Human Resources (Senior) Specialist-Language and Culture Program

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 Human Resources Department’s Leadership and Employee Development Division (HRD/LDV) has established different profiles and functions among the members of its team to support the needs analysis, design, implementation, and evaluation of different solutions to the training needs of the Institution’s employees regarding language and communication skills training.

For that purpose, HRD/LDV offers a Language and Culture Program (LCP) to employees to develop linguistic, communication, and cultural skills to perform their duties in one or more of the four official institutional languages. In this way, LCP helps enhance the productivity and effectiveness of the Institution’s employees by developing and continuously updating the essential skills required to work in a multilingual, multicultural, multi-country, and multi-stakeholder international organization.

LCP accomplishes this by offering language groups and private classes and providing online language learning products to strengthen the communication skills of IDB, IDB Invest, and IDB Lab employees. IDB Group employees work in 26 country offices in Latin America and the Caribbean, in two regional offices in Spain and Japan, and in its Headquarters in Washington, D.C.

Thus, HRD/LDV is looking for a dynamic individual with strong leadership skills, a passion for language education, and the ability to work effectively in a multicultural and international environment. The Language Program Team Leader will oversee the development, implementation, and evaluation of language programs within the organization.

What you’ll do

• Manage the Language Program to ensure delivery of high-quality language courses and the smooth operation of the program.
• Lead the LCP team (teachers, program analyst, and external vendors), providing continuous and meaningful feedback and coaching to strengthen individual and team performance.
• Design and implement language program strategies and objectives aligned with the institutional strategy, the desired organizational culture, and institutional priorities. Monitor the yearly program’s learning solutions and offerings.
• Provide advice on language learning products to Executive Directors, Executives, and Bank departments and offices for their employees in the managerial, technical, and support level in headquarters (HQs) and country offices (COFs).
• Stay abreast of HQs and COFs learning needs to deliver and design programs accordingly.
• Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of language programs and make necessary adjustments.
• Create, maintain and/or strengthen partnerships with external training organizations, providing language learning solutions to access information on different approaches and enhancements being implemented in their organizations, as well as expanding internal knowledge.
• Drive innovation by exploring and implementing new language teaching methodologies, processes, technologies, and tools to enhance effectiveness, efficiency, and resource utilization, including the strategic use of in-sourcing, co-sourcing, and outsourcing vendors and services.
• Oversee the development of communication and promotional materials to disseminate information on the Language and Culture Program and engage employee participation.
• Prepare and present reports on program’s outcomes and progress to senior management.
• Manage the budget, expenses, chargebacks, and forecasts to ensure the financial sustainability of the language programs.
• Ensure compliance with organizational policies and procedures.

What you’ll need

Education: A master’s degree is required in Education, Linguistics, Language Studies, Business Administration, Human Resources, or a related field.

Experience:

• Minimum of 5 years of relevant experience managing high complexity programs.
• Advanced technical knowledge and experience in developing and implementing language programs.
• Proven track record of successfully leading and managing teams.
• Experience with language assessment tools and techniques.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with diverse stakeholders and at all levels (Executive, Technical, and Administrative).
• Advanced project management skills.
• Advanced experience with digital learning platforms and tools.
• Proven ability to improve processes using technology.
• Experience in dealing with and managing external vendors.
• Data administration, reporting, statistics, analytics tools, and budget planning and implementation.
• Highly skilled in MS Outlook, Word, Advanced Excel*, and PowerPoint.
• Knowledge of collaborative tools such as SharePoint, ezShare, OneDrive, Teams, ServiceNow, SuccessFactors-LMS, Survey Monkey, ClassMarker, and Canva.

Languages: Full Professional Proficiency in English and Spanish is required. Knowledge of Portuguese and/or French is a plus.

Advanced Level of Excel, expertise in formulas and functions, data visualization and analysis, pivot tables and charts.

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

• Staff International: 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 support employees in planning for 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 that 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, 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.

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

• Application and Interview Preparation: Whether you’re preparing your application documents or getting ready for an interview, you can book a Job Application Support session to receive tailored guidance.
• For Swiss nationals invited to the first round of the selection process (e.g., written test, interview, assessment center): Notify us at recruitment@cinfo.ch, and we will inform our HR partners in the respective organization and the Swiss Government to help increase your visibility.

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