Work for the IMF. Work for the World.
Typically Reports to:
Deputy Division Chief, Division Chief, Unit Chief
Job Summary
The External Policy Division (XP) of the IMF Strategy, Policy, and Review Department (SPR) has an opening for a Trade Economist. The XP Division coordinates SPR's work on exchange rates and international capital flow issues and leads IMF-wide work on global trade policy issues and WTO relations. The division’s trade policy work has three broad functions:
- Providing in-house advice and expertise on trade policy matters, including implications of trade developments for the global economy. This role includes briefing the IMF Executive Board on major trade policy issues and their macroeconomic implications, advising IMF Management and senior staff, and preparing or maintaining high-level talking points and background briefings.
- Support IMF country teams in their engagement with member authorities. This role includes developing and maintaining policy guidance, reviewing country documents, advising country teams, and leading or participating in trade discussions with country authorities.
- Policy analysis and development. As part of the IMF’s voice in global economic debates, this role includes bringing rigorous contributions on trade policy and related macroeconomic issues to high-level policy audiences, including in the G-20 and other international fora. This role is often exercised in partnership with the WTO and other International Organizations, and by joint work with other IMF departments.
In carrying out this work, the division collaborates closely with IMF staff in the IMF’s several Area Departments and in the Fiscal Affairs Department, Legal Department, and Research Department. Close, regular cooperation with WTO staff benefits from the IMF-WTO Cooperation Agreement and is instrumental to the division’s trade work.
Duties
The selected candidate will primarily work on macro-critical trade and trade policy issues, focusing interchangeably on contributing to the policy and operational work of the division and developing an analytical agenda. The position will also involve advising senior staff and country teams/mission chiefs, including through the review process, and contributing to a broad range of divisional responsibilities in the other areas of work.
Qualifications
The successful candidate should hold a Ph.D. in economics and ideally two or more years of relevant work experience on trade issues gained in government, international organizations or academia; strong analytical skills and knowledge of international trade and trade policy as shown by a publication record; strong knowledge of major trade policy issues facing member countries and regions, including specialized knowledge of the WTO and ongoing WTO negotiations, and the interface between trade policy and related areas like climate regulation, industrial policy, and digitalization; sound policy judgment; ability to think creatively; excellent written and oral communication skills; and the capacity to execute multiple tasks under tight deadlines. Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to cooperate and communicate effectively with staff across and outside the department and institution are also important.
A regular staff member who is selected to fill the vacancy will maintain their open-ended status. If the selected candidate is a contractual employee, they will be offered a Term staff appointment. Staff members already on a term appointment will continue their current term but may receive an extension provided that their current term appointment has not already been extended.
This position is open to eligible economist and specialized staff.
It is expected that while the position is advertised at the full grade band, it will be filled at the lower level.
All applicants are expected to include a Statement of Interest as an attachment to the application, which may be used in the screening process for this vacancy.
Department:SPRXP Strategy, Policy, and Review Dept. External Policy Division
Hiring For: A11, A12, A13, A14
The IMF is committed to achieving a diverse staff, including age, creed, culture, disability, educational background, ethnicity, gender, gender expression, nationality, race, religion and beliefs, and sexual orientation. We welcome requests for reasonable accommodations for disabilities during the selection process.