Firm-level and tax analysis using micro data

United Nations University; Pretoria; On-site; ZAR 30 000 - 70 000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking researchers to contribute to vital economic analyses that shape policy decisions. This role involves examining firm-level data to uncover insights into productivity, investment, and tax behavior. Successful candidates will access exclusive datasets at the National Treasury, enhancing their research impact. The position offers a unique opportunity to influence economic policy through rigorous analysis and collaboration with government entities. If you are passionate about economic research and eager to make a difference, this is the perfect opportunity for you.

Qualifications

• Experience in conducting economic analyses and research.
• Strong background in data handling and statistical methods.

Responsibilities

• Conduct research on firm-level data and economic behavior.
• Analyze the impact of tax incentives on investment and growth.

Skills

Data Analysis

Economic Research

Statistical Software

Policy Analysis

Education

Master's Degree in Economics

PhD in a related field

Tools

R

Stata

Python

Job description

Request for research proposals
Firm-level and tax analysis using micro data

An important element of economic growth and transformation relates to the characteristics, determinants, and behaviors of firms. Firms are the economic agents that interact at the micro level but ultimately shape aggregate economic trajectories. Firm-level data has high potential for enhancing understanding of these interactions as the heterogeneous characteristics of firms are not masked.

Offer and expectations

The specific objectives of this request for research proposals are:

1. To obtain policy-relevant research findings on the determinants of productivity, investment, employment, exports, profitability, and output by different firms with various characteristics (including size, sector, ownership, export intensity, degree of competition faced, age, past behavior, and skills makeup). Also, where possible, to examine dynamic decision-making effects on outcomes.
2. To obtain research findings relevant to government policy questions on the impact of tax incentives (e.g., research & development, MIDP, learnership, section 12I manufacturing) and non-tax incentives on investment, value-add, job creation, capital/labor intensity, and growth.
3. To obtain economic analyses that could improve policymakers’ insights on issues pertinent to base erosion and profit shifting, including but not limited to corporate leverage and structuring, interest expenses in relation to earnings, and linkages between R&D expenses and the creation of intangibles.
4. To analyze depreciation allowances claimed by companies by asset class and/or sector, and how this relates to economic depreciation of assets.
5. To obtain economic analysis that improves the understanding of tax behavior of individuals and firms.

Researchers with successful proposals will gain access to generally inaccessible data sets located at the National Treasury, subject to agreed restrictions to preserve confidentiality. It is important to highlight that, as of this call, the data are only made available to researchers while physically on National Treasury premises in Pretoria. An inventory of potential data sets is appended to this RFRP.

Proposal submission

Submission of proposals is done electronically using the appropriate form on the left column of this page. There are three forms to select from: one for individuals, another for groups of individuals, and a third for NGOs. The deadline for submitting proposals is 29 February 2016 23:59 EET. See the full request for research proposals for detailed proposal submission details.

Any questions on the proposal process should be sent to [e-mail] by 22 February 2016. All queries and responses will be published on this announcement page after this date.