ICTD Research Uptake and Communications Manager

International Centre for Tax and Development
Fixed term contract for 18 months initially, Full time
Fee: £30,000 to £40,000 per annum
First Interviews: 10 June 2014
Expected start date: August 2014

Job description download (pdf)

Introduction to ICTD download (pdf)

Applications/tenders/bids are invited for an individual to work as Research Uptake and Communications Manager at the International Centre for Tax and Development (ICTD:www.ictd.ac) on a freelance/consultancy/self-employed basis. The post holder will preferably be based in Africa, and will regularly report directly to the Research Programme Manager based in the UK. It will be a fixed term contract, starting in August 2014 and finishing in March 2016, with the possibility of an extension dependant on performance and funding.

This post is crucial in helping the ICTD develop and promote its messages and research effectively to a large range of audiences, primarily tax and revenue authorities, but also media, academia and policy makers in Sub-Saharan Africa.

This highly challenging and rewarding role will require the ideal candidate to demonstrate excellent interpersonal, networking and writing skills, and to combine these with a very high level of autonomy, initiative and vision.

Candidates will also need to demonstrate a good knowledge of taxation and development, sufficient to adequately understand and converse on these issues with senior policy makers, practitioners and academics, or will need to demonstrate the capacity and drive to acquire this knowledge in a short period of time.

Excellent English and French language skills are both essential to the role.

We are looking for an individual who can show the necessary level of commitment for what will be a full time undertaking; someone who can combine relevant skills and experience in policy influence, communications and research uptake, with an understanding of issues in taxation and development; someone who is bilingual with a very high level of self-motivation and drive to get things done and to show initiative and creativity in doing so.

The main focus of the role will be to identify and network extensively with relevant stakeholders in sub-Saharan Africa and beyond to encourage debate on taxation issues, and to promote the use of (primarily ICTD) research in debate.

If you fit the description, your application will be most welcome. 

Main Duties and Responsibilities:

• To build and maintain an extensive network of relevant contacts in media, academia and policy circles, and to ensure that research findings are communicated to relevant networks and stakeholders effectively.
• To research and document the impact of the programme’s research and communications/uptake activities.
• To monitor and track progress of the existing ICTD communications and uptake strategy, and report on progress to the Programme Manager.
• To be the main point of contact for the ICTD’s work on research uptake, which includes involvement in strategy development; managing some strategic communications; and developing appropriate tools and outputs for communicating research in print, electronically and face to face.
• To carry out an ongoing in-depth media scan and analysis in six chosen sub-Saharan countries.
• To organise and carry out an ongoing stakeholder survey annually, interviewing 20 people in each of the 6 chosen countries in Africa about perceptions of tax and tax policy, and analysing the data to produce a coherent report.
• To coordinate PR and publicity for ICTD events; identify relevant external opportunities for communicating research; and support ICTD researchers who attend events.
• To develop mechanisms for supporting research uptake activities of consortium partners. This could include involvement in in-house bespoke capacity development training courses on communicating research effectively.
• To contribute more broadly to the capacity development for innovative communications, as a contribution to the broader purpose of the consortium.
• To liaise with the research uptake/communications department at IDS in the UK where appropriate.
• Any other duties commensurate with the role. 

Person Specification matrix

Criteria	Essential	Desirable
Educational Qualifications	First or second degree in a relevant subject (communications or development related)	Higher Degree in a relevant subject
Knowledge	Some knowledge of taxation issues in developing countries as they relate to development Some knowledge of relevant networks involved in debates about taxation and development A good understanding of current thinking and practice in research communications A good grasp of design principles for various types of media	Specific work experience in development and/or finance field Practical experience of working with advocacy groups to influence policy A broad based knowledge of taxation issues in developing countries as they relate to development
Skills	Fully bilingual in French and English Very strong all round communication skills Very strong interpersonal and networking skills, and the ability to liaise and communicate with staff, partners and stakeholders across institutions at all levels of seniority Ability to abstract, analyse and communicate academic material  to a very high standard Ability to play a leading and complimentary role in working with a team to formulate and implement a strategy	Experience of working remotely as a member of a team Experience of planning for and implementing capacity development activities
Experience	Demonstrable experience of working in a role to build networks and contacts, and to disseminate and promote the uptake of academic research, or a similar activity	Some experience of managing a budget Experience of building communications capacity in a similar environment
Attributes	Ability to think strategically Ability to work autonomously with a high degree of motivation and initiative An innovative and creative thinker focused on finding solutions Good judgement in dealing with sensitive communication questions A team player with energy drive and enthusiasm to communicate research and engage with target audiences An excellent networker with the ability to build and maintain links with a variety of organisations and people	A calm and approachable demeanour which contributes to a good working environment for the team
Health/Other	The right to live and work in at least one sub-Saharan African country The willingness and ability to travel extensively sometimes for long periods of time

Remuneration:

The post holder will not be a formal employee of the IDS, FERDI or ICTD. Appointment is on a freelance basis to undertake the work necessary within specified timetables. The work will require a full time commitment from a single individual. The fee is negotiable and dependant on skills and experience, but will be in the region of £30,000 to £40,000. The post holder will be expected to pay from this fee any required taxes in country of residence, any medical/health insurance or related costs.

All travel and related subsistence costs for international travel will be paid centrally by the ICTD. An allowance to maintain a small/home office will also be negotiated if applicable.

How to apply:

Please email your CV, and full covering letter detailing why you are applying, how you meet the criteria and what you would bring to the post, to the ICTD Programme Manager, Adam Randon– a.randon@ids.ac.uk

All enquiries to the same email address.

Interviews:

A first round of interviews will take place in Clermont-Ferrand (France) in June 2014. Subject to the role not being filled in this first round subsequent interviews will take place at a later date.