The International Centre for Tax and Development (Institute of Development Studies) is seeking 2 consultants for the DIGITAX research programme.
DIGITAX is a three-year research programme funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. With the rapid expansion of mobile money and other digital financial services (DFS), as well as the increased relevance of digital IDs across Africa and other lower-income countries, the DIGITAX programme aims to generate knowledge and evidence to support governments in overcoming the challenges and leveraging the opportunities presented in two main areas:
- The first is the design of appropriate and effective taxation of DFS and its providers, which can impact the development of these markets and financial inclusion.
- The second is harnessing the potential that the expansion of DFS and digital IDs presents, in terms of extensive new data, for the improvement of tax collection and administration.
The focus of the work is international, and primarily in sub-Saharan Africa.
Key deliverables
The consultants will produce:
- A literature review on digital public infrastructure, extracting key lessons on technology adoption that could be applied to the more specific tax administration context
- A shorter policy brief (10 pages max) summarising a desk review on recent developments on digital merchant payments and the implications for tax, especially focusing on Nigeria, India, Brazil.
- A quantitative assessment of the impacts of registering with the revenue authority through digital IDs, in both Ghana and Uganda, using robust econometric approach and analysing tax administrative data
- 2-4 policy briefs/blogs in collaboration with the research team, based on DIGITAX’s previous work in Uganda that provided a review of the taxation of financial services and digital financial services.
- Deliverables may be added depending on the needs of the programme and interest of the consultant.
Candidates:
- Should be qualified to university level – preferably Master’s – in a degree in development economics or a related discipline
- Demonstrate extensive coursework and experience in econometrics, development macro and microeconomics, public economics, research methods and econometrics
Skills required:
- Strong writing skills to be evidenced with adequate research written outputs
- Proficient in English. Working knowledge of French highly preferred
- Excellent management and organisational skills. Ability to run different projects at the same time.
- Outstanding interpersonal and communication skills
- Detail oriented and able to work independently and with flexibility
- Quantitative and analytical skills and experience with statistical software, especially Stata, required. Experience with R also appreciated.
- Strong knowledge of LaTeX software
- Previous research on Africa or other low-income regions highly preferred
- Previous research assistance experience preferred
- Those from, or based in, a lower-income country encouraged to apply
Term:
This is a 6 month consultancy contract of up to 60 days, to begin in June 2023. We will consider those available for less days or shorter time periods. Some travel can be expected.
Location:
This consultancy is a remote position. We welcome applications from outside the UK. Note – if based in the UK, the consultant must have the right to work as a self-employed individual in the UK (which is not possible on an international student visa).
Application
Please submit your expression of interest by email to [email protected], including ‘Consultant Researcher application’ in the subject line. Please send your CV, a 1-page cover letter setting out how you meet the criteria, and a short, written example of your previous research work. Please clearly state your availability from June 2023, as well as the level of time commitment you are offering. Please note that we are only able to respond to candidates who are shortlisted. The deadline for applications is 9th June 2023.