Research Economist Lead Specialist or Senior Specialist

Location

Post of duty: Washington, District of Columbia, USA.

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

We are looking for a Lead Specialist/Senior Specialist who are familiar with the development challenges faced by Latin America and the Caribbean and want to make a difference in the development of the region. The candidates should possess: (1) strong technical skills; (2) a record of–or good prospects for—high-quality, original research in peer-reviewed journals; (3) the ability to communicate with a wide range of potential audiences; and (4) an interest in policy issues in the region.

The successful candidates will work in our Research Department and office of the Chief Economist (RES). This call is open to all areas of economics and PhD-level economists. We particularly seek a combination of a thorough academic approach with the potential to publish, as well as a strong interest in policy issues.

What you’ll do

• Participate in providing leadership and direction to the department’s research agenda.
• Coordinate and conduct economic research, identifying challenges and issues, applying theoretical and/or empirical economic analysis and developing policy recommendations. Lead and contribute to the development of new or revised tools and methodologies of economic analysis.
• Lead and actively participate in and contribute to the conceptualization, writing, production, and dissemination of publications such as the annual Latin American and Caribbean Macroeconomic Report and the flagship publication known as Development in the Americas, by using internal and external resources and addressing new research issues to encourage policy discussions and enhance the visibility and impact of our work.
• Coordinate and contribute to the preparation of economic analysis and policy advice for senior management, translating research and economic evidence into clear and actionable messages for a range of institutional and external engagements.
• Develop networks for disseminating research findings, promoting cooperative research initiatives, and discussing policy issues within and outside the Bank. Present research to academic and non-academic audiences and refine research papers in the light of comments for eventual publication in refereed journals.
• Coordinate and/or review and evaluate the academic work of outside researchers (consultants and research institutions hired through the IDB’s Latin American Research Network), ensuring that they meet the highest standards of quality.
• Provide technical guidance, mentoring and coaching to more junior staff.

What you'll need

• Education: Masters degree (or equivalent advanced degree) in economics, or other fields relevant to the responsibilities of the role. PhD in Economics strongly preferred.
• Experience: You have at least 5 years of relevant professional experience, along with a publication record commensurate with your experience and an active research pipeline.
• Languages: Proficiency in English and one of the other Bank official languages (Spanish, French or Portuguese) is required.

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 support employees in planning for their future.

-We offer assistance with relocation and visa applications for you and your family when it applies.

-On-site position with the occasional flexibility of teleworking.

-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 office amenities (as available): Lactation Room, Daycare Center, Gym, Bike Racks, Parking, spouse career support, and others.

Our culture