Summary

The International Centre for Tax and Development (ICTD) is recruiting a full-time Program and Research Officer to support the CEO and Research Directors in the core management and implementation of ICTD research, outreach and capacity building programs.  The successful applicant will gain experience of, and play a pivotal role in, the delivery of all aspects of the ICTD program and gain in-depth knowledge of the tax and development field.  The role will be based primarily in Toronto, while it is expected to begin around January 2020. An earlier, or slightly later, start date is possible for the right candidate, while candidates based international may be considered if there is a demonstrated ability to work remotely and to spend significant time in Toronto.  The successful applicant will have at least a high quality and relevant Master’s degree, along, ideally, with at least some knowledge of tax and development issues and some demonstrated experience in conducting research and managing programs and budgets.  Salary will be commensurate with experience.

Background

The International Centre for Tax and Development (ICTD) is a global policy research network based primarily at the Institute of Development Studies at the University of Sussex, with a secondary hub at the University of Toronto. It is dedicated to improving the quality of tax policy and administration in developing countries, with a special focus on sub-Saharan Africa. The ICTD has over eight years’ experience in generating new tax-policy oriented research, often in collaboration with African stakeholders; tailored communication and dissemination of findings to increase and deepen tax policy debates; and building research capacity of researchers in developing countries, through training and research grants. The ICTD is funded by DFID and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

The ICTD’s objective is to contribute to broader development goals by:

  • Providing research evidence that will help make taxation policies more conducive to pro-poor economic growth and good governance
  • Generating and disseminating tax research to relevant policymakers
  • Sharing research findings, in order to widen and deepen public debate about taxation issues in developing countries.
  • We do this by:
    • Generating new tax policy-oriented research
    • Tailored communication and dissemination of the findings of the research, so as to increase and deepen tax policy debates
    • Building research capacity of researchers in developing countries, through trainings and by providing research grants.

The ICTD is a world leader in tax research and capacity building, with a strong international reputation and excellent track record in partnering with African revenue authorities and ministries of finance to plan and deliver operationally relevant research that can increase tax revenues; promote uptake of research to improve tax policy and growth; and build capacity so that revenue authorities and government agencies can plan and deliver their own research.

Job Description

The International Centre for Tax and Development (ICTD) is recruiting a full-time Research Officer to support the core management and implementation of ICTD research, outreach and capacity building programs.  The Research Office will work closely alongside the ICTD CEO and Research Director in supporting the management of the overall ICTD program, while also taking on an active role in managing and implementing a subset of key activities within the ICTD program.  The focus of these activities will be tailored to some extent to match the skills and interests of the successful applicant, with a successful applicant with more extensive skills and experience expected to play a more advanced role in key program implementation.  The overall portfolio of work is likely to combine elements of the following:

  • Acting as Assistant to the CEO and Research Director in the day-to-day management of key aspects of the ICTD program, including preparation of proposals, monitoring of ongoing programs and outreach activities
  • Supporting the CEO and Research Director – and potentially other research staff – in the implementation of ICTD research programs and initiatives, with the nature of that involvement dependent on research experience and skills
  • Significant involvement in the overall management and implementation of the African Property Tax Initiative, including involvement in the implementation of country level programs and supporting outreach activities
  • Involvement with ICTD efforts to engage with and support civil society organizations working on tax and development questions
  • General support to ICTD communications and outreach efforts, likely including involvement in writing blogs and policy briefs and attendance at some international meetings along with the CEO and/or Research Director
  • Specific involvement in areas of the ICTD research, outreach or capacity building programs in which the successful applicant has a particular interest
  • Support to ICTD partners in relation to writing and editing paper, policy brief, blogs and other written outputs.

Alongside meeting the immediate needs of the ICTD work program, the specific design of the position will be consistent with the ICTDs commitment to long-term capacity building and mentorship among its staff, to support longer term contributions to the tax and development field.

The role will be based primarily in Toronto, while it is expected to begin around January 2020. An earlier, or slightly later, start date is possible for the right candidate, while candidates based international may be considered if there is a demonstrated ability to work remotely and to spend significant time in Toronto.  The particular details of the contracting will depend on the individual and location of the appointment.  The position would be for one year initially, with the expectation of renewal assuming good performance.  We particularly encourage applications from those in and/or from Africa.

Requirements

The ideal candidate will minimally have:

  • A minimum of a Masters level training in a related social sciences field – e.g. development studies, economic, political science, sociology.
  • At least some knowledge of tax and development issues, though candidates with a strong interest in engaging in this area may also be considered
  • Experience in working in a low or middle-income country, ideally including engagement with policy-makers, civil society and/or public administration
  • Ability to work independently, to organize key tasks, to stick to timelines and to take initiative
  • Willingness and ability to engage in, and organize, significant travel, including in Africa, both independently and with other ICTD members
  • Excellent (English) writing skills, while spoken and/or written French would be a significant further advantage

In addition, the following skills and qualifications would be highly desirable:

  • Evidence of project management skills, including budget management, proposal writing, coordinating work program and experience working in teams
  • Some demonstrated experience of involvement in academic quality research, with a focus on tax and developing in that research being a further advantage. Both qualitative and quantitative research skills are valued
  • Excellent communications skills, both in formal oral presentations and in meetings, interviews etc…

To Apply

Email a CV and a cover letter (maximum 2 pages) to [email protected] by June 22, 2019. In your cover letter please briefly highlight your experience relevant to the requirements shown above. Those who are short-listed may then be asked to provide additional materials, including references, but these need not be prepared in advance.