Economist/Sr. Economist (Specialist Research) - RESEM

Work for the IMF. Work for the World.

Typically Reports to:

Deputy Division Chief

Job Summary

The Economic Modeling Division within the Research Department is dedicated to two primary workstreams that underpin both bilateral and multilateral surveillance efforts: (i) further development and application of the division’s comprehensive suite of global macroeconomic models, and (ii) monitoring high-frequency global macroeconomic data to produce a top-down quarterly forecast.  This role will concentrate on the first workstream.

The specialized economist maintains and develops the Fund’s suite of large global and regional macro models and applies these to a wide range of issues in bilateral and multilateral surveillance.  The work will encompass (i) theoretical development of the models and the computational methods to solve them, drawing on the latest research, and (ii) model application to address a wide-ranging set of policy issues, policy analysis, scenarios, and risk assessments.

Major Duties and Responsibilities

• Maintains and enhances global models, especially the Global Integrated Monetary and Fiscal (GIMF) model, with an emphasis on the analysis of global imbalances and the inclusion of the main Integrated Policy Framework (IPF) features.
• Engages in the theoretical development of macroeconomic models and the computational techniques needed for their resolution, leveraging the latest research findings.
• Apply these models for multilateral and bilateral surveillance, contributing to major IMF publications (World Economic Outlook and External Sector Report) and policy papers.
• Produce projections, scenario analyses, and risk assessments for individual and multiple country economies using these models.
• Interact closely with other divisions, the front office, and various departments to ensure alignment and collaboration on surveillance.

Qualifications

PhD in macroeconomics or a related field or master’s degree plus at least four years of relevant professional level experience.

In addition, the ideal candidate will possess cutting-edge analytical skills, demonstrating familiarity with state-of-the-art empirical and theoretical modeling techniques.  A strong drive for results, along with the ability to build collaborative relationships and advocate effectively, will be essential for success in this role.  Collaborative work, independent judgment and limited supervision are required, along with occasional oversight of junior staff.  Familiarity with IMF policies and practices, particularly operational experience in bilateral and multilateral surveillance or Fund programs, is preferred.  A history of publishing relevant work in leading journals is considered an asset.

The candidate should have expertise in the development of large-scale models and/or model-based forecasting, along with experience in policy-relevant simulation analyses and forecasting processes within central banks.  Furthermore, a solid grounding in computational methods will be crucial for addressing complex economic challenges effectively.

Candidates are also expected to have thorough knowledge of open-economy macroeconomic theory and be familiar with key concepts of the IPF framework—such as the dominant currency paradigm, occasionally binding constraints, managed exchange rates, imperfect capital mobility, and reserve accumulation.  While not required, proficiency in MATLAB, Dynare, Python, or R would be beneficial.

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The IMF is guided by the principle that the employment, classification, promotion, and assignment of staff shall be made without discrimination against any person. We welcome requests for reasonable accommodations for disabilities during the selection process. Information on how to request accommodations will be provided during the application process.