About the role:
The Policy Research and Advocacy Manager will lead the policy unit in three critical areas: research coordination, policy engagement, and technical backstopping of our advocacy work. You will be expected to work closely with TJNA Executive Director, the Senior Management Team, members and strategic partners to provide thought leadership and strategic guidance in shaping TJNA’s overall policy direction.
Key Responsibilities
Policy Advocacy
• Develop initiatives and partnerships to engage and influence Africa’s leading economic institutions and regional economic communities on tax issues.
• Provide support to shaping effective strategies to communicate policies aimed at influencing relevant policy targets.
• Maintain a close liaison with global tax advocacy partners, including affiliates and allies of the tax justice movement.
• Serve as the key contact person for tax advocacy across the African continent and links with TJNA and allies globally. Programme Coordination
• Lead in the development, planning and monitoring of the execution of the activities in the four programmatic areas of international tax, extractives, investments, and inequality
• Develop and monitor the annual budget for all programmatic activities
• Develop and effectively manage programmes timelines to ensure timely completion of program deliverables
• Coordinate the day-to-day operations of the programmes with guidance from the Executive Director
• Monitor and provide quality control in the delivery of the programme activities
• Oversee the recruitment, retention and development of highly talented staff with the right technical and personal abilities to meet the programme goals
Vacancy Announcement Policy Research and Advocacy Manager, 2023
• Ensure ongoing programmatic excellence, rigorous program evaluation, and consistent quality of finance within the programmes
• Ensure regular quality and timely reporting and documentation of work plan implementation against agreed budgets Research Knowledge Generation
• Lead in setting the TJNA research agenda by identifying emerging policy trends that require TJNA research interventions.
• Manage TJNA research projects across the four thematic areas of international tax, extractives, investments, and inequality to inform TJNA’s advocacy agenda including defining research questions/topics/timelines and developing research RFPs and TORs
• Coordinate the communication of TJNA research projects to internal and external constituents through different traditional and innovative channels (research reports, convenings, training, conference presentations, web resources, exhibitions etc.)
• Develop an internal framework and guideline for TJNA writing, editing, and quality control for research reports/presentations
• Work with the thematic leads to coordinate and provide technical backstopping of research projects led or conducted by TJNA members and collaborating partners
• Lead in the design and tracking of the implementation of long term policy research projects including the Fair Tax Monitor and the anti-IFF Policy Tracker
• Lead the policy team in the compiling and strategic dissemination of TJNA research and knowledge products
• Support fundraising for TJNA research activities
Key Accountability Areas
• Policy Advocacy Engagement
• Programme Coordination
• Leadership and Management
• Research and Knowledge Generation
Role Requirements
Qualifications
• Master’s degree in economics, political science, development studies or related field from a recognised institution
Core Skills and Experience
• The overall experience of 10 years with at least 5 in a management and leadership role
• General management experience
• Experience in economic justice is an added advantage
• Ability to communicate and work in English (ability to also communicate and work in French an added advantage)
• Self-starter, flexible, creative and strategic thinker
• Ability to work under pressure
• Ability to communicate clearly and work cooperatively in a cross-cultural setting Vacancy Announcement Policy Research and Advocacy Manager, 2023
• Willingness to travel for at least 25% of the time
Additional Skills, Competencies & Experience
• Brings theoretical and practical expertise to bear on individual and organisational issues and opportunities
• Have a proven track record of resources, partnerships, and management of internal and external relationships
• Proven record in managing diverse teams
• Encourages others to act in line with organisational standards and frameworks
• Articulates own principles and expectations and acts consistently to uphold these in line with organisational processes and values.
• Applies sound personal judgment in dealing with sensitive or critical information, respecting confidentiality
• A practical understanding of how governments and parliaments work
• An understanding of how to generate public interest and participation in campaigns and the ability to lobby and engage in effective public campaigning
What We Can Offer
We are a small, dedicated team who are connected by our passionate cause. We uphold a high work ethic that fosters team spirit while supporting innovation, creativity, continuous learning and growth of our team members. In addition to a collaborative team environment, we offer:
• Competitive gross salary USD $3,909 – $4,495 per month (based on skills and qualifications)
• Family Medical Insurance and staff pension
• Work permit
• Relocation package
• Opportunity to work in a specialised niche area, engage and work with different partners, and be part of a wider pan-African network
• Work environment that supports diversity and inclusivity
• Flexible working arrangement focused on delivery
