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Job Summary:
The Central American Division of the Western Hemisphere Department has an opening for an economist to work on Honduras, a country under on a 3-year EFF/ECF program that was approved in September 2023. A successor Fund-supported program is expected to be negotiated once the current program is completed.
The Honduras assignment is an exciting opportunity to participate in the completion of the existing arrangement and negotiation and agreement of a Fund-supported program in a country facing significant structural reform needs (notably, electricity sector and governance issues), macroeconomic and institutional challenges involving both fiscal and monetary policies (including fiscal reforms to ensure debt sustainability and designing a consistent monetary and exchange rate policy framework with a view to eventually implementing inflation targeting), and large social and climate adaptation needs. It aims at implementing reforms while maintaining investment and social spending in a context of fiscal sustainability.
The new government that took office this year has established a very strong relationship with the Fund—they are highly engaged, drawing on the team’s policy advice and an intensive capacity development agenda on a broad range of issues that informs program design. In addition, Honduras is a LIC, where desk experience will count towards the LIC/FCS operational experience requirement for promotion to A15.
The division also pursues an active research agenda in support of the wider Central America regional surveillance, including in the preparation of the regional conference.
As part of a team, the successful candidate will play an integral part in monitoring the Honduran economy and help design the successor program. Specific desk responsibilities for the selected candidate would depend on personal interest and team’s needs. This involves contributing to program follow up and sectoral responsibilities, drafting Fund documents, carrying out analytical work, and formulating policy advice. The candidate is also expected to contribute to the regional analytical agenda.
Qualifications
In addition to the qualifications set forth in the job standards, the successful candidate should have a strong background in macroeconomics with proven policy-oriented analytical skills and familiarity with Fund policies and practices. The selected candidate should also have sound policy judgment, strong data management skills, and superb written and oral communication skills. Excellent negotiation and interpersonal skills are critical to gain policy traction and foster working relations with the authorities and review departments.
A working knowledge of Spanish would be desirable, although not a prerequisite.
Department:
WHDCA Western Hemisphere Dept. Central AmericanHiring For:
A11, A12, A13, A14The 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.