The Climate Change and Sustainable Development Sector (CSD) of the IDB is looking for a creative, collaborative and strongly analytical specialist to join the IDB-GEF Technical Coordination team, with demonstrated capacity and experience in project ideation, preparation and execution, to provide the technical support needed by IDB’s operational areas to develop and implement GEF projects that combine technical quality, strategic relevance and socio-environmental results.
Since May 2004, the IDB has been an accredited agency to the Global Environment Facility (GEF), with full and direct access to the GEF funds, engaging in the preparation and execution of grant and non-grant projects in the five GEF focal areas: biodiversity, climate change, land degradation, international waters, and chemicals & waste. In 2022, the Bank’s active GEF portfolio covers over 15 countries in the Region, totaling over US$273 million in GEF financing.
The team: The GEF Technical Coordination for the IDB (IDB-GEF) provides the liaison between the GEF Secretariat and IDB on all technical and operational matters, including support related to programming, origination, preparation, approval, execution, monitoring & evaluation, knowledge management, closure and communications for GEF-funded activities. It is a small and dynamic team, with some division of responsibilities but also an expectation for strong teamwork, proactivity, flexibility and collaborative spirit. The team works in close collaboration with the Manager for Climate Change and Sustainable Development (CSD) at IDB, as well as with specialists and management throughout the IDB.
What you’ll do
Working as part of the IDB-GEF Technical Coordination team, located within the Climate Change and Sustainable Development Sector of the IDB, you will primarily:
- Provide proactive strategic, technical and analytical inputs to the Coordination team and IDB team leaders, thus facilitating project origination, preparation, contract signature, execution, evaluations and closure, and assisting teams in developing and implementing projects that (i) take full advantage of the innovative and catalytic nature of the GEF; (ii) are meaningfully integrated into the IDB’s dialogue and portfolio with the project country/ies while delivering the Global Environmental Benefits expected from GEF-funded activities; (iii) strongly align with and incorporate the priorities, methodologies and technical recommendations of the GEF, including those of the GEF’s Independent Evaluation Office (IEO) and the Scientific and Technical Advisory Panel (STAP); (iv) build on the knowledge gained during the execution of comparable GEF projects and generate knowledge for clients and future projects; (v) are agile, timely and responsive to client needs, as well as to the Conventions for which the GEF acts as financial mechanism;
- In close collaboration with the IDB-GEF Coordinator, identify opportunities and implement actions to generate interest within IDB to leverage GEF funds;
- Provide support to project teams on those aspects of project management that are particular to GEF-funded projects (e.g. submissions through the GEF Portal; unique elements of GEF project evaluations);
- Maintain fluid communication with the operational areas across the IDB and liaise with the GEF Secretariat and other members of the GEF Partnership on technical and operational issues, with a view to an effective, well-coordinated and timely support to the GEF portfolio and associated IDB operations;
- In collaboration with other members of the IDB-GEF Technical Coordination, provide guidance and training on the consistent application and use of GEF policies, guidelines and systems, and on how these compare to and complement IDB’s regulations and processes;
- Collaborate with project teams to ensure the timely availability of high-quality technical information related to projects, including project-level information on progress, performance, risks, innovative elements, and fiduciary matters;
- Support the other members of the IDB-GEF Technical Coordination wherever a technical perspective adds value to the task at hand;
- By indication of the IDB-GEF Coordinator, participate in meetings and activities that are part of the institutional relationship of the IDB with the GEF Partnership, such as GEF Council Meetings, GEF Agency Meetings, the GEF Assembly, Technical Advisory or Reference Groups, and other technical meetings;
- Propose and elaborate solutions to continue improving the quality and efficiency of the technical support that the Coordination team provides to IDB teams in relation to the GEF.
What you’ll need
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 fourth degree of consanguinity and second degree of affinity, including spouse) working at the IDB, IDB Invest, or IDB Lab.
Education: You hold an advanced degree (Master’s or equivalent; PhD desirable) from an accredited university in a technical field that is clearly related to one of the GEF’s five Focal Areas (biodiversity, climate change, international waters, land degradation, and chemicals & waste).
Experience:
- You have a minimum of 6 years of relevant experience participating in and leading development projects of moderate to high complexity focused on biodiversity, climate change, international waters, land degradation, and/or chemicals & waste (preferably including multisectoral projects).
- Experience with managing/ supervising loan operations during their execution phase is highly desirable.
- Experience working in a country of Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) is highly desirable.
- You have experience working with the GEF Partnership and hence an understanding of its mandate, priorities and operations.
- Through your prior experience, you have acquired a working understanding of multilateral development banks (MDBs).
- Experience working directly for or with an MDB in operations with either the public or private sector is highly desirable.
Skills:
- You have a strong capacity for both analysis and synthesis, good communication skills and a collaborative spirit that allow you to integrate quickly and contribute effectively in a wide variety of teams and groups.
- You are proactive, resourceful and thorough.
- You are open to learning about new sectors and perspectives as needed to best attend internal and external clients.
- You are at ease working in teams or independently, able to quickly adapt to changing circumstances while maintaining focus on quality, priorities and results.
Languages: You are fluent in English (written and spoken) and proficient in Spanish.
Opportunity Summary
Category and Modality: Fixed-term, staff
Start Date: As agreed with you
Length of contract: Three (3) years. Please note that this appointment will be limited to the duration of the initiatives financed by GEF and for which the services described herein are being sought. Employment can be extended solely at the discretion of the IDB and in accordance with the applicable regulations.
Place(s) of Work: Washington, DC, USA, with occasional international travel in line with IDB-GEF Technical Coordination activities.
Requirements: You must be a citizen of one of the IDB’s 48 member countries and have no family members currently working at the IDB Group.
Our culture: Our people are committed and passionate about improving lives in Latin-America and the Caribbean, and they get to do what they love in a diverse, collaborative and stimulating work environment. We are the first Latin American and Caribbean development institution to be awarded the EDGE certification, recognizing our strong commitment to gender equality. As an employee you can be part of internal resource groups that connect our diverse community around common interests.
Because we are committed to providing equal opportunities in employment, we embrace all diversity and encourage women, the LGBTQ+ community, 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 a reasonable accommodation to complete this application.
About us: At the IDB, we’re committed to improving lives. Since 1959, we’ve been a leading source of long-term financing for economic, social, and institutional development in Latin America and the Caribbean. We do more than lending though. We partner with our 48-member countries to provide Latin America and the Caribbean with cutting-edge research about relevant development issues, policy advice to inform their decisions, and technical assistance to improve on the planning and execution of projects. For this, we need people who not only have the right skills, but also are passionate about improving lives.
The IDB offers a competitive remuneration and benefits package.
Our team in Human Resources carefully reviews all applications.
The IDB requires a COVID-19 vaccination for in-person business in the United States. Therefore, everyone working in HQ is required to present proof of vaccination status upon hire unless they qualify for a medical or religious exemption, subject to the Bank’s approval.Additional Information
- External Opening Date: Jun 7, 2022
- External Closing Date: Jul 5, 2022
- External Contact Email: [email protected]
- External Contact Name: HR Service Center
- Job Field: Sector
