Economist at  IMF AFRITAC East Tanzania

The IMF Regional Technical Assistance Center for East Africa (AFRITAC East) is a collaborative venture between the International Monetary Fund (IMF), its member countries, and bilateral and multilateral development partners. AFRITAC East provides capacity development support (technical assistance and training) to Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania (including Zanzibar), and Uganda, in areas of IMF expertise.

The Economist works closely with the Center Director, playing an important role in managing the Center’s work plan, supporting the implementation of the IMF results-based management framework, supporting outreach activities, and contributing to the main publications and analyses. S/he also supports resident advisors (RAs, the Center’s experts) in their activities of capacity development (CD).

Duties and Responsibilities

• Work Plan and Budget Support: Assists the Center Director in preparing and monitoring the implementation of the annual work plan and budget, as well as in preparing periodic reports to the Steering Committee.
• Report Preparation: Contributes to the preparation of the annual and mid-year reports.
• Outreach Publications: Contributes to outreach publications, playing a key role in the preparation of the quarterly newsletter and the management of the Center’s website and Facebook page.
• Results-Based Management: Supports the implementation of the results-based management (RBM) framework.
• Research and Presentations: Provides supporting research and presentations for the RAs’ regional workshops and assists them with outreach activities.
• Data Analysis: Analyzes economic time series data and defines data needs and requirements for use by the Center Director and RAs.
• Economic Information Management: Independently researches, collects, and compiles information on member countries; maintains and updates quantitative and qualitative economic, financial, or statistical databases.
• Ongoing Development: Keeps abreast of developments with respect to IMF CD policies and IMF work in member countries.
• Other Duties: Performs other related duties as required.

Results-Based Management (RBM) Responsibilities

The main duties of the Economist in RBM are:

• Training: Training of staff on RBM methodology and systems, particularly IMF Capacity Development Management and Administration Program (CDMAP).
• Logframe Development: Supporting the development of logframes.
• Data Analysis and Reporting: Analysis of RBM data and reporting.
• Feedback and Issues Resolution: Providing feedback to the Center Director and IMF headquarters on issues affecting RBM implementation at the Center.

Competencies Required

Professional Competence:

• Knowledge of econometric and statistical analysis techniques, database management, and related principles underlying IMF economic work.
• Ability to interpret and present statistical information.
• Strong analytical skills.
• Knowledge of monitoring and evaluation principles.

Program/Task Management:

• Strong organizational skills.
• Ability to anticipate, adjust to, and prioritize a variety of complex, evolving tasks, mastering unfamiliar work quickly in a committed fashion.

Communication:

• Strong communication skills, including effective listening, persuasive speaking, and clear, concise writing.

Teamwork:

• Proven ability to develop effective relationships within/outside the office, and to promote collaboration and guide junior staff within the team to meet unit objectives.
• Ability to work with a range of senior professionals from various backgrounds.

Qualifications and Experience

• Educational Requirements: MA/MS (Economics/Finance) in economics, finance, or statistics.
• Work Experience: Two or more years of relevant work experience (e.g., econometrics, statistics, finance) or equivalent experience.
• Technical Proficiency: Proficiency in software applications is required, particularly Excel, Teams, and database management tools. Knowledge of econometrics packages such as Eviews, MATLAB, STATA, and R, together with knowledge of statistical and econometrics techniques and macroeconomic relationships, is an asset.
• Language Proficiency: Demonstrated proficiency in English with excellent writing skills.

The position is based at AFRITAC East’s headquarters in Dar es Salaam. The initial appointment is for one year, with the potential of being extended to a multi-year contract. The starting date is expected to be in July.