Research Officer

Research Officer (LEG)

International Monetary Fund

Washington, DC 20431

Research Officer (LEG) (Job Number: 2000820)

Description

The Legal Department of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) is seeking to fill a two-year contractual Research Officer position focusing on good governance and anti-corruption issues to meet the growing demand from the IMF membership for advice in this area. The IMF has increased its focus on good governance and anti-corruption in member countries. The IMF's policy framework in this area focuses on examining governance vulnerabilities in six key governmental functions deemed most relevant to economic activity and to the mandate of the Fund, namely: (i) fiscal governance; (ii) financial sector oversight; (iii) central bank governance and operations; (iv) market regulations; (v) rule of law; and (vi) anti-money laundering and combatting of financing of terrorism (AML/CFT). In addition, the policy framework examines vulnerabilities to corruption that may arise in the design and effectiveness of a country's anti-corruption framework. The policy framework recognizes that many of these areas are inter-related and, as such, assessments of governance and corruption vulnerabilities must be done in a holistic manner, which entails a multi-disciplinary approach encompassing not only legal issues, but also political economy, economics (in particular fiscal issues such as the role of the extractives sector) financial issues, statistics, data analytics, and market regulation. The Legal Department plays a critical role in this work, at the level of policy formulation, implementation of such policies in country-specific contexts, analytical and research work, and general outreach. This position is based at IMF headquarters in Washington, D.C. The IMF's work on promoting good governance and combatting corruption aims to provide high-quality advice in the context of IMF surveillance, financial assistance programs, and capacity development (CD). Among other areas, this position will focus on researching and providing analytical work to help provide advice from a multi-disciplinary approach to: strengthen anti-corruption legislative, regulatory, and institutional frameworks; strengthen anti-corruption strategies; streamline excessive, complex and opaque regulations that can entrench poor governance and provide opportunities for corruption; and enhance transparency and accountability/oversight frameworks to highlight poor governance and corruption issues. Given the cross-cutting nature of governance and corruption, gathering information from and collaboration on research initiatives with other international organizations, especially the World Bank, will be a key feature of the position. In addition to the World Bank, the IMF works closely with the G-2O Anti-Corruption Working Group (ACWG), the Working Group on Bribery of the Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD-WGB), United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the Financial Action Task Force (FATF).

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the overall direction of the General Counsel and Director of the Legal Department and the direct supervision of the Assistant General Counsel responsible for overseeing the governance and anti-corruption work of the Department, the successful candidate will carry out the following primary duties and responsibilities and will be expected to do so by employing holistic, multi-disciplinary approaches:

Assisting with the implementation of the governance and anti-corruption policy in surveillance, financial assistance, and CD.

Contributing to the research and drafting of IMF policy and analytical papers, as well as other publications of the IMF on governance and anti-corruption issues

Providing on-going assessments of governance and corruption vulnerabilities in the context of surveillance and financial assistance.

Contributing to the conduct and desk research of in-depth diagnostic assessments of governance and corruption vulnerabilities.

Assisting in gathering research and providing advice on reforms to address governance and corruption vulnerabilities identified in the context of surveillance, financial assistance, CD, and diagnostic assessments, including with regard to:

anti-corruption legislative and regulatory frameworks;

anti-corruption institutional frameworks;

anti-corruption strategies;

streamlining excessive, complex and opaque regulatory frameworks; and

enhancing transparency and accountability/oversight frameworks.

Contributing to IMF missions and engaging in pre- and post-mission work and reviews.

Contributing to and/or participating in outreach activities, including through the organization and delivery of presentations and seminars at the premises of the IMF and/or at the invitation of member countries and multilateral organizations, CSOs and other stakeholders.

Carrying out other assignments as instructed by the General Counsel or the responsible Assistant General Counsel.

Qualifications

An advanced university degree in law, economics, finance, commerce, and/or political science is required. In addition, research experience working on relevant governance and corruption matters, with a multi-disciplinary focus and cross-country knowledge will be a significant asset. Candidates should also possess excellent oral and written communication skills in English, very strong research and analytical skills, sound judgment, demonstrated initiative and adaptability, excellent planning and organization skills, and a strong ability to work collaboratively with colleagues at all levels and of different cultural backgrounds and with other international organizations and stakeholders. Familiarity with the IMF's operations and additional proficiency in other languages, in particular French and Spanish, will be a plus.

The IMF is committed to achieving a diverse staff, including age, creed, culture, disability, educational background, ethnicity, gender, gender expression, nationality, race, religion and beliefs, and sexual orientation.