Tax Policy Advisor

Tax Policy Advisor

Cluster or office Economic Transformation Cluster

Project name Private Sector Development in Ethiopia (PSD-E)

Duty station Addis Ababa

Contract duration 31.12.2026 (possibility to extend)

Ethiopia is in the midst of a far-reaching economic transformation. As part of its Homegrown Economic Reform Agenda, the Government is committed to strengthening domestic resource mobilization, enhancing customs and tax systems, and aligning national standards with international best practices. Yet, despite this momentum, regulatory and administrative hurdles continue to limit the growth potential of domestic firms and deter private sector investment—especially in productive sectors.

The “Private Sector Development in Ethiopia” (PSD-E) programme works to improve Ethiopia’s economic policy framework as well as employment and income situation in the private sector.

As part of the next programme phase, the incoming “Modernize and Harmonize Ethiopia’s tax administration and customs management systems for private sector growth” will be embedded within PSD-E. Its work aims to improve Ethiopia’s tax administration, accounting standards and customs administration with a focus on ease of doing business. The project will launch in October 2025 and run for 48 months.

The specific objective in the area of taxation is to modernise the tax administration and to strengthen overall (tax) audit standards to support Ethiopia‘s transition to a robust and equitable economic framework. Across the three outputs focussing on taxation, the action areas are:

• Risk-based audit procedures and tools
• Harmonization of tax administration procedures and tools across federal and regional authorities
• Tax dispute procedures

GIZ is seeking a Tax Policy Advisor with national expertise to be placed at the Ministry of Revenue (MoR) as an embedded expert. This role’s focus is to coordinate between GIZ and MoR the activities of of the project on day-to-day basis and to provide advisory to MoR on tax policy (in selected topics).

In this role, the adviser will work in close collaboration with national institutions and international partners and report directly to the (incoming) Component Manager of the project as well as to the direct supervisor at MoR. The adviser will help shape and implement innovative solutions that reduce bottlenecks, build institutional capacity, and create a more transparent and efficient tax administration environment that fosters private sector growth

Responsibilities and Duties

1. Tax Policy Reform Advisory

• Provide tax policy advisory to the Ethiopian Ministry of Revenue (MoR) to strengthen and build their capacity in respect of enhancing transparent, proactive and accountable domestic tax auditing.
• Contribute to strategic planning and legal framework reform related to tax policy reforms and revenue administration modernization.
• Provide expert advice to MoR senior leadership within the MoR and the IMPACT-E project team to ensure alignment with national reform goals.
• Support the development of regulatory frameworks, procedures, and tools for effective taxation of the digital economy.
• Monitor legislative and regulatory developments, assess their implications, and propose appropriate measures.
• Prepare policy briefs, progress reports, and presentations for internal, project and external stakeholders.
• The Adviser will report to MoR senior management through Strategic Partnership Project Management Unit/and to the Project Manager at GIZ

2. Institutional Strengthening and Capacity Development

• Support the Minister’s Office at MoR in alignment with the internal coordination structure of the Strategic Partnership Directorate, which leads reform coordination and partner alignment across the institution.
• Support strengthening institutional capacity to modernize risk-based tax audit procedures through automation and the implementation of computer-assisted risk identification and auditing systems.
• Support development of sector classifications and sector-specific guidance notes, and training for case workers.
• Enhance the quality of tax audits by supporting the establishment of a robust Tax Audit Quality Control System.
• Support the upgrade of procedures, tools and coordination mechanisms of tax audit related dispute settlement institutions.
• Support inter-agency coordination and adoption of digital tools for risk-based auditing, harmonizing practices, improving data sharing, and strengthening capacity across federal and regional tax administrations.
• Support aligning Ethiopia’s tax system with international and regional tax frameworks (e.g. UN, ATAF, G20/OECD)

3. Project Implementation and Stakeholder Coordination

• Collaborate closely with the PSD-E project team to ensure coherence with overall project objectives and MoR priorities.
• In consultation with MoR, foster strong relationships with public and private sector stakeholders to advance reform and digital transformation efforts.
• Cover all aspects of a results-oriented project management cycle (including ToR development, contract management, project monitoring and reporting)

Qualifications

• Postgraduate degree (master’s level or equivalent) in accounting and finance, business administration, economics, international trade, public finance, customs administration, law, or public policy
• A specialization in public financial management (PFM), tax policy or tax advisory (e.g. chartered tax accountant qualification, TADAT certification)

Professional experience and technical knowledge

• Work experience of at least 10 years of working in (or with) tax administrations, revenue authorities and/or finance ministries
• Proven experience in advising government institutions on tax policy reforms
• Familiarity with international (e.g. G20/OECD, UN) and regional tax frameworks (e.g. ATAF, AU)
• Experience with capacity development, training design or institutional strengthening initiatives.
• Strong knowledge of digital transformation in tax administration
• Sound understanding of procedures and policies for taxing the digital economy
• Ability to interpret legal and regulatory frameworks and contribute to their reform and harmonization.
• Familiarity with project cycle management, monitoring and results-based reporting.
• Excellent command of both English and Amharic (spoken and written)
• Proficiency in standard IT applications (MS Office) and digital collaboration tools

Other knowledge, additional competencies

• Excellent advisory and communication skills, including the ability to engage with high-level government counterparts and technical experts.
• Strong intercultural sensitivity and ability to navigate complex stakeholder environments.
• Team player with a proactive, solutions-oriented mindset and the ability to work independently under pressure.
• High gender awareness and intercultural sensitivity
• Ability to meet deadlines and work under pressure
• Ability to accept constructive feedback