Description

Do you want to build a career that is truly worthwhile? Working at the World Bank Group provides a unique opportunity for you to help our clients solve their greatest development challenges. The World Bank Group is one of the largest sources of funding and knowledge for developing countries; a unique global partnership of five institutions dedicated to ending extreme poverty, increasing shared prosperity and promoting sustainable development. With 189 member countries and more than 130 locations worldwide, we work with public and private sector partners, investing in groundbreaking projects and using data, research, and technology to develop solutions to the most urgent global challenges. For more information, visit www.worldbank.org

The Equitable Growth, Finance, and Institutions Practice Group (EFI) is one of the World Bank Group’s four Practice Groups. EFI’s mandate is “Growth, Finance, and Institutions for all.” Our approach is to leverage public and private sector expertise, together with the International Finance Corporation (IFC), to support a data-driven reform agenda. EFI supports clients in advancing evidence-based structural reforms to build the foundations for inclusive and sustainable growth.

Regional context

While the overall business climate in Africa is the weakest in the world, several countries including some fragile states have made great strides in improving their environment for business. What is emerging as a result is a growing region, with setbacks from time to time, that is increasingly seen as a destination for investment as much as for aid; and one where leaders are increasingly willing to address problems of poor governance that harms development effectiveness. More information on Africa: https://www.worldbank.org/en/region/afr

Governance Global Practice (GP) Context

Our GP helps developing countries build capable, efficient, open, inclusive and accountable institutions that can support economic growth, reduce poverty, deliver needed services and earn the confidence of citizens. Our work encompasses public financial management, public procurement, civil service reform, open government, anti-corruption, and using technology to improve quality and access to government services. More information: https://www.worldbank.org/en/topic/governance

Position and duties and accountability

The Governance unit in West Africa is seeking to recruit a highly qualified candidate for the position of Public sector specialist with a specialization on tax administration issues. The Unit seeks a professional with strong technical skills and hands-on experience with addressing tax administration issues in developing countries, including in fragile and conflict-affected countries. The Public sector specialist will work on domestic resource mobilization through tax reform in developing economies in West Africa.

He/she is expected to provide technical leadership on tax issues across regions using World Bank instruments (Advisory Services and Analytics and Lending), contribute to the unit’s interaction with country management units and lead research and knowledge development.

You will be under the supervision of the GOV Practice Manager for the EAWG1 Unit (Cabo Verde, Gambia, Guinea Bissau, Mauritania, Senegal, Chad, Guinea Conakry, Mali, Niger, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cote d’Ivoire, and Togo).

The position is based in Washington D.C., USA.

The selected candidate will be expected to undertake the following tasks:

• Participate to various trust funds aiming at tax reforms in West Africa (including in fragile states).

• Helps to assess various options for tax reforms and their impacts on inclusive growth and revenue mobilization in a context of informal economy, taking into account linkages with avoidance, evasion, tax revenues, efficiency and equity.

• Contributes to strategic discussions for the unit on domestic resource mobilization issues.

• Providing knowledge products, tools, and data to speed-up and improve project quality, analytical work, and policy dialogue.

• Contribute to technical inputs to analytic work and advisory services, and/or supervising the preparation of analytical products (ASA) and other relevant technical reports to clients in close collaboration with the CMUs, Program Leaders, relevant Task Team Leaders and sector experts within and outside the Bank.

Selection Criteria

• Advanced degree (Master’s or equivalent) in public policy/political science, economics, public financial management, or another related field,

• At least five years of work experience covering tax administration.

• Demonstrated analytical and operational skills in public sector economic and institutional reforms and practical experience working with different Bank instruments (e.g., Investment Project Financing, Program for Results, Development Policy Operations and Trust Funds) in the design and delivery of projects and/or studies in areas key to tax reforms in developing countries.

• Authored or co-authored reports/publications showing analysis of tax administration.

• Hand-on experience working with administrative tax data will be an advantage.

• Strong interpersonal skills and the capacity to work independently and in teams across organizational boundaries within a multi-cultural environment.

• Experience in policy dialogue and knowledge of political economy analysis.

• Understand fiscal contracts issues in developing countries and have an experience in terms of political economy of taxation.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English and French.

World Bank Group Core Competencies

The World Bank Group offers comprehensive benefits, including a retirement plan; medical, life and disability insurance; and paid leave, including parental leave, as well as reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities.

We are proud to be an equal opportunity and inclusive employer with a dedicated and committed workforce, and do not discriminate based on gender, gender identity, religion, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or disability.

Learn more about working at the World Bank and IFC, including our values and inspiring stories.