PRINCIPAL ANALYST: DIGITAL PAYMENTS INNOVATION & POLICY DEVELOPMENT
Grade: P3
Windhoek
Minimum Experience: 5+ Years with At least 5 years’ experience in a financial/payment systems regulatory environment, of which 2 years must be at a supervisory level.
Minimum Qualification: Honours in • Minimum Honours Degree or equivalent qualification in Economics and / or Futures Studies/Digital Payments Innovation. • Digital Payments or Instant & Inclusive Payments Certification/Training or equivalent will be an advantage. • Managers Development Programme (MDP) or equivalent will be an advantage.
Closing Date: 03 April 2025
Knowledge & Skills
• In-depth understanding of domestic, regional, and international payment systems, including RTGS, ACH, card networks, instant payments, and emerging digital payment solutions.
• Strong knowledge of the National Payment System (NPS) framework, including clearing, payment, and settlement systems.
• Strong understanding of the Bank of Namibia’s regulatory framework and environment, (Payment System Management Act, Banking Institutions Act, Bank of Namibia Act, Exchange Control Act, State Finance Act, Financial Intelligence Act).
• Expertise in international payment standards such as the Principles for Financial Market Infrastructures (PFMI), payment system oversight principles, and global regulatory frameworks.
• Advanced systems thinking capabilities to assess complex interdependencies within payment ecosystems.
• Strategic policy impact assessment and regulatory evaluation to ensure policies align with financial stability and digital payment innovation objectives.
• Strong research, policy analysis, and report-writing skills for policy recommendations.
• Advanced data analytics skills, including the ability to analyse payment trends, transaction flows, and systemic risks.
• Risk assessment expertise in payment system operations, financial market infrastructures, and emerging payment technologies.
• Project management and change management experience in the financial sector, particularly in payment system modernization initiatives.
• Negotiation, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills to engage stakeholders and drive regulatory initiatives.
Duties & Responsibilities
The principal accountabilities of this position are to:
• Conduct research pertaining to new trends, digital innovations in the payment’s ecosystem and make recommendations to the department management.
• Conduct cost and income assessments and make policy recommendations to the Bank for standards on fees and charges for payment services, including interchange fees.
• Develop and utilize simulation and stress-testing models to analyze the interdependence between retail payment systems, settlement systems, and the broader economy, identifying potential vulnerabilities in the national payment system.
• Understand and analyse the impact of NPS policy and regulatory decisions on the broader economy i.e. post-implementation impact of NPS laws and regulations, policies etc.
• Analyse and manage payment statistics / data and establish intelligent insights and recommendations for strategic input to the development of the National Payment System.
• Undertake and contribute to inter-departmental projects, initiatives and activities within the Bank, ensure risk management and operational efficiency within the Digital Payments Innovation & Policy Development Section, and ensure that risk and audit items are timeously addressed.
• Draft policies, and guidelines to enhance the efficiency and resilience of payment systems.
• Evaluate regulatory frameworks, ensuring alignment with international standards (e.g., Financial Markets Infrastructure Principles, Oversight Principles).
• Act as a catalyst role by attending, participating, and contributing at relevant technical committees such as Financial Stability Technical Committee; BON/Ministry of Finance Technical Committee, PAN PCHs.