The IMF’s staff of highly qualified economists and other professionals are dedicated to the goals of the institution to promote global economic growth and stability, and raise living standards and employment.
The institution strives to be a strong and dynamic organization so that we can keep pace with the relevant (and evolving) macroeconomic and financial issues of the day, and continue to meet the needs of our 191 member countries for years to come. To do our job effectively, we also have access to large amounts of privileged and confidential information.
Integrity and diversity—in terms of culture, gender, and nationality—are therefore vital to the effectiveness of our work. We, the IMF’s 2,400 employees from more than 160 countries, are expected to observe the highest ethical and workplace standards of conduct.
The IMF has a comprehensive ethics framework that includes:
The IMF's ethics and accountability framework is designed to be consistent with best practice and, to that end, is reviewed and updated on a regular basis.
Read the Ethics Advisor’s Annual Reports.
Upon joining the IMF, all staff sign an agreement committing them to the IMF’s ethics rules, which include a Standard of Conduct and rules for financial disclosure. The Fund also has a zero tolerance policy on harassment, including sexual harassment, which subject to strict disciplinary action up to and including termination of employment.
The Fund’s strengthened standards of staff conduct—approved on May 6—also require that close personal relationships between a supervisor and subordinate must be reported. Failure to do so is also grounds for disciplinary action.
The Anti-Fraud and Anti-Corruption (AFAC) policy applies to all IMF personnel. The objective of this policy is to establish the general principles, responsibilities, and procedures to be applied by the IMF in preventing and addressing fraudulent and corrupt practices in its activities and operations.
A separate Code of Conduct applies to IMF Executive Directors.
Staff diversity is a top priority for the IMF, its Management, and the Executive Board. An IMF staff that reflects its membership enables us to more effectively understand and meet the needs of our member countries.
We have made progress on diversity and are working to make further improvements. In considering the Annual Diversity Report, the Executive Board committed the IMF to a new target of recruiting 50 percent women at all levels going forward.
Read the Annual Reports on Diversity at the IMF.
The IMF Giving Together Program guide our humanitarian and community outreach efforts. We strive to help our neighbors in greater Washington and around the world by providing donations, volunteering, and supporting community initiatives.
We also regularly mobilize funds for humanitarian and disaster relief efforts around the world. The IMF matches employee and retiree donations for developing countries at 50 cents to the dollar. Since this matching program began in 1998, over $1.2 million has gone to assist the victims of floods, earthquakes, famine, and disease, and to support other humanitarian needs.
