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 seeking an ambitious, resourceful, and proactive Modernization of State Senior Specialist to help transform lives across Latin America and the Caribbean. This position is within the Innovation in Citizen Services (ICS) Division, part of the Institutions for Development (IFD) Department of the Vice-Presidency for Sectors and Knowledge (VPS).

Latin America and the Caribbean face urgent challenges in advancing the digital transformation of governments, strengthening the rule of law, enhancing the state’s capacity to deliver high-quality services, and implementing public policies effectively. The ICS Division is at the forefront of driving the digital transformation agenda for governments, leveraging technology to modernize public administration, enhance citizen services, and promote transparency and integrity. Its mission is to close the gap between policy design and implementation by strengthening institutional capacities and integrating cutting-edge digital solutions into public sector management.

The Division plays a central role in defining strategic directions for digital innovation, developing forward-thinking solutions, and deploying expertise to promote regional leadership in e-government, cybersecurity, and digital governance. Its work encompasses policy advice, technical assistance, and the development of knowledge products that focus on the integration of digital tools and strategies. It also implements country programs through investment projects, policy-based loans, and technical assistance grants while fostering strategic partnerships and overseeing initiatives that drive the digital transformation agenda across the region.

This role offers a unique opportunity to lead and shape digital transformation efforts in Latin America and the Caribbean, strengthening institutional foundations, driving innovation, and creating a more transparent and inclusive public sector.

What you’ll do

• Design, negotiate, evaluate, and supervise operations execution and disbursements: Provide expert knowledge in technical areas such as digital transformation, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, public sector management, transparency, and integrity, ensuring alignment with Institutional Capacity and Rule of Law components.
• Lead Technical Dialogues: Act as a primary liaison with governmental counterparts, driving high-level discussions within the thematic areas of Institutional Capacity Strengthening and originating operations that will have high impact and scalability.
• Strategic Development and Implementation: Contribute to the design and execution of the Bank's institutional strategy and country strategies, emphasizing policy-relevant knowledge, innovative solutions, and high-standard quality for enhancing public administration and management institutions.
• Policy Guidance and Knowledge Development: Produce research products, strategic assessments, reports, and presentations that inform policy dialogue and promote operational improvements in client countries.
• Strengthen Partnerships and resource mobilization: Foster regional and international collaboration, build strategic alliances with development organizations and bilateral aid agencies and connect internal and external clients, and mobilize their available resources to contribute/complement our operations.
• Client-Focused Problem Solving: Identify client needs and challenges, find strategic entry points for interventions, and guide ICS teams in high-level policy dialogue on public sector management.
• Engagement and Work Environment: Actively contribute to initiatives that promote engagement, collaboration, and a positive work environment within the Division and in IDB assigned country office(s).

What you'll need

• Education: Master’s degree (or equivalent advanced degree) in Public Policy, Public Administration, Economics, Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, or other fields directly related to the role's responsibilities. A Ph.D. is highly desirable but not mandatory.

• Experience: Minimum of 5 years in technical roles within governments, international organizations, or think tanks, demonstrating a proven track record in successfully implementing projects and programs, as well as developing knowledge-based initiatives. Must have experience engaging in policy dialogue with high-level public officials. Strong background in collaborating with multidisciplinary and cross-sector teams to design and execute complex projects within a matrixed organizational structure. Solid analytical and writing skills. Previous work on the Caribbean and Central America is highly desirable.
• Languages: Proficiency in Spanish and English, spoken and written, is required. Additional knowledge of French and Portuguese is preferable. 

Key skills

Requirements

Citizenship -International: 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.

National: You are either a citizen of Jamaica or a citizen of one of our 48-member countries with residency or legal permit to work in Jamaica.

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

International Staff/National Staff

-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.

-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.

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 diversity@iadb.org  to request reasonable accommodation to complete this application.
Our Human Resources Team reviews carefully every application.