Job Description
Sanitation Research Consultant
City:  Washington DC
Company:  IDB
Posting End Date:  January 15, 2026.

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 Water and Sanitation Division (INE/WSA) within the Bank is committed to expanding access to quality services for low-income and vulnerable populations, promoting comprehensive and sustainable solutions, improving sector governance and financial sustainability, and incorporating the concept of water security in the sector, particularly by increasing wastewater treatment coverage, protecting supply watersheds, and reducing flooding risk.

We are looking for a proactive, rigorous and experienced Water, Sanitation and Solid Waste Research Consultant. As research consultant, you will support the whole knowledge generation process.

You will work in the Knowledge Team part of INE/WSA department. This team is responsible for knowledge production, management and dissemination that serves to assess needs and priorities, inform practices, advise clients and contribute to an evidence-based approach to lending.

What you’ll do

 

  • Conducts empirical research and policy analysis on Water and Sanitation and/or Solid Waste topics in LAC.
  • Manages database process, including data collection, coding, storage, and visualization.
  • Creates and manages large datasets including establishing cleaning and storage protocols and writes complex code to operationalize qualitative and quantitative analysis methodologies.
  • Conducts literature reviews of material from conferences and seminars, government documents, academic journals and policy publications, institutional databases, and reports.
  • Creates tables, graphs, and other data visualizations that clearly communicate research findings.
  • Performs advanced econometric analysis of large datasets.
  • Co-authors working papers, technical notes, discussion documents, fact sheets, policy briefs, and presentations on the team’s research for external publication.
  • Assists with institutional information requests.
  • Participates in selected loan operations with the potential of analytical products as project economist. This task implies supporting the project team in the review and evaluation of the projects to be financed with the operation, and conduct the socioeconomic analysis of the main projects.

What you'll need

  • Education: Master’s degree in economics, environmental economics, natural resources economics, applied economics, econometrics/statistics, public policy, or related field. Preferably PhD degree in economics, environmental economics, natural resources economics, applied economics, econometrics/statistics, public policy, or related field. Candidates should have a strong quantitative background (e.g., econometrics, programming).

 

  • Experience: At least five years of experience and demonstrated knowledge and interest in at least one of the following areas:
  1. Water and Sanitation economics and policy.
  2. Economics of Solid Waste management.
  3. Impact evaluations assessing changes in development outcomes caused by a particular project, program, or policy.

 

  • 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 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 consultant Full-Time, 12 months (up to 48 months)

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: 2 days per month of contract + gender-neutral parental leave.

-Health Insurance: the IDB Group provides a monthly allowance for the purchase of health insurance

-Savings plan: The IDB Group cares about your future, depending on the length of the contract, you will receive a monthly savings plan allowance.

-We offer assistance with relocation and visa applications for you and your family when it applies.

-On-site position with the occasional flexibility of teleworking.

-Development support: We offer learning opportunities to boost your professional profile, such as seminars, 1:1 professional counseling, and much more.

-Health and well-being: Access to our Health Services Center that provides preventive care and health education for employees.

-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.