MINISTRY OF FINANCE AND DEVELOPMENT PLANNING
EXTERNAL CIRCULAR NOTICE NO 1 OF 2025
FIN/HR/ADVERTS/02
DEPARTMENT: Macroeconomic Policy & Fiscal Management
JOB TITLE: Senior Economist
GRADE: H
NUMBER OF POSTS: One (1)
RESPONSIBLE TO: Chief Economist
MAIN PURPOSE OF THE JOB
To develop and maintain macroeconomic models for macroeconomic forecasts and policy analysis, providing inputs for the preparation of the annual budget, economic policy formulation, poverty reduction strategy, and other development planning initiatives.
MAIN DUTIES
1. Development and Maintenance of Economic Models for Macroeconomic Policy Formulation
1.1 Establish, maintain, and initiate measures to improve the economic database.
1.2 Participate in designing and operationalizing models suitable for short, medium, and long-term macroeconomic forecasts.
1.3 Engage in equation/model estimation and analysis to assist in policy design and intervention for national development goals.
1.4 Contribute to the development of the Financial Programming Framework for the Medium-Term Fiscal Framework (MTFF).
1.5 Generate consistent macroeconomic forecasts and collaborate with stakeholders, including the Macroeconomic Workgroup (MWG), to reach consensus on policy targets.
1.6 Identify key policy issues and use the modeling system to develop scenarios for economic decision-making.
1.7 Provide policy advice based on model results to support the attainment of development goals such as the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), Poverty Reduction Strategy (PRS), and National Vision 2020.
1.8 Conduct periodic reviews and updates of the economic models and Macroeconomic Workgroup (MWG).
2. Provision of Information and Reports on Economic Forecasts and Analysis
2.1 Conduct structured surveys of major economic agents (private sector, commercial banks, etc.) to provide exogenous information for modeling.
2.2 Prepare forecasts of the economy based on structured surveys and modeling systems.
2.3 Develop periodic reports on policy issues for submission to the Chief Economist for publication.
2.4 Assist in the preparation and regular updating of a website to disseminate the department’s reports, research, and economic time-series data.
3. Provision of Policy Advice
3.1 Participate in meetings related to fiscal management, budget formulation, Integrated Financial Management Information System (IFMIS), Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF), Government Finance Statistics (GFS), and Macroeconomic Workgroup (MWG).
3.2 Contribute to policy-setting events such as National Vision 2020, National Development Plans, PRS, trade discussions, investment policy, and tax policy formulation.
3.3 Provide macroeconomic input on activities by multilateral and regional organizations.
3.4 Represent Lesotho in meetings with organizations such as the IMF, World Bank, and donor agencies.
4. Provision of Macroeconomic Policy Advice and Analysis
4.1 Prepare annual reviews of economic performance.
4.2 Assist in the preparation and updating of the Macroeconomic Policy Framework.
4.3 Ensure consistency between sectoral policy objectives and the Macroeconomic Policy Framework.
4.4 Provide advisory support on monetary policy in collaboration with the Central Bank of Lesotho (CBL).
4.5 Coordinate country economic reviews conducted by external agencies such as Fitch Ratings.
4.6 Assess the economic and resource implications of proposed policy reforms and draft legislation.
4.7 Contribute to the development of policy papers, including those on external financial and technical assistance.
4.8 Evaluate macroeconomic aspects of sectoral and cross-sectoral strategies.
4.9 Collaborate with the Public Debt Division on debt management and external assistance mobilization.
4.10 Assist the Project Appraisal Committee (PAC) in applying macroeconomic criteria for project selection and appraisal.
4.11 Support the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning and the Department of Private Sector Development & Financial Affairs (PSD & FA) in financial and economic analysis of major projects.
5. Supervision of Staff in the Division
5.1 Supervise Assistant Economists within the division and coordinate their work programs.
5.2 Participate in adapting country assessment frameworks for economic, social, and environmental performance self-assessments.
5.3 Conduct staff performance appraisals.
5.4 Participate in progress review meetings and reporting.
JOB SPECIFICATION
Education and Training
- Master’s Degree in Economics
Work Experience: Two (2) years of experience as a Senior Economist/Senior Economic Planner with knowledge of financial programming, macroeconomics, and econometric skills (an added advantage).
OR
- Bachelor’s Degree in Economics
Work Experience: Five (5) years of experience as a Senior Economist/Senior Economic Planner with knowledge of financial programming, macroeconomics, and econometric skills (an added advantage).
Other Relevant Knowledge and Competencies
- Proven analytical skills.
- Experience in data analysis and management.
- Good communication skills.
- Knowledge of Public Service Rules, Code of Conduct, and Regulations.
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