Economist/Senior Economist (OIA)

Job Summary 

The Office of Internal Audit (OIA) is seeking to fill an Economist/Senior Economist position to join its team. OIA serves as an independent assurance and advisory function, dedicated to protecting and strengthening the Fund's operations. The mission of OIA is to employ a systematic and disciplined approach to assess and enhance the effectiveness of the Fund’s governance, risk management processes, and internal controls, as well as act as a consultant and catalyst for improving the Fund’s business processes by advising on best practices and developing cost-effective control solutions. 

OIA’s work program which includes assurance and advisory engagements is designed by focusing on the most significant enterprise risks while ensuring that the work program is effectively aligned across core, functional, and support areas.  

Under the general supervision of OIA's Management Team, the Economist/Senior Economist will be expected to support the planning and execution of risk-based audits that deliver impactful, high-quality results across the Fund's core, cross-functional, and corporate areas.  

Major duties and responsibilities include: 

• Support the planning and execution of OIA’s audits and advisory areas in the Fund’s core and functional areas, in close coordination with OIA’s Senior Auditors and Management team – this could entail leading assigned engagements in OIA’s annual Program of Work (PoW) as the designated Auditor-in-Charge (AiC);  

• Assess risks and mitigating controls in specific business areas - including governance and oversight;  

• Support OIA’s annual risk assessment process to identify relevant enterprise risks in core and functional areas, and where OIA could add value without duplication of the Fund’s multi-layered review processes in these areas;  

• Serve as OIA’s focal point and Subject Matter Expert (SME) for increasing awareness and improving understanding of several key institutional initiatives and policy priorities in the Fund’s core business areas - these include key policy priorities such as Comprehensive Surveillance Review, Review of Program Design and Conditionality;   

• Assist in drafting and executing OIA’s Periodic Monitoring Report (PMR), coordinating with the IEO, SPR, and other departments accountable for implementing management actions in response to Board-endorsed IEO recommendations. This includes obtaining information on the status of open management actions and objectively assessing the evidence of implementation. The assessment will focus on whether individual or combined management actions have effectively achieved the spirit of the IEO recommendation and document the evidence of implementation or status of each action, including reasons for significant delays or deviations from intended objectives. 

The position is an excellent opportunity for a fungible or specialized Economist in an area or functional department who is seeking an opportunity to bring their skills and capabilities to bear in a corporate oversight and governance function such as OIA that provides a diverse range of work assignments and opportunities for professional growth, including the chance to gain a broad understanding of the Fund's controls and risk environment, and engage with various senior governance fora (Fund Risk Committee, External Audit Committee, Program Steering Committees).  The position does not involve travel. 

Minimum Qualifications

In addition to the job standards in the economist ladder, the successful candidate should have strong analytical skills, and excellent oral and written communication skills. Excellent interpersonal skills, mature thinking and ability to exercise independent and sound judgment are also essential.  

• Position requires thorough knowledge of review processes.  

• Knowledge of macroeconomic theory and quantitative techniques and considerable experience in their application in specific country analysis. 

• Thorough knowledge of Fund practices and policies. 

• Thorough knowledge of current economic and financial developments in desk country and good understanding of political and social context. 

A regular staff member who is selected to fill the vacancy will maintain their open-ended status. Staff members already on a term appointment will continue their current term but may receive an extension provided that their current term appointment has not already been extended. 
 
One or more qualified candidates from within the department are expected to apply, but applications from other qualified candidates are encouraged.