Modernization of State Lead/Senior Specialist

Washington, DC

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 a public sector management expert with a professional track record and strong academic background on regulatory policy, and experience to help influence the design and implementation of state capacity and governance policies and projects. We expect this expert will join our team of specialists in its headquarters in Washington, DC.

The mission of the Innovation in Citizens Services Division (ICS) is to strengthen institutional capacity to improve public sector management, increase transparency and integrity and citizen security, applying innovative digital solutions. Because of its wide range of activities, ICS is organized in four clusters: The Public-Sector Management Cluster (PSM) supports the strengthening of core government functions to enhance their capacity to implement policies. The Transparency and Integrity (TI) Cluster supports efforts to access to information and share it to fight illegal practices. The Citizen Security and Justice Cluster (CSJ) that supports governments in their efforts to reduce crime, promote public safety, and ensure access to a fair justice system. You will be part of the Data-Driven Digital Government Cluster (DDG), that supports improving the quality of services through digital transformation. Our focus is to help governments in their effort to adopt digital technologies improve efficiency, participation, and transparency in the public sector. The DDG Cluster consists of a team of specialists with extensive operational and technical experience in areas related to digital government, cybersecurity, data and statistics, government procedures simplification and regulatory improvement among others. They oversee the identification, preparation, and execution of operational and knowledge products. You will work under the general supervision of ICS’ Division Chief and the direct supervision of the DDG’s Cluster Coordinator.

Latin America and the Caribbean face the challenge of promoting the rule of law, strengthening the capacity of the state to deliver better services and implement public policies in an effective, efficient, and transparent manner. ICS at the Inter-American Development Bank is the division within the Vice-Presidency for Sectors and Knowledge (VPS) responsible for driving this agenda.

ICS works to strengthen core government institutions and public management systems to deliver better services to citizens by closing the gap between the policies enacted and their effective implementation. The Division is responsible for defining the strategic directions, developing innovative solutions, deploying sector expertise regionally, and leveraging policy-relevant knowledge effectively.

The Division provides a range of services, including policy advice, knowledge production and dissemination, technical assistance, training, and financial support. It undertakes sector policy dialogue, develops sector strategies, and implements country programs through a mix of investment projects, policy-based loans, and technical assistance grants. It also develops knowledge products, provides advisory services, develops regional initiatives, fosters strategic partnerships, and oversees catalytic grant facilities.

Regulatory quality is pivotal to achieving public policy results, and it is connected to crucial policy areas, such as rule of law, productivity, innovation, trust, civic engagement, business environment, and a better provision of public services. Improving regulatory policy and governance requires strengthening institutional capacity, including the adoption of good regulatory practices and the use of digital tools.

The IDB Group works on administrative simplification and regulatory reform programs aimed at supporting the adoption of smart and cost-effective regulations that promote better service delivery and stimulate economic efficiency.

A list of indicative activities related to this position includes:

1. Helping countries develop and implement better regulations, including facilitating civic engagement and the participation of the private sector.
2. Supporting the use of technology to ensure that data collected by governments inform better regulatory decisions.
3. Developing evidence-based policy recommendations to improve regulatory quality, transparency, and coherence. FInd opportunities for regulatory reform, simplification, and modernization to enhance regulatory outcomes.
4. Providing cross-cutting support for regulatory agencies and regulatory oversight bodies regarding the adoption of good governance practices, the design and implementation of regulatory policy, and the strengthening of the institutional capacities required to improve regulatory quality.
5. Generating and sharing knowledge that supports regulatory reforms, including opportunities and challenges arising from technological transformations, climate change, and international cooperation.
6. Designing and delivering training programs, workshops, and seminars on regulatory improvement.
7. Facilitating regional collaboration and the sharing of experiences in coordination with other multilateral organizations.

What you’ll do:

• Lead the formulation and implementation of regulatory policies by providing recommendations and expert guidance to countries. FInd opportunities and guide countries in simplifying regulations and promoting innovation.
• See opportunities for interventions through loan operations, technical assistance grants and/or analytical and advisory services.
• Conduct research and studies to identify good practices in regulatory design, management, and evaluation, including case studies to inform policy development and promote knowledge sharing.
• Promote the Bank’s contributions in external and internal networks, translating academic findings into policy-relevant recommendations for our borrowing countries.
• Lead the design and negotiation of Bank’s operations, technical assistance grants, and analytical and advisory services in support of borrowing countries’ initiatives.
• Lead and/or support teams in the provision of expert knowledge and experience for the technical areas comprising operations, technical grants, and analytical and advisory services.
• Collect and analyze regulatory data and performance metrics to evaluate regulatory improvement initiatives. Use statistical methods and economic models to measure the costs and benefits of regulatory improvements.
• Work with and through colleagues and in teams, supporting field-based specialists, advising country and sector teams, and contributing to the mainstreaming of institutional capacity analysis and interventions in the IDB documents comprising the Country Strategy cycle and ICS overall agenda.
• Collaborate with other sectors within the Bank, policymakers, industry representatives, and civil society organizations to gather input, share knowledge, and facilitate dialogue on regulatory issues. Foster partnerships and networks to promote international cooperation and exchange of regulatory experiences.
• Organize and co-organize regional meetings of regulatory improvement offices to facilitate policy level discussions, knowledge sharing and regional collaboration.