Work for the IMF. Work for the World.
The selected candidate would direct the work of OAP and manage its staff and resources, in support of the Fundโs strategic engagement with the Asia and Pacific region.
As the Fund's window to the Asia and Pacific region, OAP contributes to regional surveillance as well as bilateral surveillance on Japan and other countries. It participates in regional meetings, including APEC, ASEAN, ASEAN+3, and EMEAP, and assists in regional cooperation and integration. It seeks to help enhance the understanding of the Fund and its policies in the region, and to keep the Fund informed of regional perspectives on emerging and central issues. It also facilitates the implementation of Fund policies and initiatives through support of the work of IMF headquarters departments in the region. OAP is also working on strengthening its contribution to APD HQโs regional surveillance research including through developing a Visitor Scholarโs program.
The Director of the Office will be in charge of the following work and functions:
- Continue to Develop and implement, in consultation with designated APD senior staff, a strategy for the Officeโs enhanced engagement in Asia.
- Oversee the monitoring of regional economic and financial developments and reporting to HQ, providing inputs to both bilateral and multilateral surveillance. This work will entail the assignment of OAP economists to work on country teams and on the APD Regional Economic Outlook and other research projects.
- Coordinate the Fundโs engagement with regional institutions and entities, including ADB, AIIB, ASEAN, ASEAN+3/AMRO/CMIM, EMEAP and others. This will involve participating in meetings in these fora and keeping Fund HQ apprised of developments end emerging issues.
- Carry out and support Fund outreach in Asia and the Pacific. This will involve oversight over the arrangement of and support to a range of OAP events and events organized by APD and other Fund departments, as well as outreach relating to Fund management engagement.
- Oversee a variety of Capacity Development activities. This will involve organizing periodic OAP policy conferences, workshops and briefings for country authorities and others in the region and administration of the Japan-IMF Scholarship Program for Asia and the Pacific (JISPA).
- Support HRD in recruiting Fund staff from Asia and the Pacific.
- Further develop and oversee the Visiting Scholar program.
Minimum qualifications:
In addition to the competencies outlined in the Fundโs Leadership Framework, the selected candidate should have an advanced degree in Economics or related subject, supplemented by a minimum of 15 years of relevant work experience, with supervisory/managerial experience.
The selected candidate should be a well-rounded economist with in-depth knowledge of and contacts within the Asia and Pacific region and the ability to expand and to integrate OAPโs activities with those of the Fund more generally. Important qualifications include:
- Demonstrated analytical strength and practical experience in policy-related work.
- Strategic vision and deep understanding of the work of the Fund in Asia and generally, including with major member countries and partners such as Japan.
- Managerial and leadership experience and the ability to operate independently within parameters set by APD HQ.
- Strong communication and presentational skills.
- Ability to communicate in Japanese would be a strong advantage but is not required.
- Relationship building skills, and in particular ability to develop trusted relationships with Fund counterparts in the region.
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.
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 in accordance with the Fundโs new employment rules that took effect on May 1, 2015.
The position requires Review Committee /Senior Review Committee Approval.
A staff member in Grades B1-B3 who is selected for this position will normally retain their grade. Progression will be governed by the policies set out in Staff Bulletin No. 03/27, including endorsement by the Review Committee.
Managerial vacancy selections/appointments at Grades A14/A15-B3 require Review Committee/Senior Review Committee approval, with exceptions for (i) intra- and inter departmental lateral selections/appointments for candidates already in titled managerial positions, (ii) MAPs and SWAPs, and (iii) candidates who are currently included on the Review Committee List.
This position is not based at the Fundโs Headquarters in Washington, DC; as a result, the vacancy will close at 11:59 PM at the local time of the job location.
Department:OAP Regional Off. for Asia & the Pacific
Hiring For: B01, B02, B03
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.