Applications are invited for the two positions of tax administration resident advisor at the Caribbean Technical Assistance Center (CARTAC), based in Bridgetown, Barbados. CARTAC is a multi-donor financed institution administered by the International Monetary Fund. The Center provides capacity development (CD) in economic and financial management to 23 Caribbean countries, through six program streams covering tax and customs administration, public financial management, financial sector regulation and supervision, financial sector stability, statistics and macro-economics.
Each advisor’s initial contract will be for a period of one year with an option for renewal based upon satisfactory performance. It is anticipated that the advisors will remain in these positions for a minimum of two years and may be extended up to a maximum of four years, based upon performance and a continuing need for the specific positions.
The Fiscal Affairs Department (FAD) is supporting CARTAC member countries with their revenue reform initiatives and the tax administration advisors will assist members with the ongoing development and implementation of tax administration reforms. The advisor’s primary responsibilities will include: (1) consulting with the revenue authorities of the member countries and supporting the center coordinator and CARTAC steering committee in developing and monitoring the CARTAC work plan, which dovetails with the FAD workplan for the region; (2) providing technical and operational advice on tax administration reforms and helping implement such advice, as needed and based on advice that FAD has provided through its missions and workshops; (3) helping prepare and deliver tax administration workshops and training courses for CARTAC members; (4) providing coordinating and logistical support to short-term tax administration experts recruited to deliver CD to CARTAC member countries; (5) managing the CARTAC tax administration program (jointly with the second advisor), which entails: preparing work plans and budgets, ensuring work plans for each country, and any regional initiatives, are fully consistent with and support the implementation of FAD-recommended reform initiatives; monitoring, reporting, accounting for progress towards outcomes through a results based management framework; (6) working and cooperating closely with regional tax administration organizations; (7) coordinating with other CD providers working in the region and their experts; and (8) liaise closely with FAD in respect of tax administration issues, and also Area Department country teams in respect of lending and surveillance activities in the countries that are recipients of capacity development in revenue administration.
Qualifications
The technical and operational skills and qualifications required for these positions include a high level of knowledge in the following areas
Legislative and regulatory environment for tax administrations.
Organization, strategic management systems including strategic planning and performance management in tax administrations.
International good practices in tax administration including developing and implementing a comprehensive compliance management program.
Policies and activities in the operations of all core tax administrative functions including registration and taxpayer services, collections and returns processing, audit, collections enforcement, objections and appeals, and rulings and interpretations.
Options for and capabilities of integrated tax administration systems (ITAS) to support tax operations.
Effective project management including planning, budgeting, and reporting.
Applicants should have extensive practical experience in the core operations of a tax administration and have spent a minimum of 5 years in a senior management position within a tax administration. Preference will be given to applicants who have broad experience in managing both direct and indirect tax operations; have participated in developing and implementing tax administration reform programs within their administrations or internationally; have experience in technical and operational capacity building in tax administration, such as participating in relevant CD activities, developing and conducting training interventions (including seminars, workshops, and online training) and mentoring tax administration staff; have experience in managing or overseeing CD delivery and coordinating with other CD providers and donors; and are aware of the issues and challenges facing tax administration reforms in the Caribbean and other regions.
General Requirements For Candidates Include
A university degree in a relevant field and extensive experience in administration and management of direct and indirect taxes including VAT.
Excellent interpersonal skills, and ability to work as part of a team.
Maintaining effective and cooperative relations with national authorities and with CD providers and donors.
Ability to handle sensitive issues relevant to the work program with appropriate discretion, given the multicultural environment.
Full proficiency in English.
Strong oral and written communication skills, including sound presentational skills to conduct and oversee training events.
Flexibility in resolving issues and addressing changing priorities.
The ability to use Microsoft Office software (Word, Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.) efficiently.
Willingness to travel extensively in the region (more than 50 percent of the time).
Assumption of duty is expected to be at an agreed time with the first position to be filled possibly as early as September 2020 and the second position by no later than early December 2020.
The IMF is committed to achieving a diverse staff, including gender, nationality, culture and educational background.
