Economist/Senior Economist - STABP (Contractual)

Location: USA, Washington DC

Work for the IMF. Work for the World.

The IMF Statistics Department (STA) is seeking a specialized Economist/Senior Economist for its Balance of Payments Division (STABP). The Division closely collaborates with Fund departments in analytical, policy, and operational work to support the Fund’s bilateral, multilateral, and financial sector surveillance.

The Balance of Payments Division is responsible for operationalizing the Fund’s role as global standard setter in the area of statistical methodology for external sector statistics (ESS). The Division is the primary author of the Balance of Payments and International Investment Position Manual (BPM) and is currently under an international process to update it. The new manual (BPM7) is expected to be released in 2025. It is also the author/co-author of several other ESS manuals and compilation guides, including on Remittances, External Debt, Foreign Direct Investment, Portfolio Investment, International Reserves, and Trade in Goods and Services.

It plays a leading role in the development and dissemination of global macroeconomic databases that support analysis of global trends and structural changes, including on the Balance of Payments and International Investment Position Statistics (BOP/IIP), on the Currency Composition of Official Foreign Exchange Reserves (COFER), on holdings of portfolio investment securities (Coordinated Portfolio Investment Survey—CPIS), and on bilateral direct investment positions (Coordinated Direct Investment Survey—CDIS).

It also manages the Fund’s large technical assistance program on ESS.

The Economist/Senior Economist’s initial appointment will be for one year with the possibility of a one-year extension subject to performance, business needs, and funding.

Duties and responsibilities

The successful candidate will conduct analytical, conceptual, and data work aimed at implementing STABP’s work program. The candidate will be involved in the full breadth of the Division’s ESS work program, including:

providing advice on the interpretation and implementation of international statistical standards and statistical methodology for ESS

coordinating and implementing CD activities (including by conducting technical assistance and training), with particular emphasis on the provision of support to countries for an early adoption of the new Balance of Payments methodology

developing and maintaining the relevance of STABP’s specialized databases

supporting IMF departments in surveillance and data areas

collaborating with international organizations and

pursuing research and other projects that further STA’s objectives, including showcasing STA databases and/or using them for evidence-based policymaking.

The potential candidate should have an advanced (postgraduate) degree in economics, statistics, or related fields. The candidate should have strong analytical and technical skills on ESS statistical compilation and methodology, with a minimum of five years’ professional experience in compiling balance of payments and/or IIP statistics. Experience in providing technical assistance and training; published research on ESS methodology; and/or exposure to other statistical and/or policy areas would be strong assets.

In addition to technical expertise, the candidate should possess excellent written and oral communication skills in English, as well as strong diplomatic skills. The candidate should also be dynamic and highly motivated, with proven ability to work independently as well as in teams; and capable of managing a wide range of assignments and work under tight deadlines. A working knowledge of Spanish or French would be an additional asset.

Department

STABP Statistics Department Balance of Payments

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.