Sector Expert – Telecom

The Revenue Mobilisation, Investment and Trade (REMIT) is a 39-months (2021 – 2025) programme funded by the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and is implemented by Adam Smith International (ASI). The programme provides technical assistance (TA) to Pakistan with a broader objective 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.

To optimise FBR’s operational effectiveness, REMIT has recognised sector studies/notes as an essential tool to understand and map the business processes and market dynamics of key sectors, with the ultimate goal of enhancing tax revenues. These reports will deliver an in-depth review of business processes, encapsulating supply chain dynamics, production processes, and the post-production scenario of each specific sector.

By delving deeply into the nuances of each sector, these notes will review the essential business processes, discern the market dynamics, and highlight sector-specific peculiarities. Designed as an essential tool, they aim to simplify tax law applications, significantly reduce the orientation period for FBR officials newly assigned to a sector, and fundamentally elevate FBR’s ability in both tax policy formation and revenue collection.

The initiative aims to create comprehensive sector notes of identified sectors. By providing detailed information on identified sectors, the notes will improve outcomes for FBR and taxpayers, ensure effective enforcement of tax laws, and enhance revenues.

Job Summary

This assignment aims to produce detailed sector notes for the telecom sector (identified in consultation with FBR). The sector notes will thoroughly examine business processes, market dynamics, and the unique characteristics inherent to the telecom sector. These notes will serve as a pivotal reference for current and future FBR staff, streamlining the implementation of tax laws, minimising the learning curve for officials new to a sector, and ultimately bolstering FBR’s efficiency in tax collection and policy formulation.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Conduct comprehensive research into the Telecom sector, understanding its business models and processes, revenue streams, and market dynamics.
• Identify nuances and peculiarities related to the Telecom sector that impact its income tax implications.
• Gather information on current income tax policies applied to the Telecom sector and assess their effectiveness along with international best practices.
• Engage with key stakeholders in the Telecom sector to gain insights into their financial structures and challenges related to income tax.
• Organise and conduct workshops to disseminate findings and educate FBR officials.
• Develop a comprehensive sector note on the Telecom sector, detailing its market dynamics, financial structures, taxation regime, possible areas for evasion/avoidance, and recommendations to ensure optimum compliance with tax laws.
• Provide actionable insights that FBR can immediately adopt to improve taxation of this sector.
• Stay updated with the latest trends and changes in the Telecom sector that could influence income tax policies.
• Establish a consistent feedback system from FBR officials and the Telecom sector to refine and enhance the sector notes periodically (if required).

Qualifications and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in Economics, Finance, Business Administration, Accountancy, Taxation or related fields; Master’s or other advance degree will be preferred.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in the Telecom sector, with a particular focus on tax management or related areas.
• Expert level understanding of financial statements, cost structures, and revenue models of telecom companies is imperative.
• Basic understanding of telecom technologies, networks, and infrastructure is desirable.
• Knowledge of regulatory environment, including licensing, spectrum allocation, and compliance requirements will be preferred.
• Demonstrable experience in research and report writing.
• Good stakeholder management skills.
• Experience in organising and leading workshops and training sessions.
• Effective communication and presentation skills, with the ability to interact with diverse stakeholders.

Reporting

The “Sector Expert – Telecom” will report to the REMIT Team Lead and REMIT Tax Lead.