Job Description
Sector Senior Associate or Specialist - Health
City:  Christ Church
Company:  IDB
Posting End Date:  7/10/2026 11:59 PM EST

Location

Post of duty: Christ Church, Barbados. 

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 technically sound, proactive, and dynamic Health Senior Associate or Specialist in Barbados. As a Health Senior Associate or Specialist, you will manage the IDB's health, nutrition, and population portfolio in Barbados. You will oversee the execution of technical cooperations and loans, support the preparation of new initiatives and programs, coordinate strategic sector dialogue with government, sector counterparts and within de IDB Group, and contribute to positioning the IDB’s health, nutrition, and population agenda in Barbados (main tasks in the context of the team). 

You will work in the Health, Nutrition and Population (HNP) Division, part of the IDB's Social Sector (SCL). This team is responsible for preparing and supervising IDB operations in borrowing countries in the areas of health, nutrition, and population, including health system strengthening, governance of health systems, health financing, primary health care and health care networks, health workforce, and digital health transformation. 

What you’ll do

  • Lead and support the identification, development, and implementation of new initiatives and programs in the health sector, including operational and sector analytical work, working under moderate supervision and within multidisciplinary teams
  • Supervise the execution of the Bank's health, nutrition, and population portfolio in Barbados, including technical cooperations, grants, guarantees and loans, by applying advanced technical knowledge, project management skills, and supervising tools and methods.
  • Provide input and recommendations aimed at improving health sector performance and enhancing the impact, effectiveness and scalability of the HNP portfolio in Barbados.
  • Support the preparation of the Country Strategy, ensuring the technical and operational positioning of the health sector
  • Conduct and/or coordinate moderately complex research and analysis, contributing to the development of innovative knowledge products related to the health, nutrition, and population sector in Barbados and the Caribbean region.
  • Support policy dialogue with the Government of Barbados, development partners, and other stakeholders, by proposing evidence-based and context-appropriate solutions informed by regional experience and institutional analysis.
  • Collaborate with country-based colleagues from other sectors, including IDB Lab and IDB Invest, in the design and execution of multi-sectoral programs aligned with the Bank's institutional strategy.
  • Establish and maintain partnerships with international, regional, and local stakeholders to leverage technical expertise and financing opportunities and advance the objectives outlined in the Health Thematic Framework Document.
  • Contribute to the development of innovative approaches, policy recommendations, and strategic adjustments that enhance the region's capacity to improve learning outcomes.

 

Those demonstrating deeper subject-matter expertise gained through experience will be considered for Specialist. 

What you'll need

Education: Master's degree (or equivalent advanced degree) in health, public health, economics, public administration, public policy, or other fields relevant to the responsibilities of the role. 

Experience: At least 3 years of relevant professional experience in the health sector in developing countries, including project management experience. Experience with monitoring and evaluation of health projects is a plus.  

Languages: Proficiency in English, spoken and written, is required. Knowledge of Spanish 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 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: 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.
  • 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 office amenities (as available). 

Our culture

At the IDB Group, 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.