Director of the Office of Asia and Pacific

Job Posting Organization:
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) is an international organization established in 1944 with the mission to promote global economic stability and growth. The IMF has a diverse workforce of over 2,700 employees from around the world, operating in more than 190 countries. The organization plays a crucial role in providing financial assistance, policy advice, and technical assistance to its member countries, helping them to achieve macroeconomic stability and sustainable growth.

Job Overview:
The Director of the Office of Asia and Pacific (OAP) will be responsible for directing the work of the office and managing its staff and resources. This role is pivotal in supporting the Fund’s strategic engagement with the Asia and Pacific region. The selected candidate will oversee regional surveillance and bilateral surveillance on Japan and other countries, participate in key regional meetings such as APEC and ASEAN, and facilitate the implementation of Fund policies and initiatives. The Director will also work on enhancing the understanding of the Fund's policies in the region and keeping the Fund informed of regional perspectives on emerging issues. Additionally, the Director will strengthen OAP’s contribution to regional surveillance research and develop a Visitor Scholar’s program.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Director will be tasked with developing and implementing a strategy for enhanced engagement in Asia, overseeing the monitoring of regional economic and financial developments, and reporting to headquarters. This includes assigning economists to work on country teams and contributing to the APD Regional Economic Outlook and other research projects. The Director will coordinate the Fund’s engagement with regional institutions, participate in meetings, and keep Fund HQ informed of developments. Responsibilities also include overseeing outreach efforts in Asia and the Pacific, organizing OAP events, and managing capacity development activities such as policy conferences and workshops. The Director will support HRD in recruiting staff from the region and further develop the Visiting Scholar program.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced degree in Economics or a related field, along with a minimum of 15 years of relevant work experience, including supervisory and managerial experience. They should demonstrate analytical strength and practical experience in policy-related work, possess a strategic vision and deep understanding of the Fund's work in Asia, and have strong managerial and leadership skills. Excellent communication and presentation skills are essential, and the ability to communicate in Japanese is considered a strong advantage. Relationship-building skills are also crucial for developing trusted relationships with Fund counterparts in the region.

Educational Background:
An advanced degree in Economics or a related subject is required for this position. This educational background should be complemented by extensive knowledge and experience in economic policy and regional economic issues, particularly within the Asia and Pacific context.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 15 years of relevant work experience, with a strong emphasis on supervisory and managerial roles. Candidates should have a well-rounded background in economics, with in-depth knowledge of the Asia and Pacific region and the ability to integrate OAP’s activities with those of the Fund more broadly.

Languages:
While the ability to communicate in Japanese is a strong advantage, it is not mandatory. Proficiency in English is essential, and knowledge of other languages relevant to the Asia and Pacific region would be beneficial.

Additional Notes:
The position is a 3-year Term appointment, and the selected candidate will maintain their open-ended status if they are a regular staff member. Contractual employees will be offered a Term staff appointment. The position is not based at the Fund’s Headquarters in Washington, DC, and requires Review Committee/Senior Review Committee approval for managerial selections. The IMF is committed to diversity and welcomes requests for reasonable accommodations for disabilities during the selection process.