Country Representative

We work to improve lives in Latin America and the Caribbean. Through financial and technical support for countries working to reduce poverty and inequality, we help improve health and education, and advance infrastructure. Our aim is to achieve development in a sustainable, climate-friendly way. With a history dating back to 1959, today we are the leading source of development financing for Latin America and the Caribbean. We provide loans, grants, and technical assistance; and we conduct extensive research. We maintain a strong commitment to achieving measurable results and the highest standards of integrity, transparency, and accountability.

The Bank's current focus areas include three development challenges – social inclusion and equality, productivity and innovation, and economic integration – and three cross-cutting issues – gender equality and diversity, climate change and environmental sustainability; and institutional capacity and the rule of law.

Please note that not all types of contracts and advertisements are listed in cinfoPoste. Find all of them, including consultancies as well as specific programmes here.

Find in-depth information on careers with IDB and related cinfo's support on Visit the organisation's profile

Verify your compatibility with this job ad
The compatibility is only an indication and should not discourage you from applying if you think your profile matches. It is also not taken into consideration for recruitment.

The IDB Group is a community of diverse, versatile, and passionate people who come together on a journey to improve lives in Latin America and the Caribbean. Our people find purpose and do what they love in an inclusive, collaborative, agile, and rewarding environment.

About this competitive process

We are looking for experienced and knowledgeable professionals who will help us change people's lives in Latin America and the Caribbean by leading one of our Country Offices in the region. Current and future openings are for El Salvador, Mexico and Paraguay; however, eligible candidates may be considered for other openings and/or rotations that may arise during 2024 and 2025.

What you'll do:

· Represent the IDB Group and act as the main link between the IDB Group and the Government, private sector, civil society, international cooperation, and relevant actors in the country, proactively seeking opportunities to contribute to the development of the country.

· Lead the programmatic dialogue, the development of the Country Strategy and programming, ensuring alignment with the Institutional Strategy, and the objectives of the IDB Group, ensuring compliance with the principles of strategic selectivity and development impact.

· Lead IDB Invest and IDB Lab on possible business opportunities that promote the achievement of their objectives, in accordance with their business plans and other corporate mandates.

· Ensure the alignment of operations, both public and private, with the country's priorities.

· Plan and align the human and financial resources of the Country Office to implement the IDB Group program in the country, in accordance with the Bank's policies and processes.

· Lead, manage, advise, and evaluate Country Office staff, on a matrix basis where appropriate, to optimize the performance of the Group's response to clients and partners.

· Ensure that work practices and conduct at the Country Office are consistent with IDB Group policies related to ethics and respect in the workplace.

· Develop a communication strategy for the country office that promotes the dissemination of knowledge, information, and intelligence among all relevant actors, internal and external.

Technical Competencies:

· Institutional representation: Represents the IDB Group in the country, promoting its mission and policies to government officials, the private sector, civil society, and the media.

· Strategic Planning. Applies understanding of the IDB Group's mission and implements the institutional strategy, in accordance with the IDB Group's business model, instruments and knowledge and with the country's development objectives; and proposes comprehensive solutions that have an impact to address the country's challenges.

· Public-private synergies. Identifies and promotes public-private synergies to ensure compliance with the objectives of the IDB Group's institutional strategy.

· Program and Project Management: Supervises the design, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of development programs and projects financed by the IDB Group in the country, ensuring that they achieve the expected impact.

· Private Sector Financing/Co-financing. Understands the financial and contractual details of private sector projects, including risk implications; the country's strengths, weaknesses and opportunities, and alignment with the IDB Group's interests.

· Customer Relationship Management and Networking. Develops and maintains relationships with different levels of government, the private sector, local partners, civil society organizations, and other stakeholders. Collaborates with these entities to promote the alignment of the IDB Group's institutional strategy with the country's development objectives. Maintains and expands these networks, both public and private, that add value to the IDB Group.

· Resource Mobilization: Promotes and manages the mobilization of resources from the private sector and other development partners for the financing and co-financing of IDB Group projects and programs in the country.

· Knowledge to Formulate and Implement the Country Strategy. Leverages the knowledge of the country's economic, political, and social environment, as well as the regulatory framework, to better serve the assigned country, jointly using the IDB Group's strategy and instruments, in accordance with its policies and procedures. Coordinates the preparation of the country strategy based on the Group's matrix inputs and dialogue with the country authorities.

· Dialogue and Programming. Leads policy dialogue, coordinates IDB Group programming with in-country counterparts, and monitors and advises, as appropriate, on the implementation of projects and initiatives.

· Institutional, Operational and Risk Management Knowledge of the IDB Group. Interprets and applies policies and operational frameworks in a manner appropriate to the client's needs and in accordance with the IDB Group's guidelines. Identifies and manages risks, both internal and external, to operate in the country, including integrity analysis of private sector clients. Guarantees the security of the Bank's staff and assets in the country.

· Reporting and Accountability: Keeps IDB Group Senior Management informed about the progress of programs and projects, financial status, and compliance with regulations and policies.

· Team Leadership: Leads, develops, and effectively manages a diverse team of professionals to support policy dialogue, technical assistance, and management of the IDB Group's operations in the country. Encourages hybrid work models and a collaborative, productive work environment.

