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), part of the External Affairs Unit within the External Affairs and Communications department 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, communications support, and analytical support to the Chief of the Civil Society Group in implementing the Group’s mandate. The incumbent will lead cross-functional coordination between CSG, the External Affairs and Communications Department (EXC), the Office of the President, and other high-level areas of the Bank to ensure alignment of institutional priorities and impactful engagement with civil society partners. This position requires a results-oriented professional with solid institutional knowledge, strategic vision, excellent writing skills, and the ability to engage effectively across high-level offices and external stakeholders.

The Operations Specialist will ensure the strategic and operational coherence of the Bank’s engagement with civil society. 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 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 and annual work plan.
•    Ensure alignment of civil society engagement strategies with institutional goals, country programming, and the President’s strategic priorities.
•    Coordinate closely with EXC divisions, the Office of the President, and Vice Presidencies to ensure coherence and consistency in the Bank’s external engagement.
•    Contribute to strategic planning processes, annual reports, and corporate results frameworks that reflect CSG’s contribution to institutional priorities.

2. Civil Society Engagement and Partnerships
•    Lead the organization of regional and thematic dialogues, consultations, and high-level events with CSOs and other stakeholders.
•    Strengthen mechanisms for civil society participation in IDB operations, programs, and policy discussions.
•    Map and monitor CSO engagement trends across countries and sectors, identifying opportunities for institutional collaboration.
•    Develop partnerships with networks, think tanks, and regional organizations that advance the Bank’s transparency and inclusion agenda.

3. Program and Event Management
•    Oversee planning, logistics, and execution of high-profile events, dialogues, and forums with CSOs and institutional partners.
•    Coordinate preparation of agendas, briefing materials, talking points, and background documents for senior management participation.
•    Supervise timely follow-up, reporting, and dissemination of event outcomes.
•    Introduce process improvements and digital tools to enhance efficiency, coordination, and data management.

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

5. Operational Management and Process Improvement
•    Oversee operational planning, budget management, and resource tracking for CSG activities.
•    Ensure timely coordination with administrative and corporate services (HRD, PRC, LEG, FIN) for contract, procurement, and reporting processes.
•    Streamline workflows and standard procedures to improve coordination and delivery.
•    Contribute to institutional reporting, including Management and Board updates, ensuring alignment with EXC strategic priorities.
•    Ensure high-quality and timely preparation of CSG briefers, talking points, and other written materials required for meetings or events with PRE, EXC Manager, or other principals’ participation.

What you'll need

•    Education: Master’s degree in Business Administration, Management, or a related field.  

•    Experience: At least four (4) years of progressively responsible professional experience, working closely with high-level offices such as the President’s Office, Vice Presidencies, or External Relations.
•    Proven track record in strategic coordination, operations management, stakeholder engagement, and project execution within complex institutional settings.
•    Strong experience in coordinating high-level events, dialogues, and missions.
•    Excellent analytical, planning, and written and verbal 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 one of the other Bank official languages (Spanish, French or Portuguese) is required.
   

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 (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.