Competitiveness, Technology and Innovation Specialist (grade 5)
(IFD/CTI)
Headquarters, Washington D.C.
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 adynamic professional with strong technical knowledge, research capacities, management and leadership, critical thinking, and extensive experience in promoting firmsโ development, competitiveness and innovation in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) to become a part of our division.
As Sector Specialist, you will work in the Competitiveness, Technology, and Innovation (CTI) Division part of the Institutions for Development department (IFD).
The strategic objectives of the Division are to give technical assistance and knowledge products to support its clients in the region in key areas of action such as, business innovation, entrepreneurship ecosystems, green and social innovation digital transformation and productive development. IDB programs in these areas incorporate common dimensions, such as advanced human capital formation in science, technology, and innovation, strengthening the scientific-technological infrastructure, the design of public policies to promote innovation and entrepreneurship, and the strengthening of agencies and ministries responsible for implementing these policies.
What you will do:
ยท Conduct and participate in interdisciplinary and multicultural teams to advance policy dialogue on innovation, competitiveness, productivity and/or entrepreneurship, green innovation as well as maintaining high quality technical relations within public institutions and the private sector.
ยท Conceptualizes, prepares, conducts, and leads the development, design and preparation of new projects to strengthen and implement productive development, value chains and innovation policies as well as to improve the business environment. The climate change components would be of value to consider proposing.
ยท Conduct competitiveness, technology and innovation policy analysis and impact assessments to provide advice to borrowing member governments, private entities and to Bank staff.
ยท Maintain close liaisons and coordination with policymakers, private sector leaders, international organizations, research institutions, and non-governmental organizations involved in the fields of innovation, cluster and value chains, productivity and competitiveness policies in LAC.
ยท Design, coordinate and promote innovative approaches and initiatives to foster entrepreneurship, productivity, green innovation and the competitiveness of firms and their capacity to innovate.
ยท Engages in policy dialogue based on proven knowledge of the sector, takes action to promote sector priorities base on country needs and aligned to IDB institutional and sectorial priorities.
ยท Ensures that IDB lending operations are based on diagnostics with proven empirical evidence and thorough analysis and those results are measurable and evaluable.
ยท Leading the monitoring, execution and evaluation of the loan portfolio and technical cooperation projects. Engages with counterparts to seek solutions to execution issues in a timely manner based on a detailed understanding of IDBโs policies and procures.
ยท Contribute to the improvement of Bank policies, sector and country strategies through the design and development of technical notes to advise senior management about entrepreneurship, innovation and green innovation, clusters and value chains, digital transformation and competitiveness policies.
ยท Enhances the academic quality, policy relevance, reach and influence of research. Assesses innovative research to determine what issues IDB should pursue in the research agenda of the division.
What you will need
Education: masterโs degree in economics, public policy, public administration, political economy, engineering, or other fields relevant for this position.
Experience: you have at least 4 years (5 preferred) of work experience relevant to the duties and responsibilities of the position. You have significant and valuable experience working with multilateral organizations, and the public sector on issues of private sector development. Deep knowledge and understanding of the region and the challenges that LAC faces in CTI topics.
Languages: Proficiency in Spanish and English, spoken and written, is required. Additional knowledge of French and Portuguese would be a plus.
Key skills
Learn continuously.
Collaborate and share knowledge.
Focus on clients.
Communicate and influence.
Innovate and try new things.
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