Claire Kumar Email & Phone Number

United Kingdom

Brussels, Brussels Region, Belgium

Responsible for coordinating the research portfolio of ODI Europe. Contributing especially to research, convening and public affairs work in relation to migration looking at: legal pathways for labour immigration, public attitudes and narratives on migration and the EU's migration and asylum policy.

London, England, United Kingdom

This short-term consultancy involved research into particular aspects of the Covid-19 pandemic and impacts on developing countries including: the exacerbation of inequalities caused by the pandemic, the need to strengthen public health and social protection systems and appropriate public finance responses to the crisis.

Dublin City, County Dublin, Ireland

This short-term consultancy involved conducting an advocacy review to assess the ways of working, effectiveness and lessons learned of the Policy and Advocacy Team, as well as to document recent legislative successes achieved as a result of Trócaire’s campaigning in Ireland. Work involved internal literature review, stakeholder interviews (internal and external), a focus group and development of an internal report and two case studies for external publication.

Consultancy responsibilities included: quality assurance of a child protection costing and fiscal space study conducted by OPM in Jordan; the development of three health budget briefings looking at trends in public sector investment in health in Cambodia, Lao PDR and Myanmar and a regional public health expenditure report. Work involved desk-based research, including analysis of health budget datasets and results from benefit incidence analysis research.

This short-term consultancy involved the development of a proposal for an Arab Fiscal Policy and Taxation Administration Forum. It looked at why it might be needed, the range of topics it could address, the connection with the global debates around international tax rules and tax cooperation, and the best format for such a forum through a comparative assessment of other similar bodies.

This consultancy involved an evaluation of the work of ICRICT, conducted on behalf of their main funder, FES. This high level commission advocates around the reform of international taxation rules in relation to multinational companies. The evaluation involved a large stakeholder consultation, interviewing ICRICT’s secretariat, steering group members, Commissioners and external stakeholders from institutions such as the OECD, IMF and UN, as well as a large document review. The main product of… Show more This consultancy involved an evaluation of the work of ICRICT, conducted on behalf of their main funder, FES. This high level commission advocates around the reform of international taxation rules in relation to multinational companies. The evaluation involved a large stakeholder consultation, interviewing ICRICT’s secretariat, steering group members, Commissioners and external stakeholders from institutions such as the OECD, IMF and UN, as well as a large document review. The main product of this consultancy was an evaluation report and executive summary for an external audience. Show less

This consultancy involved the evaluation of one of the pillars of Oxfam’s global strategic plan during the period 2013-2018. It focused on Financing for Development and involved a review of a large portfolio of Oxfam’s work in this area (including tax and budget work, public service provision and its evolving work on inequality). Main activities included a large document review to systematise information on Oxfam’s achievements, approaches and lessons learned, complemented by a small number of… Show more This consultancy involved the evaluation of one of the pillars of Oxfam’s global strategic plan during the period 2013-2018. It focused on Financing for Development and involved a review of a large portfolio of Oxfam’s work in this area (including tax and budget work, public service provision and its evolving work on inequality). Main activities included a large document review to systematise information on Oxfam’s achievements, approaches and lessons learned, complemented by a small number of key informant interviews. The main product was a 50-page evaluation report, accompanied by a short executive summary for Oxfam’s Executive Directors. Show less

This consultancy involved the development of a national plan for the expansion of pre-primary education in Turkmenistan. Work included extensive costing of options to scale up Turkmenistan’s investment in pre-primary level education, as well as development of a simplified cost-benefit analysis of the proposed investment scenarios. Ensuring an equitable expansion was a key element, given the large geographic and wealth-based disparities in access to pre-primary education. Work involved data… Show more This consultancy involved the development of a national plan for the expansion of pre-primary education in Turkmenistan. Work included extensive costing of options to scale up Turkmenistan’s investment in pre-primary level education, as well as development of a simplified cost-benefit analysis of the proposed investment scenarios. Ensuring an equitable expansion was a key element, given the large geographic and wealth-based disparities in access to pre-primary education. Work involved data collection and analysis, development of a costing methodology, stakeholder interviews, including with province and district level officials and head teachers, and the creation of a number of targeted options and budget scenarios for the consideration of the Ministry of Education. Show less

This long-term consultancy involved working with Oxfam Intermon (Spain) and the London School of Economics in developing a new inequality framework and toolkit. The inequality framework envisaged is a multi-dimensional tool to evaluate inequalities across all areas of wellbeing (from survival, health and education, through income, wealth and all aspects of living conditions, to participation, voice, family and social life). The framework aims to cover both quantitative and qualitative aspects… Show more This long-term consultancy involved working with Oxfam Intermon (Spain) and the London School of Economics in developing a new inequality framework and toolkit. The inequality framework envisaged is a multi-dimensional tool to evaluate inequalities across all areas of wellbeing (from survival, health and education, through income, wealth and all aspects of living conditions, to participation, voice, family and social life). The framework aims to cover both quantitative and qualitative aspects of measurement, as well as looking at unequal outcomes, the drivers of those outcomes and the most relevant policies that can help tackle inequalities. My role was to lead the development of the toolkit – a user guide for practitioners interested in applying the framework in their context. Show less

