Chief of operations-Operations Lead Specialist

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

Location: Bahamas, Trinidad and Tobago and Suriname

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.

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 that covers medical, dental, vision, preventive care, and prescription drugs.

• Pension plan: pre-defined pension plan that provides financial security and supports employees in planning for their future.

• 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.

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.

How cinfo Can Support You in the Application Process for This Position

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