Deputy Division Chief - STADS

Work for the IMF. Work for the World.

The Statistics Department provides global leadership on data and statistics, statistical methodologies, and data innovation for the Fund, its member countries, and the international statistical community. It supports Fund surveillance and lending operations by helping ensure that their data needs are met and by strengthening member countries’ capabilities to produce, manage, and disseminate high-quality macroeconomic and financial statistics for sound policymaking. STA collaborates closely with other Fund departments, member countries, donors, and external partners to advance statistical capacity, data innovation, and the availability and effective use of data for bilateral and multilateral surveillance and lending operations.

STA has an opening in its Data Governance and Services Division (STADS) for a fungible or specialist economist to serve as Deputy Division Chief. The division provides a broad range of data services to help Fund departments make more effective use of data, including Data Science Services; Data Solution Services; and Data Governance Services. These services encompass the application of Big Data, machine learning and other advanced modeling techniques; the design of data architectures and solutions on IMF Data, founded on the SDMx standards; and the implementation of the IMF’s Data Governance Framework. The division manages the IMF’s Big Data Center, which serves as a central platform for data innovations and supports Fund departments and IMF member countries in developing and applying innovative data and modeling approaches to produce more timely and granular indicators and strengthen surveillance and policy analysis. STADS also manages the enhanced Data Dissemination capacity development program, which supports member countries in enhancing their data management and dissemination practices with modern technology and in alignment with international standards. To achieve its objectives, STADS works in close collaboration with other STA divisions and serves as STA’s interface with the rest of the Fund on all data-related issues pertaining to the division’s mandate.

In coordination with the other Deputy Division Chief and under the supervision of the Division Chief, the Deputy Division Chief will have a key role to play in all these areas. S/he may be called to:

• Oversee and provide technical and strategic leadership for the design and development of Fund datasets on IMF Data, working across departments to improve the accessibility, usability, and effective dissemination of IMF data.
• Oversee the implementation and continued development of the IMF Data Governance Framework, promoting a coherent and effective approach to managing data across the Fund, including clear roles and responsibilities, data quality, accessibility, interoperability, and the governance of all data assets.
• Oversee and provide strategic leadership for the IMF’s Big Data Center, coordinating innovative data projects across Fund departments and the IMF membership and expanding the use of alternative and nontraditional data, data science, AI, advanced analytics, and modeling to develop more timely and granular indicators and strengthen Fund surveillance, research, and policy analysis.
• Manage the division’s capacity development program on data governance, data management, data dissemination, and Big Data, including planning, coordination, delivery, and monitoring of technical assistance to IMF member countries to utilize enhanced data solutions and innovative data sources and methods for economic and financial statistics.
• Participate in international fora and partnerships promoting statistical innovation, sound data management practices, responsible use of data science and AI, and access to nontraditional data, including through initiatives such as the Development Data Partnership and SDMx.
• Lead missions, workshops and other capacity development activities in areas under the division’s purview, ensuring high-quality delivery and effective coordination with country authorities and internal and external partners.

The Deputy will be expected to play an active role in the general organization, management, and supervision of the division, and the recruitment, assessment, and coaching of its staff. 

Qualifications

An advanced university degree in Economics, Finance, Statistics, or a related field of study or equivalent, supplemented by a minimum of fifteen (15) years of relevant professional experience, including supervisory or managerial experience, is required.

Additionally:

• S/he should have a strong understanding of the role of data in economic and policy work and of the challenges associated with managing, disseminating, and using data in large organizations.
• Familiarity with the Fund’s operational context would be an advantage. Important qualifications are proven analytical skills, ability to innovate and motivate and support change, and a strategic approach to addressing challenges.
• Strong advocacy and influencing skills, and the ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing are essential.
• Demonstrated ability to establish effective relationships across a wide range of internal and external stakeholders will be important.
• The successful candidate should also have proven interpersonal and leadership qualities and strong managerial abilities to effectively help plan, organize, and deliver a wide-ranging divisional work program, build cohesive and motivated teams, and manage, coach, and develop staff.

This vacancy shall be filled by a 3-year Term appointment in accordance with the Fund’s new employment rules that took effect on May 1, 2015. This position requires Review Committee/Senior Review Committee Approval.

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The 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.