Project Overview

The aim of this project is to support the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Revenue Authority's (KPRA) efforts to increase tax compliance in the province. This project involves a collaboration between KPRA and a group of researchers, Dr. Sher Afghan Asad (LUMS) and Dr. Isabelle Cohen (University of Washington), who are at the frontier of the theory and practice of public finance. The project focuses on implementing an experimental evaluation of a reward scheme to improve tax compliance in KP.

The Research Associate will be responsible for the following tasks:

• Act as a liaison between the research team and project partners, building and maintaining relationships with key stakeholders, including KPRA, donors, government departments, and businesses in KP.

• Coordinate with government partners to obtain administrative data, troubleshoot data-related issues, and implement data-sharing protocols.

• Clean and prepare survey and administrative data provided by KPRA, ensuring accuracy, completeness, and quality for analytical use.

• Establish and implement quality assurance mechanisms to address data inconsistencies.

• Understand and document KPRA's data structure and collection mechanisms.

• Lead the hiring process and oversee the development of IT systems in collaboration with third-party firms or individuals.

• Conduct data analysis, including summary statistics and impact assessments.

• Oversee the design, pilot testing, and implementation of any administrative data collection exercises or surveys in consultation with the research team.

• Provide periodic project updates to the research team and relevant government departments.

• Assist in providing strategic direction for the project, contributing to the development of project deliverables and knowledge products.

• Manage administrative responsibilities, including reporting, budgeting, and tracking financials and project activities.

• Perform additional duties as required to support project goals.

Qualifications

• Undergraduate or Master's degree in Data Science, Economics, Public Policy, or a related discipline.

• Strong passion for research with a demonstrated interest in pursuing an academic or research-oriented career path.

• At least 1 year of relevant experience in data analysis, data cleaning, and management of large datasets.

• Proficiency in Python, R, or Stata, with a demonstrated ability to learn new tools and software quickly.

• Knowledge of data collection, quality checks, and data presentation. Familiarity with randomized controlled trials (RCTs) is desirable.

• Experience working with government agencies or public sector partners is highly desirable, with strong communication skills to coordinate effectively with key stakeholders in both the public and private sectors.

• Willingness to manage fieldwork activities, including supervising data collection and liaising with third-party collaborators.

• Proven ability to handle multiple tasks, coordinate with project members and adapt to evolving project needs.

• A proactive attitude with a willingness to take on additional responsibilities as the project develops.

• Fluency in English and Urdu is required; proficiency in Pashtu is an added advantage.

Ideal candidates will be highly motivated, detail-oriented, and driven to contribute to impactful research in the public policy space.

How to apply

Interested candidates should send their cover letter, CV, and transcripts to the Google Form linked with the subject title "Research Associate - KPRA".