Research Analyst / Senior Research Analyst - SPRRU

Work for the IMF. Work for the World.

The Strategy, Policy, and Review Department’s (SPR) Macro-Risk Unit assesses exposures of the Fund’s member countries to economic and financial risks. Its work is fast-paced, innovative, and technology-intensive. Research Analysts (RAs) provide critical support by managing complex datasets; developing and running empirical and machine-learning tools for risk assessment; and maintaining data visualization tools that communicate model outputs and other analytical findings. The successful candidate will lead the data and code architecture for the unit’s risk assessment models, helping ensure continuity in the unit’s work. The candidate will coordinate and maintain the data and code architecture for the unit’s risk assessment models, helping ensure continuity in the unit’s work. The candidate will also help coordinate the work of the unit’s RA team, comprising two dedicated RAs and temporary RAs, and provide as needed technical guidance, onboarding, and coaching.

Main Responsibilities:

• Use programming and statistical or econometric techniques to import, process, consolidate, and transform datasets within and across databases.
• Design, build, document, and maintain systems that ingest and transform external and internal data series, with close attention to source definitions, transformations, and vintages.
• Analyze economic, financial, and statistical relationships in databases, identifying key data series and novel datasets.
• Develop innovative AI enhancements to the unit’s technical processes.
• Develop and maintain innovative visualization tools that clearly communicate complex, nonlinear model results to economists.
• Prepare PowerPoint presentations summarizing the unit’s work.
• Undertake other assignments as directed.

The successful candidate will have the following:

• Educational development, typically acquired by the completion of a university degree, or equivalent, in economics, finance, statistics, computer science, or a related field of study is required.
• Proficiency in Excel and strong Word and PowerPoint skills are a necessity.Strong programming skills in Python, R, Stata, and MATLAB.Expertise in empirical forecasting, especially with tree-based and boosted models, ideally with experience in Machine Learning time series panel estimation, model design, and evaluation.Knowledge of macroeconomic theory and concepts with experience in macroeconomic and financial crises a plus.
• Strong knowledge of data visualization tools, especially PowerBI.
• Any experience contributing to academic or policy-oriented economic research is a plus.
• Innovation, creativity, strong communication skills, and drive for results.

Only candidates who are currently residing in the Washington DC metro area will be considered. 

This vacancy shall be filled by a 3-year Term appointment in accordance with the Fund’s employment rules. This term position, while extendable for up to 3 years, is not viable for conversion to open-ended staff. 

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.

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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.