Job Description
Economics Specialist
City:  Washington DC
Company:  IDB
Posting End Date:  October 17, 2025

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 IDB, through the Productivity, Trade and Innovation Sector (PTI) provides funding, technical assistance and knowledge products to support governments in key action areas such as productive development, entrepreneurship, digital transformation, trade and investment facilitation, export promotion and investment attraction, public-private synergies, tourism, rural development, and agriculture.

PTI Is looking for a highly motivated and collaborative Economics Specialist. In this role, the selected candidate will contribute to the elaboration of policy research projects and working papers on productivity, trade, investment, and tourism, integrating technical expertise into the Bank's operations and sectoral activities, ensuring that PTI’s research, data, and policy instruments are applied effectively to benefit client countries. 

What you’ll do

  • Contribute to the design, preparation, and execution of policy research projects on productivity, trade, investment, tourism, and relevant public policies thereon.
  • Produce working papers and policy research reports on productivity, trade, investment and tourism according to the highest scientific standards as well as disseminate them through publications in professional journals, presentations in internal and external scientific and policy workshops and conferences, and pieces for general audiences such as blogs.
  • Contribute to the effective integration of technical knowledge and analysis into the design, monitoring, and evaluation of PTI’s operations, technical cooperations, and initiatives, including with the private sector (platforms, fora, events).
  • Contribute to the rigorous evaluation of productivity, trade, investment, and tourism policies and institutions in LAC, and provide evidence-based policy recommendations to IDBG’s member countries.
  • Participate in joint research projects, data gathering initiatives, and dialogue with other areas of the IDBG; multilateral, regional, international, and national institutions; and leading universities.
  • Contribute to IDBG’s country programming exercises and policy dialogues.
  • Provide technical inputs to relevant IDBG-wide initiatives and activities.
  • Work in close coordination with PTI Sector Economic Advisor and all PTI organizational areas.

What you'll need

  • Education: Ph.D. degree in Economics.
  • Experience: At least 4 years of progressive experience in policy research and data analysis in productivity, international trade, and investment. Publications in scientific journals and policy research collaborations with government entities or international organizations are a plus.
  • Languages: Proficiency in Spanish and English, spoken and written, is required. Additional knowledge of French and Portuguese is preferable. 

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 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, 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: Lactation Room, Daycare Center, Gym, Bike Racks, Parking, Spouse Career Program, 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.