This consultancy involved working with GATJ to identify key options for their future strategy, including revising their vision, missions, goals, objectives, organisational theory of change and the future direction of campaigns and policy work. As well as developing a new strategic plan, options for strengthening the secretariat, organisational structure and fundraising were also assessed. This consultancy included a broad stakeholder consultation of GATJ members, allies, funders and other… Show more This consultancy involved working with GATJ to identify key options for their future strategy, including revising their vision, missions, goals, objectives, organisational theory of change and the future direction of campaigns and policy work. As well as developing a new strategic plan, options for strengthening the secretariat, organisational structure and fundraising were also assessed. This consultancy included a broad stakeholder consultation of GATJ members, allies, funders and other relevant commentators working in areas relevant to global tax justice to inform all aspects of the assessment and development of their five-year strategic plan. Show less

This short-term consultancy involves working with T/AI and their funder members in relation to their tax-related portfolios. Funder members are: Ford Foundation, Open Society Foundations, Omidyar Network and Hewlett Foundation. All have begun investing significant amounts to support tax, fiscal transparency and fiscal governance initiatives. This work entailed developing a visual map showing the ecosystem of tax efforts in the development field, mapping and analysing grantee portfolios and… Show more This short-term consultancy involves working with T/AI and their funder members in relation to their tax-related portfolios. Funder members are: Ford Foundation, Open Society Foundations, Omidyar Network and Hewlett Foundation. All have begun investing significant amounts to support tax, fiscal transparency and fiscal governance initiatives. This work entailed developing a visual map showing the ecosystem of tax efforts in the development field, mapping and analysing grantee portfolios and developing a collective theory of change in relation to tax and fiscal transparency initiatives for T/AI funder members. Show less

Rwanda

This consultancy involved working with a team from Adam Smith International to design a new programme for DFID in relation to early childhood development in Rwanda. This work was mainly concerned with the 0-3 age group (though some complementary actions for the 4-6 age group were considered) and had a large focus on the parenting education aspect. My role was to lead the economic appraisal: costing the various options for DFID’s intervention, including testing various sequencing and targeting… Show more This consultancy involved working with a team from Adam Smith International to design a new programme for DFID in relation to early childhood development in Rwanda. This work was mainly concerned with the 0-3 age group (though some complementary actions for the 4-6 age group were considered) and had a large focus on the parenting education aspect. My role was to lead the economic appraisal: costing the various options for DFID’s intervention, including testing various sequencing and targeting options for the models being considered. Work included a cost effectiveness and value for money analysis. Show less

Rwanda

This consultancy involved the development of a ‘Public Finance for Children’ baseline analysis for UNICEF Rwanda. It included the production of a large two-part study accompanied by a complete budget data set and data analysis tools for future expenditure and progress monitoring for social sectors in Rwanda. The study looked at Rwanda’s national budget since 2012/13 in 6 key social sectors of importance for children: health and nutrition, education, social protection, water and sanitation… Show more This consultancy involved the development of a ‘Public Finance for Children’ baseline analysis for UNICEF Rwanda. It included the production of a large two-part study accompanied by a complete budget data set and data analysis tools for future expenditure and progress monitoring for social sectors in Rwanda. The study looked at Rwanda’s national budget since 2012/13 in 6 key social sectors of importance for children: health and nutrition, education, social protection, water and sanitation, early childhood development and child protection. It included an analysis of revenue trends (tax, aid and debt) and national expenditure trends from the perspective of both equity and efficiency. The second part of the study looked specifically at district level budgets in the thirty districts of Rwanda in all six social sectors, gathering budget data for each district and undertaking an analysis of the differing levels of investment and spatial inequalities between districts in Rwanda. This consultancy also included a small additional element assisting UNICEF to cost two methods of delivering child sensitive social protection: via the provision of mobile crèches located at public works sites and the provision of home-based ECD to families involved in public works projects. Show less

