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

The Civil Society Group (CSG) plays a strategic role in promoting dialogue, trust, and collaboration between the IDB Group and civil society organizations (CSOs) across Latin America and the Caribbean. The Group leads engagement processes, facilitates participation, and advances partnerships that strengthen transparency, accountability, and shared development goals.

The Operations Specialist will provide strategic, operational, and analytical support to the Chief of the Civil Society Group in implementing the Group’s mandate. The incumbent will lead strategic coordination with Indigenous Organizations, Afrodescentants and local/community based civil society (IP.AD.LC) in Latin America and the Carribean. Will lead cross-functional coordination between CSG, the External Affairs and Communications Department (EXC), ESG, GDI, and other related sectors of the Bank to ensure alignment of institutional priorities and impactful engagement with civil society partners. The incumbent will also support designated activities in the Country Offices regarding civil society engagement, public consultation processes and activities that require CSG engagement..

This position requires a results-oriented professional with solid institutional knowledge, strategic vision, and the ability to engage effectively and with a strong record of engagement with IP.AD.TC.

The Operations Specialist will ensure the strategic and operational coherence of the Bank’s engagement with civil society focusing on IP.AD.LC in the region. By combining leadership, coordination, and execution capacities, the incumbent will help translate institutional goals into actionable initiatives, strengthen partnerships across the region, and enhance the visibility and impact of IP.AD.LC as civil society participation within the IDB Group’s operations and corporate agenda.

What you’ll do

1. Strategic Coordination and Institutional Alignment

• Support the Chief in defining and implementing CSG’s strategic vision regarding IP.AD.LC and annual work plan.
• Ensure alignment of IP.AD.LC with civil society engagement strategies with institutional goals, country programming, and the President’s strategic priorities.
• Contribute to strategic planning processes, annual reports, and corporate results frameworks that reflect CSG’s contribution to institutional priorities.
• Support CSG with civil society engagement in country offices regarding country strategy consultations, CONSOCs and other pertinent matters.
• Support the country office with civil society engagement, country strategy consultations, CONSOCs and other pertinent matters.

2. Civil Society Engagement and Partnerships

• Lead the organization of regional and thematic dialogues, consultations, and high-level events with IP.AD.LC.
• Strengthen mechanisms for IP.AD.LC participation in IDB operations, programs, and policy discussions.
• Map and monitor IP.AD.LC engagement trends across countries and sectors, identifying opportunities for institutional collaboration.
• Coordinate civil society’s engagement in the country office.

3. Program and Event Management

• Coordinate planning, logistics, dialogues, and forums with IP.AD.LC and institutional partners.
• Coordinate preparation of agendas, briefing materials, talking points, and background documents related to IP.AD.LC engagement.
• Supervise timely follow-up, reporting, and dissemination of event outcomes related to IP.AD.LC.
• Support CSG events in country offices.
• Support country office events regarding CSO engagement

4. Communication and Knowledge Sharing

• Work with EXC communications teams to ensure coherent and strategic messaging for civil society initiatives focusing on IP.AD.LC.
• Prepare reports, presentations, and communication materials that showcase results and good practices in IP.AD.LC engagement.
• Support the design and dissemination of knowledge products and outreach campaigns to foster institutional transparency and inclusion.

5. Operational Management and Process Improvement

• Contribute to institutional reporting, including Management and Board updates, ensuring alignment with EXC strategic priorities.

What you'll need

Education: Master’s degree in social sciences, political sciences, anthropology, geography or other relevant areas for the position.

Experience: At least four (4) years of progressively responsible professional experience at the Inter-American Development Bank or in a comparable international organization, or in international civil society, indigenous or afro-descendant organization working closely with themes related to IP.AD.LC and Civil Society engagement.

• Proven track record in strategic coordination, operations management, stakeholder engagement, and project execution within complex institutional settings.
• Proven track record of experience working with indigenous and multicultural organizations within the Inter-American Bank or in a comparable international organization.
• Strong experience in coordinating high-level events, dialogues, and missions.
• Excellent analytical, planning, and communication skills.
• Familiarity with CRM systems and digital tools for stakeholder engagement.
• Proven ability to manage multiple priorities and deliver results under pressure.

 Languages: Proficiency in English and Spanish and one of the other Bank official languages (French or Portuguese) is optional.

Location

The position can be based in any of the following countries: Colombia or Panama.

Requirements

•    Citizenship:

• International Staff: 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 Staff: You are a citizens of one of our Country Office locations or have the legal authorization to work in the country without the need for sponsorship by IDB.

•    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: International staff contract, 36 months initially, renewable upon mutual agreement.
    -    National Staff: 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:
 
-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): 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 accommodations@iadb.org.