Operational Policies and Procedures and an Ombudsman

Abstract:     
This paper is about the problems with the administrative practices and procedures in the IMF. It argues that currently the IMF lacks administrative practices and procedures that are consistent with the requirements of good governance. There are 2 requirements for such administrative practices and procedures. The first is clearly articulated and publicly available standards that guide IMF staff in their work and that other stakeholders can utilize in measuring the performance of IMF staff. These standards should set out both the substantive and procedural requirements applicable to the operations of the IMF. The second is a mechanism through which IMF staff and management can be held accountable for their failure to comply with the applicable procedures. The paper concludes with recommendations on designing a formal and comprehensive set of operational policies and procedures for the IMG and a call for the IMF to establish and ombudsman to oversee compliance with these operational policies and procedures.

Keywords: international organizations, international financial institutions, international administrative law

JEL Classifications: D73, F33, K33

Accepted Paper Series