Research Assistant, Pretoria, South Africa

Vacancies
Research Assistant, Pretoria, South Africa

UNU-WIDER is looking for research assistants to build and expand the tax administrative and other microdata available at the National Treasury – Secure Data Facility (NT-SDF) in Pretoria. The research assistant(s) will work closely with the Data Developer at the NT-SDF. Closing date: 14 November 2022, 23:59 UTC+2

UNU-WIDER is looking for an outstanding individual with strong data skills, commitment and potential to contribute to the SA-TIED programme.

About the work

Through the collaboration of UNU-WIDER, the National Treasury and the South African Revenue Service over the past few years, South African administrative micro tax data has been made available for research purposes. This puts South Africa at the forefront of big data research for development and positions the country uniquely relative to other developing (and some developed) countries. The tax data — the global best practice in some avenues of research — has opened avenues for research in areas and topics that were not possible before in South Africa.

Duties and responsibilities

1. Update the various tax datasets held at the NT-SDF on a rolling basis
2. Continually improve and expand the datasets
3. Perform quality assurance checks and analyze trends in the data
4. Assist in drafting, reviewing, and revising documentation related to the data
5. Provide research assistance through data analysis, literature reviews, and drafting documents
6. Assist researchers with data-related queries and review their data output to ensure data confidentiality
7. Assist with day-to-day operations of running the National Treasury - Secure Data Facility
8. Other duties as requested by the supervisor related to the research and administrative work

Requirements

1. Masters in Economics or Econometrics. Candidates who are close to completing their Masters will also be considered
2. Excellent skills in statistical software STATA (i.e., able to work with loops, globals, directories, and writing STATA programs)
3. Knowledge of SQL, R, Python, and ArcGIS is an advantage
4. Excellent analytical and drafting skills
5. Fluent in oral and written English
6. South African nationality, or the necessary residence and work permit for South Africa

Terms

The Research Assistant will be issued a one-year consultancy contract with UNU-WIDER (renewable up to another year, subject to satisfactory performance). The Research Assistant will receive a total of USD 19,620 for the contract period to supplement living expenses while stationed in Pretoria, South Africa. No extra payments for housing or living expenses will be made. Project-related costs will, however, be covered by the project.

Application should include

1. Short personal statement (max. 1 page)
2. Academic record
3. Sample (max. 200 lines) of originally written Stata code that clearly demonstrates your coding level

The application must be submitted electronically. Deadline for applications is 14 November 2022 at 23:59 (GMT +2). Interviews will be held as quickly as possible thereafter.

Short-listed applicants must be willing to undergo a competency exercise as part of the selection process.

The position is open from 3 January 2023, or as soon as possible thereafter.