Deputy Chief Economist

Inter-American Development Bank; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Pension plan

Relocation assistance

On-site with teleworking

Job summary

Inter-American Development Bank is seeking a Deputy Chief Economist to lead the Research Department, guiding macroeconomic and development research across Latin America and the Caribbean. The role reports to the Chief Economist and shapes the department's research program, policy impact, and collaboration across IDB groups.

As second-in-command, you will manage RES operations, mentor staff, and coordinate with internal and external partners to advance knowledge-based policy and development

Qualifications

• PhD in Economics or related field is required.
• Distinguished record of relevant experience in economics in national/international organizations, academics, private sector, or other relevant institutions.
• Strong background in macroeconomics and/or economic development with policy relevance.
• Proven substantive research and publications track record; clear policy judgment and problem solving.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic advice directly to the Chief Economist on economic and development challenges and policy implications.
• Serve as second-in-command of RES, deputizing for the Chief Economist in internal and external forums.
• Lead day-to-day management of RES, translating strategic vision into work programs and budgets.
• Coordinate production and dissemination of high‑quality policy‑relevant research on LAC development challenges.
• Support planning and production of IDB flagship reports with cross‑team coordination.
• Mentor and supervise RES staff to develop talent and performance.
• Coordinate development and maintenance of unified statistical databases for research.

Skills

Macroeconomics

Economic development

Policy advice

Strategic thinking

People-management leadership

Team leadership

Education

PhD in Economics

Job description

Posting End Date: 10/15/2026 11:59 PM EST

Deputy Chief Economist, Research Department

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 (LAC). Our people find purpose and do what they love in an inclusive, collaborative, agile, and rewarding environment.

About this position

We are looking for a strategic, people leader with management skills and highly motivated individual to be the Deputy Chief Economist of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB)’s Research Department.
The Department of Research (RES), under the leadership of the Chief Economist and Economic Counselor, is responsible for generating cutting-edge knowledge on macroeconomic and development issues, while advancing a research program aligned with the priorities of the IDB Group’s Institutional Strategy (Impact+). The department also: (i) conducts policy-relevant research to support the IDB’s work in individual countries; (ii) assists and advises sector teams in conducting research that is both policy and operationally relevant; and (iii) provides guidance to the Vice President for Sectors and Knowledge to ensure the quality of the operational program, maximizing its development effectiveness.

The Deputy Chief Economist reports directly to the Chief Economist and Economic Counselor. In this role, the Deputy Chief Economist serves as a principal advisor to the Chief Economist and Economic Counselor, coordinates RES’ research agenda under the guidance of the Chief Economist and Economic Counselor and in coordination with the Vice President for Sectors and Knowledge, oversees the daily functions of the department, designs strategies to achieve organizational goals, and ensures that RES provides analytical and advisory services on policy issues, development effectiveness, and specific country and sector challenges to other areas of the IDB Group.
The Deputy Chief Economist will work with a highly skilled team of researchers, recognized for their academic excellence and expertise in various areas of macroeconomics and economic development, ensuring that policy-relevant research remains at the forefront of the institution's mission.

