Chief of Operations (Operations Lead Specialist/Senior Specialist)  

Location: Multiple Locations 

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 highly motivated individuals with strong leadership, operational experience, and deep understanding of the Bank’s mission and policies, to advance the operational dialogue with country counterparts, and to contribute to the origination, programming and monitoring efforts aligned with our priorities and country needs in the public. 

As Chief of Operations (COO), reporting directly to the Country Representative, and in close coordination with the Country Department, you will lead the monitoring and effectiveness of the project investment portfolio in the country and be responsible for project execution by results, ensuring compliance with targets defined in the Country Office’s business plan and country strategy. The COO supervises the operations team in the Country Office and coordinates with the Sector and Fiduciary Specialists the supervision of the portfolio. 

What you’ll do:  

Preparation, Execution and Supervision of Operations and Portfolio Management: 

• Participate in the formulation, implementation, and monitoring of the Bank’s Country Strategy, including advising on the strategic and programming dialogue with the country authorities.
• Lead portfolio reviews with borrowers and executing agencies and participate in the internal portfolio reviews between Country and Sectors Departments.
• Oversee the performance and effectiveness of the operational program based on results, ensuring that portfolio execution is aligned with the Bank’s results framework.
• Supervise the technical and operational teams in the different instances of project portfolio reviews, project start-up, project mid-term review and/or evaluations, etc., with a focus on measurement for results and achievement of objectives.
• Identify, and respond to, capacity-building needs (for Country Office staff and executing agencies) for a better results-based management approach.
• Cultivate an environment of learning from the Bank’s completed projects (what worked well and what did not). In addition, promote knowledge sharing on country regulations and procedures, guiding operational and institutional aspects, emphasizing project design, execution analysis and institutional capacity.
• Provide feedback to the Representative and Management on opportunities and barriers to the achievement of strategic goals, including the dialogue with Bank Departments, Offices and Divisions, to pursue the goals of the operational plan and the country’s requirements.
• Recommend and own the implementation of strategies that introduce alternative or revised processes, improved efficiency and metrics and better coordination with key partners to address systemic execution challenges, based on risk analysis of the project.
• Build and maintain dialogue and partnership development in operational matters with country authorities and key actors, including bilateral and multilateral organizations, private sector, and civil society.
• Take calculated risks with new insights and initiatives, including rethinking approaches to improve execution issues and results.
• Provide technical guidance to more junior staff, including but not limited to Operations Analysts.

What you’ll need 

• Education: Master’s degree (or equivalent) in Management, Business Administration, Economics, Engineering, or other fields relevant to the responsibilities of the role.
• Experience: Minimum of 6 years of relevant experience in project management, results-based management and the Bank’s results framework. Detailed understanding of IDB’s operational policies and procedures, public institutions management, budget cycle, and risk management a plus. Advanced knowledge of one of the Bank’s sectors would be an advantage.
• Languages: Proficiency in English is required, and one of the other Bank official languages (Spanish, French or Portuguese) will be highly valued. 

Key skills  

Technical track (with supervisory responsibilities): 

• Mentor and develop 
• Promote Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging  
• Focus on clients  
• Communicate and influence  
• Innovate and try new things  

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. 

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 [email protected] 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. 

About IDB

The Inter-American Development Bank is devoted to improving lives. Established in 1959, the IDB is a leading source of long-term financing for economic, social, and institutional development in Latin America and the Caribbean. The IDB also conducts cutting-edge research and provides policy advice, technical assistance, and training to public and private sector clients throughout the region.

This is how cinfo can support you in the application process for this specific position: 

• Application preparation: Before you apply for this position: Improve your application documents by registering for a Job Application Support. Our coaches are here to help tailor your application to the requirements of the job (service provided at your own cost). 
• Interview preparation: When invited to the interview: Prepare for the interview by registering for a Job Application Support. 
• Additional services for  Swiss nationals who get invited to  the selection process (written test, interview, assessment centre, etc.): 
  • Let us know by writing to [email protected]. We flag matching applications to HR partners and SDC/SECO for visibility. 
  • Benefit from free interview/assessment preparation by registering here: Interview and Assessment Centre Preparation for Jobs in Multilateral Organisations. Our coaches stand ready to help prepare for upcoming interview/assessment centre.​