Chief Economist and Economic Counsellor

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 (LAC).

Our people find purpose and do what they love in an inclusive, collaborative, agile, and rewarding environment.

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About this position

We are looking for a strategic, people leader and highly motivated individual to be our Chief Economist and Economic Counsellor.

The Chief Economist serves as the Economic Counsellor to the President and the IDB, while also leading the Department of Research (RES) as its General Manager.

As the Economic Counsellor, the Chief Economist reports directly to the President and provides strategic guidance on macroeconomic and policy matters to the President and Senior Management, offering insights to address the Bank’s long-term strategic objectives and short-term operational needs.

The Chief Economist, and the RES team he / she manages, will report to and support the Vice Presidency for Sectors and Knowledge in producing cutting-edge research that enhances the development effectiveness and quality of the IDB’s operations.

The Chief Economist leads a highly skilled team of researchers, recognized for their academic excellence and expertise in various areas of macroeconomics and economic development, ensuring that policy-relevant research remains at the forefront of the institution's mission.

The Department of Research (RES) is responsible for generating cutting-edge knowledge on macroeconomic and development issues, while advancing a research program aligned with the priorities of the IDB Group’s Institutional Strategy (Impact+).

The department also : (i) conducts policy-relevant research to support the IDB’s work in individual countries; (ii) assists and advises sector teams in conducting research that is both policy and operationally relevant;

and (iii) provides guidance to the Vice President for Sectors and Knowledge to ensure the quality of the operational program, maximizing its development effectiveness.

What you’ll do

• Manage RES' resources and employees (approximately 100 staff and consultants), fostering a culture of financial sustainability and accountability.
• Provide strategic advice directly to the President and to Senior Management on emerging and macro-economic issues, long-term economic trends and development challenges, as well as their policy and programmatic implications on the Bank and the LAC region.
• Lead the policy public debate in the region through production and dissemination of high-quality and innovative policy-relevant research on LAC development challenges, contributing to the consolidation of the Bank's leading role as a valuable source of innovative knowledge for the Region.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders to generate knowledge on development effectiveness to promote evidence-based decisions within the IDB Group and the region.

Provide advisory services to other areas of the IDB on policy issues, development effectiveness, and specific country and sector challenges.

• Provide leading-edge knowledge products on economic trends of relevance to the Region, including the Bank's flagship publication ('Development in the Americas' / DIA) and working papers, policy briefs, technical notes, and products in social media.
• Develop and maintain unified statistical databases of key economic, social and institutional development data to support research, studies, and economic analysis activities.
• Collaborate with external partners to advance the development agenda and works to strengthen the Institution's contribution to development policy debates of strategic importance.
• Coordinate academic and policy networks to disseminate RES studies and to promote high-level policy discussions amongst Bank staff, national authorities, and the academic community.

What you'll need

• Education : PhD in Economics or related field is required.
• Experience : At least 15 years of relevant experience in economics in national / international organizations, academics, or other relevant institutions.

Working experience with developing region / s, with particular emphasis on LAC is highly recommended. In addition, these items are a clear plus :

• Recognized expert in their field with a strong background on macroeconomic and / or international economic development, as evidenced by a proven track record.
• Should serve as an expert advisor and technical authority on complex and precedent-setting policy and program issues, and work to develop policies, strategies, and plans for economics and economic development, and for application in IDB programs / projects.
• Should have understanding of the work of multilateral development institutions, the client relationship, and vision to integrate the Bank's operational agenda in the work of RES with the goal of maximizing impact.
• Proven substantive track record of research and publications.
• Should have a demonstrated track record in strategic thinking; staff management, teamwork and consensus-building; planning, organizing, and delegating work across diverse activities;

and have sound policy judgment and proven capacity for problem-solving.

• Should be an exceptional and clear communicator, both verbal and written; with the ability to represent the IDB at all external and internal levels is essential, as well as to clearly defend and explain difficult and complex concepts.
• Collaborative attitude; ability to work in close coordination with other units; solid interpersonal skills, and sound judgment and emotional intelligence.
• Managerial skills of building high-performing teams with client service orientation.
• Languages : Proficiency in English is required and in Spanish desired. Additional knowledge of Portuguese or French is a plus.

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 which 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 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.

Other perks : Lactation Room, Daycare Center, Gym, Bike Racks, Parking, Spouse Career Program, and others.

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 groundbreaking research and provides policy advice, technical assistance and training to public and private sector clients throughout the region.

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