Economist/Senior Economist (Price Expert) - STA

Work for the IMF. Work for the World.

 

The IMF’s Statistics Department (STA) has an opening in its Real Sector (STARE) Division for an Economist/Senior Economist (Price Statistics) that will contribute to the implementation of its work program in the area of price statistics.

BACKGROUND:

STA provides global leadership on macroeconomic statistical methodologies and standards for the Fund, its member countries, and the international statistical community at large. It supports Fund surveillance and lending operations by strengthening member countries’ capabilities to compile and disseminate macroeconomic and financial statistics for sound policy-making. STARE serves as a knowledge resource to the Fund on methodology for national accounts, price statistics and other real sector statistics, and contributes to the development of international macroeconomic statistical standards. It is the major contributor to the STA’s capacity development (CD) program through the delivery of technical assistance and training in national accounts and price statistics to Fund member countries.  

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The successful candidate is required to:

• conduct analytical and conceptual work aligned to STARE’s price statistics work program;

• contribute to the development of international standards, statistical methodology and/or related advice on price statistics;

• manage the implementation of CD activities aimed at strengthening Fund members’ price statistics compilation programs, and its integration with Fund surveillance work;

• promote the adoption of product specifications, weights, and data collection and address emerging issues, such as quality change, new products, big data, digital services, and scanner data, through hands-on capacity development delivery in countries with a wide range of circumstances and practices; and

• develop, implement, and promote data and research projects that support STA’s work program, including by showcasing STA price databases and/or using them for evidence-based policy making.

QUALIFICATIONS AND KEY COMPETENCIES

• An advanced degree (Masters’ or PhD) in economics, statistics, or related field, with at least four (4) years of relevant experience.

• Expert knowledge in price statistics, with a solid grounding in quantitative analysis and experience in empirical and price statistics measurement-oriented research.

• Proven expertise in price index methodology and compilation—demonstrated by at least five years professional experience—in at least one of the following: consumer price indices, producer price indices, and/or property price indices (commercial and/or residential). Expertise in property price indexes is a plus.

• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English. A working knowledge of French or Spanish would be an additional asset.

• Strong relationship management, negotiating and influencing skills, as developing relations with national authorities are important for the position.

• Ability to coordinate CD support with relevant Fund Departments, field experts, and with other international institutions and bilateral agencies is essential.

• Strong drive for results with proven ability to work both independently and in teams on various projects under tight deadlines.

• Proven programming ability in open source software such as R or Python would be an additional asset.

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.

Department:

STARE Statistics Department Real Sector

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.