Joining the IMF as part of the Economist Program (EP), will jump-start the applicant’s career by giving them hands-on exposure to a cross-section of IMF work and an opportunity to apply their research and analytical skills directly to essential policy work which impacts IMF’s 190 member countries. IMF is looking for young economists who want to have influence on the global stage and who can bring the latest in economic thought and multidisciplinary approaches to help them address key global economic challenges, such as fostering global monetary cooperation, securing financial stability, boosting international trade, promoting employment and sustainable economic growth, and reducing poverty.
The IMF is inviting applications for its 2024 Economist Program (EP). As an EP the applicant will join a team of staff working to address key global economic challenges and build a career that will allow them to apply their knowledge, skills, and research to policy related work that directly impacts IMF’s 190 member countries.
Working closely with experienced economists, the applicant will be given considerable responsibility in carrying out operations-related analysis, research and policy development. They will have the chance to work closely with country authorities to make a meaningful contribution on a global stage, fostering monetary cooperation, securing financial stability, facilitating international trade, promoting sustainable economic growth, and reducing poverty.
The EP is a three-year program consisting of two 18-month assignments which aims to build the future leaders of the Fund. Depending on the applicant’s assignments, they will gain broad experience in regional and country-specific issues, as well as in fiscal, monetary, balance of payments, debt, or other related issues and contribute to our analytical and research work. During the program, the applicant will have access to a wide range of professional, technical, and language training and development activities to enhance their professional skills and career development. They will also be mentored, guided, and supported by seasoned economists, all with a view of ensuring a satisfying and exciting start to their career at the IMF.
If the applicant is a recent PhD graduate with the technical skills and creativity to help IMF identify innovative ways to address today’s global economic challenges, IMF are keen to hear from them.
Location:
United StatesBenefits
- The EP offers the applicant a well-rounded experience of the IMF’s work and provides a unique foundation for a thought-provoking and fulfilling career as an economist.
- During the three-year program, the applicant will rotate through two departmental assignments, joining economic teams working in regional and country-specific surveillance as well as in fiscal, monetary, balance of payments, debt, or related issues.
- This is not a trainee position and from the start the applicant will be given real work and real responsibilities as an IMF economist.
- This could include policy development, country or regional operational work, research, and capacity development and teaching.
- By the end of the program, IMF hopes the applicant will be as excited by their work as they are and will choose to remain and build a long-term career as an IMF economist.
- Competitive Salaries
Eligibilities
- A recent PhD graduate or be within one year of completing the PhD in a relevant field of study
- A national of one of the IMF member countries
- Under age 34 when joining the IMF EP program
- The IMF is seeking top economists from around the world who:
- Have recently completed or are expected to complete their PhD within a year (or less) of joining the IMF, in fields including macroeconomics, finance, public finance, monetary economics, international economics, trade, poverty issues, macro-climate, political economy, econometrics or related areas.
- Are able to demonstrate a sound understanding of macroeconomics (even if specialized in other areas during graduate school) and use conceptual frameworks to explain complex ideas, navigate around the different sectors of an economy and highlight the linkages between these sectors.
- Possess an excellent academic record.
- Have proven analytical, quantitative, and IT skills.
- Are a national of one our member countries.
- Will be below age 34 at entry to the program on September 9, 2024.
- Have strong written and oral English skills.
- The applicant should also be:
- Motivated by contributing to the economic well-being of the members.
- Interest in, with aptitude for, working in an international environment, and making a difference to global economic policy issues that impact the lives of people around the world.
- Willing to undertake a combination of operational, analytical, and research work.
- Versatile and flexible in learning about different areas while also possessing a strong field of relevant expertise.
- A natural collaborator motivated by exchanging information and ideas to reach common goals.
- Culturally agile with the emotional intelligence to engage effectively internally and externally, develop relationships, and build strong networks across and within teams.
- Willing to travel (varies based on assignment but typically one-two missions per 18-month EP assignment).
- Proficient in, or be willing to learn, foreign languages. (Languages other than English are useful but not a requirement.)
Application Process
- The application process opens annually in late September, with a notice on the IMF Career Site.
- Shortlisted candidates will be interviewed between October and January, with offers made in early February.
- The selection process consists of multiple stages, which may run in parallel to one another.
- Below is a summary of the four key stages:
- If the application is shortlisted, the applicant will be invited to a 30-40-minute preliminary interview during which they will be asked for a high-level overview of their research paper and to respond to questions on economic topics related to the work of the IMF and on their interpersonal and communication skills. Dates for IMF campus visits will be added here.
- Following the preliminary interview, the applicant may be asked to forward their most recent university transcript from their PhD program, provide three academic references (references cannot be from current IMF staff members) and submit a research paper (ideally of publishable standard) or one or two chapters of their dissertation.
- Successful candidates this year will be invited for an in-person panel interview comprised of two or three senior IMF economists and a Human Resources officer. The interview will follow a similar format to the preliminary interview, focusing on their knowledge of monetary, fiscal, balance of payments, and financial sector issues and their behavioral skills, to provide a deeper assessment of their analytical abilities, judgment, oral communication and interpersonal skills, knowledge of macroeconomics and related fields, and ability to convey complex issues in a logical and structured way. In addition to the panel interview, the applicant will also be asked to take a 40-minute online psychometric assessment and a 90-minute written exam. The psychometric assessment is designed to identify preferred behavioral skills and approaches, while the written exam will assess the applicant’s writing skills.
- Once the panel interviews have been completed (normally by late January), all candidates who reached the panel interview stage will be referred to an internal committee of senior staff for review and this committee will make the final selection. The committee will review all seven assessments (bolded above) with the highest weighting given to the panel interview and the research paper review.
- Offers to successful applicants will be sent out in February and the incoming class of EPs will start at the IMF the following September.
- IMF will conduct an initial screening based on the application and supporting documentation.
- If the applicant is successful in meeting the initial criteria, they will receive an invitation for a preliminary interview.
- This may be during one of IMF’s university campus visits or by video.
- Following a successful preliminary stage (preliminary interview + transcript + references), IMF will invite the applicant for a panel interview along with a writing test and a review of their job market paper.
- The preliminary and panel interview stages will take place starting in October through to the end of January 2024, with the timing of the two stages overlapping.
- All offers will be made in early February to support a start date in September 2024, at its Washington D.C. headquarters.
- If the applicant is interested in being part of a team that contributes to promoting economic stability on a global stage, IMF would welcome their application.
Application Deadline: December 8, 2023
Application ClosedOfficial link
