Background

The international context of development cooperation is undergoing profound change. Traditional external funding sources, including bilateral and multilateral cooperation budgets, are under increasing pressure due to fiscal constraints in donor countries, competing geopolitical priorities and rising humanitarian and climate-related expenditures.

In this context, partner countries can no longer consider external aid as a stable and predictable source of financing.

As a result, the capacity of states to mobilise, manage and effectively use their own public resources has become a decisive factor for sustainable development, state legitimacy and long-term resilience. Domestic Resource Mobilisation (DRM), sound Public Finance Management (PFM) and prudent debt management are now central pillars of development policy.

For Enabel, strengthening public finance management systems across the entire budget cycle is a key lever to achieve the ambitions of its 2030 Strategy. As cooperation modalities evolve (budget support, blended finance, systemic approaches), developing strong internal PFM expertise is essential to ensure the quality, coherence and credibility of interventions.

Job description

As a Public Finance Management (PFM) Expert within the Expertise & Think (E&T) Department, and more specifically within the “Governance, Peace & Stability” unit, you play a strategic role in rebuilding and strengthening Enabel’s positioning and portfolio in public finance management.

Based in Brussels, you work closely with country teams and internal units, as well as with Belgian, European and international partners. You operate across diverse contexts (Ukraine, Moldova, sub-Saharan Africa…) and actively contribute to opportunity identification and programme development.

Your main responsibilities are structured around four key areas:

1. Strategy development and knowledge management

• Define and update Enabel’s positioning on PFM;
  
  
• Analyse sector trends and innovations;
  
  
• Capitalise on field experience and translate lessons learned into strategic guidance;
  
  
• Integrate cross-cutting priorities (gender, climate).
  
  

2. Programme co-creation and development

• Identify and develop a pipeline of opportunities with donors;
  
  
• Lead the formulation of PFM projects in coordination with country teams;
  
  
• Ensure alignment with national policies and international frameworks;
  
  
• Build and develop a global PFM project portfolio.
  
  

3. Technical support and quality assurance

• Provide technical support to ongoing projects (first and second line);
  
  
• Contribute to monitoring, learning and capitalisation processes;
  
  
• Ensure quality through structured technical dialogue;
  
  
• Support the implementation of institutional policies and approaches.
  
  
  

4. Expertise and partnership development

• Structure and animate an internal community of practice on PFM;
  
  
• Strengthen expert networks at Belgian, European and international levels;
  
  
• Develop strategic partnerships with public institutions and research centres;
  
  
• Contribute to knowledge sharing and network facilitation.

This role requires strong cross-functional coordination, in particular with country teams and the Global Partnership Service, as well as a strong sense of business development to strengthen Enabel’s PFM portfolio.

Your profile

You hold a Master’s degree in macroeconomics, public finance, public policy, governance or a related field.

You bring the following experience and competencies:

Experience and expertise

• Minimum 5 years of professional experience in Public Finance Management;
  
  
• Proven experience (min. 3 years) within or in close collaboration with a public institution;
  
  
• Experience in developing countries, ideally in sub-Saharan Africa;
  
  
• Strong knowledge of PFM components: budgeting, execution, treasury, accounting, audit and control;
  
  
• Good understanding of the links between DRM and PFM, as well as macroeconomic and debt-related issues.
  
  
  

Assets

• Experience with institutional reforms and political economy analysis;
  
  
• Familiarity with diagnostic tools (PEFA, TADAT, DeMPA, etc.);
  
  
• Experience linking PFM to social sectors, climate or decentralisation.
  
  
  

Transversal skills

• Ability to translate complex issues into clear strategic guidance;
  
  
• Excellent writing skills;
  
  
• Strong influencing and stakeholder engagement skills;
  
  
• Team player able to work in complex multicultural environments;
  
  
• Results-oriented.
  
  
  

Languages

• Excellent command of French and English (mandatory);
  
  
• Dutch is an asset.

Applicants are also required to commit to the vision, mission and values of Enabel (https://www.enabel.be/content/enabel-vision-mission-values).

We offer you

• A fascinating and varied job in an international environment.
  
  
• An open-ended contract. You mainly work in Brussels.  Regular duty travels to the countries where we implement projects are possible.
  
  
• You are employed by Enabel in the function of “Sectors & Thematics Expert”. A salary package that comprises the monthly gross salary (Class 6) as well as meal vouchers, hospitalisation/healthcare insurance, a group retirement savings plan, 24h/24h ETHIAS-Assistance, 13th month, double holiday allowance and 100% reimbursement of public transportation costs.
  
  
  

Following this recruitment procedure a shortlist of successful applicants may be constituted which may be sourced in the next three years for similar job openings.

Every person who fulfils the conditions listed in our job advertisements may apply. Enabel is committed to equal opportunities and diversity in its workforce. We do not discriminate on the basis of gender, origin, age, religion, sexual orientation, disability status or any other factor other than competence.