International Budget Partnership (IBP) works to ensure that all people, especially underserved communities, have the right and ability to understand and influence how public money – their money – is raised and spent. IBP is a nonprofit organization fiercely dedicated to ensuring governments use public funds to help those that need it most. We partner with budget analysts, community organizers, and advocates in 120 countries to advance public budget systems that work for people. Together, we generate data, advocate for reform, and build the skills and knowledge of people so that everyone can have a voice in budget decisions that impact their lives.

IBP is implementing a tax equity initiative in Africa that is supporting civil society organizations to operate in the field of tax. The project kicked off in year 2021 in two pilot countries in Africa – Senegal and Nigeria. In 2023, the tax equity initiative expanded to two additional countries, Tanzania and Ghana.

Although there has been a dramatic growth in civil society organizations utilizing information to analyze and influence public budgets in recent years, scrutiny of government revenues, although emerging, has been slower on the uptake. With an initial development grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF), and a further grant from the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD), this project will promote a more political approach to increasing domestic revenue by strengthening civic actors to advocate for equitable tax policy and administration, thereby putting pressure on governments to raise revenue in a way that promotes rather than exacerbates inequality. Ultimately it will mean that lower income groups will have a louder public voice in tax debates and limit the ability of powerful interests to disproportionately influence tax decisions, reshaping the social contract.

About this role

The International Budget Partnership (IBP) is looking to appoint a Senior Program Officer (SPO) to build the tax equity pilot in Ghana. This is an opportunity for a person with tax policy expertise and a passion for civil society advocacy to make a critical contribution to a new program in the leading international civil society organization focusing on fiscal accountability.

This position will have responsibility for working with the IBP Regional Tax Manager who heads the Africa Tax Equity Initiative, the IBP global tax team, Country Managers, as well as other IBP staff to implement all components of the program and be responsible for coordinating key activities with internal IBP and external resource persons. The SPO will also prioritize supporting an effective coalition of actors committed to tax equity, including collective platforms of marginalised citizens.

IBP is a cutting edge, passionate and devoted organization which admires people who can bring new ideas to the table. This is a wonderful opportunity to contribute to their mission and really make a change.

Role responsibilities

Essential duties of the job include, but are not limited to, the following:

· Reporting directly to the Regional Tax Manager, the SPO will work with the IBP global tax team, as well as other IBP colleagues to further develop and refine IBP’s tax work strategy for Ghana, in line with IBP’s overall mission and strategy.

· Coordinate research, training, and advocacy projects that make up the tax equity initiative, in liaison with the Regional Tax Manager and other tax team members.

· Lead outreach and communications with partner NGOs and other groups working on tax.

· Monitor progress and effectively address challenges encountered during implementation of the tax initiative.

· Work with the Regional Tax Manager, IBP global tax team, and Development team in securing further resources needed for IBP to expand and consolidate its tax work.

· Partner with all relevant country-level Planning, Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (PMEL) teams, as well as the Strategy and Learning Teams (SALT) to establish an appropriate framework to monitor progress and learn from the initiative.

· Coordinate with all other IBP teams as may be required to advance the impact of the tax initiative across the organization.

· Develop terms of reference for independent contractors required in the implementation of the tax equity initiative, negotiate and secure approval for these terms of reference, and recruit and manage consultants.

· Oversee the implementation of all grants and awards to IBP for work falling within the priorities of the tax equity initiative and engagements in Ghana and support the Regional Tax Manager with reports to funding partners.

Core competencies:

• Strategic thinker, focused on identifying and addressing problems.
• Strong, tested managerial skills, with capability to manage multiple projects and teams simultaneously, efficiently, and on time.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; high-level ability to communicate effectively with partners, colleagues, consultants, and representatives of government, multilateral organizations, and other donors.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to thrive in and contribute to a culture of collaboration and teamwork in a diverse work environment.
• A high level of organization; a strong ability to prioritize tasks to meet multiple deadlines and to develop a new area of work.
• Ability to establish, maintain and grow networks.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office package required; proficiency with other specialist software applications desirable.
• Passion and deep commitment to build civil society capacity for tax policy and advocacy.
• Personal qualities of integrity, credibility, and passion for IBP’s mission.
• Commitment to high quality work, efficiency, and timeliness.
• Flexible and able to adapt to shifting environments and works well under pressure.
• Motivated to learn and willing to contribute to learning initiatives.

Education and Experience:

• Master’s degree in economics, political science, public policy management or related fields is preferred.
• Bachelor’s degree in economics, political science, public policy management or related fields may be considered where candidate shows sound and sustained practical work experience in civil society tax advocacy.
• 5 – 8 years of experience working in the tax field, including substantial time working in/with civil society.
• Experience in implementing and managing programs that support civil society organizations to engage and advocate for greater transparency, accountability, and participation in policy decisions.
• At least five years’ experience in policy research, training, or network building, preferably in the tax field.
• Exposure to country-based, regional, and/or international tax actors and networks
• Understanding of the political economy nuances of public financial management in Ghana.