Vacancies
Research Associate


UNU-WIDER is looking for three outstanding individuals with strong commitment and potential to support 'Enterprises, livelihoods, and compliance' and 'SOUTHMOD – simulating tax and benefit policies for development' projects. Closing date: 11 March 2020, 23:59 UTC+2
About UN University

For the past four decades, UNU has been a go-to think tank for impartial research on the pressing global problems of human survival, conflict prevention, development, and welfare. With more than 400 researchers in 13 countries, UNU’s work spans the full breadth of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals, 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 original research that is open access. More information on UNU-WIDER’s current work programme is available on the Institute's website.

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

1. PROJECT: Enterprises, livelihoods, and compliance

The project will 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 will be primarily empirical, combining the analysis of large data sets 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.

Under the supervision of UNU-WIDER’s Director, the Research Associate will:

  • Contribute effectively to the implementation of the tax project within the institute’s work on domestic resource mobilization (DRM).
  • Identify together with developing country partners policy-relevant research questions and contribute towards enhanced policy uptake of research.
  • Conduct own research and supervise contracted work on tax economics using large administrative data sets.
  • Perform project management duties in the scope of research and capacity-building partnerships mainly with developing country partners.
  • Organize 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 within the capacity-building programme of UNU-WIDER, including guidance of junior researchers and PhD students.
  • Support communications and dissemination activities for UNU-WIDER’s target audiences.
  • Perform any other tasks as assigned by the Director.
2. PROJECT: SOUTHMOD – simulating tax and benefit policies for development

In the SOUTHMOD project UNU-WIDER has built tax-benefit microsimulation models with national teams in eight different countries supported by international leading experts in the field. A unique feature of the project is that the models developed in the SOUTHMOD project are shared freely for non-commercial research purposes. The project has highly policy-relevant research opportunities in and across countries. Building on the experience accumulated so far, existing models will be updated, and additional country models shall be built. Many of these activities are conducted in partnership with developing country partners and go hand-in-hand with capacity-building activities.

Under the supervision of UNU-WIDER’s Director, the Research Associate will:

  • Contribute effectively to the implementation of the SOUTHMOD project within the institute’s work on domestic resource mobilization (DRM).
  • Identify together with developing country partners policy-relevant research questions and contribute towards enhanced use of microsimulation and other relevant research as evidence for policy makers.
  • Conduct own research and supervise contracted work on tax-benefit microsimulation for developing countries.
  • Build and maintain tax-benefit microsimulation models jointly with developing country partners; contribute to and support the overall co-ordination of model and software developments.
  • Perform project management duties in the scope of research and capacity-building partnerships mainly with developing country partners.
  • Contribute to and co-ordinate capacity-building efforts in developing countries, including providing training to developing country policy makers and researchers, and development of online training tools.
  • Carry out more general teaching, training and supervision within the capacity-building programme of UNU-WIDER, including guidance of junior researchers and PhD students.
  • Support communications and dissemination activities for UNU-WIDER’s target audiences.
  • Perform any other tasks as assigned by the Director.
Required qualifications and experience
  • PhD or a master’s degree in economics, development economics, or a related discipline.
  • Progressively responsible relevant postgraduate work experience. Proven track record in econometric analysis is required. Experience in project management is an asset.
  • For the Enterprises, Livelihoods, and Compliance project, knowledge of tax and development issues is needed.
  • For the SOUTHMOD project, knowledge of tax, social protection and development issues and experience in capacity-building is an asset.
  • For the Enterprises, Livelihoods, and Compliance project, experience in managing large data sets and capacity-building is an additional benefit.
  • For the SOUTHMOD project, experience in tax-benefit microsimulation in a developed or developing country context is an important asset. Candidates with a strong interest in engaging and learning fast in this area will also be considered.
  • Excellent drafting skills and fluency in both oral and written English; knowledge of French, Portuguese, or Spanish 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.

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.

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. 

Remuneration

This is an employment under Personnel Service Agreement contract (PSA). A monthly remuneration of EUR 4,350 to EUR 5,550 depending on level of completed education and prior experience. It is inclusive of a housing subsidy of EUR 550.00 payable to applicants not residing in Finland/citizens of Finland.

The successful candidate will be employed under a local contract and will not hold international civil servant status nor be a ‘staff member’ as defined in the United Nations Staff Rules and Regulations. No relocation allowance applies.

This position carries an annual leave entitlement of 2.5 working days per month (a total of 30 days of paid annual leave), and private health insurance coverage.

Duration of contract

This is a full-time employment on a one (1) year Personnel Service Agreement (PSA) contract with UNU-WIDER with the possibility for renewal subject to requirements and satisfactory work performance, with the combined duration of appointments not exceeding six (6) years.

Starting date: As soon as possible.

Application procedure

Interested applicants should submit their applications online using the 'Apply here' link on the left side column and must upload the following:

  • A cover letter setting out how the qualifications and experience match the requirements of the position
  • A completed and signed UNU Personal History (P.11) downloadable from UNU website. Please avoid using similar forms provided by other United Nations organizations
  • A list of publications
  • An up-to-date CV
  • A copy of highest educational degree obtained

See the full vacancy announcement