UNU -WIDER Fully-Funded MSc Research Project Using Tax Data in South Africa 2024: (Deadline 14 June, 2024)

The United Nations University World Institute for Development Economics Research (UNU-WIDER), together with the National Treasury of South Africa (NT) is seeking postgraduate students to apply for a funded MSc research project using tax data at the National Treasury Secure Data Facility (NT-SDF). The aim is to offer young graduates the opportunity to conduct Master thesis research project using the National Treasury Secure Data Facility (NT-DSF). This collaboration is part of the second phase of the Southern Africa – Towards Inclusive Economic Development (SA-TIED).

Under this call, we invite applications from South African-based Masters students to apply for access to the NT-SDF to use tax data to conduct a Master’s thesis project. In this respect, the student is expected to spend at least two months at National Treasury tax data lab (NTSDF) working on his/her research project. The candidate will be facilitated by the UNU-WIDER data and research team. This will include meeting with the Data Team to understand the various datasets available, cleaning, exploring, and analyzing datasets in areas including but not limited to:

1. Excise levy data

2. Customs data

3. Common Report Standards data

4. Value Added Tax (VAT) data

5. Personal Income Tax (PIT) data

6. Corporate Income Tax (CIT) dat

About United Nations University World Institute for Development Economics Research (UNU-WIDER)

The United Nations University World Institute for Development Economics Research provides economic analysis and policy advice with the aim of promoting sustainable and equitable development for all. The Institute began operations over 30 years ago in Helsinki, Finland, as the first research centre of the United Nations University. Today it is a unique blend of think tank, research institute, and UN agency – providing a range of services from policy advice to governments as well as freely available original research. Over the period 2019–23 UNU-WIDER research will fo…

UNU-WIDER MSc Research Project Using Tax Data

Aim and Benefits of UNU-WIDER MSc Research Project Using Tax Data

UNU-WIDER will cover reasonable and necessary expenses incurred during the work on the research project at the National Treasury in Pretoria. Additionally, modest honorariums will be provided after the student shares a copy of the final version of his/her MSc project.

UNU-WIDER MSc Research Project Using Tax Data Courses

• Research

Requirements for UNU-WIDER MSc Research Project Using Tax Data Qualification

1. Be based in South Africa. It is not required for the applicant to be a South African citizen.
2. Be enrolled in a Master’s degree in Economics, Econometrics, Agricultural/ Environmental Economics, or Finance.
3. Be able to travel to Pretoria periodically to work in the National Treasury at the NTSDF.
4. Have good knowledge of micro-data, including data cleaning and generation of baseline statistics, and have experience working with microdata and using STATA or R.
5. Have completed an advanced Econometrics course.
6. Ready to use NTSDF towards the completion of their MSc thesis project.
7. Ready to sign agreements and abide by all restrictions imposed by NT and other government agencies with respect to disclosure of confidential firm- and individual-specific information.
8. If applicable, to present work in progress and final outputs as required by the programme.
9. Ready to share the final copy if his MSc thesis to be a Working paper on the Website of SA-TIED.

Interview date, Process and Venue for UNU-WIDER MSc Research Project Using Tax Data

Evaluation process and criteria

Each application will be assessed based on relevant experience and personal motivation. Only the final decision on whether an application is accepted or not will be communicated to applying researchers.

Application submission procedure Applications should include:

• A CV (maximum 2 pages)
• Academic transcripts
• Proof of registration
• One page of the MSc research proposal containing the research question and types of data the candidate would like to use.
• Personal motivation statement of no more than 300 words. The motivation statement should clearly state the motivation for applying to use NTSDF in conducting an MSc thesis under the SA-TIED programme and include a narrative of previous relevant experience and future career goals.
• A supporting letter from the Academic Supervisor.

Dates

• 24 May 2024: launch of request for applications for the SA-TIED student exchange
• 14 June 2024: deadline on questions on the application process
• 25 June 2024: application submission deadline
• 5 July 2024: target date for informing on decisions

Application Deadline

June 14, 2024

How to Apply

Interested and qualified? Go to United Nations University World Institute for Development Economics Research (UNU-WIDER) on www2.wider.unu.edu to applySubmission of applications is done electronically by using the online form. Please familiarize yourself with the form in advance.

For more detailas visit: OFFICIAL LINK.