Economist/Senior Economist (Trade Policy) (Contractual) - SPRXP

International Monetary Fund•Washington DC, DC

About The Position

The External Policy Division (XP) of the IMF Strategy, Policy, and Review Department (SPR) has an opening for a Trade Economist. The XP Division coordinates SPR's work on exchange rates and international capital flow issues and leads IMF-wide work on global trade policy issues and WTO relations. The division’s trade policy work has three broad functions: Providing in-house advice and expertise on trade policy matters, including implications of trade developments for the global economy. This role includes briefing the IMF Executive Board on major trade policy issues and their macroeconomic implications, advising IMF Management and senior staff, and preparing or maintaining high-level talking points and background briefings. Support IMF country teams in their engagement with member authorities. This role includes developing and maintaining policy guidance, reviewing country documents, advising country teams, and leading or participating in trade discussions with country authorities. Policy analysis and development. As part of the IMF’s voice in global economic debates, this role includes bringing rigorous contributions on trade policy and related macroeconomic issues to high-level policy audiences, including in the G-20 and other international fora. This role is often exercised in partnership with the WTO and other International Organizations such as the OECD, and by joint work with other IMF departments. The selected candidate will primarily work on macro-critical trade and trade policy issues, focusing interchangeably on contributing to the policy and operational work of the division and developing an analytical agenda. The position will also involve advising senior staff and country teams/mission chiefs, including through the review process, and contributing to a broad range of divisional responsibilities in the other areas of work.

Requirements

Considerable graduate work in Economics, Finance, Statistics, or a related field of study, or equivalent.
An advanced university degree in Economics, Finance, or a related field of study, or equivalent, plus a minimum of four (4) years of relevant professional experience.
Advanced degree in economics, preferably at the Ph.D. level.
Ideally two or more years of relevant work experience on trade issues gained in government, international organizations or academia.
Strong analytical skills and knowledge of international trade and trade policy as shown by a publication record or relevant work.
Strong knowledge of major trade policy issues facing member countries and regions, including specialized knowledge of the WTO and ongoing WTO negotiations.
Sound policy judgment.
Ability to think creatively.
Excellent written and oral communication skills.
Capacity to execute multiple tasks under tight deadlines.
Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to cooperate and communicate effectively with staff across and outside the department and institution.

Responsibilities

Providing in-house advice and expertise on trade policy matters, including implications of trade developments for the global economy.
Briefing the IMF Executive Board on major trade policy issues and their macroeconomic implications.
Advising IMF Management and senior staff.
Preparing or maintaining high-level talking points and background briefings.
Developing and maintaining policy guidance for IMF country teams.
Reviewing country documents.
Advising country teams.
Leading or participating in trade discussions with country authorities.
Bringing rigorous contributions on trade policy and related macroeconomic issues to high-level policy audiences, including in the G-20 and other international fora.
Working in partnership with the WTO and other International Organizations such as the OECD.
Joint work with other IMF departments.
Contributing to the policy and operational work of the division.
Developing an analytical agenda.
Advising senior staff and country teams/mission chiefs, including through the review process.
Contributing to a broad range of divisional responsibilities in other areas of work.