Location

Post of duty: Panama, Panama.

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 Lead Specialist to join our Social Protection and Labor Markets (SPL) Division. You will contribute to our operational, economic, and sector work program in Panama, and other countries in the region according to business needs. The focus is on policy dialogue and the design, implementation, and supervision of operational projects involving the development and improvement of: (i) efficient social protection safety nets and transfers, early childhood development, and the care of the elderly by enhancing caregiving services, expanding the coverage of social insurance and pensions, and strengthening support systems for vulnerable populations, as well as (ii) the development of practical, efficient, and productivity-focused employment services, skills development training programs, and labor and social security codes to promote better access to good jobs, enabling more dynamic and productive labor markets. Our operational work includes technical cooperation, investment loans and policy-based loans. As a group that promotes evidence-based policies and recognizes the importance of generating evidence, analytic work is also an important part of the work of our team.

Our Social Sector (SCL) is a multidisciplinary team convinced that investing in people is the way to improve lives and overcome the development challenges in Latin America and the Caribbean. Jointly with the countries in the region, the Social Sector formulates public policy solutions to reduce poverty and improve the delivery of education, work, social protection, and health services. Our objective is to advance to a more productive region, with equal opportunities for people of all genders, and greater inclusion of the most vulnerable groups.

You will work in the Social Protection and Labor Markets Division (SPL) which is dedicated to strengthening social protection systems and labor markets in Latin America and the Caribbean, with a focus on promoting inclusion, access to quality employment, well-being, and autonomy across all stages of life—from childhood to older age. SPL prepares and supervises operations that strive to advance the goals of poverty reduction, equal opportunities, and economic growth.

What you’ll do

• Engage in policy dialogue with government authorities and development partners based on your solid validated knowledge of the sector, development challenges of client countries, and IDB policies, strategies, and guidelines.
• Lead the origination, conceptualization, and preparation of SPL operations in Panama with all relevant parties (executing agencies, fiduciary specialists, environmental specialists, among others) and respective authorities.
• Lead, in coordination with all relevant parties, and the SPL team, the supervision of SPL operations in Panama for which the IDB has approved financing, including their execution, monitoring and evaluation of operations. This includes identifying and resolving complex execution issues.
• Lead the origination, preparation and execution of the activities included in the SPL regional agenda, including economic/sector knowledge generation and dissemination, learning, training and technical assistance activities, to enhance the relevance of the IDB to borrowing countries and the region.
• Lead the preparation, submission, processing and negotiation of operational and non-operational documents for approval by various levels of management and the Bank's Board of Directors in accordance with established procedures.
• Develop and apply innovative economic and/or sector analytic work to support the preparation of country, sector and regional strategies, loan operations and technical assistance programs.
• Transfer technical and operational knowledge to entities in charge of the execution of IDB financed operations.
• Work as a member of a multidisciplinary team, coordinating activities within SPL team, in addition to supporting the activities of the IDB Invest and IDB Lab related to the SPL agenda
• Build strategic networks and coordinate activities with other multilateral and bilateral institutions to promote coordination and cooperation initiatives.
• Plan properly, lead project teams and resources effectively.
• Guide, coach, and mentor junior colleagues to develop technical expertise.
• Provide input to prepare business plans and budgets for the accomplishment of our work program, and to report on progress to internal and external partners.
• Work independently with limited oversight.

What you'll need

• Education: You hold a master’s degree in economics, public administration, public affairs or other related discipline. PhD is strongly preferred.
• Experience: At least 6 years of relevant and substantive experience, preferrably 8 years of experience, in handling projects in the social protection and labor markets area, with relevant and substantive development policy and operational experience. We would look for you to have: (i) a proven expertise in the design, knowledge and use of project supervision tools, and evaluation of social protection and labor markets programs; (ii) extensive field experience in working with national government and other partners at national and sub-national level in social protection and labor sector policy strategy formulation as well as experience in supporting implementation of programs in complex environments; (iii) a proven expertise in conceptualization, implementation of economic and sector analytical work in the areas of social protection and labor, and handling large scale innovation/learning initiatives.
• Languages:  Proficiency in Spanish and English, spoken and written, is required. Additional knowledge of French and Portuguese is highly desirable.

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: 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 (country specific). 

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.