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 strategic, field-experienced, and collaborative Biodiversity and Natural Capital Specialist.

The Climate Change and Sustainability (CSD) Sector within the IDB’s Vice-Presidency for Sectors and Knowledge (VPS). CSD conceptualizes, prepares, supports the execution, and coordinates sustainability-focused Bank operations in borrowing member countries. Our main activities include lending operations, technical assistance, and knowledge generation related to territorial development, sustainable cities, biodiversity, environment, disaster risk management and climate change. Due to the cross-cutting nature of our work, we work predominantly in a multi-sectoral fashion with other VPS sectors, country departments and representation offices in LAC, as well as those areas of the Bank that lead on institutional partnerships, fiduciary matters, and development effectiveness.

As a Biodiversity and Natural Capital Specialist, you will lead and support the design, implementation, and supervision of development operations focused on biodiversity and natural capital. You will provide technical expertise to project teams and borrowing member countries, particularly in areas such as nature-based solutions, environmental finance, and policy integration. You will also contribute to high-level sector dialogues, capacity building, and applied research.

You will work in the Biodiversity and Natural Capital Unit, part of the Climate Change and Sustainability (CSD) Sector within the Vice-Presidency for Sectors and Knowledge (VPS). The Biodiversity and Natural Capital Unit works to mainstream natural capital and biodiversity across the Bank and provides specialized advice to project teams and client countries on a demand basis, under a robust conceptual approach aligned with the Natural Capital and Biodiversity Mainstreaming Action Plan. The selected candidate will be expected to collaborate extensively across the IDB Group, particularly with divisions focused on infrastructure and finance. This position reports to the Chief of the Biodiversity and Natural Capital Unit.

What you’ll do

• Work closely with IDB Sectors, Countries, and the IDB Group (IDB Invest and IDB Lab) to plan, formulate, and implement solutions to development challenges from a natural capital and biodiversity perspective using IDB Group financing mechanisms.
• Lead and manage the structuring, approval, and implementation of operations related to biodiversity and natural capital.
• Support the supervision of projects.
• Participate in high-level sector dialogues with borrowing member countries on the development and implementation of their National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs) and associated financing plans, and the integration of natural capital and biodiversity into policies, projects, and investment frameworks.
• Support countries and IDB project teams with high-quality technical inputs on the mainstreaming of biodiversity and natural capital, particularly in the areas of nature-based solutions, finance, and policy.
• Participate in design missions, capacity building workshops, and organization visits.
• Participate in applied research regarding environmental governance, nature-based solutions, and nature finance and mainstreaming.
• Support stakeholder engagement.

What you'll need

You hold an advanced degree (master’s or equivalent) from an accredited university in disciplines relevant to Biodiversity and Natural Capital and international development.

Professional Experience:

• A minimum of 4 years of proven experience related to Biodiversity and Natural Capital is needed.

• Experience conducting technical dialogues with diverse groups (e.g. public sector, private sector, civil society, MDBs), including dialogues in matters related to the Unit's work.

• Experience with the implementation of nature-based solutions in infrastructure and/or cross-sectorial work with Ministries of Finance on mainstreaming natural capital is highly valued.
• A working understanding of Multilateral Development Banks is highly valued.
• You have a demonstrated understanding of the fundamental economic, socio-cultural and environmental characteristics of LAC territories.
• Proficiency in Spanish and English, spoken and written, is required. Additional knowledge of Portuguese is preferable. 

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

•    Staff: 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 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.

-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: Lactation Room, Daycare Center, Gym, Bike Racks, Parking, Spouse Career Program, 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 accommodations@iadb.org.