TaxDev works with governments in low- and middle-income countries (L&MICs)\nto develop and implement evidence-based tax policies that help them to achieve\ntheir revenue, poverty reduction, and sustainable growth objectives. TaxDev\nadvisers and researchers achieve this through co-production of modelling tools,\napplied analysis of tax and transfer policy s, and a variety of technical\nassistance and training activities. Established in 2016, TaxDev is implemented\nthrough a partnership between ODI Global and the Institute\nfor Fiscal Studies (IFS) and is funded by the UK Government Public Finance Centre of Expertise\nas part of UK International Development.\n\n

In\ncollaboration with partners and a network of academics, TaxDev also generates\nhigh-quality, rigorous, policy-relevant research on taxation in lower/middle\nincome countries more broadly. Through this research and practical\nlesson-learning across the programme, TaxDev aims to support the wider uptake\nof tax research and practical resources to strengthen local and international\ntax policy networks and learning. During Phases I and II of TaxDev, the\nprogramme established partnerships with the Governments of Ethiopia, Ghana, Rwanda,\nand Uganda. In Phase III, ODI Global and the IFS continue to scale up the\nprogramme - and will be expanding to two additional countries, Kenya and\nNigeria (managed by ODI Global), over a period of six years to 2030.\n\n

As part\nof this expansion, ODI Global is now seeking a new team member to support the development\nand delivery of a partnership with the Government of Kenya.\n\n\n\n\n\n

About the role\n\n

ODI Global\nis seeking applications for the following role to work closely with our\npartners at the National Treasury in Kenya.\n\n

·      \nFull-time\n(approx. 200 days/year) Country Economist (CE)\n\n

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We expect to fill the position by July\n2025.\n\n

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The role will\nprimarily involve developing partnerships and working effectively with analysts\nand policymakers in the government of Kenya. The jobholder will conduct\napplied, policy-relevant analysis, be involved in rigorous research projects\nand dissemination, and work with partners to new analytical processes.\n\n

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The Country\nEconomist will be contracted by ODI Global and will report to the London-based\nTaxDev Country Partnerships Lead and Programme Lead, and under ODI Global's\npartnership with the Kenya National Treasury, the Country Economist will also\nreport to the Principal Secretary to the National Treasury through the Director\nMacro and Fiscal Affairs Department. Training and support will be provided by the\ncross-country ODI Global and IFS teams prior to, and throughout, their posting.\n\n

Kenya\n\n

The main partners will be the National Treasury (NT), and Kenya Revenue\nAuthority (KRA) but the Adviser may also be assigned by the NT to work with\nofficials and policy makers across other government and non-government\ninstitutions.\n\n

The CE\nwill be based in Nairobi, embedded in the Macro and Fiscal Affairs\nDepartment of the National Treasury (exact arrangements to be confirmed).\n\n

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Country Economist (CE) - full-time\n\n

Main Duties\n\n

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Research\nManagement and Tax Policy Analysis\n\n

·      \nPlan, manage and undertake high quality\napplied research and other analytical projects, and develop or co-produce simulation\ntools and models with government Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to\nsupport tax policy analysis, with support from the cross-country ODI and IFS\nresearch teams. This will involve working with government MDAs to determine the\nappropriate indicators or proxy measurement, methods and methodology for data\nand information lection, identify potential data sources, conduct or\nco-produce analysis, interpretation of findings and drafting of reports and\npolicy briefings.\n\n

·      Build strong relationships with government MDAs and\nhelp to identify policy and research questions relevant to current practice;\n\n

·      Support data sharing and appropriate country-led governance arrangements\nbetween relevant government institutions, and with ODI and IFS, and strengthen\nsystems for formatting, cleaning and processing data for policy analysis;\n\n

·      \nDevelop a work plan in line with\ngovernment priorities, to be agreed with the NT and KRA. Activities in the work\nplan may include, for example, contributing to:\n\n

o  \nPeriodic estimation and reporting of\nrevenue foregone under tax expenditure and evaluation of tax expenditures\nagainst objectives;\n\n

o  \nSupport National Treasury and Kenya\nRevenue Authority to respond to questions from policy makers using analytical\ntools and evidence;\n\n

o  \nAppraisal and costing of new tax policy\nmeasures as part of the annual budget process;\n\n

o  \nEvaluation of tax policy impacts, such as\nrevenue and distributional impacts, to inform future tax policy formulation;\n\n

o  \nSupport to the consultation of\nstakeholders on the formulation of new tax policy measures;\n\n

o  \nDevelop systems and processes to ensure\nthat routine analysis can be conducted efficiently and accurately;\n\n

