Laban Simbeye
Lusaka
Summary
Results-oriented leader with significant experience at Zambia Revenue Authority, excelling in strategic planning and executive coordination. Track record of improving organizational effectiveness and stakeholder management. Skilled in big data analysis, driving data-informed decisions and enhancing cross-functional teamwork to fulfill institutional aims. Focused on leveraging data for impactful policy formulation and performance management.
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Acting Director Executive Support & Chief of Staff
Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA)
Lusaka
12.2023 - Current
- Served as strategic adviser and executive coordinator for Commissioner General, aligning ZRA's leadership and operations.
- Directed corporate communications and stakeholder engagement to enhance public profile and build trust in tax administration.
- Managed daily operations of CG's office, overseeing high-level decision-making processes and executive scheduling.
- Recruited, trained, and mentored staff members while evaluating performance against established benchmarks.
- Conducted regular meetings with department heads to assess progress on strategic initiatives.
- Implemented systems for tracking key initiative progress, ensuring accountability and transparency.
- Prepared presentations for board meetings, summarizing significant organizational developments.
- Represented organization at industry events and conferences to foster global partnerships.
Network of Tax Organisations Coordinator
African Tax Administration Forum (ATAF)
Pretoria
08.2023 - 02.2025
- Facilitated coordination between NTO secretariat and various tax organizations to enhance collaboration.
- Promoted international dialogue on taxation to improve Domestic Revenue Mobilization (DRM).
- Supported capacity development for 10 member organizations across 180 national tax administrations.
- Collaborated on key initiatives representing ATAF Executive Secretary and current Chairman of NTO Council.
- Appointed to technical committee to define future strategies for the organization.
Assistant Director - Statistics, Data Management and Analytics
Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA)
Lusaka
04.2017 - 12.2023
- Lead ZRA's data strategy in alignment with international standards (OECD, IMF), focusing on the acquisition, governance, and utilization of statistical and analytical data to support tax administration, policy formulation, and compliance monitoring.
- Developed and implemented data governance frameworks and statistical standards consistent with IMF's Enhanced General Data Dissemination System (e-GDDS) and OECD's Tax Administration 2024 guidelines.
- Directed multidisciplinary teams in statistics and data science to generate actionable insights into taxpayer behavior, compliance risk, and revenue performance.
- Strengthened institutional data quality, transparency, and dissemination practices to support evidence-based decision-making and international reporting obligations.
- Modernized data infrastructure and analytics capabilities to support automated compliance risk management, debt collection analysis, and taxpayer segmentation.
- Contributed to ZRA's strategic planning and performance monitoring through the integration of macroeconomic indicators, tax gap analysis, and predictive modeling.
- Collaborated with international partners and donor agencies to align ZRA's data strategy with global standards and capacity development initiatives.
Project Manager - Data Analytics Project
Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA)
Lusaka
04.2017 - 03.2023
- Played a key role in the successful delivery of ZRA's first-generation data warehouse project, code named BIDA.
- This project involved designing and implementing a robust data infrastructure that streamlined data management, analytics, and reporting processes for the organization.
- Through collaboration with cross-functional teams, we were able to meet project milestones on time and within budget, ultimately enhancing data accessibility and supporting informed decision-making within ZRA.
Executive Assistant to Chief Executive Officer
Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA)
Lusaka
05.2015 - 04.2017
- Managed executive schedules and coordinated appointments for Chief Executive Officer.
- Facilitated communication between CEO and internal departments to enhance operational efficiency.
- Organized high-level meetings, ensuring all logistics and materials were ready.
- Assisted in strategic planning by preparing agendas and meeting notes.
- Liaised with external partners to support CEO initiatives and projects.
- Handled confidential matters while building stakeholder relationships.
- Researched industry trends to provide informed recommendations to CEO.
- Arranged international travel itineraries for top executives' business trips.
Senior Economist - Revenue Forecasting
Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA)
Lusaka
05.2013 - 04.2015
- Led research projects and conducted impact analysis to drive strategic decision-making.
- Analyzed economic trends impacting tax policy and revenue collection strategies.
- Developed comprehensive economic models to forecast fiscal outcomes for government initiatives.
- Presented findings on tax efficiency to senior leadership and governmental stakeholders.
- Mentored junior economists in data analysis techniques and economic modeling approaches.
- Wrote reports and detailed proposals to present backup economic data and support funding allocation for specific projects.
- Designed comprehensive research initiatives and analyzed complex data for actionable insights.
