Economist/Sr. Economist (Contractual) - STAFI

Work for the IMF. Work for the World.

 

The IMF Statistics Department (STA) is seeking to fill an Economist position in the Financial Institutions Division (STAFI). The selected candidate will work on the Financial Access Survey (FAS), a unique database on financial inclusion, containing information about access to and use of financial services around the world. This is a one-year position with the possibility of extension for up to four years.

STA provides global leadership on macroeconomic and financial statistics methodologies and standards for the Fund, its member countries, and the international statistical community at large. It supports IMF surveillance and lending operations through capacity development (CD) activities focused on strengthening member countries’ capabilities to produce and disseminate statistics for sound policy analysis and effective policymaking. STA collaborates with other IMF departments, donors, and other external partners to ensure that data needs for bilateral and multilateral surveillance, and lending operations are met. To this end, it works towards identifying and addressing data gaps, quality deficiencies, promoting data dissemination, and calibrating its CD to achieve measurable outcomes.

STAFI provides global leadership on monetary and financial statistics (MFS) and financial soundness indicators (FSIs), in operationalizing the Fund’s role as global standard setter in the methodology for these areas of statistics. In addition to MFS and FSIs, the Division is also responsible for the Financial Access Survey (FAS), which is a world-wide supply-side database on financial access and use collected from central banks and regulators. The FAS data support Fund surveillance and allow policymakers to measure and track the progress made in advancing financial access and benchmark it against that of peers. STAFI also manages STA’s CD program on MFS, FSIs, and FAS, including provision of technical assistance (TA) and training to IMF member countries across the world.  

The successful candidate will be part of the FAS team in STAFI, under the general supervision and guidance of STAFI management, and will work on the management and improvement of the FAS as well as FAS-related outreach activities. Specifically, the selected candidate will:

• Help coordinate the preparation and development of the annual FAS questionnaire; monitor FAS data collection and implementation including following up with data compliers; and support the FAS team on methodological and data issues.
• Contribute to the continuous improvements in the coverage and content of the FAS to ensure the database stays relevant, adequately reflecting the developments in the financial inclusion area.  
  • Organize and conduct FAS workshops for FAS reporting jurisdictions, including designing and delivering lectures and discussion sessions.  
  • Conduct analytical work on financial access and inclusion using the FAS and other relevant data sources; prepare and draft relevant notes and reports.
  • Serve as a contact point and a facilitator for coordination with other stakeholders on FAS-related matters within and outside the IMF.
  • Participate in and support other divisional/departmental work as appropriate, which could include reviewing relevant policy documents and data related issues.

QUALIFICATIONS

In addition to the qualifications set forth in the job standards, the successful candidate should have strong organizing skills, demonstrated ability to think originally and innovatively, and adaptability to work both independently and collaboratively in teams. He/she should have excellent interpersonal, oral and written communication skills and a strong drive for results.

The successful candidate should have an advanced degree in Economics, Statistics, Finance, and/or another relevant field. Experience in data management/analysis as well as knowledge of quantitative methods, including computational statistics, machine learning and data visualization would be a plus. Publication record in the area of economics, statistics, and statistical methodology, with an emphasis on macroeconomic, financial intermediation, and financial access analysis would be strong assets.

Department:

STAFI Statistics Department Financial Institutions

Hiring For:

A11, A12, A13, A14

The IMF is guided by the principle that the employment, classification, promotion, and assignment of staff shall be made without discrimination against any person. We welcome requests for reasonable accommodations for disabilities during the selection process. Information on how to request accommodations will be provided during the application process.