·      Keep up to date with tax policy developments in partner countries and\ninternationally;\n\n

·      \nLiaise actively with researchers and\nacademics across ODI, IFS and local institutions to identify opportunities for\nresearch projects and collaboration.\n\n

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Project\nManagement and Stakeholder Coordination\n\n

·      Work with partners and researchers to develop\nrealistic and implementable project plans and help ensure that all project\nactivities progress according to government agencies and funding partner timelines;\n\n

·      Contribute to reporting on progress towards delivery of programme\nobjectives, milestones, outcomes and outputs, in line with funding partner reporting\nrequirements;\n\n

·      Work with partners and researchers to develop and\nmanage the negotiation of research deliverables, work plans and budgets for\ndata lection agencies and sub-contractors (if required);\n\n

·      Establish and strengthen relationships with local technical assistance\nproviders and governments' development partners to help coordinate and\ncomplement delivery of TaxDev's assistance with that of others.\n\n

·       Keep up to date with tax policy\ndevelopments in partner countries and internationally and facilitate knowledge transfer\nwithin the Kenyan tax policy stakeholders.\n\n

·      Effectively manage relationship with researchers, and academics across\nODI, IFS as well as with local stakeholder institutions to identify\nopportunities for collaboration and partnership on research for development.\n\n

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Training and\nCapacity Development\n\n

·      Work with NT and KRA to identify training gaps\nand needs, on-job coaching and professional development needs, and contribute\nto updating and enhancing country-level capacity development plans to respond\nto these needs;\n\n

·      Work with NT and KRA and researchers to organise\nand deliver TaxDev's contribution to the capacity development plans, including\ntraining workshops, study tours and fellowships;\n\n

·      Work with NT and KRA and researchers to develop and\nupdate training manuals that can be used for the continuous HR improvement and of\nanalytical tools and for broader publication on the TaxDev, ODI, and IFS\nwebsites;\n\n

·      Work with NT and KRA to monitor and review\nprogress in capacity development, including through periodic skills\nassessments.\n\n

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Dissemination and\nimpact\n\n

·      Contribute to TaxDev communications, liaison and engagement activities\nin partner countries and work with partners, ODI, and IFS researchers to\ndisseminate lessons and guidance on analytical methods and research findings to\nTaxDev's network and wider audiences of governments, international institutions\nand development partners, tax practitioners and researchers interested in tax\npolicy.\n\n

·      Contribute to the organisation of conferences, workshops, and\ndissemination events and other relevant user engagement methods in\ncollaboration with partners, ODI, IFS, and the local research community.\n\n

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Qualifications, Skills and Experience\n\n

·      At least a master's degree in economics: Advanced understanding of economic theory and principles,\nparticularly in the context of public finance and development economics,\nenabling effective analysis and tax policy design.\n\n

·      Minimum of 10 years of experience in research, data and context analysis\nand public policy or international development, which should include experience\nof tax policy and/or administration: Demonstrated\nknowledge of tax policy, experience in conducting rigorous research, data and\ncontext analysis and engaging in public policy or international development\nprojects, with the ability to apply economic principles and research findings\nto real-world policy challenges, ideally in a tax policy context. Relevant\nalternative experience will also be considered.\n\n

·      Strong interest and demonstrated experience in economic analysis of\npublic finance and development: Deep motivation\nto connect academic research with practical policy design and evaluation,\nparticularly in the field of public finance and development.\n\n

·      Excellent interpersonal skills: Proven ability\nto work collaboratively with a diverse range of stakeholders, including\ngovernment partners, researchers, and international organizations, to foster\nproductive partnerships and achieve project goals.\n\n

·      Effective project management skills: Ability\nto manage complex projects by defining objectives, planning systematically,\nmonitoring progress, and adjusting plans to meet changing circumstances and\ntimelines.\n\n

·      Proactive and self-motivated: Capacity to work\nindependently, take initiative, and leverage a broad network of contacts and\nresources, while sharing knowledge and insights with a larger team of\nresearchers and stakeholders.\n\n

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