Evaluation Senior Specialist(s)

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.

The Office of Evaluation and Oversight (OVE) is responsible for evaluating all aspects of the IDB Group’s work. OVE reports directly to the IDB Group’s Boards of Directors and has a dual objective of improving management’s accountability and learning. OVE independently evaluates the IDB Group’s strategies, policies, programs, activities, delivery support functions, and systems. Its main deliveries include: corporate, country, and thematic evaluations; validations of project-level self-evaluations, which are summarized in OVE’s yearly validation report, and a review of management’s implementation of OVE’s recommendations, which is summarized in the yearly Recommendations Tracking System Report (ReTs). In addition to evaluating IDB Group’s work, OVE supports capacity building on monitoring and evaluation to the staff of public institutions in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC). OVE is a member of the Evaluation Cooperation Group (ECG), a standard-setting platform for independent evaluation in Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs).

About this position

We are seeking Evaluation Senior Specialist(s) with prior private sector expertise to join OVE’s team to evaluate IDB Group work.

What you’ll do

• Undertake and Lead Evaluations: Participate in complex evaluations and, over time, lead evaluations on topics related to the development effectiveness of IDB Invest and IDB programs and operations, as well as corporate issues with a focus on private sector development. Examples of evaluations recently delivered by OVE include the Evaluation of IDB Invest, a Synthesis-based Note on IDB Invest’s Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise Action Plan, and the IDB Group’s Evaluation of the Development Effectiveness Framework.
• Establish a constructive dialogue with management on evaluations. Together with OVE’s director and other members of OVE engage with Management throughout the evaluation cycle, including at the conceptualization stage (pre-approach paper), at the emerging findings stage, and when management reviews the draft reports. Ensure a transparent, constructive dialogue that leads to accountability and mutual learning, while maintaining OVE’s independence from the Boards and management.
• Engage with relevant centers disseminating good practices, both within the MDB and private spheres, including evaluation offices in partner institutions, and other stakeholders to further knowledge sharing and the development of evaluation capacity.
• Support IDB Group’s Self-Evaluation System: Support the development of a strong self-evaluation system, notably by reviewing and validating management self-evaluations of private and public sector operations over time.
• Provide guidance to and mentor junior OVE staff, research fellows and consultants; actively participate in ad hoc working groups and other OVE initiatives.

What you’ll need

• Education: Master or PhD degree in economics, business, finance, or related field. A specialization or course work in evaluation and international development is a plus.
• Experience: At least 8 years of relevant experience including a mix of: (1) economic development, with a focus on leading and contributing to evaluative and analytical work, as demonstrated by the authorship of evaluation reports, flagship reports, or publications in peer-reviewed journals; and (2) non-sovereign financial investments, encompassing different instruments, including debt finance, private equity, venture capital, guarantees. Experience at IDB Invest or similar private sector organizations is preferred. Experience in one or several of the following is highly desirable: (1) Leading or participating in evaluations of development programs or projects (2) Leading or participating in operations at IDB Invest, or in the private sector window of other multilateral organizations or donor agencies, experience in Treasury departments, or a mix of the two. In-depth experience with several private sector instruments, including loans, equity, venture capital, and guarantees, is a plus. (3) Experience working with portfolio data of IDB Invest, or other private sector window of an international financial institution and ideally with methodologies for evaluation of private sector operations, especially statistical and econometric analysis. (3) Familiarity with applying artificial intelligence tools (particularly text analytics and machine learning) to conduct evaluative work is a plus. (4) Experience in the LAC region is a plus. (5) Analytical and Critical thinking: Excellent aptitude for critical and structured analysis and writing skills, demonstrated by a track record of contributions to analytical work. Ability to analyze large amounts of qualitative and quantitative information on complex topics to understand and assess progress. Ability to balance rigor and attention to detail with understanding the big picture and synthesizing insights to contribute to high-quality, concise and persuasive reports addressed to high-level executives. (6) Interpersonal skills: Strong writing and verbal skills and command of qualitative and quantitative research methods. Strong personal maturity, balanced judgment, and ability to build and maintain partnerships with colleagues and counterparts. Ability to work collaboratively and proactively, contributing to delivering high-quality reports on time and within budget. Ability to work effectively as a team member and over time as a team leader.
• Language: Proficiency in English and either Spanish, French or Portuguese. In case you are not fully fluent in Spanish, we will ask you to commit to training, since the skill is critical for long term success in the role.

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, 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 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.

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