Inter-American Development Bank

Position Title/Short Description

Full Text of JOE Listing:

The IDB is currently looking for an Early Childhood Development (ECD) Principal Specialist/Economist to join the Social Protection and Health (SPH) Division ascribed to the Social Sector (SCL) Department under the Vice-Presidency for Sectors and Knowledge (VPS). Guided by the Chief of SPH, the ECD Principal Specialist/Economist will lead SPH’s ECD research program and strategy development and formulation and contribute to SPH’s ECD operational work program in the LAC Region.

Key responsibilities:
•Develop and lead SPH’s strategy formulation on ECD issues in coordination with the SPH team;
•Lead cutting-edge research and enhance quality, policy relevance, reach and influence of the economic and sector work carried out by the IDB on ECD;
•Lead new research initiatives by leveraging cutting-edge methodologies to strengthen IDB programs’ design and evaluation and to enhance ECD programs’ outcomes and impact;
•Lead SPH team’s efforts to articulate technically sound and compelling analysis on ECD topics to shape IDB’s policy dialogue on ECD issues with government and non-government entities and development partners and to support the preparation of country, sector and regional strategies and technical assistance programs in the ECD area;
•Build networks with international organizations, academic institutions, think-tanks, NGOs and professional bodies to exchange relevant information, promote cooperative research initiatives and expand the influence of IDB on ECD topics;
•Leverage partnerships with government officials, academics and relevant third parties to better inform IDB priorities, operations and programs in the ECD area;
•Lead or participate in policy dialogue activities aiming to support the design and implementation of ECD policies that cut across multiple sectors of government, private and public stakeholders, and national and subnational governments;
•Lead or participate in the origination, conceptualization and preparation of operations related to ECD in coordination with other team members and respective authorities;
•Lead or assist, in coordination with all relevant parties (executing agencies, fiduciary specialists, among others), the supervision of the execution and the monitoring and evaluation of operations related to ECD for which the Bank has approved financing;
•Support the formulation and implementation of institutional reforms aiming at the ECD sector modernization and transformation in borrowing countries.
•Lead the development and implementation of plans for the dissemination of economic/sector knowledge and evidence-based best practices on ECD topics to benefit IDB member countries, identify target audiences and appropriate communication strategies;
•Oversee project outcomes, deliverables and the work of more junior staff to ensure output is of high quality and is properly aligned to project objectives;
•Lead the design of training opportunities for Bank staff and clients on ECD policies and cutting edge research tools;

Qualifications:
•Education: Ph.D. in Economics, Applied Economics or other related disciplines.
•Experience: A minimum of 8 years of relevant professional experience. Preference will be given to candidates with demonstrated expert leadership and proven experience in: (i) the development and implementation of cutting-edge ECD research projects; (ii) leading high-profile policy dialogues on ECD topics with government and non-government actors in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC); (iii) sector strategy formulation; (iv) the design, supervision and evaluation of ECD programs; and (v) managing teams on complex projects. A strong record of publications on ECD topics and knowledge of state of the art programs/policies and initiatives in LAC and globally are required.
•Language: Proficiency in Spanish and English.

A candidate has been pre-identified for this position and may apply. However, this remains a competitive process and other qualified candidates are encouraged to apply and will be duly considered.