Sector Principal Specialist - Institutions for Development Sector

Inter-American Development Bank; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

The Inter-American Development Bank seeks a Principal Specialist for the Institutions for Development Sector. This role involves guiding project teams on quality operations and collaborating with leaders to enhance effectiveness. Candidates must possess a Master’s degree, 7+ years of related experience, and strong skills in analysis and collaboration.

Benefits

24 days paid time off

Health insurance coverage

Defined benefit pension plan

Hybrid work schedules

Professional development support

Qualifications

• At least 7 years of experience in project design and implementation.
• Proficiency in Spanish and English, with knowledge of French and Portuguese as a plus.
• Experience in leading development projects, specifically with the IDB or similar organizations.

Responsibilities

• Provide guidance on operational quality, ensuring alignment with institutional strategies.
• Lead reviews of project readiness and capacity to deliver results.
• Synthesize lessons to enhance project preparation and institutional learning.

Skills

Technical guidance

Analytical skills

Interpersonal skills

Education

Master's degree in economics, public policy, or business administration

PhD (preferred)

Job description

Sector Principal Specialist - Institutions for Development Sector Job Description Sector Principal Specialist - Institutions for Development Sector City: Washington DC Company: IDB Posting End Date: 06/27/2025

We improve lives

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 position

We are looking for a Principal Specialist who will provide technical guidance, advice, and support to IDB teams, ensuring quality at entry for sovereign-guaranteed (SG) operations within the Institutions for Development Sector. The ideal candidate should have demonstrated technical and operational expertise in the areas pertaining to the following divisions at the IDB: Fiscal Management, Innovation in Citizen Services, Connectivity, Markets and Finance, and Citizen Security.

You will work inthe Strategic Operational Quality Revision Division (SQR) which is part of the Office of Strategic Planning and Development Effectiveness (SPD). SPD is charged with providing technical guidance to develop a culture of results within the Bank, and to help the Bank innovate its core business and ensure the effectiveness and efficiency of its products and methods over time.

As part of SPD, the Strategic Operational Quality Revision Division (SQR), is responsible for:

• Coordinating with the Office of the Executive Vice President (EVP) on operational quality matters.
• Providing guidance and conducting quality reviews of SG operations in preparation, with a focus on development impact and alignment with institutional and country strategies.
• Engaging with sector and country Bank’s leaders to enhance systems, processes, and operational quality.
• Leading initiatives to improve projects readiness and capacity to deliver results.
• Delivering capacity building initiatives on project design and quality assurance.
• Supporting portfolio review activities.
• Collaborating with other multilateral organizations to strengthen project design.

What you’ll do

The selected candidate will perform the following activities:

• Provide guidance and advice to project teams from the Eligibility Review Meeting (ERM) through to the Operations Policy Committee (OPC), ensuring quality at entry for SG operations
• Assess SG operations based on their potential development impact and alignment with institutional priorities and the IDB strategies with the countries (eg. sector and country alignment, implementation plan, programmatic approach, timing, rationale for the bank involvement, private sector complementarity, and suitability of instruments)
• Act as a knowledge resource to inform the design of projects’ implementation plans, drawing on lessons from past operations.
• Anticipate and propose solutions to operational issues requiring senior management attention, ensuring timely resolution and improved project quality.
• Capture, synthesize, and disseminate technical and operational lessons to strengthen project preparation and institutional learning.
• Lead systematic project implementation reviews, focusing on result likelihood and strategic effectiveness

What you'll need

Education: Master's degree or equivalent education in economics, public policy, business administration, or areas/fields relevant to the Bank's operations. Ph.D. is a plus

Experience: At least 7 years of experience working in project design and implementation in the above mentioned fields.

Languages: Proficiency in Spanish and English, spoken and written, is required. Additional knowledge of French and Portuguese is a plus.

Additional requirements that are a plus:

Operational Experience: Demonstrated vast experience in leading the design, preparation, and supervision of development projects within the areas mentioned above, preferably within the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) or other international economic development institutions. Familiarity with a range of sovereign financing instruments is highly desirable.

Analytical and Sector Work: Proven track record in leading or contributing to sectoral analytical work, evidenced by authorship or significant contributions to evaluation reports, flagship publications, Sector Framework Documents or peer-reviewed studies.

Anal ytical and Writing Skills: Strong capacity for critical thinking and structured analysis, supported by a portfolio of high-quality contributions to operational and analytical outputs. Strong writing skills are essential.

Interpersonal and Collaborative Skills: Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, both written and verbal. Demonstrated maturity, sound judgment, and the ability to build and maintain effective working relationships with colleagues and key counterparts. A proactive and collaborative approach to delivering high-quality advice and outputs within established timelines is essential.

Requirements

Citizenship: (IDB/IDB Lab – International) You are a citizen of one of our48-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 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

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

What we offer

• Acompetitive 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 withrelocation and visa applications for you and your family when it applies.
• Hybrid and flexible work schedules.
• 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] .

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