Rwanda

This consultancy started by looking at the ‘fiscal space for investment in children’ in Rwanda with various contract extensions allowing for follow up research and support to Save the Children’s budget advocacy. Work included an overview of revenue mobilisation trends – with a particular focus on tax revenue collection trends, tax equity and the opportunities for tax reform to mobilise more domestic revenue in Rwanda. It also included looking at public spending trends in key social sectors… Show more This consultancy started by looking at the ‘fiscal space for investment in children’ in Rwanda with various contract extensions allowing for follow up research and support to Save the Children’s budget advocacy. Work included an overview of revenue mobilisation trends – with a particular focus on tax revenue collection trends, tax equity and the opportunities for tax reform to mobilise more domestic revenue in Rwanda. It also included looking at public spending trends in key social sectors (education, social protection and child protection), evaluating the GoR’s budget commitments, equity questions and assessing key financing gaps in these sectors. This entailed a large data collection effort from primary sources (mainly the Ministry of Finance and Rwanda Revenue Authority) to collate disaggregated tax and budget data over the last 7 years. It also included a large literature review as well as interviews with key stakeholders from the GoR, multilateral and bilateral agencies and civil society in Rwanda. Ongoing work has continued on several retainer contracts to disseminate the information fully with the GoR, development partners and CSOs and generally to assist in establishing Save the Children’s advocacy in this area. Several follow up briefing papers have been prepared, including one analysing district education budgets in Rwanda at primary level and looking in more depth at the question of equitable financing models for the education sector. Show less

Rwanda

This consultancy involved the development of a national plan for expansion of pre-primary education in Rwanda in collaboration with Rwanda’s Ministry of Education. Work included a review of expenditure at the pre-primary level, qualitative research to assess the costs of pre-primary education which are currently borne by families in Rwanda, and extensive costing of options to scale up Rwanda’s investment in pre-primary level education. Equitable targeting was a key element of this work, given… Show more This consultancy involved the development of a national plan for expansion of pre-primary education in Rwanda in collaboration with Rwanda’s Ministry of Education. Work included a review of expenditure at the pre-primary level, qualitative research to assess the costs of pre-primary education which are currently borne by families in Rwanda, and extensive costing of options to scale up Rwanda’s investment in pre-primary level education. Equitable targeting was a key element of this work, given the Ministry’s limited resources and desire to create a targeted, progressive expansion plan. Work involved extensive data collection and analysis, stakeholder interviews including with district level officials, head teachers and parents’ focus groups, and the creation of a number of targeting options and detailed budget scenarios for the consideration of the Ministry of Education. Show less

This consultancy involved the creation of a guide for Oxfam staff related to inequality. It was produced for Oxfam’s programme staff working in developing countries to help them re-orient their programming and advocacy work to more effectively tackle inequality as a central issue of concern. The guide produced covers all forms of inequalities including wealth and income inequality, gender inequality and social and political inequalities more broadly. It provides guidance on data gathering… Show more This consultancy involved the creation of a guide for Oxfam staff related to inequality. It was produced for Oxfam’s programme staff working in developing countries to help them re-orient their programming and advocacy work to more effectively tackle inequality as a central issue of concern. The guide produced covers all forms of inequalities including wealth and income inequality, gender inequality and social and political inequalities more broadly. It provides guidance on data gathering, tracking and analysing all forms of inequalities as well as case study materials, research questions and advice on how to approach or scale up programming in these areas. Show less

This short term consultancy involved a scoping study on tax and development (including looking at illicit financial flows), assessing the direction of tax and development policy and programme work, the key actors operating in this field and identifying the most strategic opportunities for donors interested in funding work in this area. The methodology involved a large, global stakeholder consultation with actors in Europe, the US, Latin America, Africa and Asia and working with a technical… Show more This short term consultancy involved a scoping study on tax and development (including looking at illicit financial flows), assessing the direction of tax and development policy and programme work, the key actors operating in this field and identifying the most strategic opportunities for donors interested in funding work in this area. The methodology involved a large, global stakeholder consultation with actors in Europe, the US, Latin America, Africa and Asia and working with a technical advisory group to produce a report for funders such as DFID and large US private foundations interested in expanding their work in the tax and development field. Show less

Rwanda

Short term consultancy with UNICEF, this post was placed within the Ministry for Gender and Family Promotion in Rwanda. It entailed development of the National Family Policy addressing issues such as parenting, gender equality within the family, domestic violence and child abuse and social protection issuse. Work involved data collection and analysis, a literature review and a large stakeholder consultation and focus groups in rural areas. The work included publication of a situation analysis… Show more Short term consultancy with UNICEF, this post was placed within the Ministry for Gender and Family Promotion in Rwanda. It entailed development of the National Family Policy addressing issues such as parenting, gender equality within the family, domestic violence and child abuse and social protection issuse. Work involved data collection and analysis, a literature review and a large stakeholder consultation and focus groups in rural areas. The work included publication of a situation analysis of the Rwandan Family, development of the national Family Policy, alongside a strategic plan, budget and monitoring and evaluation framework. Show less

London, United Kingdom

This role entailed leading the development of economic policy and advocacy work for the Latin America and Caribbean division in Christian Aid, researching and developing key economic policy positions and supporting Christian Aid and partner organisations’ advocacy and policy efforts. My role also included the provision of technical support to country programmes involved in small business development in the region.

Development Management, Development Economics

Law And French, Law, French