What you’ll do

• Provide strategic advice directly to the Chief Economist and Economic Counselor on economic and development challenges and their policy and programmatic implications for the Bank and the LAC region, and, in support of and coordination with the Chief Economist and Economic Counselor, advise the Vice President for Sectors and Knowledge on these matters.
• Serve as the second‑in‑command of RES, deputizing for and acting on behalf of the Chief Economist in the internal direction of the department and in its representation before the IDB Group and external counterparts, including delivering presentations to policymaker, academic, and corporate audiences; actively participating in Committees and Board of Directors sessions; and assuming leadership of RES in their absence or upon delegation.
• Lead the day‑to‑day management of RES and its human resources in close partnership with the Chief Economist, translating the department’s strategic vision into work programs, priorities, and performance targets, while overseeing their execution, coordinating the allocation and effective use of resources within agreed timeframes, and fostering a culture of financial sustainability and accountability across all research groups and support teams.
• Channeling operational, budgetary, and staffing decisions to the Chief Economist to ensure accountability, continuity of direction, and an inclusive, high‑performance culture.
• Ensure that RES provides analytical and advisory services on policy issues, development effectiveness, and specific country and sector challenges to other areas of the IDB Group. Oversee and strengthen the mechanisms that facilitate this collaboration, ensuring that it takes place not only at the aggregate departmental level but also through the active engagement and contributions of each individual member of RES.
• Coordinate the production and dissemination of high‑quality and innovative policy‑relevant research on LAC development challenges, contributing to the consolidation of the Bank's leading role as a valuable source of innovative knowledge for the LAC region.
• Support the Chief Economist in the planning, coordination, and production of IDB flagship reports, helping ensure timely delivery, adherence to quality standards, and effective coordination across relevant teams and departments.
• As a member of the Knowledge Advisory Committee (the internal IDB Group committee supervising knowledge), provide ideas on how to guide knowledge at the IDB Group in terms of topics, impact, and measurement of the influence of IDB research on policymakers, operational design, and the media.
• Coordinate the development and maintenance of unified statistical databases containing key economic, social and institutional development data to support research, studies, and economic analysis activities.
• Collaborate with external partners to advance the development agenda and work to strengthen the Institution's contribution to development policy debates of strategic importance.
• Coordinate academic and policy networks to disseminate RES studies and to promote high‑level policy discussions amongst Bank staff, national authorities, and the academic community.
• Lead an active research agenda on policy‑relevant development challenges in LAC, producing publications in high‑quality peer‑reviewed outlets and policy venues that inform the Bank's operational and policy dialogue and reinforce RES's academic credibility.
• Supervise employees and mentor junior colleagues.

What you'll need

• Education: PhD in Economics or related field is required.
• Experience: A distinguished record of relevant experience in economics in national/international organizations, academics, private sector, or other relevant institutions. Working experience with developing region/s, with particular emphasis on LAC is required. In addition:
  • Strong background on macroeconomic and/or economic development, as evidenced by a proven track record.
  • Should serve as an expert advisor and technical authority on complex and precedent‑setting policy and program issues, and coordinate work to develop policies, strategies, and plans for economics and economic development, and for application in IDB programs/projects.
  • Should have a vision to integrate the Bank's operational agenda in the work of RES with the goal of maximizing impact.
  • Proven substantive track record of research and publications.
  • Should have a demonstrated track record in strategic thinking, teamwork, and consensus‑building; planning, organizing, and delegating work across diverse teams and activities; and have sound policy judgment and proven capacity for problem‑solving.
  • Proven managerial skills with track record of building high performing teams with strong client service orientation.
  • Demonstrated people‑management leadership skills, including direct experience leading, developing, and evaluating diverse, multicultural professional teams; managing performance, talent, and resolving people‑related and organizational matters.
  • Should be clear communicator, both verbal and written; with the ability to represent the IDB at all external and internal levels, as well as to clearly defend and explain difficult and complex concepts.
  • Collaborative attitude; ability to work in close coordination with other units; solid interpersonal skills, sound judgment, and emotional intelligence.
• Languages: Proficiency in English is required and proficiency in Spanish and/or Portuguese is highly desired. Additional knowledge of French is a plus.

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

• 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 that 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.
• On‑site position with the occasional flexibility of teleworking.
• Health and well‑being: Access to our Health Services Center that 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 (country specific): Lactation Room, Daycare Center, Gym, Bike Racks, Parking, spouse career support, and others.

Our culture

At the IDB, we work so everyone brings their best and authentic selves to work while finding their purpose. Our people consistently strive for excellence, and we recognize and celebrate the impact of their contributions.
In our efforts to drive innovation, we intentionally include all voices, cultivate a sense of belonging and champion fairness. We welcome individuals from underrepresented groups to join us and share their unique perspectives.
We ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations to participate in the job interview process. If you require an accommodation to complete this application, please email us at [e-mail] .

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.