Macroeconomic-Frameworks Resident Advisor

Job Posting Organization:
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) is a global organization established to promote international monetary cooperation, facilitate balanced growth of international trade, and provide resources to member countries in need of financial assistance. The IMF was founded in 1944 and has since grown to include 190 member countries. The organization employs approximately 2,700 staff members from diverse backgrounds and operates in various regions around the world, providing technical assistance and policy advice to help countries achieve macroeconomic stability and sustainable growth. The IMF's mission is to foster global monetary cooperation, secure financial stability, facilitate international trade, promote high employment and sustainable economic growth, and reduce poverty around the world. The IMF Capacity Development Office in Thailand (CDOT) focuses on enhancing the capacity of member countries in the region, particularly Cambodia, Lao P.D.R., and Vietnam, through tailored training and technical assistance programs.

Job Overview:
The Macroeconomic-Frameworks Resident Advisor will play a crucial role in the IMF Capacity Development Office in Thailand, focusing on the macroeconomic program aimed at enhancing the capacity of Cambodia, Lao P.D.R., and Vietnam. The Advisor will be responsible for organizing and delivering integrated macroeconomic policy training and technical assistance programs tailored to meet the specific needs of these countries. This includes providing technical support on the IMF's financial programming framework and forecasting and policy analysis systems, as well as conducting courses and workshops on macro-financial management and surveillance. The Advisor will collaborate closely with various IMF departments, including the Institute for Capacity Development and the Singapore Regional Training Institute, to ensure high-quality training delivery. The position requires regular interaction with country authorities to develop and update macroeconomic frameworks that support effective policy-making. The Advisor will also be responsible for managing administrative and logistical arrangements for training activities, ensuring that all training sessions are executed smoothly and effectively.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The primary duties and responsibilities of the Macroeconomic-Frameworks Resident Advisor include:

• Organizing and delivering macroeconomic policy training and technical assistance programs for Cambodia, Lao P.D.R., and Vietnam, as well as selected other economies in Asia.
• Preparing and delivering training materials, including lectures and exercises, in coordination with the Singapore Regional Training Institute.
• Collaborating with IMF functional departments and other resident advisors to provide tailored technical assistance on macroeconomic frameworks and forecasting.
• Working closely with country authorities to develop and update macroeconomic frameworks that support effective policy-making.
• Managing administrative and logistical arrangements for training activities, ensuring high-quality execution of all training sessions.
• Building and maintaining relationships with relevant agencies and officials in beneficiary countries, including central banks and ministries of finance.
• Reporting routinely to the Institute for Capacity Development on the achievement of results set out in workplans.
• Actively fostering synergies between capacity development, surveillance, and lending activities within the IMF.

Required Qualifications:
The successful candidate for the Macroeconomic-Frameworks Resident Advisor position must possess a post-graduate degree in economics. Additionally, candidates should have at least five years of relevant professional experience, particularly with practical knowledge of the IMF's financial programming framework. Experience as a desk economist in a developing economy is preferred. Candidates must demonstrate excellent skills in data management and analysis, including proficiency in Microsoft Excel and econometric applications such as Eviews and MATLAB. Knowledge of macroeconomic modeling and forecasting, particularly the implementation of Quarterly Projection Models, is essential. Furthermore, candidates should have a strong understanding of the linkages between macroeconomic and financial sectors and policies, given the focus of the program. Strong communication skills in English, both spoken and written, are highly desirable, and training or teaching experience is considered a plus. Exceptional organizational, interpersonal, and teamwork skills are vital for success in this role.

Educational Background:
Candidates must hold a post-graduate degree in economics or a closely related field. This educational background is essential to ensure that the Advisor has the necessary theoretical knowledge and analytical skills required to effectively contribute to the macroeconomic training and technical assistance programs.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of five years of relevant professional experience in the field of economics, particularly with a focus on macroeconomic policy and financial programming. Candidates should have practical experience working with developing economies, ideally in a role that involved macroeconomic modeling, forecasting, and policy analysis. Experience in training or teaching is also beneficial, as the Advisor will be responsible for delivering training sessions and workshops.

Languages:
Strong spoken and written communication skills in English are mandatory for this position. Proficiency in additional languages relevant to the region, such as Khmer, Lao, or Vietnamese, would be considered an asset but is not required.

Additional Notes:
The position is initially offered for a term of one year, with the possibility of extension based on satisfactory performance. The Advisor will be based in Bangkok, Thailand, and will be required to travel regularly to the core beneficiary countries. The role is open to both internal and external candidates, and staff members appointed to the Capacity Development Office will retain their employment status with the IMF. The position is full-time, and activities are funded by the Government of Japan through resources provided to the IMF.