Research Assistant Vacancy at UNU-WIDER SA-TIED (Southern Africa – Towards Inclusive Economic Development): Big Data, Administrative Tax Data & Econometrics Opportunity in Pretoria, South Africa (2026 Intake)

<p data-start="271" data-end="680">The <strong data-start="275" data-end="367">United Nations University World Institute for Development Economics Research (UNU-WIDER)</strong>, in collaboration with the <strong data-start="395" data-end="432">National Treasury of South Africa</strong> and the <strong data-start="441" data-end="481">South African Revenue Service (SARS)</strong> under the <strong data-start="492" data-end="562">SA-TIED (Southern Africa – Towards Inclusive Economic Development)</strong> initiative, is inviting applications for the position of <strong data-start="620" data-end="679">Research Assistant (Administrative Tax Data | Big Data)</strong>.</p> <p data-start="682" data-end="1050">This opportunity is centered on one of the most advanced data-driven research environments in Africa. South Africa is among a few countries globally that provide access to anonymized administrative tax microdata for research purposes, enabling groundbreaking work in development economics, labour markets, inequality, macro-fiscal analysis, and enterprise development.</p> <p data-start="1052" data-end="1276">The selected research assistant will contribute directly to building, maintaining, and improving high-value tax datasets used for policy-relevant research at the National Treasury – Secure Data Facility (NT-SDF) in Pretoria.</p> <h2 data-section-id="1y3h6bp" data-start="1283" data-end="1302">About the Role</h2> <p data-start="1303" data-end="1549">The Research Assistant position is designed for highly skilled graduates in economics, econometrics, and data science-related fields. The role focuses on supporting big data infrastructure and research activities within a secure data environment.</p> <p data-start="1551" data-end="1700">You will work closely with the Data Developer at the NT-SDF and support both technical and research-oriented tasks involving administrative tax data.</p> <h2 data-section-id="kw62d4" data-start="1707" data-end="1732">Key Responsibilities</h2> <p data-start="1734" data-end="1857">The selected candidate will be responsible for a wide range of technical, analytical, and administrative duties, including:</p> <h3 data-section-id="3x46er" data-start="1859" data-end="1895">1. Data Management and Updates</h3> <ul data-start="1896" data-end="2101"> <li data-section-id="niu8se" data-start="1896" data-end="1982">Regularly update tax datasets stored at the National Treasury Secure Data Facility</li> <li data-section-id="1fzgixg" data-start="1983" data-end="2037">Improve dataset structure, usability, and coverage</li> <li data-section-id="17rnlw9" data-start="2038" data-end="2101">Expand existing datasets for enhanced research applications</li> </ul> <h3 data-section-id="1r3nsr5" data-start="2103" data-end="2147">2. Data Quality Assurance and Analysis</h3> <ul data-start="2148" data-end="2314"> <li data-section-id="jxz1ey" data-start="2148" data-end="2215">Conduct quality assurance checks on administrative tax datasets</li> <li data-section-id="m6ni7x" data-start="2216" data-end="2271">Analyze emerging trends and inconsistencies in data</li> <li data-section-id="nz7lqc" data-start="2272" data-end="2314">Ensure data integrity for research use</li> </ul> <h3 data-section-id="1958o1g" data-start="2316" data-end="2359">3. Documentation and Research Support</h3> <ul data-start="2360" data-end="2572"> <li data-section-id="intpt9" data-start="2360" data-end="2433">Assist in drafting, revising, and maintaining technical documentation</li> <li data-section-id="19d1o1b" data-start="2434" data-end="2509">Support research teams with literature reviews and analytical write-ups</li> <li data-section-id="chodld" data-start="2510" data-end="2572">Help prepare research outputs based on administrative data</li> </ul> <h3 data-section-id="belr6c" data-start="2574" data-end="2614">4. Data Security and Output Review</h3> <ul data-start="2615" data-end="2755"> <li data-section-id="1i07jlt" data-start="2615" data-end="2693">Review researcher outputs to ensure strict data confidentiality compliance</li> <li data-section-id="1qi633a" data-start="2694" data-end="2755">Verify that outputs meet Secure Data Facility regulations</li> </ul> <h3 data-section-id="1unr6mi" data-start="2757" data-end="2785">5. Operational Support</h3> <ul data-start="2786" data-end="2977"> <li data-section-id="xxcv7g" data-start="2786" data-end="2862">Assist in daily operations of the National Treasury Secure Data Facility</li> <li data-section-id="8abe2f" data-start="2863" data-end="2915">Respond to data-related queries from researchers</li> <li data-section-id="2xrkop" data-start="2916" data-end="2977">Support supervisors in administrative and technical tasks</li> </ul> <h2 data-section-id="13v8j7r" data-start="2984" data-end="3023">Required Qualifications and Skills</h2> <p data-start="3025" data-end="3073">Applicants must meet the following requirements:</p> <h3 data-section-id="1dclsgf" data-start="3075" data-end="3102">Academic Requirements</h3> <ul data-start="3103" data-end="3230"> <li data-section-id="ptgvf7" data-start="3103" data-end="3151">Master’s degree in Economics or Econometrics</li> <li data-section-id="v94s7m" data-start="3152" data-end="3230">Candidates near completion of their Master’s degree may also be considered</li> </ul> <h3 data-section-id="2xjzdj" data-start="3232" data-end="3254">Technical Skills</h3> <ul data-start="3255" data-end="3491"> <li