- Communicated findings effectively to diverse audiences, enhancing understanding and engagement.
Actuarial Analyst
Madison Life Insurance Company Zambia Limited
Lusaka
10.2011 - 04.2013
- Analyzed risk factors for insurance policies to determine premium rates.
- Collaborated with underwriting team to assess policy applications and claims.
- Developed actuarial models using statistical software for financial forecasting.
- Prepared detailed reports on insurance trends and market analysis for management.
- Conducted regular audits on data accuracy and compliance with regulatory standards.
- Assisted in the design of new insurance products based on market research findings.
- Compiled and categorized numerical data and evaluated financial loss and expenses.
- Developed proposals for revised pricing and communicated proposals to senior management.
- Performed pension valuations for clients with cash balance plans.
- Implemented new software programs designed specifically for use in actuarial functions.
- Participated in cross-functional teams tasked with developing innovative solutions for business challenges.
- Reviewed claims data to assess potential losses due to fraud or other risks.
- Created and implemented different financial analysis plans, reports and statistical calculations.
Economic Development Assistant
Embassy of Japan
Zambia
03.2010 - 09.2011
- Coordinated events promoting Japanese culture and business opportunities in the region.
- Researched and analyzed economic data to support policy recommendations.
- Facilitated communication between Japanese officials and local stakeholders.
- Supported grant applications to secure funding for development projects.
- Prepared reports summarizing economic trends and development initiatives.
- Collaborated with teams to implement community development programs effectively.
- Organized meetings between business owners, government officials, and other stakeholders to discuss economic development opportunities.
- Provided technical assistance to small businesses on various aspects of running a successful enterprise.
Business Analyst
PwC
Lusaka
07.2008 - 10.2008
- Conducted market research to inform strategic business decisions.
- Presented findings and recommendations to senior leadership teams.
- Conducted competitive analysis to inform strategic planning and positioning.
- Assessed potential risks, identified risk mitigation strategies, and implemented risk control measures.
- Prepared business proposals and presentations for various stakeholders.
- Conducted detailed business analysis, outlining problems, opportunities, and solutions for a business.
Education
Leadership Development Programme - Organizational Leadership
National University of Singapore
Singapore06.2024
Doctor of Philosophy - PhD - Economics
University of Zambia
Lusaka, Zambia12.2023
Tax Analysis and Revenue Forecasting -
University of Pretoria/Universiteit Van Pretoria
Pretoria South Africa12.2014
Master's Degree - Economics
University of Zimbabwe
Harare, Zimbabwe12.2010
Bachelor's Degree - Economics & Statistics
University of Zambia
Lusaka, Zambia12.2007
Skills
- Public sector statistics
- Executive coordination
- Strategic planning
- Corporate communications
- Project management
- Policy formulation
- Big data analysis
- Organizational effectiveness
- Performance management
- Stakeholder management
- Forecasting
- Financial analysis
- Risk management
- Organizational management
- Cross-functional team leadership
Websites
Certification
- Leading Effectively
- Doubling Your Productivity
- Macroeconomics of Climate Change: Green Public Finance
Publications
- How have formal firms recovered from the pandemic? Insights from survey and tax administrative data in Zambia
- Tax Revenue Collection in Zambia; a Historical Perspective
Current Position
Chief of Staff at Zambia Revenue Authority
Languages
English
First Language
French
Elementary (A2)
A2
Timeline
Acting Director Executive Support & Chief of Staff
Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA)
12.2023 - Current
Network of Tax Organisations Coordinator
African Tax Administration Forum (ATAF)
08.2023 - 02.2025
Assistant Director - Statistics, Data Management and Analytics
Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA)
04.2017 - 12.2023
Project Manager - Data Analytics Project
Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA)
04.2017 - 03.2023
Executive Assistant to Chief Executive Officer
Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA)
05.2015 - 04.2017
Senior Economist - Revenue Forecasting
Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA)
05.2013 - 04.2015
Actuarial Analyst
Madison Life Insurance Company Zambia Limited
10.2011 - 04.2013
Economic Development Assistant
Embassy of Japan
03.2010 - 09.2011
Business Analyst
PwC
07.2008 - 10.2008
Leadership Development Programme - Organizational Leadership
National University of Singapore
Doctor of Philosophy - PhD - Economics
University of Zambia
Tax Analysis and Revenue Forecasting -
University of Pretoria/Universiteit Van Pretoria
Master's Degree - Economics
University of Zimbabwe
Bachelor's Degree - Economics & Statistics
University of Zambia