Policy Lead Tax and the International Financial Architecture

About Us

The Tax Justice Network - Africa (TJN-A) is a Pan African research and advocacy organisation that aims to promote socially just, accountable and progressive taxation systems in Africa. We advocates for pro-poor taxation systems and the strengthening of tax regimes to promote domestic resource mobilisation. TJN-A aims to challenge harmful tax policies and practices that favour the wealthy and those that aggravate and perpetuate inequality. We are also a member of the Global Alliance on Tax Justice

As an organisation we seek to mainstream tax justice in the economic policy and development discourse in Africa. TJN-A provides a platform dedicated to enabling African researchers, campaigners and policy makers to cooperate in the struggle against illicit capital flight, tax evasion, tax competition and other harmful trends in tax policy and practice.

PROFILE

It is widely accepted that the current international financial Architecture of global rules that determine the flow of capital between nations is flawed and not fit for purpose. The current weak global regulation encourages aggressive tax evasion and tax avoidance especially by Multinational corporations operating in Africa and wealthy elites and responsible for illicit outflow of resources from Africa amounting to over USD 50billion a year according the report by the high level Panel on Illicit flows from Africa..

International effort to reform the tax rules are yet to yield any tangible results. It is against this backdrop that there is an increased demand for a new more democratically representative global tax governance structure.

Our goal as TJN-A is to contribute to achieving an Inclusive and transparent global regulatory financial framework with a governance structure that curbs Illicit Financial Flows. We do this using the High Level Panel report as our launching pad and pushing for the implementation of its recommendations. Additionally, we push for the formulation and articulation of African positions and the use of African models.

The role of the Policy Lead on Tax and the International Financial Architecture is to challenge existing malpractices through analysis, research, and policy advocacy. This role works in collaboration with TJN-A’s other Policy Leads on Extractives, Inequality, and Investments. The role also contributes to our campaign against Illicit Financial Flows and supports our outreach programmes. This is role is an important contributor to TJN-A’s global advocacy and policy influence agenda that is embedded within our Strategic Plan 2016-2020.

KEY RESPONSIBILITES

Policy Analysis & Research

• In liaison with the Deputy Executive Director, lead in the understanding of international tax issues and inform TJN-A’s view on international tax policy matters ensuring an ability to share and publicise these views with key stakeholders, governments, the media and other organisations at meetings and conferences;
• Ensure a high level of understanding and expertise in international tax issues, and themes within TJN-A;
• Produce analytical and research outputs that: (i) inform TJN-A positions on international tax issues; (ii) direct advocacy campaigns; (iii) inform policy at national and global policy; and (iv) influence decision makers.
• Conduct tax justice policy research;
• Contribute to TJN-A publications (including the bi-annual issues paper, TJN-A newsletters, blogs, news articles and policy briefs;
• Contribute to relevant international tax policy debates and discussions ensuring TJN-A has increasing policy influence;
• Manage external consultants and also directly deliver delegated policy and research projects on TJN-A themes as identified in the annual work plan;

Developing and maintaining relationships with partners

• Identify, establish and maintain relationships with key international institutions and platforms that are critical to TJN-A delivering its objectives and programmes within its tax and international financial architecture themes
• Represent TJN-A at relevant networks, workshops, seminars and policy events relevant to international tax themes
• Develop ideas and projects for formal collaboration with targeted partners and TJN-A members around international tax themes
• Build and maintain strategic and cooperative relationships with key CSO leaders, partners and networks and engage these individuals and organizations on a regular basis to gather their feedback and input to the planning, implementation and tracking of results.
• Provide technical support and oversight in the design and delivery of key activities to support the identification of strategic spaces for TJN-A engagement and develop a plan of action to support these engagements in close consultation with the Deputy Executive Director and other thematic programme leads.

Programme Planning, Coordination and Reporting

• Design and develop tax and international financial architecture thematic pillar work plans to ensure delivery of all delegated advocacy and research work in the international tax themes within the required timeframe;
• Contribute to the organization of TJNA’s international, regional and national events, and global movement and constituency building work;
• Manage contracts with consultants and other service supplier’s within the programme;
• Work with the finance staff to ensure financial information is up to date, variances are identified and recommendations for action made;
• Coordinate overall thematic related programmes to ensure key performance indicators are met and programme impact is in line with TJN-A strategy; Produce regular programme reports as per the work plan;

Key Accountability Areas

• Policy Analysis and Research
• Programme planning coordination and reporting
• Developing and Maintaining Relationships with Partners

Professional Qualifications

• A degree in a relevant discipline preferably in Economics, Development Studies or Development Finance
• A post graduate degree is essential.
• In-depth knowledge of key African development and governance concepts, processes and institutions, especially in relation to: Development Finance, Tax & Development and Tax Justice.

Required Competencies & Experience

• 5 years’ experience in a similar role.
• Ability to communicate and work in English. French would be an added advantage.
• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to multi-task.
• Demonstrate a successful track record with regular tracking of expenses against budget.
• Commitment to TJN-A mission.

HOW TO APPLY:

Interested candidates who meet the requirements above are requested to submit their detailed CVs alongside a letter of motivation to the following email address recruit@taxjusticeafrica.net by 31st March 2017. The subject line of the email should be Policy Lead Tax and the International Financial Architecture.