data-section-id="1pzr3sa" data-start="3255" data-end="3388">Strong proficiency in <strong data-start="3279" data-end="3288">STATA</strong>, including: <ul data-start="3303" data-end="3388"> <li data-section-id="ygzlvr" data-start="3303" data-end="3312">Loops</li> <li data-section-id="1w20kqq" data-start="3315" data-end="3332">Global macros</li> <li data-section-id="1732vpu" data-start="3335" data-end="3359">Directory management</li> <li data-section-id="1qq88p0" data-start="3362" data-end="3388">Writing STATA programs</li> </ul> </li> <li data-section-id="1vbb005" data-start="3389" data-end="3491">Knowledge of any of the following is an added advantage: <ul data-start="3450" data-end="3491"> <li data-section-id="177lgg6" data-start="3450" data-end="3457">SQL</li> <li data-section-id="1o4r5m" data-start="3460" data-end="3465">R</li> <li data-section-id="1lju5j0" data-start="3468" data-end="3478">Python</li> <li data-section-id="jt75z9" data-start="3481" data-end="3491">ArcGIS</li> </ul> </li> </ul> <h3 data-section-id="1rg9m3z" data-start="3493" data-end="3518">Professional Skills</h3> <ul data-start="3519" data-end="3637"> <li data-section-id="94d235" data-start="3519" data-end="3547">Strong analytical skills</li> <li data-section-id="ctikl9" data-start="3548" data-end="3599">Excellent academic writing and drafting ability</li> <li data-section-id="17b59ne" data-start="3600" data-end="3637">Fluent written and spoken English</li> </ul> <h3 data-section-id="21pj3o" data-start="3639" data-end="3668">Eligibility Requirement</h3> <ul data-start="3669" data-end="3745"> <li data-section-id="1ovhhot" data-start="3669" data-end="3745">South African nationality OR valid residence/work permit in South Africa</li> </ul> <h2 data-section-id="x8n3sl" data-start="3752" data-end="3788">Contract Terms and Compensation</h2> <ul data-start="3789" data-end="4071"> <li data-section-id="9nhivi" data-start="3789" data-end="3844">Position type: Consultancy contract under UNU-WIDER</li> <li data-section-id="19cs6g0" data-start="3845" data-end="3885">Daily stipend: <strong data-start="3862" data-end="3883">ZAR 2,204 per day</strong></li> <li data-section-id="kyxmik" data-start="3886" data-end="3963">Location: Pretoria, South Africa (National Treasury Secure Data Facility)</li> <li data-section-id="13fj023" data-start="3964" data-end="4019">No additional housing or living allowances provided</li> <li data-section-id="17qa6nb" data-start="4020" data-end="4071">Project-related expenses covered by the project</li> </ul> <h2 data-section-id="7i9e9f" data-start="4078" data-end="4107">Application Requirements</h2> <p data-start="4108" data-end="4145">Applicants must submit the following:</p> <ol data-start="4147" data-end="4334"> <li data-section-id="835m5o" data-start="4147" data-end="4187">Personal statement (maximum 1 page)</li> <li data-section-id="ick6wg" data-start="4188" data-end="4227">Curriculum Vitae (maximum 2 pages)</li> <li data-section-id="9l97yx" data-start="4228" data-end="4259">Academic transcript/record</li> <li data-section-id="1ue3nz1" data-start="4260" data-end="4334">Sample STATA code (maximum 200 lines) demonstrating technical ability</li> </ol> <h2 data-section-id="1h6q85q" data-start="4341" data-end="4363">Selection Process</h2> <ul data-start="4364" data-end="4589"> <li data-section-id="164rmsr" data-start="4364" data-end="4424">Applications reviewed based on experience and motivation</li> <li data-section-id="tsn997" data-start="4425" data-end="4525">Shortlisted candidates may undergo: <ul data-start="4465" data-end="4525"> <li data-section-id="1mbbtea" data-start="4465" data-end="4488">Technical interview</li> <li data-section-id="1rfm52x" data-start="4491" data-end="4525">Competency assessment exercise</li> </ul> </li> <li data-section-id="4c3dzz" data-start="4526" data-end="4589">Only successful candidates will receive final communication</li> </ul> <h2 data-section-id="6di0ys" data-start="4596" data-end="4616">Important Dates</h2> <ul data-start="4617" data-end="4786"> <li data-section-id="1vb24fs" data-start="4617" data-end="4673">Application deadline: <strong data-start="4641" data-end="4671">9 June 2026 (23:59 GMT +2)</strong></li> <li data-section-id="5owl5v" data-start="4674" data-end="4734">Expected start date: <strong data-start="4697" data-end="4732">30 June 2026 or soon thereafter</strong></li> <li data-section-id="e5x5w" data-start="4735" data-end="4786">Interviews conducted shortly after shortlisting</li> </ul> <p data-start="4875" data-end="4935"><a href="https://www2.wider.unu.edu/form/research-assistant-administrative-big-data-2026" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>APPLY HERE</strong></a></p> <p dir="ltr">For more information about this opportunity, visit <a href="https://sa-tied.wider.unu.edu/article/research-assistant-administrative-tax-data-big-data-0" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>here</strong></a>.</p> <p data-start="4875" data-end="4935">Discover more Global Job Opportunities on OFY <a href="https://opportunitiesforyouth.org/?s=job" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>here</strong></a>.</p> <p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://opportunitiesforyouth.org/2026/05/20/job-opportunity-project-assistant-at-unu-wider/">Research Assistant Vacancy at UNU-WIDER SA-TIED (Southern Africa – Towards Inclusive Economic Development): Big Data, Administrative Tax Data &#038; Econometrics Opportunity in Pretoria, South Africa (2026 Intake)</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://opportunitiesforyouth.org">Opportunities for Youth</a>.</p>