Security Analyst/Senior Security Analyst (Cloud Security Assurance) - ITDSGGR (Contractual)

International Monetary Fund•Washington, DC

About The Position

The Information Technology Department (ITD)’s Information Security and Governance (ISG) division of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) is seeking to fill a Security Analyst/Senior Security Analyst (Cloud Security Assurance) position. Under the general supervision of an information security assurance manager, the Security Analyst/Senior Security Analyst (Cloud Security Assurance) will provide expertise with definition, design, engineering, and validation of security configuration of technology platforms in the cloud and on-premises. The candidate will be required to work with project teams, service providers, and business units internal and external to the Fund’s IT function. The candidate is expected to bring pragmatic on-premises and cloud security and risk management experience, allowing the Fund to meet its present and emergent business needs. The candidate is expected to advise and influence technology and business personnel regarding the value and methods of safeguarding information, applications, systems, infrastructure, and activities to help ensure that technologies function optimally; work practices are optimized so that the information risks are managed.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in information security, computer science, engineering, mathematics, business, or related field of study plus a minimum of 10 years of relevant experience working in cloud security, assurance, or architecture roles; OR Advanced degree in Information Security, computer science, engineering, mathematics, business, or related field of study plus a minimum of 4 years of relevant experience working in cloud security, assurance, or architecture roles.
CISSP or CISM (minimum required)
Microsoft Certified: Azure Security Engineer Associate (minimum required)
Proven track record delivering technical security assurance and engineering solutions, with hands-on experience in operational security for regulated environments, especially in Azure and Microsoft cloud platforms.
Multi-cloud security posture management and familiarity with tools like Wiz, Orca, Prisma Cloud, Microsoft Defender for Cloud, etc.
Extensive technical hands-on security experience across a broad range of Microsoft cloud services, including Azure IaaS/PaaS, Entra ID, Conditional Access Policies, PIM; Azure Policy and Defender for Cloud; Intune; Graph API, Azure Monitor and Microsoft Sentinel; Microsoft 365 security (Exchange Online, Teams, SharePoint/OneDrive), and other key components of the Microsoft security ecosystem such as Purview.
Advanced working knowledge (preferably previous hands-on experience) in: Windows/Linux administration fundamentals, Firewalls, Active Directory/Entra hybrid concepts, and Azure networking (VNets, subnets, NSGs, Private Link, Application Gateway).
Zero Trust principles; Azure Firewall/WAF and cloud edge controls; SIEM/SOAR (Microsoft Sentinel preferred); familiarity with enterprise security tooling and NDR concepts.
Proficiency in PowerShell scripting to automate compliance checks, configuration, and reporting across Azure and Entra ID.
Deep expertise with Entra ID app registrations, OAuth 2.0/OIDC flows, delegated vs. application permissions, Graph API consent models, admin/user consent workflows, and permission governance.
Experience with Power Automate, Power Apps, Power BI, Data Factory
Demonstrates expertise in securing infrastructure, application and database components through tailored hardening approaches, employing modern tools and techniques to protect the full technology stack.
Hands-on experience with Infrastructure as Code (IaC) security scanning (e.g., Checkov, tfsec, etc.).
Securing Kubernetes clusters and containerized workloads (e.g., AKS, etc.).
Experience with serverless security (e.g., Azure Functions, etc.) and related risks.
Automation of security controls and compliance checks using scripting (Python, Bash, PowerShell).
Pragmatic security expert with an inherent ability to balance security demands with business reality.
Demonstrates a commitment to continuous learning to stay current with the evolving cybersecurity landscape and to effectively apply security controls that support business goals.
Strong knowledge of security solutions, emerging threats, and effective countermeasures.
Analytical skills that enable synthesis of inputs from many sources and allow for strategic thinking and tactical implementation.
Spoken and written communications that are compelling, convincing, and reassuring, and skills to articulate complex technical ideas to non-technical stakeholders.
Ability to think laterally and to have input to / propose detailed, complex solutions to technical issues.
Interpersonal skills that create openness and trust among colleagues.
Ability to work well under pressure and to meet tight deadlines.
Demonstrates a high level of motivation, confidence, integrity, and responsibility.
Ability to be organized, responsive, and to be able to effectively multi-task with a focus on driving results.
Demonstrate excellent interpersonal and relationship management skills.
This includes the ability to work independently, effectively in a team/task force as a team member or leader, and with senior staff and managers.
Excellent relationship management skills.
Facilitation and conflict management skills that enable effective working relationships.

Nice To Haves

CCSP (preferred)
Microsoft Certified: Cybersecurity Architect Expert (preferred)
Microsoft Certified: Azure Solutions Architect Expert (preferred)
Microsoft Certified: Azure Administrator Associate (preferred)
Microsoft Certified: Azure DevOps Engineer Expert (preferred)
Other Microsoft cloud security related certifications at the Expert level (preferred)
GIAC cloud security related certifications (preferred)
Advanced working knowledge (preferably previous hands-on experience)

Responsibilities

Senior individual contributor to provide cybersecurity assurance expertise for a broad range of IT initiatives with a focus on Microsoft Azure, Entra ID and hybrid cloud environments.
Defining, guiding the engineering and validating implementation of technology agnostic security control standards, technology-specific configuration baselines (security hardening) and implementation guidelines for technology platforms (both cloud and on-prem) and services, with emphasis on automation for security configuration and posture management, policy-as-code (Azure Policy, Terraform).
Maintain impartiality around IT systems to produce unbiased reports on information security risk.
Conducts quality assurance reviews of security requirements and audit recommendations for the implementation of identified solutions.
Effectively communicates requirements and provides guidance to staff and stakeholders in different IT teams on appropriate security design and technical configuration of related controls on IT platforms throughout their lifecycle.
Works closely with IT project teams to develop and implement security controls for new and existing cloud services, including but not limited to Microsoft Azure, Entra ID and Microsoft 365 ecosystem.
As an advocate of information security, works closely and proactively with IT stakeholders, service providers, and business units to provide security-related technical solutions.
Identifies opportunities to improve business practices or IT security-related processes, including automation, compliance, and secure integration.
Prioritizes, monitors, and assesses compliance and audit recommendation results to ensure they are comprehensive, robust, and of high quality.
Support Zero Trust initiatives, by promoting identity-centric access, device health posture, segmentation, and continuous verification across services.
Develops and maintains scripts and templates (e.g. PowerShell, Python, Azure Policy, Terraform) to perform compliance checks and generate reporting across Azure and Entra ID.
Supports logging and monitoring efforts, using Azure Monitor, Log Analytics (KQL), and Microsoft Sentinel.
Contributes to secure design, architecture and configuration of services such as Azure Kubernetes, Functions, APIM, Key Vault, etc., and Power Platform.
Designs and validates security configuration baselines for SaaS platforms (e.g., ServiceNow, Workday, Salesforce, etc.), ensuring alignment with organizational policies and compliance requirements.
Support the information security assurance manager with audit and compliance initiatives such as the Fund's ISO 27001 certification, IT General Controls relevant for ICFR, internal and external audits, etc., promoting self-compliance to policies and standards by IT staff and managers.
Keeps abreast of international standards, best practices and regulations in the areas of information security, artificial intelligence, and data privacy, and how these measures could affect information assets owned by, or administered on behalf of, the IMF.
Analyzes, recommends, and implements process improvements within the context of information security.