## Experienced Economists

## Source details

**Canonical URL:** [Experienced Economists](https://www.imf.org/en/about/recruitment/working-at-the-imf/experienced-economists)

## Other formats

- [Markdown version](/en/about/recruitment/working-at-the-imf/experienced-economists/index.md)
- [Structured JSON version](/en/about/recruitment/working-at-the-imf/experienced-economists/index.json)
- [Bundle manifest](/en/about/recruitment/working-at-the-imf/experienced-economists/bundle-manifest.json)

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### Overview
- The International Monetary Fund (IMF) hires experienced economists to join one of the largest teams of economists focused on macroeconomics.
- Roles involve contributing analysis, policy, program design, and capacity development to help member countries address specific economic challenges.
- Economists build collaborative relationships across the IMF and with external institutions, authorities, and leaders to develop solutions to evolving global economic challenges.

### Roles and responsibilities
- Area department economists:
  - Assigned to work on one or two specific countries or for a region.
  - Analyze and design fiscal, monetary, and exchange rate policies to promote and maintain macroeconomic stability.
  - Examine macro-financial linkages, issues of good economic governance, fiscal and external debt sustainability.
  - Develop approaches to promoting regional and broader trade liberalization.
- Functional department economists:
  - Provide advice, develop policies, conduct research, or deliver teaching in assigned fields.
  - Contribute to policy-related research to shape IMF work and build expertise within member countries.
  - Work closely with area department economists to analyze how current issues affect member countries.

### Required qualifications and competencies
- Academic credentials:
  - An advanced degree (master’s/PhD) in macroeconomics or a related field such as monetary economics, financial economics, public finance, international trade, or econometrics.
- Professional experience:
  - Relevant professional experience at the national and regional levels in macroeconomic policy, quantitative techniques, and country surveillance, usually gained in a central bank, ministry of finance, or international financial institution.
  - Experience in a research institute or academia is acceptable if combined with some exposure to macroeconomic policy making.
  - Specific credentials:
    - PhD with three to ten years of relevant work experience
    - Master’s with seven to fourteen years of relevant work experience
- Technical and interpersonal skills:
  - Demonstrated proficiency in quantitative modeling and econometrics to support analysis and policy formulation.
  - Strong interpersonal, communications and writing skills, and excellent written and oral communication skills in English.
  - Ability to deal effectively and diplomatically with member country authorities.

### Recruitment categories and selection process
- Two main categories of experienced economists recruited by the IMF:
  - Experienced macroeconomists:
    - Core economist roles for professionals with practical skills applicable across the IMF.
    - The IMF maintains a pipeline of candidates; advertisements for this pipeline are periodically available on the IMF Workday site.
    - Pipeline advertisements do not usually offer a specific assignment and often coincide with outreach visits to a particular geographic region.
    - Selection is a two-step process: initial selection to include candidates in the experienced economist pipeline, after which pipeline candidates can view and compete for specific roles as they become available.
  - Specialist economists:
    - Economists with significant expertise in a specific economic field and/or extensive experience in that field.
    - Vacancies typically advertised directly by a department, which then offers a contract to qualified candidates.
    - These roles are not subject to the pipeline recruitment process and may lead to long-term careers without typical expectations to move to different positions within the IMF.
- Typical selection steps for economist roles:
  - Preliminary interview (normally by phone)
  - Panel interview to assess technical and behavioral skills
  - Written test required for most positions

### Additional opportunities
- The IMF also provides other pathways relevant to experienced economists, including Short Term Experts, Special Appointees Program, and Externally-Financed Appointees.

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## References

- [Back to Main Page](https://www.imf.org/en/about/recruitment)
- [Working at the IMF](https://www.imf.org/en/about/recruitment/working-at-the-imf)
- [Life at the IMF](https://www.imf.org/en/about/recruitment/life-at-the-imf)
- [Finding the Right IMF Job](https://www.imf.org/en/about/recruitment/find-the-right-imf-job)
- [Short Term Experts,](https://www.imf.org/sitecore/service/notfound.aspx?item=master%3A%7B6DFC597C-4627-4F04-9693-9B10A8C95878%7D%40en)
- [Special Appointees Program](https://www.imf.org/en/about/recruitment/working-at-the-imf/externally-financed-appointee-program-and-special-appointee-program)

_Source: https://www.imf.org/en/about/recruitment/working-at-the-imf/experienced-economists_