Tax Developer

Responsibilities:

• Plan, manage and undertake high quality applied research and other analytical projects, and develop or co-produce simulation tools and models with government partners to support tax policy analysis, with support from the cross-country ODI and IFS research teams.
• Working with government partners to determine the appropriate indicators or proxy measurement, methods and methodology for data and information collection.
• Identifying potential data sources, conduct or co-produce analysis, interpretation of findings and drafting of reports and policy briefings. 
• Build strong relationships with government partners and help to identify policy and research questions relevant to current practice.
• Support data sharing and appropriate country-led governance arrangements between relevant government institutions, and with ODI and IFS, and strengthen systems for formatting, cleaning and processing data for policy analysis
• Develop a work plan in line with government priorities, to be agreed with the country partners.
• Periodic estimation and reporting of revenue foregone under tax expenditure and evaluation of tax expenditures against objectives
• Support partners to respond to questions from policy makers using analytical tools and evidence
• Appraisal and costing of new tax policy measures as part of the annual budget process
• Evaluation of tax policy impacts, such as revenue and distributional impacts, to inform future tax policy formulation;
• Support to the consultation of stakeholders on the formulation of new tax policy measures;
• Develop systems and processes to ensure that routine analysis can be conducted efficiently and accurately
• Keep up to date with tax policy developments in partner countries and internationally;
• Liaise actively with researchers and academics across ODI, IFS and local institutions to identify opportunities for research projects and collaboration.
• Work with partners and researchers to develop realistic and implementable project plans and help ensure that all project activities progress according to partner and donor timelines
• Contribute to reporting on progress towards delivery of programme objectives, milestones, outcomes and outputs, in line with donor reporting requirements
• Work with partners and researchers to develop and manage the negotiation of research deliverables, work plans and budgets for data collection agencies and sub-contractors (if required)
• Establish and strengthen relationships with local technical assistance providers and governments’ development partners to help coordinate and complement delivery of TaxDev’s assistance with that of others.
• Keep up to date with tax policy developments in partner countries and internationally and facilitate knowledge transfer within the Nigerian tax policy community.
• Effectively manage relationship with researchers, and academics across ODI, IFS as well as with local stakeholder institutions to identify opportunities for collaboration and partnership on research for development.
• Work with partners to identify training gaps and needs, on-job coaching and professional development needs, and contribute to updating and enhancing country-level capacity development plans to respond to these needs
• Work with partners and researchers to organise and deliver TaxDev’s contribution to the capacity development plans, including training workshops, study tours and fellowships
• Work with partners and researchers to develop and update training manuals that can be used for the continuous HR improvement and of analytical tools and for broader publication on the TaxDev, ODI, and IFS websites
• Work with partners to monitor and review progress in capacity development, including through periodic skills assessments.
• Contribute to TaxDev communications, liaison and engagement activities in partner countries and work with partners, ODI, and IFS researchers to disseminate lessons and guidance on analytical methods and research findings to TaxDev’s network and wider audiences of governments, international institutions and development partners, tax practitioners and researchers interested in tax policy.
• Contribute to the organisation of conferences, workshops, and dissemination events and other relevant user engagement methods in collaboration with partners, ODI, IFS, and the local research community.

Requirements:

• Advanced understanding of economic theory and principles, particularly in the context of public finance and development economics, enabling effective analysis and policy design.
• Minimum of 3 years of experience in research
• Data and context analysis and public policy or international development, including at least some experience of tax policy and/or administration
• Demonstrated knowledge of tax policy, experience in conducting rigorous research, data and context analysis and engaging in public policy or international development projects, with the ability to apply economic principles and research findings to real-world policy challenges, ideally in a tax policy context.
• Relevant alternative experience will also be considered.
• Strong interest in economic analysis of public finance and development
• Deep motivation to connect academic research with practical policy design and evaluation, particularly in the field of public finance and development.
• Proven ability to work collaboratively with a diverse range of stakeholders, including government partners, researchers, and international organizations, to foster productive partnerships and achieve project goals.
• Ability to manage complex projects by defining objectives, planning systematically, monitoring progress, and adjusting plans to meet changing circumstances and timelines.
• Capacity to work independently, take initiative, and leverage a broad network of contacts and resources, while sharing knowledge and insights with a larger team of researchers and stakeholders.
• Strong analytical skills with the capability to apply economic reasoning to a variety of public policy issues, ensuring rigorous and objective analysis.
• Proficiency in mathematical and statistical techniques commonly used in applied public economics and policy analysis, with experience in handling and interpreting complex datasets.
• Expertise in managing and processing data using tools such as MS Excel, and statistical software or programming languages like STATA or R, to support accurate and efficient analysis.
• Data science skills could be an added advantage.
• Ability to convey complex economic concepts and findings in clear, accessible language, tailored to diverse audiences, including policymakers and non-specialists.
• Proven track record of delivering high-quality work within tight deadlines, demonstrating resilience and the ability to prioritize effectively.
• Dedication to maintaining the highest standards of accuracy, integrity, and impartiality in all aspects of work.
• Previous experience working in developing countries, providing valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities
• Practical experience in tax policy formulation, analysis, or administration, offering a deeper understanding of government processes and decision-making.
• Background in managing or contributing to donor-funded technical assistance projects focused on tax reform in low- or middle-income countries.
• Demonstrable coaching, mentoring and teaching skills will be valued in these roles, as part of the on-the-job co-creation activities and delivery of more structured training activities.
• Familiarity with other relevant tools, such as Python, SAS, or similar data science and machine learning software, enhancing analytical capabilities and versatility in handling various data analysis tasks.