Work for the IMF. Work for the World.
The Legal Department of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) is seeking qualified lawyers to fill Counsel/Senior Counsel positions in its Fund Law and Policy Division (LEGFL), which is in charge of advising on the law and policies of the IMF as well as assisting in the development of law and policies of the IMF. This position is based at IMF headquarters in Washington, D.C. Some travel to IMF member countries is expected.
The IMF is an international organization with a membership of 191 countries. The Legal Department offers lawyers a unique opportunity to bridge their private or public practice with public international law and policy. This may be one of the most rewarding experiences of the lawyerโs career by contributing to: enhancing the Legal Department's capacity to provide legal advice in developing and implementing the IMFโs legal, policy and governance frameworks; in support of the IMF's regulatory and financial operations in its member countries; and in assisting member countries in strengthening their legal frameworks, particularly in the areas of exchange systems, financial sector laws and integrity, and sovereign and private debt restructuring.
Duties and Responsibilities
As a member of the Fund Law and Policy Division in the IMFโs Legal Department, the lawyer would advise on issues such as: (i) country-specific and general legal issues under the law of the IMF and international law; (ii) IMF policies, including in the areas of IMF surveillance, IMF financing, internal IMF governance, membersโ foreign exchange systems, transparency, financial sector issues, economic law issues, and other areas relevant to the IMFโs mandate; (iii) reforms of national laws of member countries in areas such as exchange systems, insolvency and creditorsโ rights, and sovereign debt restructuring; and (iv) ad hoc policy-related assignments. Under the overall supervision and guidance of the General Counsel and Director of the Legal Department and supervised by and reporting to LEGFLโs Assistant General Counsel, lawyers in the Fund Law and Policy Division provide legal and policy advice in these areas within the institution as well as to the authorities of any of the IMF's member countries and contribute to IMF policy analysis and development.
Qualifications
Completion of LLM, JD, LLB, or equivalent, and licensed to practice law in any Fundโs member jurisdiction, is required, together with a minimum of two (2) years of professional legal experience in one of more areas of law that are relevant to the Fund's mandate and to LEG's work program.
In addition, candidates must possess professional legal experience (eight years preferred) in commercial or international trade practice, sovereign and private debt restructuring, international organizations, central banking and financial sector issues, or government agencies. Candidates must possess an eagerness to learn, an interest in international legal and public policy issues, a high degree of initiative and adaptability, excellent research and analytical skills, a track record of working effectively in inter-disciplinary teams, and excellent written and oral communication skills in English. Fluency in another major international language would be an asset.
A regular staff member who is selected to fill the vacancy will maintain their open-ended status. If the selected candidate is a contractual employee, they will be offered a Term staff appointment. Staff members already on a term appointment will continue their current term but may receive an extension provided that their current term appointment has not already been extended.
This vacancy shall be filled by a 3-year Term appointment.
It is expected that while the position is advertised at the full grade band, it will be filled at the lower level.
All applicants are expected to include a Statement of Interest as an attachment to the application, which may be used in the screening process for this vacancy.
Department:LEGFL Legal Department Fund Law and Policy Division
Hiring For: A11, A12, A13, A14
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.