Data Analytics Adviser

KEY INFORMATION
Job Title: Data Analytics Adviser
Sector: Tax Reform – Public Financial Management
Position Type: Part Time
Duration/Level of Effort: 12 months, starting ASAP (up to a total of 180 days)
Position Location: Based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia in a hybrid context blending remote and in-office work
 
 
SUMMARY OF THE PROJECT
The Government of Ethiopia (GoE) has shown impressive economic growth and poverty reduction over the last decade. However, recent economic shocks caused by the global pandemic, international and domestic conflict threaten these gains, while Ethiopia’s fiscal situation restricts GoE’s capacity to act. Ethiopia’s tax revenue to GDP ratio is extremely low, possibly as low as 6.2% for FY22, which puts it amongst the lowest in Africa.  Its declining trend is more problematic.  Meanwhile, in its 2024 Medium Term Revenue Strategy, the GoE has set out 5.7% increment in the Tax/GDP ratio by the end of the 5th year (2027/28).  
 
In this context, the Tax Transformation Programme (TTP) is supporting GoE to self-finance its development through increased and sustainable revenue collection. Specifically, it is supporting increased voluntary compliance and creating a tax environment that encourages business and investment. Since 2019 TTP has been supporting the GoE on a number of tax reform related ambitions and was scheduled to close in 2024. However, recognising the critical contribution the programme is making to GoE and critical aspects of the Homegrown Economic Reform Agenda, FCDO has chosen to extend the programme to 2026. During this extension period, TTP shall continue to bring together technical tax expertise in the form of embedded and trusted advisers, UK HMRC, and other development partners to support GoE to raise revenues sustainably to meet the multiple demands on public finances.
 
 
SUMMARY OF THE POSITION
A Data Analyst Expert is one of the key experts to be deployed in the Ministry of Revenue (MoR), overseeing the live analysis of revenue data feeding into the Minster of Revenue and delivering training to existing MoR employees on the subject. The Data Analyst will support all Priority Areas within the TTP to collect and analyse data regarding the performance of each initiative. In pushing these initiatives forward, the Data Analyst will work closely with Directors and Staff in the MoR. Support will involve preparing data for analyses, conducting key analyses, problem-solving to overcome issues, training/transferring capacity to MoR – specifically the Planning Directorate – staff on analytical techniques, data visualization/reporting, and problem-solving/root-cause analysis.
 
 
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
The major responsibilities include:

• Identify the data analytic tools available for the Ministry, including Microsoft Office on which data analytics capability could potentially be built.
• Evaluate the current level of data analytic capability of the potential trainees on each tool by providing pre-training tests and group the trainees under the following three categories:
  • Beginners
  • Intermediate, and
  • Advanced
• Design training courses for each of the above three levels of training
• Deliver training and administer post training test to measure the level of improvement in skills
• Advance the trainees from the lower level to the next until all receive advanced level of training
• Ensure sustainability by creating a basic Data Analytics training manual to be used for onboarding process
• Gathering data from MoR systems using SQL or other similar programs;
• Structuring and cleaning data;
• Conducting analyses in Excel, Tableau, and potentially more advanced statistical packages;
• Creating data visualisation tools using Tableau or similar programs;
• Supporting Initiative Owners to build, carry out and track workplans;
• Problem solving and conducting root-cause analysis with Priority Area Teams the performance of initiatives;
• Building and transferring data analytical, problem solving, and data visualisation/reporting to the Planning Directorate, ensuring sustainability and ownership;
• To progress audit analytic capacity, the data analytics expert will use their good background on Microsoft Excel and tax audit to train LTO auditors on how to use Excel for data analysis.
• Building capacity on advanced Excel to leverage data-driven insights to identify high-risk taxpayers and patterns of non-compliance
• Tracking and reporting initiative progress in an accurate and timely fashion, including preparing reports for the TTO Head and TTP Team Leader;
• Inputting into reports to FCDO and the GoE as required/requested;
• Being receptive and open to advice/suggestions from the TTP team;
• The TTO and overarching TTP are consistently represented with the utmost professionalism and integrity.

 
JOB REQUIREMENTS
Candidates will be outstanding individuals with excellent professional and academic credentials, including managerial experience. Of particular interest are candidates with:

• Bachelor’s Degree in statistics, economics, computer science, engineering, or related field;
• 3+ years of data analytics experience at a high-caliber firm/environment;
• Proficiency in SQL, Excel, and Access plus a statistical analysis package (e.g., R, Stata, SPSS, SAS, Alteryx);
• Experience working with government data or similar settings in Ethiopia and/or other countries;
• Experience in data visualisation (e.g., Tableau);
• Fluency or advanced ability in Amharic.

In addition, all potential candidates should demonstrate these core competencies:

• Excellent project management skills;
• Excellent stakeholder and people management skills;
• A skilled team player who is able to collaborate, work with and rely on others;
• Ability to multi-task while meeting tight deadlines;
• Proven ability to inspire, coach and develop others from different backgrounds;
• An entrepreneurial, can-do attitude to overcome barriers and enact change;
• Developing country experience desirable but not essential.

 
APPLICATION PROCESS
Candidates are encouraged to apply by November 15th 2024.
For your application to be considered, please upload your documents as followed: Candidate Last Name, First Name, date, Title of the Position.
 
Cowater International is an equal opportunity employer, basing employment on merit and qualifications as they relate to professional experience and position expectations. Cowater does not discriminate against any employee or applicant on the basis of race, religion, sex, gender identity, disability, age, or any other basis protected by law.
We thank all applicants, however only those shortlisted will be contacted.
 
 
ABOUT US
Founded in 1985, Cowater International is a leading global development consulting company. Headquartered in Ottawa and with corporate hubs in Auckland, Berlin, Brussels, Helsinki, London, Madrid, Manila, Nairobi, Singapore and Stockholm, Cowater International has successfully delivered a portfolio of over 2500 projects and assignments in more than 95 countries. We work with governments, private sector actors and communities implementing projects that support socio-economic development, institutional strengthening, environmental improvements and advance equal opportunities for all. We are a diverse and experienced team committed to building a better tomorrow for the people we serve. Our adaptive approach to management has led to our yearly award-winning work and recognition as one of Canada’s Best Managed Companies since 2017.
 
We thank you for your interest in building a better tomorrow.