Senior Research Officer/Coordinator

Senior Research Officer/Coordinator

• Contract length: Full-Time (Initial 1-year fixed-term contract, with view to renew) 
• Annual Salary: IBP Salaries are set with consideration of current market conditions and in comparison, with similar not-for-profit organizations. Based on current rates, we would anticipate a gross salary to be offered as per the below locations. Please note these locations are given to illustrate specific country salary ranges – the salary offered will be payable in local currency, based on local markets and commensurate with experience. 
  • $40,000 - 43,000 per annum in Nigeria
  • CFA 25,897,208 - 28,925,328 in Senegal
  • ZAR 781,879 – 818,721 in South Africa
  • Rp 548,199,414 –574,030,800 in Indonesia
  • €40,000 – €68,000 range in Europe (variable country to country and location dependent) 
• Location: IBP’s team currently works across a range of time zones, with many colleagues based between UTC-5 and UTC+3. We encourage applications from anywhere, though we take into account time zone compatibility and proximity to our country offices. 
• Preferred start date: Jan 2026
• Physical demands: Regional and in-country travel may be required. This is a remote role, prolonged working on a laptop and other display screen equipment around 8 hours each day. 
• Level: Mid-career 
  
• Reports to: Global Lead, Policy and Research.
  

Background

Around the world, public resources are being raised and spent unfairly and ineffectively, leaving millions of people without access to quality public goods and services they need to thrive. Governments often make public resource decisions without much consultation or information from the public. Meanwhile, those with power and privilege very effectively influence government decisions in their favors.

Our goal is to make governments raise and spend public money more fairly, so that everyone has the resources and opportunities they need to thrive and get ahead. To achieve this, The International Budget Partnership (IBP) partners with budget analysts, community organizers, and advocates in more than 100 countries to advance public budget systems that work for people. 

Together, we generate evidence, 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. For more information, please visit our website and review our strategy. 

  

Today, IBP is a globally dispersed organization with staff based in multiple countries with in-depth country work in Nigeria, Senegal, South Africa and Indonesia. IBP is a US registered 501 c3 with branch offices in Senegal and affiliates in the Netherlands, in South Africa and soon in Nigeria and a total budget of about USD 15 million a year.

In a context of growing fiscal pressure, unsustainable debt burdens, and regressive tax systems, IBP is expanding its research and technical work on public finance systems related to public debt and taxation to support reforms that help these systems better reflect the realities and needs of communities that have been marginalized. This is an exciting opportunity to work across the organization to shape IBP’s research agenda, building a rigorous evidence base that strengthens the ability of civil society and marginalized groups to engage meaningfully in reforms and hold governments accountable. The role calls for someone eager to take initiative, work independently, and help bridge evidence and reform at a global scale.

About this role

IBP is seeking a mid-to-senior level program and research professional to lead and coordinate a growing body of work at the intersection of debt accountability and tax equity. The successful candidate will design, oversee, and contribute to high-quality applied research; coordinate multi-country initiatives; ensure alignment with IBP’s global strategy; actively engage in sharing IBP’s research agenda; and represent the organization in technical and policy forums. In particular, this role will help connect global policy debates with national accountability reforms, ensuring that IBP’s debt and tax research and technical engagement advances principles of transparency, participation, and equity. 

This is a highly collaborative position, well-suited for a researcher with a strong grounding in public finance - particularly in government financing systems, especially around public debt and revenue - combined with excellent analytical, writing, and communication skills, and a demonstrated commitment to advancing equity through fiscal policy. 

Our Commitments

Safeguarding – IBP prioritizes the welfare and protection of children, young people and vulnerable adults above the achievements of our programs or strategic goals. We acknowledge that safeguarding is a collective duty, and we hold all our staff, and partners accountable for safeguarding the communities in which we work and adhering to our Safeguarding Policy. 

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion - As a global organization in composition and vision, IBP encourages a culture of empowerment and equity of our staff and our partners. We seek to dismantle all forms of exclusion and marginalization and embrace intersectionality – in our internal policies and practices, as well as programs. Equal employment opportunity and having a diverse staff team are fundamental principles at the International Budget Partnership, where employment and promotional opportunities are based upon individual capabilities and qualifications without regard to race, color, religion, gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation/affectional preference, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship, disability, veteran status or any other protected characteristic as established under law. 

Role responsibilities

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

Research and Technical Analysis (50%) 

• Design and implement policy and advocacy-relevant research and diagnostics on public debt, focusing on accountability, transparency, and equity within government financing systems. 

• Develop analytical frameworks, such as return-on-investment or impact-tracing models, that link borrowing decisions and debt servicing to socio-economic and service delivery outcomes. 

• Use IBP’s multi-country datasets (e.g., Open Budget Survey and Debt Module) and complementary international data to analyze and report on trends in open budget and fiscal accountability practices. 

• Collaborate with IBP colleagues around the globe and external partners to adapt and apply global analytical tools (e.g., CEQ, IMF DSA) to local contexts, making them more relevant and accessible to civil society and policy audiences. 

