Macroeconomic Frameworks Resident Advisor

Job Posting Organization:
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) is a global organization established to promote international monetary cooperation, facilitate balanced trade and economic growth, and provide resources to member countries in need. The IMF's Institute for Capacity Development (ICD) focuses on enhancing the technical and institutional capacities of its member countries. The organization operates in numerous countries worldwide, providing technical assistance and training to strengthen economic policies and frameworks. The IMF employs thousands of professionals from diverse backgrounds and expertise, working collaboratively to achieve its mission of fostering global economic stability and growth.

Job Overview:
The Macroeconomic Frameworks Resident Advisor position is a contractual role within the Central America, Panama, and the Dominican Republic Regional Technical Assistance Center (CAPTAC-DR), based in Guatemala City. The primary function of this role is to assist government institutions in CAPTAC-DR beneficiary countries in enhancing their macroeconomic forecasting and analytical capabilities. This support is crucial for informed macroeconomic policy decisions. The advisor will engage in various technical assistance (TA) projects, which may include developing Excel-based sectoral relationship frameworks, semi-structural gap models, or dynamic stochastic general equilibrium (DSGE) models. The advisor will also be involved in near-term forecasting and debt dynamics tools, ensuring that the projects align with the specific needs and capacities of the countries involved. The role requires delivering capacity development activities through TA missions, training sessions, and peer-to-peer learning engagements, necessitating collaboration with IMF staff and short-term experts. The advisor will coordinate closely with relevant IMF teams and other CAPTAC-DR advisors to ensure effective implementation of the work program.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Macroeconomic Frameworks Resident Advisor will have a comprehensive set of responsibilities, including: delivering technical assistance and training on macroeconomic frameworks to support forecasting, policy analysis, and decision-making in central banks and ministries of finance; developing medium-term projects and annual work plans in collaboration with country authorities and development partners; coordinating with development partners active in CAPTAC-DR beneficiary countries to promote complementarity and avoid duplication of efforts; contributing to the broader work program of CAPTAC-DR, including participation in steering committee meetings, periodic reporting, outreach, and conferences; and maintaining daily operational communication with the CAPTAC-DR Director while receiving technical guidance from IMF staff at headquarters. The advisor will also be expected to travel frequently to Central American and Caribbean countries, as well as to IMF headquarters in Washington D.C., for collaboration and coordination purposes.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates for the Macroeconomic Frameworks Resident Advisor position must possess a postgraduate degree (Master’s or PhD) in Economics or a related field. Additionally, a minimum of 5 years of relevant professional experience in macroeconomic forecasting is required, along with practical knowledge of the IMF's financial programming framework. The ideal candidate should also demonstrate experience in macroeconomic modeling and forecasting, with proficiency in relevant software such as Matlab, Python, EViews, Dynare, and Iris being advantageous. Strong relationship management, negotiation, and influencing skills are essential, as the role involves developing relationships with national authorities. The ability to organize and coordinate technical assistance and training with various stakeholders, including IMF departments and international institutions, is also critical. A strong drive for results and the capacity to manage multiple projects under tight deadlines are necessary attributes for success in this position.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for the Macroeconomic Frameworks Resident Advisor position includes a postgraduate degree, either a Master’s or a PhD, in Economics or a closely related field. This advanced education is essential to ensure that the candidate possesses the theoretical knowledge and analytical skills necessary for effective macroeconomic analysis and forecasting.

Experience:
The position requires candidates to have at least 5 years of relevant professional experience in macroeconomic forecasting. This experience should include practical knowledge of macroeconomic modeling and the ability to apply various forecasting techniques effectively. Familiarity with the IMF's financial programming framework is also a critical component of the required experience, as it directly relates to the responsibilities of the role.

Languages:
Proficiency in both English and Spanish is mandatory for this position, as excellent oral and written communication skills in these languages are essential for effective interaction with stakeholders in the region. Knowledge of additional languages may be considered an asset, but English and Spanish are the primary languages required for the role.

Additional Notes:
The Macroeconomic Frameworks Resident Advisor position is a contractual assignment with an initial appointment for one year, with the possibility of extension based on performance and ongoing budget/business needs. The selected candidate is expected to take up the position in Guatemala City by February 1, 2027, and will be required to travel frequently to various countries in Central America and the Caribbean. Daily interaction and proactive cooperation with colleagues in Washington D.C. will be necessary, along with occasional travel to IMF headquarters. The IMF offers a competitive compensation and benefits package that is commensurate with the successful candidate’s skills and experience.