Tax Administration Lead Specialist or Senior Specialist

Job Posting Organization:
The IDB Group is a community dedicated to improving lives in Latin America and the Caribbean. Established with a mission to foster economic growth and reduce inequality and poverty, the organization comprises a diverse team of passionate individuals who work collaboratively in an inclusive and agile environment. The IDB Group operates across multiple countries in Latin America and the Caribbean, focusing on various sectors including fiscal management, public policy, and economic development. The organization values diversity and aims to create a workplace where everyone can thrive and contribute meaningfully to its mission.

Job Overview:
The position of Tax Administration Lead Specialist or Senior Specialist is critical for supporting the design, implementation, and evaluation of tax administration reforms in Latin America and the Caribbean. The successful candidate will possess extensive practical experience in tax administration and a deep understanding of its functions and their interaction with tax policy. This role involves leading institutional and technological modernization programs, designing and supervising IDB operations, providing technical assistance, and guiding multidisciplinary teams. The specialist will also engage in policy dialogue with national and subnational authorities, ensuring that tax administration reforms are effectively integrated into broader fiscal management strategies. The position requires a proactive approach to identifying and addressing challenges in tax administration, leveraging data and technology to enhance compliance and taxpayer services, and promoting best practices in governance and organizational design.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities of the Tax Administration Lead Specialist or Senior Specialist include:

• Supporting FMM specialists and country teams on tax administration issues and contributing to policy dialogue with national and subnational authorities.
• Leading or participating in the identification, design, negotiation, execution, supervision, and evaluation of lending operations and technical cooperations that support tax administration reforms.
• Providing technical assistance on core tax administration functions such as registration, filing and payment, taxpayer services, compliance risk management, audit, refunds, debt collection, dispute resolution, and performance management.
• Advising on organizational design, governance, business-process modernization, strategic planning, human resources, integrity, and change management in tax administrations.
• Guiding the effective use of information technology, interoperability, data governance, advanced analytics, and responsible artificial intelligence to ensure that digital investments meet institutional and operational needs.
• Developing proposals to improve voluntary compliance and taxpayer services using behavioral insights, segmentation, electronic invoicing, prefilled returns, and other digital tools.
• Assessing the administrative implications of tax reforms and contributing to work on international taxation, the digital economy, customs coordination, and social security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security contributions.
• Leading analytical products, publications, operational tools, training, workshops, seminars, and knowledge exchanges; promoting the use of data to measure tax gaps, evasion, informality, and the results of administrative reforms.
• Monitoring the technical quality and development effectiveness of the portfolio, identifying implementation bottlenecks, and providing clear guidance to project teams and counterparts. 1
• Building and sustaining partnerships with other Bank departments, tax administrations, multilateral organizations, donors, academia, and research centers; mentoring colleagues and supervising consultants and technical workstreams.

Required Qualifications:
The required qualifications for the position include:

• A Master’s degree (or equivalent advanced degree) in economics, public policy, public administration, law, accounting, business administration, or other fields relevant to the responsibilities of the role. A Ph.D. is preferred.
• Academic training in data analysis, technology, or data science is an additional asset.
• At least five (5) years of progressive experience, preferably ten (10) years of experience, in tax administration, ministries of finance, international organizations, development institutions, specialized consulting, or applied research.
• Practical experience in senior, managerial, or advisory positions within a revenue body is highly desirable.
• Experience leading complex reforms or projects and sound knowledge of tax procedures, digital transformation, data use, and international good practices are required.

Educational Background:
The educational background needed for the position includes a Master’s degree or equivalent advanced degree in relevant fields such as economics, public policy, public administration, law, accounting, or business administration. A Ph.D. is preferred, and additional academic training in data analysis, technology, or data science is considered an asset.

Experience:
The level of experience needed for the position is at least five (5) years of progressive experience, with a preference for candidates who have ten (10) years of experience in tax administration or related fields. Candidates should have practical experience in senior, managerial, or advisory roles within a revenue body, as well as experience leading complex reforms or projects.

Languages:
Proficiency in Spanish and English, both spoken and written, is required for this position. Additional knowledge of French and Portuguese is preferable, which would enhance the candidate's ability to engage with diverse stakeholders across the region.

Additional Notes:
The position is offered as an international staff contract for an initial duration of 36 months, with the possibility of renewal upon mutual agreement. The IDB Group provides a competitive compensation package that includes an annual base salary on a net-of-tax basis, along with various benefits such as 24 days of paid time off, personal days, sick leave, and gender-neutral parental leave. Health insurance is provided for employees and eligible dependents, covering medical, dental, vision, preventive care, and prescription drugs. The organization also offers a defined benefit pension plan, assistance with relocation and visa applications, and access to health services and professional development opportunities. The position is primarily on-site, with occasional flexibility for teleworking.