Work for the IMF. Work for the World.

Description:

The Fiscal Affairs Department (FAD) of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) is seeking to recruit a resident tax administration advisor at the Caribbean Technical Assistance Centre (CARTAC), based in Bridgetown, Barbados.

CARTAC is a multi-donor financed institution administered by the International Monetary Fund. The Center provides capacity development (CD, i.e., technical assistance and training) 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.

The initial contract will be for a period of one year with an option for renewal based upon satisfactory performance. It is anticipated that the advisor is expected to remain in this position 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 position.

The Fiscal Affairs Department (FAD) is supporting CARTAC member countries with their revenue reform initiatives and the tax administration advisor 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 Director 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 another tax advisor in CARTAC), 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) contributing to CARTAC’s corporate activities (e.g., annual reports and outreach activities).

Qualifications:

The technical and operational skills and qualifications required for this position include a high level of knowledge in the following areas:

• Legislative and regulatory environment for tax administrations, including international agreements and standards.
• Organization, strategic management systems including strategic planning and performance management in tax administrations.
• The use of information technology and new digital tools and applications to support tax administration operations.
• 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.
• Familiarity with tax policies and regulations.
• 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 the following:

• Participated in developing and implementing tax administration reform programs within their administrations or internationally, including introducing new digital tools and technologies to improve tax operations;
• 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;
• Experience in managing or overseeing CD delivery and coordinating with other CD providers and donors; and
• Aware of the issues and challenges facing tax administration reforms in the Caribbean and other regions.

General Requirements:

• A university degree in a relevant field and at least four years of relevant, professional 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.
• Flexibility in resolving issues and addressing changing priorities.
• Full proficiency in English.
• Strong oral and written communication skills, including sound presentational skills to conduct and oversee training events.
• Strong organizational and planning skills with ability to effectively and flexibly manage budget and other resources, ensuring timing and quality compliance with reporting requirements while working with considerable autonomy.
• Familiarity with modern computer systems, applications software, and digital innovations to support tax operations including Microsoft Office software (Word, Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams, etc.).
• Willingness to travel extensively in the region (up to 50 percent of the time).
• Previous experience of capacity building in the tax administration area (such as participating in tax administration CD activities and organizing and conducting training courses and workshops) would be an advantage.

Successful applicants who are not selected for this position may be eligible to join the FAD panel of tax administration experts, from which individuals are recruited for short-term assignments focusing on specific areas and potentially other long-term expert assignments.

Assumption of duty is expected to be at an agreed time with position to be filled possibly around the beginning of June 2025.

Department:

FADR2 Fiscal Affairs Department Revenue Administration 2

Hiring For:

A11, A12, A13, A14

The IMF is guided by the principle that the employment, classification, promotion, and assignment of staff shall be made without discrimination against any person. We welcome requests for reasonable accommodations for disabilities during the selection process. Information on how to request accommodations will be provided during the application process.