IDB Invest - Head of Agribusiness and Forestry - Corporates Division

Location

The position can be based in any of the following cities: Washington DC, USA or any IADB member country in the Latin America & Caribbean region.

We improve lives

IDB Invest is the private sector arm of the IDB Group and an international financial institution committed to addressing the development needs of Latin America and the Caribbean. Our mission is to support sustainable enterprises and projects that deliver financial results while maximizing social and environmental impact in the region.

IDB Invest operates in 26 countries, structured across four geographic regions: Southern Cone (Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Paraguay, Uruguay), Andean Group (Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Venezuela), Caribbean (The Bahamas, Barbados, Guyana, Jamaica, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago) and Central America, Haiti, Mexico, Panama, and the Dominican Republic, and three industry verticals: Infrastructure and Energy, Financial Intermediaries, and Corporates.

In support of a new transformative business model “Originate to Share” our shareholders recently approved a $3.5 billion capitalization. This will allow IDB Invest to significantly scale up its investments, nearly doubling annual financing from approximately $8 billion to $19 billion, and unlocking greater private sector participation to drive development and climate impact across the region.

About this position

We are looking for a highly qualified Head of Agribusiness and Forestry to join the Corporates Division (SMC) within the Industries and Cross Cutting Themes Department (ICT) at IDB Invest. You will report to the Managing Director of the Corporates Division (SMC).

ICT is responsible for engaging with clients and partners for the origination, structuring, closing, and supervision of transactions and projects with strong development impact.

SMC, together with the corresponding Regional Division in the Regions Department, leads the origination and delivery of operations in Tourism, Manufacturing, Digital Economy, Agribusiness & Forestry. Our work spans all 26 countries where IDB Invest operates in Latin America and the Caribbean.

You will be responsible for developing new business opportunities and leading key client engagements as well as originating highly developmental transactions in the sector. The sector is divided in two large verticals: (i) food and agricultural value chain—from input supply (seeds, agrochemicals, irrigation equipment), crops plantations such as horticulture, sugar cane, soft agri commodities, cocoa and coffee, food processing including bio-fuels, sustainable animal and alternative proteins, agri-commodity trading, logistics and distribution; and (ii) forestry value chain, which includes commercial plantations and downstream operations in the processed wood and paper sectors (pulp, paper, packaging, sawn wood, fiber, panelboards, biomass, etc.), as well as sustainable natural forest management, including reforestation, carbon credits linked to nature and other nature-based solutions such as ecosystem restoration, among others.

What you’ll do

• Spearhead the design and execution of IDB Invest’s agribusiness and forestry strategy and investment program, working in close collaboration with investment teams to ensure alignment with institutional priorities.
• Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with leading global and regional corporate clients to generate new investment opportunities. Actively identify and pursue strategic partnerships that expand IDB Invest’s impact and presence in the agribusiness sector.
• Collaborate closely with regional investment teams to provide expert sector insights during due diligence processes. This includes evaluating project strengths and weaknesses, defining key performance indicators, analyzing unit economics for integration into financial models, and conducting competitive sector analysis.
• Lead sectoral engagement with IDB public sector teams and the Regions Department to support governments and authorities in identifying and addressing regulatory gaps. This includes contributing to the development of financially viable and bankable projects and supporting upstream work to help countries build a pipeline of projects in the relevant sectors.
• Lead industry and market research in the agribusiness and forestry sectors to support business origination and execution, ensuring alignment with IDB Invest’s investment strategy.
• If needed, serve on the boards of equity investments within the agribusiness and forestry portfolio, providing strategic sector expertise to strengthen governance and maximize development impact.
• Lead sectoral upstream work and the development of customized sector-specific products, in coordination with the Regions Department and the Products Department, to enhance IDB Invest’s value proposition.
• Review eligibility and investment proposals, offering well-informed recommendations to the respective regional Director of Corporates and/or Managing Director. Actively contribute to investment decision meetings by addressing inquiries and providing sector-specific insights to guide the decision-making process.
• Develop and disseminate sector knowledge products and training programs for internal teams and external stakeholders. Ensure consistency and alignment across regions in addressing common industry challenges and risk factors.
• Lead internal coordination with development partners to address sector-specific challenges, including environmental, social, credit, and reputational risks, as well as development impact. Collaborate with other IDB Invest teams to ensure a cohesive and integrated approach to agribusiness and forestry.
• Provide support for the development of IDBG Country Strategies and IDB Invest’s multi-year Business Plans, particularly in relation to agribusiness and forestry.
  • Assist in the selection, briefing and supervision of technical consultants engaged on due diligence, as needed
    • Represent IDB Invest at conferences, seminars, and other relevant events to increase institutional visibility and strengthen sector knowledge, while networking with industry leaders and key stakeholders to stay informed about emerging trends and best practices in agribusiness and forestry.

      What you'll need

      • Education: An advanced degree (Masters, MBA, or equivalent) in economics, finance, business administration, engineering, or another relevant field. Academic specialization in sustainable agriculture and/or forestry is desirable.
      • Experience: You have at least 10 + years of relevant professional experience in the agribusiness and/or forestry sector with proven well established relationships at C-level management of key industry players and other stakeholders. Confirmed experience in a similar role in an investment, advisory firm, or development bank is essential, as well as proven strong client relationship experience and skills. Sound knowledge of current industry and sector operating parameters, to permit comparative cost analysis and benchmarking, as well as industry trends, risks and opportunities.
      • Language Skills: You are proficient in oral and written English and Spanish; knowledge of Portuguese is a plus.

        Requirements

        • Citizenship:

      • Washington DC: No requirements
    • LAC: You are either a citizen of one of IDB Group's member countries in LAC or with residency or legal permit to work in one of such countries.

      • 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

    • Washington DC: International staff contract, 36 months initially, renewable upon mutual agreement.
  • LAC: National staff contract, 36 months initially, renewable upon mutual agreement.

    📚 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝗰𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗼 𝗚𝗲𝘁 𝗮 𝗝𝗼𝗯 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗨𝗡 𝗶𝗻 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟯! 🌍🤝 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗡𝗘𝗪 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗿𝘂𝗶𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗚𝘂𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗨𝗡 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟯 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘁𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝘀𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗨𝗡𝗛𝗖𝗥, 𝗪𝗙𝗣, 𝗨𝗡𝗜𝗖𝗘𝗙, 𝗨𝗡𝗗𝗦𝗦, 𝗨𝗡𝗙𝗣𝗔, 𝗜𝗢𝗠 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝘀! 🌐

    ⚠️ 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐋𝐢𝐟𝐞 𝐍𝐨𝐰: 𝐏𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐓𝐞𝐜𝐡𝐧𝐢𝐪𝐮𝐞𝐬 𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐭𝐨 𝐠𝐞𝐭 𝐚 𝐣𝐨𝐛 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐍𝐎𝐖!

    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 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.

    -Hybrid and flexible work schedules.

    -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.

    Our culture

    At the IDB Group, we work so everyone brings their best and authentic selves to work while finding their purpose. Our people consistently strive for excellence, and we recognize and celebrate the impact of their contributions.

    In our efforts to drive innovation, we intentionally include all voices, cultivate a sense of belonging and champion fairness. We welcome individuals from underrepresented groups to join us and share their unique perspectives.

    We ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations to participate in the job interview process. If you require an accommodation to complete this application, please email us at accommodations@iadb.org.

    #IDBInvest