Summary
Date Posted: Wednesday, February 28 2024, Base Salary: Not Disclosed

JOB DETAILS:
Background:
• Nathan Associates is implementing the USAID Zambia Revenue for Growth Project (USAID R4G), a five-year project awarded in June 2021, which supports the Government of the Republic of Zambia (GRZ) in its efforts to improve domestic revenue mobilization and expand the fiscal space for public spending and investments in service delivery and poverty reduction. USAID R4G engages both government and non-government stakeholders to build capacity in tax policy analysis, improve tax compliance and administration, and strengthen the tax culture in a manner that facilitates private sector growth and accountability relationships between taxpayers and the GRZ.
• USAID R4G is seeking an Economist to conduct an econometric study on the tobacco industry in Zambia. This is a short-term (30 workdays) advisor position open to Zambian and foreign citizens that is projected to start in March 2024. The Economist will report directly to USAID R4G’s Chief of Party. The key tasks to be performed by the Economist are described below.

KEY tasks:
USAID R4G is seeking an Economist to conduct an in-depth econometric study on illicit trade in tobacco products. The successful candidate will be responsible for designing, implementing, and analyzing econometric models to estimate the extent and impact of illicit trade in the tobacco industry. This research is crucial for policy formulation, regulatory decisions, and industry interventions, both for the Ministry of Finance and National Planning (MoFNP) and the Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA). Examples of tasks to be conducted by the Economist are summarized below.
1. Study Design and Planning: Develop a comprehensive research plan, including defining research questions, objectives, and methodologies. Design econometric models tailored to the unique challenges of estimating illicit trade in the tobacco industry.
2. Data Collection and Processing: Oversee the collection, cleaning, and preprocessing of large datasets related to tobacco production, consumption, legal sales, and illicit trade. Ensure data integrity and accuracy.
3. Econometric Modeling: Develop and implement econometric models to estimate the prevalence of illicit trade, factors influencing illicit trade patterns, and its economic impact.
4. Statistical Analysis: Conduct rigorous statistical analyses to interpret model results, identify trends, and draw actionable insights. Apply advanced statistical techniques, including regression analysis, time-series analysis, and spatial modeling.
5. Policy Implications: Analyze the policy implications of the research findings. Provide recommendations to policymakers, regulatory bodies, and law enforcement agencies based on the econometric results.
6. Report Writing: Prepare detailed, clear, and concise research reports outlining methodologies, results, and conclusions. Communicate findings effectively to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
7. Team Collaboration: Collaborate with other researchers, data analysts, and subject matter experts within the organization. Provide guidance and support to any junior researchers who may be involved in this activity.
8. Knowledge Dissemination: Present research findings at conferences, seminars, and workshops. Engage with external stakeholders, including government agencies, industry representatives, and NGOs, to disseminate research insights and foster collaborations.
The tasks described above will be conducted in Lusaka, Southern, Central, Northern, Eastern and Copperbelt provinces of Zambia and remotely.

Qualifications & SKILLS:
The Economist should possess the following qualifications and skills.
• Master’s degree in economics, Public Policy, Statistics, or related field. PhD preferred.
• Minimum ten years’ work experience in tax policy in developing countries, working for either the public or private sector.
• Proven experience in designing and conducting econometric studies, preferably related to illicit trade or the tobacco industry.
• Proficiency in statistical software packages (STATA, R, Python, etc.) and data visualization tools.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with attention to detail.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a multidisciplinary team environment.
• Demonstrated ability to interact effectively with senior government officials. Prior experience in policy analysis and recommendations is a plus.
• Familiarity with international trade regulations and tobacco industry dynamics is a plus.


Work Hours: 8

Experience in Months: 120

Level of Education: Associate Degree

Job application procedure
• Candidates are required to submit a cover letter, CV, and unedited writing sample to RGARecruiting@nathaninc.com  by March 1, 2024. Please include “R4G ST Economist” in the subject line. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Only finalists will be contacted. No phone calls please.
• Applications missing a CV, cover letter and writing sample will not be considered for this position.

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