• Lead or contribute to technical briefs, comparative syntheses, and other knowledge products that inform advocacy and policy dialogue at national, regional, and global levels.  

• Conduct scoping research to identify where IBP is best positioned to advocate for and strengthen domestic accountability and advance equity in debt and tax governance. 

Technical Support and Engagement (30%) 

• Contribute strategic and technical expertise to IBP’s debt accountability initiatives across countries, including but not limited to priority contexts such as Nigeria and Senegal. This includes support for diagnostics, policy dialogues, and reform strategies. Coordinate and support the delivery of major research program components, ensuring quality, timeliness, and budget compliance.  

• Support the adaptation of research, tools, and technical guidance materials for IBP’s learning and capacity building approaches and programs with our CSO partner networks.  

• Engage with international stakeholders (e.g., IMF, World Bank, CSOs, SAI, and parliamentary networks) to position IBP’s research in global forums and contribute to policy debates. 

• Identify and cultivate research partnerships with civil society organizations, academic institutions, and policy think tanks to strengthen IBP’s technical and advocacy reach. 

• Organize or contribute to learning events, webinars, and collaborative research initiatives, ensuring the dissemination of findings across IBP’s networks and the broader field. 

Coordination and Strategic Alignment (20%) 

• Work closely with IBP’s Research & Policy team and country Policy Leads to ensure alignment of research and policy priorities with IBP’s strategic and advocacy goals. 

• Lead the development of global research products and activities, while also coordinating annual work plans, budgets, and reporting across the debt and tax teams and programs. 

• Support IBP’s Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning team to document results, lessons, and program impact. 

• Support IBP’s Monitoring Evaluation and Learning team to document activities and outcomes related to research, knowledge generation, and publications related to IBP’s debt accountability programming.  

• Contribute to concept notes, funding proposals, and donor reports, ensuring that research and program results are clearly articulated and strategically communicated. 

About you

We are looking for people with the right skills and competencies for the role, and who demonstrate personal qualities that are consistent with our values. IBP’s Statement of Values is the expression of our core beliefs - those that define our priorities and goals, and in so doing, express our organizational identity and culture.  As staff of IBP, we believe in: 

Transparency and accountability 

Justice and equity 

Excellence 

Collaboration 

Independence 

Diversity, equity and inclusion 

Democracy and human rights 

Integrity and ethical behaviour 

More details can be found on our website here. 

 

Core competencies/Experiences

• Minimum 3 years managing or leading applied research or program initiatives in public finance, debt management or taxation is essential. Over 7 years professional work experience would be advantageous/desirable.  

• Strong understanding of public finance, public financial management, and particularly public debt management systems. Knowledge of tax systems is an advantage.  

• Experience conducting comprehensive policy analysis using both quantitative and qualitative methodologies. 

• Demonstrated ability to produce high-quality written products for both technical and non-technical audiences. 

• Extensive experience in international research collaborations, working effectively with multicultural teams, and engaging stakeholders in emerging market economies, including CSOs and governments. 

• Ability to work independently while contributing to a team-oriented environment. 

• Commitment to equity and social justice, with experience working or collaborating with international organizations and civil society groups a strong advantage.  

• Fluency in English required; ability to speak French an advantage. 

 

What we do for you

Remuneration 

International Budget Partnership is committed to providing competitive salaries, promotion opportunities, pension contributions and other benefits aligned with the country of employment. 

Values and Culture 

At International Budget Partnership, we take pride in our Values and how our staff have embraced them in all aspects of our work. We aim to foster a culture that acknowledges and celebrates our Values and worldwide accomplishments. 

Work-life Balance 

While our dedication to our mission is unwavering, International Budget Partnership also understands the significance of supporting our staff to maintain a healthy work-life balance. We do this by offering 24 days of annual leave (in addition to public holidays) and access to flexible work arrangements, including remote and hybrid working. 

Professional Development 

International Budget Partnership takes pride in being an employer that recognizes potential and invests in the growth of its staff. We are dedicated to fostering the professional development of our team members through: 

Empowering teams to engage in impactful projects that challenge and enable their growth, through hands-on experience. 

Regular performance management. 

Access to training and development opportunities. 

Regular Staff Workshops and for all team members to stay updated on organizational matters, receive training, and engage socially. 

Ad-hoc all staff retreat to build connections and bring people together at key moments. 

Travel and Medical Insurance 

When traveling for work, all International Budget Partnership staff members benefit from comprehensive travel and medical insurance coverage. 

How to apply and key dates 

Please complete the online application form, submit your CV and provide a cover letter that provides tangible examples of how your skills, knowledge and experience will support your ability to perform the key priorities outlined in the above job description (using no more than 750 words).  

**Please include as website links in your cover letter, or as attachments to your application, at least two research publications or writing samples that relate to debt, tax, or PFM systems.**

The recruitment process will involve a panel interview, followed by a one-hour written assessment, with a potential for one more follow-up interview if needed. 

 

Deadline: 10 November 2025, 13:00 GMT. Interviews are planned for the w/c 24 November 2025.