2022-02-23

Tax Policy Expert (for Revenue Department, FGS) – Mogadishu, Somalia

Mogadishu, Somalia
Posted on February 23, 2022

Federal Government Of Somalia

Tax Policy Expert (for Revenue Department, FGS) – Mogadishu, Somalia

The Federal Republic of Somalia

Ministry of Finance

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST (REOI)

COUNTRY: Federal Republic of Somalia (FGS)

NAME OF PROJECT: Somalia Domestic Revenue Mobilization and Public Financial Management

Capacity Strengthening Project – Phase II

PROJECT ID: P166206 Grant No.: IDA-D3700

Assignment Title: Tax Policy Expert (for Revenue Department, FGS)

Reference No.: n SO-MOF-265200-CS-INDV

Place of assignment: Mogadishu, Somalia

Closing Date: 7^th March, 2022

Background

The Federal Republic of Somalia has received financing from The World Bank through the Ministry of Finance (MoF) toward the cost of Somalia Domestic Revenue Mobilization and Public Financial Management Capacity Strengthening Project II.

The Project Development Objective is to strengthen systems of domestic revenue mobilization, expenditure control and accountability in the Federal Government and Federal Member States (FMSs). The project has the following components: (i) Strengthening Tax Policy and Inland Revenue Administration systems; (ii) Strengthening Systems for the Public Funds Management, Transparency and Accountability; (iii) Rapid Response Facility; and (iv) Public Financial Management Reform Oversight, Coordination and Management.

Strengthening Tax Policy and Inland Revenue Administration systems component of the project mainly includes:

Establishing the Tax Policy Unit (TPU); and (b) support TPU in development of a credible and fair revenue policy, evidence-based research, revenue forecasting, and tax gap analysis capacity;
Operationalizing large taxpayer office; (a) business process mapping and redesigning; (b) modernizing and automation through a ‘fit for purpose’ system; and (c) training and capacity building; and

Taxpayer education and facilitation to promote voluntary compliance.

To execute the above reforms and other critical DRM issues, the FGS Ministry of Finance Revenue Directorate in coordination with the Ministries of Finance of FMSs are leading implementation of the program of activities.

The Tax Policy Expert is required to support the DRM initiatives of strengthening capacity of staff in the Tax Policy Unit and formulate strategies of revenue mobilization in a concerted way with FGS Revenue Directorate. Importantly, the Consultancy is also expected to play an important role in addressing the Government’s institutional capacity deficiencies in Tax Policy Unit.

Accordingly, the Ministry of Finance intends to apply part of the proceeds of the grant to hire an Individual Consultant to support the DRM initiatives of strengthening capacity of staff in the revenue departments and formulate strategies of revenue mobilization.

Scope of Work and Responsibilities:

The scope of work for the assignment include but not limited to the following:

Development of Somali-specific tax policy recommendations,
Handhold and support Tax policy unit staff and encourage their development in the implementation of IMF policy recommendations that the FGS adopted based on the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Designing Federal Tax Policy for Enhanced Domestic Revenue Mobilization (2020)

Assist in evaluating actual income tax burden and conduct comparison of the actual versus the target income tax burden

Support in understanding the potential income tax effects on investment; tax distortions, accounting for unintended tax incentive effects
write technical and non-technical reports and policy briefs on economic trends and forecasts
provide economic advice to a range of stakeholders within domestic revenue mobilization and management landscape

evaluate past and present economic issues and trends in view of tax policy analysis
deliver oral and visual presentations, which non-economist audiences must be able to understand in order to inform decisions.

lead multiple research-based initiatives in Tax Policy.
Research, draft papers and conduct various studies, reports on current tax and spending issues.
Maintaining knowledge of current tax policy and economic issues, and identifying research opportunities to advance FGS’s tax policy agenda.

Developing entrepreneurial projects that help expand the reach and effectiveness of FGS’s tax policy research, including research methods, events, meetings, and other outreach activities.
Briefing state lawmakers on sound tax policy and train tax policy unit staff testifying before relevant legislative committees.
Other services as may be requested by the Director General of Revenue.

Selection Criteria:

Selection shall be based on qualification and experience of the candidate and followed by an interview. The qualification, experience and skills should include:

At least Masters in Economics, PhD in Economics would be an added advantage;
10 years’ experience in tax policy research;

At least five years of relevant experience in similar evidence-based policy analysis and policy development

At least five years’ experience in establishing or advising or implementing tax policy departments. More specifically, proven experience in building capacities of Tax Policy Units / Sections using various approaches including understanding needs, development and implementing of capacity building plans
Proven ability in using tax policy assessment tools such as tax gap analysis, input to cost-benefit analysis, METR Analysis, AETR analysis, economic efficiency, administrative efficiency, and equity.
Proven ability of training and capacity building

Excellent communication skills (verbal, written, and presentational), including a proven track record to prepare written outputs in English to a high standard: (Having Somali language ability is an added advantage)
Ability to provide capacity building and support the analytical work to identify suitable tax policy responses that are logical, balanced, and comprehensive to complex social and economic issues;

Experience of working in fragile states (FCVs) is a plus;
Duration:

Duration of the assignment is 3 months.

The Ministry of Finance now invites eligible Individual Consultants to indicate their interest in providing these services. Interested Individual Consultants must submit their Curriculum Vitae (CV) and cover letter indicating that they are qualified to perform the services. The detailed TOR can be found at the following website: www.mof.gov.so or it can be forwarded to the applicant upon submission of application to the address indicated below.
The attention of interested Consultants is drawn to paragraphs 3.14, 3.16 and 3.17 of the World Bank’s Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers: Procurement in Investment Financing Goods, Works, Non-Consulting and Consulting Services dated July 2016 and current edition. (“Procurement Regulations”), setting forth the World Bank’s policy on conflict of interest.
A Consultant will be selected in accordance with the Individual Consultants Selection method set out in the World Bank’s Procurement Regulations.

Mode of submission of Applications and deadline:

Interested Consultants may obtain further information including a detailed Terms of Reference at the address given below from 8:30 to 3.30pm Mogadishu time (Excluding public holidays).

Expressions of interest (EOI) and CV with 3 reference persons and certificates of qualifications must be delivered (in person or by e-mail) in a written form (if not by e-mail) to the address below by 7^th March, 2022 at 12:00 Hours (Mogadishu Time) – marked clearly as “Application for Tax Policy Expert – Revenue Department, FGS)”.

Project Implementation Unit,

Ministry of Finance

Street Corso Street, Shangaani District, Mogadishu

Federal Republic of Somalia

Email: pfmcommunications@mof.gov.so

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