Economist/Senior Economist - STADS

Work for the IMF. Work for the World.

The Statistics Department (STA) provides global leadership on statistical methodologies and standards for the Fund, its member countries, and the international statistical community. It supports Fund surveillance and lending operations to strengthen member countries’ capabilities to produce and disseminate macroeconomic and financial statistics for sound policy-making. STA collaborates with other Fund departments, donors, and other external partners to ensure that data needs for bilateral and multilateral surveillance and lending operations are met.

The Data Services and Governance (STADS) division plays a key role in implementing the vision of the IMF’s 2018 Overarching Strategy on Data and Statistics. Specifically, it supports Fund-wide data governance bodies in implementing strategic priorities for data management policies including the iData modernization program to replace the existing Fund-wide data management and dissemination system. It facilitates the use of existing data products and supports the development of new data products with a focus on statistical innovation, including Big Data. The division is also responsible for the technical implementation of the Fund’s Data Dissemination Standards initiatives, by assisting member countries disseminating their economic and financial data using machine-to-machine technology.

STADS is seeking a dynamic, highly motivated economist with proven ability to work independently as well as in team settings. In addition to the qualifications set forth in the job standards, the successful candidate should be able to tackle economic questions using innovative techniques, including working with new data sources, such as Big Data. The Economist/Sr. Economist, under the supervision of the Division Chief and the two Deputy Division Chiefs, will play a key role in executing the work program of the division. Specific duties and responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• In collaboration with other STA divisions and Fund departments, undertake analytical projects that leverage Big Data, machine learning and other statistical innovations that are relevant to Fund policy issues, including by drafting working papers and presenting their results;
• Together with the divisional management, spearhead the work program of the Data Governance Group (DGG) and the organization of the meetings of the Standing Committee on Data and Statistics and the DGG;
• Together with the iData workstream leads, support the implementation of the iData program including potential coordination of and contributions to portal, platform, testing, and migration workstreams;
• Contribute to the development of policies and directives on data management within STA and Fund-wide data governance bodies;
• Serve as liaison with other key innovation partners (e.g., Innovation Lab, Creative Lab) to collaborate on innovation projects and events (e.g., Annual and Spring meetings).

Qualifications:

The candidate should have an advanced university degree (Master's or PhD or equivalent) in Economics, Finance, Statistics, and/or related fields, supplemented by a minimum of four years of relevant professional experience.

In addition to the qualifications set forth in the job standards, the successful applicant should possess a thorough knowledge of macroeconomics and familiarity with contemporary statistical and econometric techniques. S/he should have broad knowledge of Fund policies and practices, experience with review work, excellent written and oral communications skills, and a proven ability to manage a wide range of assignments and meet deadlines. The selected candidate will be expected to collaborate closely with STA divisions and other Fund departments in executing the work program of the division. Strong interpersonal and negotiating skills will be critical for his/her success. A track record of policy-oriented research and analytical work in the Fund or other national or international organizations would be highly desirable assets.

This position is open to fungible economists as well as specialized economists.

This vacancy shall be filled by a 3-year Term appointment in accordance with the Fund’s new employment rules that took effect on May 1, 2015.

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.

Department:

STADS Statistics Department Data Governance and ServicesHiring For:

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