Deputy Chief Economist, Research Department

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 strategic, people leader with management skills and highly motivated individual to be the Deputy Chief Economist of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB)’s Research Department.

The Department of Research (RES) under the leadership of the Chief Economist and Economic Counselor is responsible for generating cutting-edge knowledge on macroeconomic and development issues, while advancing a research program aligned with the priorities of the IDB Group’s Institutional Strategy (Impact+). The department also: (i) conducts policy-relevant research to support the IDB’s work in individual countries; (ii) assists and advises sector teams in conducting research that is both policy and operationally relevant; and (iii) provides guidance to the Vice President for Sectors and Knowledge to ensure the quality of the operational program, maximizing its development effectiveness.

The Deputy Chief Economist reports directly to the Chief Economist and Economic Counselor. In this role, the Deputy Chief Economist serves as a principal advisor to the Chief Economist and Economic Counselor, coordinates RES’ research agenda under the guidance of the Chief Economist and Economic Counselor and in coordination with the Vice-president for Sectors and Knowledge, oversees the daily functions of the department, designs strategies to achieve organizational goals, and ensures that RES provides analytical and advisory services on policy issues, development effectiveness, and specific country and sector challenges to other areas of the IDB Group. 

The Deputy Chief Economist will work with a highly skilled team of researchers, recognized for their academic excellence and expertise in various areas of macroeconomics and economic development, ensuring that policy-relevant research remains at the forefront of the institution's mission.

What you’ll do

• The Deputy Chief Economist will coordinate the daily management of RES' resources and employees, fostering a culture of financial sustainability and accountability.
• Provide strategic advice directly to the Chief Economist and Economic Counselor and the Vice-president for Sectors and Knowledge on economic and development challenges, as well as their policy and programmatic implications on the Bank and the LAC region.
• Ensure RES’ team provides analytical and advisory services on policy issues, development effectiveness, and specific country and sector challenges to other areas of the IDB Group.
• Coordinate the production and dissemination of high-quality and innovative policy-relevant research on LAC development challenges, contributing to the consolidation of the Bank's leading role as a valuable source of innovative knowledge for the LAC region.
• Coordinate topics for the pipeline of future IDB flagship reports.
• Coordinate the allocation of resources and ensure their use within agreed timeframes.
• As a member of the Knowledge Advisory Committee (the internal IDB Group committee supervising knowledge), will provide ideas on how to guide knowledge at the IDB Group in terms of topics, impact, and measurement of the influence of IDB research on policymakers, operational design, and the media.
• Support or act as a substitute for the Chief Economist and Economic Counselor in delivering presentations to a diverse range of audiences, including policymaker forums, academic settings, and corporate meetings. Additionally, assist in managing IDB's corporate needs, including active participation in Committees and Board of Directors sessions.
• Coordinate the development and maintenance of unified statistical databases of key economic, social and institutional development data to support research, studies, and economic analysis activities.
• Collaborate with external partners to advance the development agenda and works to strengthen the Institution's contribution to development policy debates of strategic importance.
• Coordinate academic and policy networks to disseminate RES studies and to promote high-level policy discussions amongst Bank staff, national authorities, and the academic community.

What you'll need

• Education: PhD in Economics or related field is required.
• Experience: At least 10 years of relevant experience in economics in national/international organizations, academics, private sector or other relevant institutions. Working experience with developing region/s, with particular emphasis on LAC is required, plus:
  • Strong background on macroeconomic and/or economic development, as evidenced by a proven track record.
  • Should serve as an expert advisor and technical authority on complex and precedent setting policy and program issues, and coordinate work to develop policies, strategies, and plans for economics and economic development, and for application in IDB programs/projects.
  • Should have a vision to integrate the Bank's operational agenda in the work of RES with the goal of maximizing impact.
  • Proven substantive track record of research and publications.
  • Should have a demonstrated track record in strategic thinking; staff management, teamwork and consensus-building; planning, organizing, and delegating work across diverse activities; and have sound policy judgment and proven capacity for problem-solving.
  • Should be clear communicator, both verbal and written; with the ability to represent the IDB at all external and internal levels, as well as to clearly defend and explain difficult and complex concepts.
  • Collaborative attitude; ability to work in close coordination with other units; solid interpersonal skills, and sound judgment and emotional intelligence.
  • Proven managerial skills with track record of building high performing teams with strong client service orientation.

• Languages: Excellent English language proficiency, oral and written, is required. Spanish, French and Portuguese is a plus.

Key skills

Executive and Managerial 

Coach and Develop

Promote Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging 

Build Lean and Versatile teams 

Lead Change and Transformation 

Create Partnerships 

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 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.

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 which 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 wellbeing: access to our Health Services Center which 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: Lactation Room, Daycare Center, Gym, Bike Racks, Parking, Spouse Career Program, and 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.

About the IDB Group

The IDB Group, composed of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), IDB Invest, and the IDB Lab offers flexible financing solutions to its member countries to finance economic and social development through lending and grants to public and private entities in Latin America and the Caribbean.