to achieve trade competitiveness and improve the overall trade balance. From a broader perspective, this will feed into economic development and macroeconomic stability that REMIT is striving for.

In the above context, REMIT’s Trade Advisor will be responsible for the following scope of work.

• Conduct a detailed situational analysis and stakeholder mapping for a holistic political economy analysis, guiding proposed interventions with Ministry of Commerce, NTB, and TDAP.

• Drive the exploration of new areas of intervention in trade, fostering innovation and impactful collaborations with the government of Pakistan.

• Identify interventions through developing a comprehensive demand and need analysis, refining the scope of interventions and liaising with the World Bank component to avoid overlap.

• Develop detailed scopes and terms of references (ToRs), collaborating with stakeholders and relevant government officials, outlining objectives, specifications, standards, and timelines for trade-related TA that can be provided to the government through the REMIT programme.

• Lead the procurement of TA, drafting Requests for Proposals (RFPs), evaluating bids/CVs, and supporting contracting for optimal value and quality.

• Lead and assure quality of TA delivery, monitoring progress, providing feedback, ensuring compliance, and verifying output quality.

• Ensure robust reporting mechanisms, including developing progress reports, documenting lessons learned, best practices, and working with the M&E and communications team to ensure dissemination of results.

• Lead the advocacy and planning for intervention sustainability, collaborating with REMIT and government of Pakistan stakeholders.

Roles and Responsibilities

• Lead the Conceptualisation and Implementation of Trade Initiatives

o Spearhead the conceptualisation and successful implementation of the agreed trade work plan, providing expert guidance and technical support.

• o Lead seamless coordination between REMIT, MoC, NTB, TDAP, and the private sector, fostering effective collaboration for intervention delivery.

o Establish and maintain adherence to established good practices, quality standards, and contextual requirements within the trade portfolio.

• Drive Strategic Planning and Implementation

o Define the scope of key activities, particularly in trade policy capacity and systems, and export facilitation schemes, outlining deliverables, milestones, and timelines.

o Develop comprehensive ToR for interventions, clarifying roles, responsibilities, and expectations for all stakeholders.

o Lead consultative dialogues with MoC, NTB, and TDAP, gathering insights for strategic design and implementation of trade initiatives.

• Lead Strategic Partnership and Technical Assistance

o Identify specific technical expertise required for key initiatives and lead in their procurement.

o Lead, in collaboration with the project management unit, the process of procuring external TA, ensuring alignment with project objectives and outcomes.

• Ensure Quality Delivery and Progress Monitoring

o Ensure quality and timely delivery of project milestones.

o Lead regular reviews, identifying issues and deviations, and collaborating with the REMITAdvisors for effective resolution.

o Presenting progress and outcomes sequentially to FCDO for evaluation and feedback.

• Develop and Lead on Robust Reporting Mechanisms

o Establish effective reporting mechanisms, capturing outputs, milestones, and challenges.

o Provide regular updates to stakeholders, including progress reports, assessments, and recommendations.

• Foster Sustainability and Institutionalisation

o Lead collaboration with key stakeholders in devising comprehensive plans and policies, ensuring sustainability and scalability of REMIT's interventions.

o Lead the resource allocation, capacity building, and ongoing institutional efforts at MoC, NTB, and TDAP.

• Drive Future Growth and Collaboration

o Lead the process of exploration and identifing opportunities for extended collaboration between REMIT and MoC, NTB, TDAP, aligning with strategic objectives.

o Innovate and initiate partnerships, ensuring alignment with REMIT, FCDO, and Government goals.

Qualifications

• Master’s or advanced degree in International Trade, Economics, Business Administration, Public Policy, or a related field. A Ph.D. in a relevant discipline is highly desirable.

• Minimum of 15 years of hands-on experience in international trade policy, trade facilitation, export promotion, or related fields, preferably in a governmental or international development organisation setting.

• Proven track record of successfully conceptualising, planning, and implementing trade-related initiatives, including trade policy analysis, trade facilitation schemes, and export promotion strategies.

• Demonstrated experience in collaborating with diverse stakeholders, including government stakeholders in Pakistan, private sector entities, international organisations, and trade promotion bodies.

• Strong background in political economy analysis and understanding of the socio-economic and political context of Pakistan’s trade landscape.

• Extensive experience in providing technical assistance, guidance, and capacity building to government institutions and private sector partners in the field of international trade.

• Proven ability to develop and maintain effective partnerships and collaborations to drive impactful trade initiatives.

• Exceptional knowledge of trade policies, trade agreements, and regulatory frameworks, with a deep understanding of trade-related challenges and opportunities in Pakistan.

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to articulate trade concepts clearly and persuasively to diverse audiences.

• Leadership qualities, with the ability to inspire and guide teams, fostering a collaborative and innovative work environment.

• Knowledge of international best practices, quality standards, and compliance requirements related to trade policies and export facilitation.

Reporting

The Trade Advisor will be a full-time position and will report directly to the REMIT Team Lead and Project Director.

Interested applicants are welcome to apply by September 14th, 2025.