Work for the IMF. Work for the World.

The External Policy Division (XP) of the IMF Strategy, Policy, and Review Department (SPR) has openings for Trade Specialists. 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, and by joint work with other IMF departments.

In carrying out this work, the division collaborates closely with IMF staff in the IMF’s several Area Departments and in the Fiscal Affairs Department, Legal Department, and Research Department. Close, regular cooperation with WTO staff benefits from the IMF-WTO Cooperation Agreement and is instrumental to the division’s trade work.

Duties

The selected candidate will play a major role in developing and implementing the division’s trade policy work program. This would include forming a holistic view of global trade policy developments, contributing to interdepartmental and cross-institutional analytical and position papers, and responding to the needs of country teams, management, and other stakeholders,

Qualifications

Educational development, typically acquired by the completion of an advanced university degree, supplemented by a minimum of four years of relevant professional work experience, typically acquired through the completion of considerable graduate work in economics, is required.

Considerable professional work experience in trade policy, specifically, gained in government or international organizations; strong knowledge of major trade policy issues facing member countries and regions, including specialized knowledge of the WTO and ongoing WTO negotiations, and the interface between trade policy and related areas like climate regulation, industrial policy, and digitalization.

Outstanding written communication skills as shown by a publication record and strong oral communication skills; experience working effectively across boundaries and in briefing and interacting with senior officials; and the capacity to execute multiple tasks under tight deadlines. Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate effectively with internal and external stakeholders are also important.

This vacancy shall be filled by a 3-year Term appointment in accordance with the Fund’s new employment rules that took effect on May 1, 2015.

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The IMF is committed to achieving a diverse staff, including age, creed, culture, disability, educational background, ethnicity, gender, gender expression, nationality, race, religion and beliefs, and sexual orientation.