About the position
The International Monetary Fund's (IMF) Communications Department is looking for a dynamic and experienced Congressional / legislative affairs Advisor/Assistant Director. The Communications department (COM) is the IMF's center for strategic engagement and communication. It develops and coordinates the IMF's external relations and communications strategy, shapes key messages, and advises Management and staff on how best to convey those messages. The department also monitors and responds to what is being said and written about the institution, both inside and outside the IMF. The colleague will be positioned within the Immediate Office of the Communications department (COMAI), providing strategic advice and guidance towards the Fund Senior leadership and Senior managers in the Communications Department, while working closely with the relevant colleagues located in the Strategy and Impact Division (COMSI). The Immediate Office in the Communications Department defines and implements the overall strategy for the department, manages human resources and the budget, and provides oversight over divisions and intra-departmental teams dedicated to supporting departmental communication efforts. In close cooperation with Management and other departments, it leads COM's work on shaping and coordinating institutional messages. This entails maintaining and developing a wide network of internal and external stakeholders. COMSI helps to shape and coordinate the strategic planning for the institution, develops public messaging and executive communications for the Fund's leadership, and assesses the impact of outreach efforts. The Advisor/Assistant Director is a member of the department's management team, and—working closely with Senior Front Office staff and assists the Director in developing and implementing the Fund's communications strategy.
Responsibilities
- Be a seasoned legislative affairs professional with a particularly deep understanding of the workings of the House Financial Services Committee and the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
- Possess strong relationships with key stakeholders in the U.S. Congress, particularly in those committees.
- Serve as a senior liaison officer, managing the IMF's relationships and engagements with members and staff of the U.S. Congress.
- Advise IMF management and senior staff on strategic engagements with the U.S. Congress, including by supporting a regular dialogue with members/staff on issues of mutual interest.
- Be a senior member of the Immediate Office and work closely with the Strategy and Impact division, contributing to the development and implementation of the IMF's broader external engagement and communications strategy.
Requirements
- Advanced university degree, or equivalent, in Communications, International Relations, Languages, or a related field or related subject, supplemented by a minimum of fifteen (15) years of relevant professional work experience, including supervisory or managerial experience.
- Alternatively, a bachelor's degree, or equivalent, supplemented by a minimum of nineteen (19) years of relevant professional experience, including supervisory or managerial experience.
- Deep legislative expertise and knowledge of the U.S. political system and well-developed relationships in U.S. Congress.
- Ability to build and maintain networks.
- Keen interest in and ability to grasp the IMF's goals and priorities.
- Interest in economic policy and understanding of the global economy and financial issues.
- Ability to analyze the latest political-economic developments and assess their impact on the Fund.
- Demonstrated interest in and ability to understand the role international financial institutions (IFIs) play in the international financial system.
- Extensive people leadership abilities, including coaching and guiding staff; ability to delegate; provide clear and ongoing feedback to staff; build an inclusive work environment; strong emotional intelligence.
- Excellent oral and written communication skills coupled with good judgement, strong interpersonal skills, and an ability to communicate persuasively.
Benefits
- The position shall be filled by a 3-year Term appointment.
- 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.
- Progression will be governed by the policies set out in Staff Bulletin No. 03/27.