· Resource Planning and Management. Plans and manages financial and human resources to meet the current and future business needs of the organizational unit.

· Political and Interpersonal Skills. Understands governmental and international structures, processes, and positions and how they affect the interests of the public and private sectors; operates with an attentive and considerate personal style that appreciates group and interpersonal dynamics; Is careful with the dissemination of information.

· Promote Workplace, Culture, and Values: Fosters a culture of inclusion and equity where diverse perspectives are shared, heard, and considered in decision-making. Ensures that the IDB Group operates in compliance with institutional and local laws, regulations, and ethical standards.

What you'll need

Education: Ph.D. or Master's degree in Public Policy, Business, Economics, Law, or any discipline relevant for the position. Outstanding professional background and strong technical competencies.

Experience: At least 15 years of relevant experience.

· Strong leadership skills, proven ability to build and motivate high performing teams.

· Strong interpersonal skills with demonstrated ability to quickly establish and maintain trust and credibility with all stakeholders, as well as navigate complex scenarios.

· Strong business acumen and clear understanding of Bank culture and/or other similar multilateral development organization or development financial institution.

· A track record of being a collaborative team player who can work across the organization to support the goals of the business.

· Strong ability to develop, preserve and strengthen strategic relationships while managing and/or negotiating solutions to sensitive situations.

· Experience in distinct functional areas of the IDB Group is a plus. (For internal candidates).

· At least three years of experience in a comparable position with another multilateral development organization or development financial institution. (For external candidates).

Languages: Excellent communication skills. Proficiency in English, oral and written required. Depending on the post of duty, Spanish, Portuguese, or French is also required.

Other: Willingness to travel, ability to work in a multicultural environment, outstanding interpersonal skills.

Key skills:

· Mentor and develop.

· Promote Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging

· Build Lean and Versatile teams

· Lead change and Transformation

· Create Partnerships

Requirements

• Citizenship: You are a citizen of one of our 48-member countries. We may offer assistance with relocation and visa applications for you and your eligible dependents.
• Consanguinity: You have no family members (up to the fourth degree of consanguinity and second degree of affinity, including spouse) working at the IDB, IDB Invest, or IDB Lab.

Type of contract and duration

• International staff contract, 36 months initially, renewable upon mutual agreement.

What we offer

The IDB group provides benefits that respond to the different needs and moments of an employee's life. These benefits include:

• A competitive compensation package, including an annual base salary expressed on a net- of-tax basis
  
• Leaves and vacations: 24 days of paid time off + 8 personal days + sick leave + gender- neutral parental leave
  
• Health Insurance: IDB Group provides employees and eligible dependents with a robust medical benefits program which covers medical, dental, vision, preventive care, and prescription drugs.
  
• Pension plan: defined benefit pension plan that provides financial security and support employees in planning for their future.
  
• We offer assistance with relocation and visa applications for you and your family, when it applies
  
• Hybrid and flexible work schedules
  
• Health and wellbeing: Access to our Health Services Center which provides preventive care and health education for employees.
  
• Development support: We offer tools to boost your professional profile such as mentoring, 1:1 professional counseling, training and learning opportunities, language classes, mobility options, among others.
  
• Other perks: Lactation Room, Daycare Center, Gym, Bike Racks, Parking, Spouse Career Program, and others.
  

Our culture

At the IDB Group we work so everyone brings their best and authentic selves to work, willing to try new approaches without fear, and where they are accountable and rewarded for their actions.
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging (DEIB) are at the center of our organization. We celebrate all dimensions of diversity and encourage women, LGBTQ+ people, persons with disabilities, Afro-descendants, and Indigenous people to apply.
We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job interview process. If you are a qualified candidate with a disability, please e-mail us at to request reasonable accommodation to complete this application.
Our Human Resources Team reviews carefully every application.

About the IDB Group

The IDB Group, composed of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), IDB Invest, and the IDB Lab offers flexible financing solutions to its member countries to finance economic and social development through lending and grants to public and private entities in Latin America and the Caribbean.

About IDB
The Inter-American Development Bank is devoted to improving lives. Established in 1959, the IDB is a leading source of long-term financing for economic, social and institutional development in Latin America and the Caribbean. The IDB also conducts innovative research and provides policy advice, technical assistance and training to public and private sector clients throughout the region.

Follow us:

This is how cinfo can support you in the application process for this specific position:

• Before you apply for this position: Improve your application documents by registering for a Job Application Support.
• When invited to the interview: Prepare for the interview by registering for a Job Application Support.
• For Swiss nationals who get invited to the first round in the selection process (written test, interview, assessment centre, etc.):
  • Please let us know so that we can inform our HR partners from the respective organisation and the Swiss Government to increase your visibility:
  • Benefit from free interview preparation by registering for a Job Application Support.

Working hours (%): 80-100%

80-100%

Macro-area: Multiple

Level of experience: Executive Level

Area of work: External Relations, Partnerships and Resource Mobilization

Type of organisation: Multilateral Organisations

To help us track our recruitment effort, please indicate in your cover/motivation letter where ) you saw this job posting.