Datalab Assistant

We are looking for an individual to support the data work and research efforts under the SA-TIED programme in Pretoria, South Africa. Closing date: 26 April 2019, 23:59 UTC+3

For the past four decades, UNU has been a go-to think tank for impartial research on the pressing global problems of human survival, conflict prevention, development, and welfare. With more than 400 researchers in 13 countries, UNU’s work spans the full breadth of the 17 SDGs, generating policy-relevant knowledge to effect positive global change. UNU maintains more than 200 collaborations with UN agencies and leading universities and research institutions across the globe.

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UNU-WIDER is a leading international development economics think tank. The Institute provides economic analysis and policy advice with the aim of promoting sustainable and equitable development for all. The Institute began operations in 1985 in Helsinki, Finland, as the first research centre of the United Nations University. Today it is a unique blend of think tank, research institute, and UN agency — providing a range of services from policy advice to governments, as well as original research that is ‘open access’.

More information on UNU-WIDER and its work programme on the institute's website.

United Nations University World Institute for Development Economics Research (UNU-WIDER) is implementing together with its partners over the period 2017–20 a research programme titled Southern Africa – Toward Inclusive Economic Development (SA-TIED) , with the aim of enhancing economic research, capacity-building, and policy dialogue.

The recent availability of tax administrative, microdata on enterprises and jobs and other policy-related data in South Africa provides a valuable resource for policy-relevant academic research. This allows for a deeper understanding of the functioning of the private sector, public sector, the labour market, and public revenue mobilization. The goal is to create well-documented longitudinal datasets with key variables that can be augmented with research specific variables.

To support the data work and research efforts under the SA-TIED programme, a new data lab facility at the National Treasury of South Africa in Pretoria has been set up and started operations in January 2019. The advertised position is based at the National Treasury in Pretoria, South Africa.

Under the supervision of UNU-WIDER research personnel based at the National Treasury in Pretoria, South Africa, the Data Lab Assistant will perform the following duties

1. Data Lab management (40 per cent)

• Manage the administrative and technical support functions relating to the Data Lab
• Perform administrative functions to ensure the proper functioning of the Data Lab, these include arranging for researcher access with security, collection of researchers at security, setting up researchers in the Data Lab, facilitate the signing off on confidential reports
• Communicate, maintain and develop client relationships
• Manage operational and administrative functions to ensure projects are delivered efficiently and timeously
• Oversee bookings of the Data Lab using the online booking system.
• Ensure that equipment is functioning at all times and that the airflow is maintained optimally.
• Assist in planning and coordination of the SA-TIED Seminar Series in Pretoria
• Assist in planning, coordination, and delivery of SA-TIED events in South Africa
• Liaise and follow up with service providers for events
• Assist UNU-WIDER personnel located at NT with admin-related work
• Perform other administrative duties as requested by the Supervisor.

3. Research assistance (40 per cent)

• Retrieve, clean, and process microdata in SQL and Stata
• Maintain the microdata and resolve errors in the extraction and data cleaning process
• Assist in drafting, reviewing and revising documentation related to the microdata
• Liaise with South Africa Revenue Services (SARS) on technical data
• Collect and compile economic time series/panel data
• P…