Tax Modernization Advisor (USAID/Pakistan)

DevTech Systems, Inc. (DevTech) is an international consulting firm dedicated to development, with 35 years of experience providing advisory services and technical assistance to government, private sector, and civil society stakeholders in more than 100 countries. We are a data driven organization that specializes in informing policy making by delivering focused data-driven evidence-based analysis products and services. DevTech core practice areas include: Economic and Data analysis, Monitoring and Evaluation, Education and Youth Development, Gender and Inclusive Development, and Public Financial Management.

Scope of Work:

DevTech is seeking a full-time Tax Modernization Advisor for an anticipated USAD-funded funded Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Resource Mobilization Activity in Pakistan. This four-year activity seeks to improve the KP government’s revenue mobilization capacity, delivery systems, and processes to increase its own source revenue. The project will decrease the dependence on federal transfers and increase its ability to finance its development expenditures, contributing to Pakistan’s journey to self-reliance. The project will focus on three objectives: increased voluntary compliance, improved efficiency of revenue management, and improved coordination frameworks within and across taxation systems. We are looking for individuals who have a passion for making a difference in the lives of people around the world through effective development interventions and strengthening public accountability mechanisms.

Responsibilities:

The Tax Modernization Advisor will work under the leadership of Senior Tax Advisor and will be responsible for:

• Assisting in conducting research, assessments and analysis of the General Sales Tax on Services in KP including data collection on tax registration, e-filing, tax compliance, tax awareness, and tax audit process and systems.
• Assist in the review, test and validation of tax receipts and advise on storage, retrieval and usability of information received from taxpayers via the existing e-service portal.
• Advise in developing and updating taxpayer databases and streamlining tax collection and revenue management processes. This will include tax accounting, audit process, notification process and other internal business process in close collaboration with KPRA officials and other stakeholders including the World Bank.
• Advise on tax benchmarking and Tax Administration Diagnostic studies to evaluate the performance of KP tax administration system in close collaboration with KPRA officials. Studies will include benchmarking by “numbers” – the quantitative approach and by “sound institutional practices” – the qualitative approach.  
• Conduct training need assessments and deliver frequent on-job training to KPRA officials. Trainings will focus on various tax administration issues including risk-based audit case selection, the use of ICT solutions including advance e-filling systems, and taxpayer database.
• Advise on developing and implementing sound change management practices, manuals, and other processes in support of reforming KPRA’s tax administration systems.
• Assist in conducting focus group discussions with KPRA tax officials, GoKP officials, taxpayers, and business associations in KP; and
• Any other tasks as assigned by Tax Administration/Modernization Advisor or the Chief of Party.

Qualifications:

• Must be a Pakistani citizen
• A MA/MS in economics, public financial management, public administration, or another related field with at least 7 years of tax administration and tax policy experience.
• A BA/BS in economics, public financial management, public administration, or another related field with at least 10 years of tax administration and tax policy experience.
• Must have experience working with tax systems and is familiar with tax administration processes.
• Must possess advance knowledge of working with spreadsheets and using IT systems.
• Must have familiarity with local context and past tax administration efforts in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and other provinces of Pakistan.
• Prior experience with Pakistan Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) preferred
• Must have proven success working in a multi-cultural environment and interaction with diverse stakeholders including donors, national governments and local organizations.
• Must be willing to be based in Peshawar/Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and travel in the area, especially to KPRA regional offices in Bannu, Abbottabad and Mardan.
• Fluency in English required, and Pashto highly encouraged

NOTE: This position description should not be construed to imply that the requirements are the exclusive standards of the position nor will it be the sole basis for any subsequent employee evaluations. Incumbents will follow any other instructions and perform any other related duties as may be required by their supervisor.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, protected veteran status or other status protected by applicable law.