Terms of Reference

(Professional Staff Position)

General Background

The Inter-American Development Bank Group (IDB Group) is the leading source of financing and knowledge for development in Latin America and the Caribbean. The Group aligns public-sector action, private investment, and entrepreneurial innovation to drive results across sectors. By strengthening economies and societies, it improves lives in the region and contributes to global solutions.

   
The Administrative Tribunal of the Inter-American Development Bank Group, established by the Board of Executive Directors of the IDB in 1981, hears and passes judgment upon any application by which an employee of an IDB Group entity alleges non-observance of that person’s contract of employment or terms and conditions of appointment. In the context of this mandate, the Administrative Tribunal has reviewed on average 3 to 5 judicial matters per year.  

Executive Secretary to the Tribunal

As an employee of the IDB the Executive Secretary will be appointed by the Board of Executive Directors of the IDB from a list of candidates presented to it by a Nominating Committee.

   
The Executive Secretary shall be responsible for the administrative work of the Tribunal and for the organization, custody, and care of its documents and files. The Executive Secretary shall act only under the direction of the President of the Tribunal and pursuant to the Statute and the Rules of Procedures of the Tribunal, as well as the applicable administrative policies and procedures of the IDB and IDB Invest.

The Executive Secretary must be bilingual (English and Spanish) in both oral and written expression, with the ability to draft legal texts in both languages and have a sound understanding of the common law and civil law traditions to ensure that the judges fully understand one another throughout the adjudication of cases.
    

Key Responsibilities

• Maintain and administer the record of all cases filed with the Tribunal as well as any actions taken in processing a complaint.
• Organize materials to be analyzed in connection with cases and prepare written documents recording the Administrative Tribunal decisions, final rulings, and the closure or dismissal of the proceedings.
• Serve as Registrar to the Tribunal.
• Be responsible for logistics related to the correct functioning of the Tribunal sessions, whether remotely or on-site.
• Be responsible for managing, mentoring and providing guidance to any employees in the Secretariat in relation to the work of the Tribunal.
• Make proposals to the President of the Tribunal on the list of cases being dealt in the sessions, the allocation of cases to the judges, the composition of panels, and the agenda of the sessions.
• Prepare a draft description of the facts and summary of the arguments of the parties for each case.
• Provide all types of assistance required by the judges, which includes guidance on the jurisprudence (of the Administrative Tribunal of the IDB Group as well as similar tribunals) and provide supportive documentation.
• Draft provisional decisions and instructions of the Tribunal. Communicate and give notice of final Tribunal decisions to the parties.
• Be responsible for the verification of the documents presented and of all necessary arrangements related to the translation of all documentation, if necessary, including the final versions of the judgments.
• Formulate an efficient process flow, which requires a high level of monitoring and technical expertise. Consistently apply quality and process standards in the preparation, design, and delivery of materials.
• Attend all hearings conducted by the Tribunal and, except where considerations of confidentiality apply, all meetings of the Tribunal.
• Take such action as necessary, under the direction of the President, to expedite the proceedings of the Tribunal and assist the Tribunal in the discharge of its functions.
• Assure that the Statute and Rules of Procedure of the Tribunal, as well as its judgments, are published and distributed among the staff of the IDB and of IDB Invest.
• Protect the confidentiality of information taking into account the policies of the IDB and IDB Invest.
• Channel all communications addressed to the members of the Tribunal.
• Be responsible for the strategic planning and management of resources. The Executive Secretary of the Administrative Tribunal arranges all matters pertaining to its functioning, including yearly budget preparation and administration; the oversight of travel arrangements for Tribunal members; and the Administrative Tribunal meetings. The Executive Secretary of the Administrative Tribunal takes preventive actions to resolve problems in a timely fashion and minimize risk, identifies areas for improvement, and promotes the consistent application of procedures, policies and best practices.
• Report directly to the Board for both the Work Plan & Budget Proposal and the Annual Report.
• Oversee and coordinate the Tribunal’s outreach activities, oversee the collection and analysis of case-related data and trends, and manage the Tribunal’s content contributions for the website and other digital platforms.

Key Competencies

• Communications: Expresses facts and ideas clearly both verbally and in writing, interacting professionally, transparently, and effectively with people at all levels.
• Service Orientation: Understanding stakeholder relationships. Partners with stakeholders to resolve issues and challenges. Collaborates effectively and demonstrates commitment to servicing stakeholder needs.
• Good Judgement: Capacity to make critical decisions based on systematic analysis and solid reasoning, even if only partial but relevant information is available. Ability to handle confidential information with discretion and tact is paramount.
• Analysis and Problem Solving: Makes decisions based on systematic analysis and sound judgment.
• Initiative and Drive for Results: Acts with a sense of urgency and works effectively under pressure to meet tight daily deadlines and objectives. Proactively seeks solutions to issues in a timely manner.
• Organizational skills.
• Ability to efficiently manage any employees in the Secretariat.
• Ability to work as a team with members of different origins and cultures.

Qualifications

• Education and knowledge:
• • Advanced degree (Master’s degree, J.D., or Licenciatura) in Law, preferably with a high level of knowledge in International Administrative Law and Labor Law.
  • Understanding of duties and obligations of international civil servants and multi-cultural environments.
• Experience:
  • A minimum of 10 years relevant professional experience. Experience as a judicial officer within a judicial system in a Bank member country is desirable.
  •  In good standing and licensed to practice law in at least one Bank member country.
  • Relevant professional experience in case management, and office administration.
  • Demonstrated familiarity and experience with international organizations, administrative law and conflict resolution mechanisms in the context of international development organizations is preferred.
  • Demonstrated integrity.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including proven presentation skills.
  • Excellent interpersonal skills; exposure to international and multicultural environments.
• Languages:
  • Oral and written fluency in Spanish and English is required, including of technical legal language; proficiency in French and/or Portuguese is desirable.

Characteristics of Employment

• Full-Time
• Duration: The Executive Secretary shall be appointed for a fixed term of five years (staff contract), with the possibility of serving a second five-year term (for a possible maximum total of ten years). Any potential extension of the contract of the Executive Secretary will be subject to approval by the Board of Executive Directors. The Executive Secretary is appointed for a term and on such terms and conditions as determined by the Board of Executive Directors.
• Place(s) of work: Headquarters, Washington, D.C.

Payment and Conditions of Employment

• The Executive Secretary will receive financial compensation as regulated by the Board of Executive Directors. The Board has determined that the grade for this position is a senior professional grade 2/3 and the final level and conditions will be determined based on the profile of the finalist. 

Eligibility Requirements

• Individuals with relatives working for the IDB or IDB Invest within and including the fourth degree of consanguinity and the second degree of affinity are not eligible. This includes staff and consultants.
• Candidates must be citizens of a member country of the Inter-American Development Bank.
• Candidates may not be current or former Bank or IDB Invest employees, except that this requirement does not preclude an incumbent Executive Secretary from eligibility.

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 supports employees in planning 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 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 more
• 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.

Our culture

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.