Director, Macro-Fiscal Policy and Expenditure Efficiency

About the job
Position: Director

Department: Macro-Fiscal Policy and Expenditure Efficiency

Reporting to: General Secretary, Ministry of Finance

Job Summary:

The Director of the Macro-Fiscal Policy and Expenditure Efficiency is responsible for leading the development and implementation of fiscal rules, enhancing the efficiency of government expenditure, and establishing a robust mid-term fiscal framework for the Sultanate of Oman. The role involves designing and maintaining an early warning system to identify fiscal risks, conducting comprehensive economic and financial analysis, and driving initiatives that optimize public spending. The General Manager will work closely with senior officials, both within the Ministry and across other government bodies including international organizations, to ensure fiscal sustainability, efficient resource allocation, and long-term economic stability.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead the formulation and implementation of fiscal rules to ensure long-term fiscal discipline and sustainability.

• Design policies to align government expenditures and revenues with macroeconomic objectives, ensuring fiscal responsibility in both good and challenging economic times.

• Regularly review and update fiscal rules in response to changing economic conditions and government priorities.

• Develop and implement a comprehensive Mid-Term Fiscal Framework to guide government budget planning and forecasting over a 5 year horizon.

• Ensure the MTFF integrates revenue, expenditure, and debt strategies to support sustainable public finances.

• Provide strategic guidance to align the MTFF with broader economic and development objectives, ensuring fiscal flexibility and resilience.

• Establish and maintain an early warning system to detect and address potential fiscal risks, including economic shocks, revenue shortfalls, and unanticipated expenditures.

• Monitor domestic and international economic trends, assess their impact on Oman’s fiscal position, and recommend timely adjustments to fiscal policies.

• Develop risk mitigation strategies, including contingency plans and fiscal buffers, to safeguard public finances during crises or downturns.

• Drive initiatives to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of government spending, ensuring value for money and optimal use of public resources.

• Oversee public expenditure reviews to identify areas for cost savings, waste reduction, and reallocation of resources to high-priority sectors.

• Collaborate with relevant ministries to implement performance-based budgeting, ensuring that expenditure outcomes align with national development goals.

• Conduct in-depth economic and financial analysis to inform fiscal policy decisions, focusing on areas such as revenue forecasts, inflation, economic growth, and labor market trends.

• Provide the General Secretary with regular reports and recommendations based on data-driven insights, helping shape Oman’s fiscal and economic strategies.

• Lead the preparation of fiscal reports and presentations for senior leadership, stakeholders, and international organizations, including the IMF and World Bank.

• Coordinate with the Debt Management Office to ensure debt policies are consistent with macro-fiscal goals and do not compromise future fiscal flexibility.

• Analyze the long-term fiscal implications of current spending and revenue policies, recommending adjustments as necessary to maintain fiscal balance.

• Collaborate with key ministries, international financial institutions, and economic advisory bodies to align fiscal policies with broader economic goals.

• Represent the Ministry of Finance in high-level discussions on fiscal policy and expenditure efficiency, both domestically and internationally.

• Facilitate regular engagement with government stakeholders to ensure fiscal policies and expenditure strategies are well understood and effectively implemented.

• Lead efforts to strengthen the institutional capacity of the Ministry of Finance, focusing on enhancing skills in fiscal policy analysis, expenditure management, and economic forecasting.

• Provide training and guidance to internal teams, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and innovation in fiscal management.

Qualifications & Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in Economics, Finance, Public Policy, or a related field. Master is a plus.

• Advanced certifications or training in public finance management, macroeconomics, or fiscal policy is an advantage.

• Minimum of 16 years of experience in public finance, fiscal policy development, or macroeconomic analysis, preferably within a government or international financial institution.

• Proven track record in managing mid-term fiscal frameworks, implementing fiscal rules, and improving government expenditure efficiency.

• Experience in fiscal risk management and designing early warning systems is highly desirable.

• Expertise in fiscal policy, economic analysis, and government expenditure management.

• Strong analytical, strategic thinking, and financial modeling skills.

• Excellent communication, presentation, and leadership abilities, with experience engaging high-level government officials and stakeholders.

• Proficient in economic forecasting, budgetary frameworks, and fiscal sustainability assessments.

Key Competencies:

Strong leadership and decision-making skills.
In-depth understanding of Oman’s fiscal and economic landscape.
Ability to balance short-term fiscal pressures with long-term sustainability goals.
Excellent problem-solving abilities, especially in identifying and mitigating fiscal risks.