MINISTRY OF FINANCE AND DEVELOPMENT PLANNING
EXTERNAL CIRCULAR NOTICE NO 1 OF 2025
FIN/HR/ADVERTS/02
Department: Macroeconomic Policy and Management
Job Title: Chief Economist
Grade: I
Responsible To: Director Economic Policy
Main Purpose of the Job
Monitoring fiscal performance and providing advice on revenue and expenditure policies. Developing and maintaining macroeconomic models for forecasts used in budget preparation, economic policy formulation, sectoral programming, and other structural reform programs of the government.
Main Duties
1. Monitors Fiscal Performance and Provides Policy Advice on Fiscal Management
1.1 Coordinates reviews of fiscal performance and proposed targets.
1.2 Develops guidelines for fiscal analysis and management.
1.3 Provides estimates on general government resource envelope and makes recommendations on aggregate budgetary ceilings for recurrent and capital expenditure.
1.4 Provides analysis of new policy proposals/decisions or scenarios and determines their fiscal impact and other macroeconomic implications.
1.5 Reviews debt sustainability analysis studies and provides policymakers with options for debt strategy.
1.6 Initiates periodic reviews of tax policy and assesses proposals for tax policy changes.
1.7 Provides tax revenue targets for Revenue Service Lesotho (RSL).
2. Undertakes Public Expenditure Reviews and Advises on Macroeconomic Aspects of the Budget
2.1 Develops and maintains a system of economic models for macroeconomic policy formulation.
2.2 Establishes, maintains, and initiates measures to improve the economic database.
2.3 Participates in the design and operationalization of models for short-, medium-, and long-term macroeconomic forecasts to support sound economic policy and management.
2.4 Contributes to the preparation of macroeconomic forecasts for the Medium-Term Fiscal Framework (MTFF) within the Financial Programming Framework.
2.5 Identifies and examines topical economic issues using modeling systems and develops scenarios to inform economic decision-making. Issues may include:
- Analysis of SACU and the implications of trade barrier reductions.
- Changes in key parameters of the African Growth Opportunities Act (AGOA), among others.
3. Provision of Macroeconomic Policy Advice and Analysis
3.1 Prepares annual reviews of economic performance.
3.2 Ensures consistency between sectoral policy objectives and macroeconomic policy frameworks.
3.3 Coordinates country economic reviews conducted by external agencies (e.g., annual visits by Fitch Ratings).
3.4 Assists PSIC in the formulation and application of macroeconomic criteria for project selection and appraisals, including:
- Inflation and exchange rate assumptions.
- Discount rate considerations.
- Life cycle costing of capital costs and recurrent implications.
4. Supervision of Division Staff
4.1 Supervises all Senior Economists within the Division, ensuring coordination of their work.
4.2 Ensures that staff annual plans align with departmental objectives.
4.3 Conducts quarterly staff appraisals to assess individual performance and training needs.
4.4 Holds and participates in meetings for progress reporting.
Job Specification
Education and Training:
- Master’s Degree in Economics (Preferred).
- Bachelor’s Degree in Economics (Acceptable with additional experience).
Work Experience:
- With a Master’s Degree: 5 years of experience as a Senior Economist / Senior Economic Planner, with knowledge of Financial Programming, Macroeconomics, and Econometric skills being an added advantage.
- With a Bachelor’s Degree: 7 years of experience as a Senior Economist / Senior Economic Planner, with knowledge of Financial Programming, Macroeconomics, and Econometric skills being an added advantage.
Other Relevant Knowledge and Skills:
- Proven analytical skills.
- Experience in data analysis and management.
- Strong communication skills.
- Familiarity with Public Service Rules, Codes of Conduct, and Regulations.
Application Submission:
Submit applications to:
📍 Government Complex, Ministry of Finance, Budget Department
🏢 Human Resources Office, 3rd Floor, Room 3063
NB:
APPLICANTS WHO ARE SHORTLISTED WILL BE REQUIRED TO SUBMIT CERTIFICATES OF VERIFICATION OF EDUCATIONAL
CERTIFICATES FROM THE COUNCIL OF HOGHER EDUCATION (CHE)
Applications on relevant forms GP103 for job seekers and GP 104 for serving officers accompanied by certified copies of educational certificates and transcripts and National
Identity Document (ID) should be addressed to:
Human Resources Office
Ministry of Finance
P. O. Box 395
Maseru
NOT LATER THAN FRIDAY 14th APRIL 2025