**We are now finished collecting expressions of interest and stopped collecting applications. Thank you very much for applying**
In the months ahead, the Local Government Revenue Initiative (LoGRI) will be expanding our team working at the intersection of research, applied learning and direct engagement with governments. As we plan the details of that expansion we are inviting Expressions of Interest from individuals at both senior and junior levels interested in joining the LoGRI team, either as full time members of our team or as contractors on specific projects.
Roles for which we expect to recruit in the next few months include:
- Research/Policy Lead
- Knowledge Management Lead:
- Technical Lead/Advisor
- Research Officer/Field Coordinator
- Post-Doctoral Fellow/PhD Candidate
We have a preference for hiring full-time members of our team at our institutional hub at the University of Toronto, or the home of the ICTD at the Institute of Development Studies, but can also consider engaging qualified candidates based elsewhere as contractors or through partner organisations.
We particularly invite expressions of interest from those from or based in Africa and South Asia, and from those who are able to work in both English and French. More details about the LoGRI programme can be found here, while a more detailed description of the services required follows below. If interested, please write to [email protected]
Background
In 2021 the ICTD launched the Local Government Revenue Initiative (LoGRI) with the goal of developing policy relevant research, knowledge, expertise, and tools to support governments to raise more local government revenue, more equitably and fairly, and in ways that promote trust, transparency, and accountability. Based at the Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy at the University of Toronto, LoGRI expands upon the work of the African Property Tax Initiative.
The LoGRI programme builds upon ICTD research over the past decade focused on better understanding the core challenges facing property tax systems in lower-income countries, and investigating strategies for improving outcomes. That research has supported the development of novel reform strategies tailored to the needs of lower-income countries, and deepened understanding of the diversity of reform needs across countries. This has been reflected, most notably, in support to the successful implementation of many of those ideas in a reform programme in Freetown, Sierra Leone.
With the launch of the LoGRI programme we are continuing to support high quality and policy relevant research, while expanding our capacity to translate research into impact through
(a) applied learning and research synthesis,
(b) the development of tools to support reform
(c) direct partnerships with governments in diagnosing challenges, developing reform strategies, piloting new approaches and rolling out reform.
By working at the intersection of research and reform we seek to generate unique insights into more effective approaches to reform while seeking to share that learning globally in order to generate broader impact. Over time we also aim to expand work to explore other areas of local revenue mobilisation, though our immediate focus is primarily on property taxation.
Summary of Potential Roles
Having built a core team over the past year we are now looking to expand that team in order to expand our capacity to both conduct novel research and engage with governments around reform diagnostics, design and implementation. Within a growing team there is some scope to tailor roles to the skills and interests of qualified individuals, which motivates this initial call for expressions of interest. We expect to be expanding our team in the following broad areas over the next six months.
Research/Policy Lead: We are looking to recruit an individual at the senior level, with a PhD or equivalent background, who can contribute both to (a) designing, supporting and/or conducting field research and (b) engaging directly with governments to communicate key findings from research, diagnose reform needs and support the design of reform initiatives. We are open to candidates who are more oriented toward either research or policy engagement, but the ideal candidate will be able to work confidently in both domains. We are, in parallel, open to collaborating with individuals with relevant research interests related to property taxation to directly support specific country research and engagements. Two examples of past country specific engagements can be found here and here.
Technical Lead/Advisor: We are looking to recruit an individual with a strong technical background in survey methods, data analysis and GIS – along with at least some familiarity with IT systems for public administration – who can co-lead technical engagement with governments and partners around reform diagnostics, reform design and pilot projects. This role will particularly focus on supporting the testing and introduction of novel approaches to property mapping and identification, property valuation and the introduction of new IT systems, and will also be involved in extracting lessons from reform initiatives in order to develop publicly available technical tools to support reform efforts. An earlier version of the role – for which recruitment was postponed – can be found here. We are, in parallel, open to collaborating with individuals with broader experience and technical expertise related to property taxation to directly support specific country engagements.
Knowledge Management Lead: We are looking to recruit an individual at a senior level who, working with the Communications Lead and senior management, can lead the development of LoGRI’s KM strategy, covering systems and processes for knowledge collation, development of knowledge products and dissemination of research and knowledge outputs. Central to the role will be an ability to work across different LoGRI projects to draw intellectual connections, ensure coherence and engage in research synthesis and writing for public audiences. The successful candidate will have a relevant MA or PhD, experience with research and research synthesis, and strong writing skills.
Research Officer/Field Coordinator: We are looking to recruit one or more individuals to support our Research, Policy and Technical Leads in the implementation of research projects, diagnostic exercises, pilot projects and efforts to directly support reform programmes. Successful candidates will generally have an MA in a relevant field, and, ideally, some knowledge of property tax reform – or, if not, closely related expertise in researching or supporting public sector reform or in the implementation of surveys and/or pilot programs.
Post-Doctoral Fellows/PhD Candidates: We are open to directly recruiting – or, alternatively, engaging closely with – prospective post-doctoral fellows, current PhD candidates or prospective PhD candidates with a central interest in doing applied and policy relevant research relevant to strengthening property tax systems, or, potentially, local revenue raising more broadly. Through these collaborations we aim to create opportunities for younger researchers through opportunities to design research projects embedded within existing reform initiatives and existing partnerships with government revenue authorities. We invite expressions of interest both from those seeking positions or those in existing positions who are doing related work and would like to connect more deeply with the LoGRI programme.
Submitting an Expression of Interest
As we plan the details of new recruitment we are inviting Expressions of Interest from individuals at both senior and junior levels who would be interested in joining the LoGRI team. The goal of this expression of interest is to identify potentially interested and qualified candidates in order to help to guide subsequent recruitment and team building. We expect to launch formal recruitment beginning in late January. More details about the LoGRI programme can be found here. We have a preference for hiring at our institutional hub at the University of Toronto, or the home of the ICTD at the Institute of Development Studies, but can also consider engaging qualified candidates based elsewhere. We welcome applications from those who are relatively early career, but meet the basic requirements of these roles, as we are committed creating an environment that fosters strong mentorship and opportunities for learning and leadership. We particularly invite expressions of interest from those from or based in Africa and South Asia, and from those who are able to work in both English and French.
We are no longer accepting applications for this. Thank you to all who expressed your interest.
