The African Institute for Economic Development and Planning (IDEP) has launched a program of research and training on “Debt, Taxation and Financing for Development: Immediate Responses to International Crises and Effective Planning” (Debt, taxation and financing for development: immediate responses to global emergencies and efficient planning). The program covers the following 10 countries: Benin, Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Senegal. For this position, IDEP is recruiting one (01) Consultant for each French-speaking country of the program - Benin, Côte d'Ivoire, Guinea, Mali, Niger and Senegal.
Applicants interested in this position will need to submit their PHP on Inspira (inspira.un.org), along with copies of diplomas and a 3-page research proposal that will assess the suitability of the proposed methodology for the study.
More information below and at:
https://careers.un.org/lbw/jobdetail.aspx?id=141586&Lang=en-US
• Carry out an empirical study aimed at drawing attention to the urgency of mobilizing resources for financing development, in particular SDGs 3 (Access to health) and 10 (Reducing inequalities), as well as the need for prevention economic shocks and the implementation of adaptation measures in the context of an international emergency.
• Produce a country report on the subject selected by IDEP.
Work Location
AFRICAN INSTITUTE FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND PLANNING (IDEP), Dakar, Senegal
Expected duration
iv. ESTIMATED DURATION
The initial duration of the contract is three (03) months, with the possibility of extension subject to satisfactory implementation of the initial phase of the initiative.
Duties and Responsibilities
1. General information
In fulfillment of its commitment to play a key role in research and support as well as advocacy for the development policies of member states, the African Institute for Economic Development and Planning (IDEP) has launched a program of research and training on “Debt, Taxation and Financing for Development: Immediate Responses to International Crises and Effective Planning” (Debt, taxation and financing for development: immediate responses to global emergencies and efficient planning). The program covers the following 10 countries: Benin, Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Senegal. For this position, IDEP is recruiting one (01) Consultant for each French-speaking country of the program - Benin, Côte d'Ivoire, Guinea, Mali, Niger and Senegal.
2. The initiative
The research project is strategically designed as a process that will start from empirical research based on the use of econometric methods for the analysis of data around debt, taxation and development finance to provide to the Member States, political orientations concerning debt management and the strengthening of fiscal policies for the financing of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Agenda 2063. The project will focus on budgetary policies for immediate responses to international crises .
The purpose of the research project is to support:
• Advocacy relating to debt relief for Sub-Saharan economies as a response to development financing and to international crises, particularly in the case of COVID-19.
• Advocacy for an optimal tax policy and debt relief instead of a tax burden.
Empirical case studies on the development finance gap (SDG and Agenda 2063) and on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic will be carried out in the countries covered by the project: Benin; Ivory Coast; Ghana; Guinea; Liberia; Mali; Niger; Nigeria; Sierra Leone; Senegal. At the end of the studies, a book consolidating recommendations on debt management, fiscal policies and the orientation of debt relief towards reforms in order to improve the capacity of health systems to respond to health emergencies. will be published.
The recommendations from the case studies will be disseminated to Member States and used in IDEP's training and capacity building programs (webinars and online courses) for the benefit of policy makers and African civil society.
IDEP wishes to benefit from the expertise of researchers working in the field of socioeconomic development to become a member of the research team that will conduct the case studies in the following countries: Benin, Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana, Guinea , Liberia, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, and Senegal.
i. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Under the general direction of the Director of IDEP and the direction of the Head of the Training and Research Division of IDEP, the Country Researcher will be responsible for the following tasks:
• Carrying out an empirical study aimed at drawing attention to the the urgency of mobilizing resources for financing development, in particular SDGs 3 (Access to health) and 10 (Reducing inequalities), as well as the need to prevent economic shocks and put in place adaptation measures in context of international emergency.
• Conduct a literature review based on recent publications on the subject.
• Collect the data necessary for the country case study.
• Discuss existing tax policies in the countries studied, in comparison with good practices in strengthening tax policies and systems in Africa.
• Identify, on the basis of empirical evidence, tools for implementing measures to adapt to development financing, particularly in health systems and tax systems.
• Identify the gaps and weaknesses in terms of financing for development in the country concerned (in relation with the sub-regional office of ECA and the offices of the country representatives of the United Nations system).
• Ensure the cohesion of theoretical and empirical data concerning the financing of the SDGs and Agenda 2063.
• Produce a detailed analysis of empirical data using appropriate quantitative approaches.
• Suggest recommendations for fiscal and budgetary policies and immediate measures to reduce budgetary pressure.
• Take part and present during workshops to assess the accuracy and relevance of the data collected.
• Participate in the restitution of country reports.
• Take part in the project launch workshop devoting a first series of interactive discussions on project monitoring.
Qualifications / special skills
1. Qualifications
An advanced university degree (Masters or equivalent) in studies relating to development, economics, public administration, public policy and other fields of social science. An undergraduate university degree with a combination of 2 years of qualifying experience may be accepted in place of the post-graduate degree. A doctorate is an advantage.
2. Key skills required:
A minimum of 7 years of progressively responsible experience at national and / or international level in research and teaching is required.
• Have a thorough working knowledge of economic issues, including international finance and debt management and especially tax policies. Knowledge of interdisciplinary development issues will be an asset.
• Strong ability to use statistical and econometric tools and analysis software such as SPSS, EVIEWS, STATA, etc.
• Become familiar with the sustainable development program and Agenda 2063, in particular its objectives.
• Strong planning, organization / coordination, communication skills, have writing and report preparation skills.
• Strong ability to work under pressure, and to organize in teams and networks.
• Demonstrate sensitivity and adaptability in the areas of sustainable development, cultural diversity, gender, nationality and age.
• Demonstrate a strong tolerance for change, complexity and unpredictability.
3. Language skills
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat.
For this post, fluency in French is required. Knowledge of English is an advantage.
Additional Information
Assessment method
Qualified candidates may be invited to take part in a competency-based interview and an evaluative discussion of their methodology for conducting the country study.
Application:
Applicants interested in this position will need to submit their PHP on Inspira (inspira.un.org), along with copies of diplomas and a 3-page research proposal that will assess the suitability of the proposed methodology for the study.