Research Fellow P-2

UNU‑WIDER; Helsinki; On-site; EUR 60,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

30 days annual leave

Pension plan

Health insurance

Education grant for dependents

Job summary

UNU-WIDER in Helsinki invites an outstanding economist to contribute to the project Building up efficient and fair tax systems – lessons based on administrative tax data. The role combines high‑level research with capacity building across developing country partners.

The successful candidate will lead econometric analyses, supervise junior researchers, manage collaboration with partners, and contribute to policy‑relevant dissemination within a multi‑cultural UNU framework.

Qualifications

• PhD in economics or development economics required; near completion considered.
• Proven track record in econometric analysis and research.
• Experience in project management and data lab work is desirable.
• Capacity building with developing country partners is required.
• Excellent drafting skills and fluency in English; other languages a plus.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to the tax project within DRM efforts and enhance policy uptake.
• Lead research questions and supervise data preparation on large datasets.
• Conduct high-quality econometric analyses on taxation.
• Coordinate capacity-building activities with developing country partners.
• Teach, train, and supervise junior researchers and PhD students.
• Disseminate research findings to target audiences.

Skills

PhD in economics

Econometric analysis

Project management

Capacity building

Fluent English

Team player

Willingness to travel

Education

PhD degree in economics

Job description

UNU-WIDER is looking for an outstanding individual with strong commitment and potential to support 'Building up efficient and fair tax systems – lessons based on administrative tax data' -project. Closing date: 3 August 2021, 23:59 UTC+3

About UN University

The United Nations University (UNU) is an international community of scholars engaged in policy-oriented research, capacity development and dissemination of knowledge in furthering the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations. The mission of UNU is to contribute, through research and capacity building, to efforts to resolve the pressing global problems that are the concern of the United Nations and its Member States.

For the past four decades, UNU has been a go-to think tank for impartial research on human survival, conflict prevention, sustainable development, and welfare. With more than 400 researchers in 12 countries, UNU's work spans the 17 Sustainable Development Goals' full breadth, generating policy-relevant knowledge to effect positive global change. UNU maintains more than 200 collaborations with UN agencies and leading universities and research institutions across the globe. For more information, please visit www.unu.edu .

United Nations University World Institute for Development Economics Research (UNU-WIDER)

UNU-WIDER is a leading international development economics think tank. The Institute provides economic analysis and policy advice with the aim of promoting sustainable and equitable development for all. The Institute began operations in 1985 in Helsinki, Finland, as the first research centre of the United Nations University. Today, it is a unique blend of think tank, research institute, and UN agency — providing a range of services from policy advice to governments, as well as freely available original research. More information on UNU-WIDER and its current work programme are available on the Institute's website.

UNU-WIDER is looking for an outstanding individual with strong commitment and potential to support:

Building up efficient and fair tax systems – lessons based on administrative tax data

The goal of the project is to generate fresh evidence on the impacts of tax systems on private sector growth, employment, and investments on the basis of administrative tax data from participating developing countries. Another thrust of the research project is to examine tax compliance and the impact of tax systems on avoidance and evasion. The project is primarily empirical, combining the analysis of large datasets and the use of modern econometric tools. A substantial element of the work is capacity building; for example, providing guidance for developing country researchers and policy makers as well as conducting joint research with them.

Responsibilities

• Contribute effectively to the implementation of the tax project within the institute’s work on domestic resource mobilization (DRM).
• Lead the identification of research questions and contribute towards enhanced policy uptake of research.
• Conduct high-quality research on taxation.
• Supervise more junior researchers and contracted work on tax economics using large administrative datasets.
• Be responsible for project management duties in the scope of research and capacity‑building partnerships, mainly with developing country partners.
• Manage the organization of administrative tax data jointly with developing country partners.
• Contribute to and co‑ordinate capacity‑building efforts in developing countries, including teaching, and advising.
• Carry out more general teaching, training, and supervision tasks within the capacity‑building programme of UNU‑WIDER, including guidance of junior researchers and PhD students.
• Contribute to communications and dissemination activities for UNU‑WIDER’s target audiences.
• Perform any other tasks as assigned by the Director.

Required qualifications and experience

• PhD degree in economics, development economics, or a related discipline and extensive knowledge of tax and development issues are required; candidates close to completion of their PhD degree will also be considered.
• Progressively responsible relevant postgraduate work experience. Proven track record in econometric analysis is required.
• Experience in project management as well as in leading large dataset preparation and curation work is required. Prior experience in building and running a data lab is desirable.
• Experience in capacity building with developing countries partners is required.
• Excellent drafting skills and fluency in both oral and written English; knowledge of French, Portuguese, Spanish, or Arabic would be an asset.
• Excellent team player with strong interpersonal skills and ability to work independently in a multi‑cultural, multi‑ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity.
• Readiness to travel internationally, including extended stays in developing countries when collaborating with local partners.

Remuneration

UNU offers an attractive, tax exempt compensation package including an annual net salary at P-2 level and post adjustment, which reflects the cost of living in a particular duty station and exchange rates (subject to mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance). Other benefits include: 30 days annual leave, dependency benefits, pension plan and health insurance scheme. Benefits for internationally recruited staff may include home leave, travel and removal expenses on appointment and separation, education grant for dependent children, assignment grant and rental subsidy. For more information please see: https://careers.un.org/lbw/home.aspx?viewtype=SA

Duration of contract

This is a full‑time fixed‑term appointment. The initial appointment will be for one (1) year with the possibility of renewal on a fixed‑term appointment basis, subject to satisfactory work performance.
For academic positions, the combined duration of fixed‐term appointments with UNU may not exceed six (6) years. The mandatory age of retirement for United Nations staff is 65 years.

Expected start date: As soon as possible.

Assessment

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by a competency‑based interview, background checks and references.

Special notice

Staff members of the United Nations University are international civil servants subject to the Rector's authority. They may be assigned to any of the activities or offices of the United Nations University. The Rector reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a level below that advertised.

UNU is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities to apply and become part of the organization. Applications from developing countries, and from women are strongly encouraged. Eligible internal applicants are encouraged to apply.

UNU has a zero‑tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNU, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination.

Information about UNU rosters

UNU reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement. We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNU at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience, and educational requirements.

Organizational unit

United Nations University World Institute for Development Economics Research (UNU-WIDER)

Reference number

2021/UNU/WIDER/FTA/RF/151530