Transparency and Integrity Principal Specialist
Washington, DC, USA
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 dynamic and innovative person who will help us change people lives in Latin America and the Caribbean leading the team in charge of strengthening democratic governance and the rule of law by promoting institutional capacity, transparency and integrity.
You will work in the Innovation in Citizens Services (ICS) Division, within the Institutions for Development (IFD) Department of the Vice-Presidency for Sectors and Knowledge (VPS).
Latin America and the Caribbean face the challenge of promoting rule of law, strengthening the capacity of the state to deliver better services and implement public policies in an effective, efficient, and transparent manner. ICS is responsible for driving this agenda and its mandate is to strengthen institutional capacity to improve public sector management, increase transparency and integrity and citizen security, applying innovative digital solutions. ICS works to strengthen core government institutions and public management systems to deliver better services to citizens by closing the gap between the policies enacted and their effective implementation. The Division is responsible for defining the strategic directions, developing innovative solutions, deploying sector expertise regionally, and using policy-relevant knowledge effectively.
The Division provides a range of services, including policy advise, knowledge production and dissemination, technical assistance, and financial support. It undertakes sector policy dialogue, develops sector strategies, and implements country programs through a mix of investment projects, policy-based loans and technical assistance grants. It also develops knowledge products, provides advisory services, develops regional initiatives, fosters strategic partnerships and oversees catalytic grant facilities. ICS has a staff of 45 professionals, in the field and in headquarters, overseeing a portfolio of approximately 65 loans and 133 grants in the region.
Because of its wide range of activities, ICS is organized in four clusters: Public-Sector Managements (PSM), Citizen Security and Justice (CSJ), Digital Government (DDG) and Transparency and Integrity (T&I).
What you’ll do:
- Develop and deepen a sector agenda with high relevance and traction; lead in setting, shaping and driving the sector's strategic, operational, technical and knowledge agenda in the region.
- Manage, motivate, and supervise cluster's specialists promoting a collaborative work environment to improve performance and team-spirit.
- Coordinate the strategic engagement and positioning of the Cluster within the Bank and contribute to Bank policies and strategies in the sector; develop and oversee regional thematic agendas, innovative approaches and special initiatives for addressing public management challenges at national and subnational levels.
- Coordinate the strategic policy dialogue with countries in the sector and identify entry points for support; undertake high-level policy dialogue with government authorities at a ministerial level on reforms, policies and practices to enhance public sector management and government innovation, working with a network of sector specialists in field offices.
- Lead, participate or oversee the identification, preparation and supervision of loan operations, technical assistance projects and advisory services; provide technical assistance to field-based specialists in their strategic dialogue with government authorities; and coordinate the sector's policy dialogue with the regional departments and country teams to address public management challenges in country assistance strategies.
- Coordinate strategies to generate pipeline and guide the work of Cluster specialists in finding opportunities to move forward the Cluster's thematic agenda; monitor developments in the operational program and key performance targets, and ensure the delivery of high-quality and on-time services.
- Oversee the processing of loan operations and technical cooperation projects prepared by the Cluster specialists, from their origination to their approval, and ensure quality control of the cluster's products, including clearance of policy and operational documents.
- Coordinate, lead and undertake innovative research to inform policy dialogue with client countries, ensuring high- standard quality.
- Foster regional and international coordination, strengthen strategic partnerships with other development partners, and facilitate access to international experiences to clients in the region.
What you'll need
- Education: Master’s degree in Economics, Political Science, Public Policy, and Law with experience in Public Sector Reform or other fields relevant to the responsibilities of the role.
- Experience: At least 15 years of national and international relevant professional experience relevant to the duties and accountabilities of the position. Strong commitment to development and appetite for innovation to help governments deliver better services to citizens. Robust knowledge of the region’s public sector management challenges and drivers of innovation in government are required. Professional stature and personal gravitas to lead technically strong teams, ability to motivate teams and capacity to manage agendas. You are recognized as a leader and authority among peers in your specific field, with demonstrated ability to engage in policy dialogue with high level officials at the ministerial level. You should combine intellectual leadership with a strong operational experience, with a track record of successfully implementing transparency and integrity reforms.
- Languages: Proficiency in Spanish and English, spoken and written, is required. Additional knowledge of French and Portuguese is preferable.
Key skills
- Mentor and develop
- Promote Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging
- Focus on clients
- Communicate and influence
- Innovate and try new things