## Externally Financed Appointee Program and Special Appointee Program

## Source details

**Canonical URL:** [Externally Financed Appointee Program and Special Appointee Program](https://www.imf.org/en/about/recruitment/working-at-the-imf/externally-financed-appointee-program-and-special-appointee-program)

## Other formats

- [Markdown version](/en/about/recruitment/working-at-the-imf/externally-financed-appointee-program-and-special-appointee-program/index.md)
- [Structured JSON version](/en/about/recruitment/working-at-the-imf/externally-financed-appointee-program-and-special-appointee-program/index.json)
- [Bundle manifest](/en/about/recruitment/working-at-the-imf/externally-financed-appointee-program-and-special-appointee-program/bundle-manifest.json)

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### Program overview
- The IMF offers two capacity-development initiatives that provide officials from member countries with direct exposure to IMF work at IMF Headquarters in Washington, D.C., while strengthening engagement between the IMF and member countries.
- Externally-Financed Appointee Program (EFA): an externally-financed contractual appointment for a duration of up to two years.
- Special Appointee Program (SAP): funded by the IMF and a contractual appointment for a duration of one year.

### Purpose and benefits for participants
- Assume IMF responsibilities in their area of expertise.
- Build proficiency in the use of technology and new methodologies.
- Gain exposure to the work of international organizations.

### Typical assignments and career streams
- Most EFAs and SAPs are either macro or specialized economists and will be assigned to economic departments.
- The EFA program is also open to officials in other career streams, including:
  - Legal
  - Human Resources
  - IT
  - Communications
  - Audit
  - Budget
  - Finance/Investment
- Participants are assigned tasks similar to those given to IMF employees, working in the same areas of expertise.

### Eligibility and candidate profile
- EFA typical profile:
  - Be an experienced public-sector official.
  - Have a graduate-level degree in a field related to IMF work.
  - Have at least four years of relevant experience.
- SAP typical profile:
  - Be a mid-level government official with a postgraduate degree.
  - Have at least three years of relevant experience in a public financial institution or economics-related ministry, research institute, or university.
- For both programs:
  - Strong analytical skills are required.
  - Excellent written and oral communication skills in English are required.

### Application and selection process
- EFA application process:
  - The IMF issues a memorandum to all Executive Directors requesting expressions of interest (EOIs) and indicating when the program window is open.
  - The IMF evaluates the number of EOIs received and determines the number of slots per country.
  - Countries are asked to propose names and provide CVs of at least three qualified candidates per slot.
  - The IMF conducts a panel interview to ensure the most-qualified candidates are selected.
- SAP nomination and selection:
  - Candidates are nominated either directly by their country authorities or through their Executive Director at the IMF.
  - Nominations are screened by the IMF with priority given to officials from Poverty Reduction and Growth Trust (PRGT) eligible countries.
  - The relevant department reviews the request, considering the member country’s capacity building needs and availability of suitable assignments.
  - Short-listed candidates are interviewed.
  - If selected, the department sends a formal request to the Human Resources Department (HRD) requesting budget authority for the position.
  - HRD advises the department and member nation authorities when resources will be available.
  - Once the candidate is approved by the department and funds are secured by HRD, an appointment letter is sent to the selected candidate.

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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)

_Source: https://www.imf.org/en/about/recruitment/working-at-the-imf/externally-financed-appointee-program-and-special-appointee-program_