Competitive Process
Country Representative – Panama
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 competitive process
We are looking for an experienced and knowledgeable professional who will help us change people’s lives in Latin America and the Caribbean by leading our Country Office in Panama.
What you’ll do:
- Represent the IDB Group and act as the main link between the IDB Group and the Government, private sector, civil society, international cooperation, and relevant actors in the country, proactively seeking opportunities to contribute to the development of the country and to the integration with other countries in the region and the world
- Lead the programmatic dialogue, the development of the Country Strategy and programming, ensuring alignment with the Institutional Strategy, and the objectives of the IDB Group, ensuring compliance with the principles of strategic selectivity, regional integration and development impact
- Lead IDB Invest and IDB Lab on possible business opportunities that promote the achievement of their objectives, in accordance with their business plans and other corporate mandates.
- Ensure the alignment of operations, both public and private, with the country’s priorities.
- Plan and align the human and financial resources of the Country Office to implement the IDB Group program in the country, in accordance with the Bank’s policies and processes.
- Lead, manage, advise, and evaluate Country Office staff, on a matrix basis where appropriate, to optimize the performance of the Group’s response to clients and partners.
- Ensure that work practices and conduct at the Country Office are consistent with IDB Group policies related to ethics and respect in the workplace.
- Develop a communication strategy for the country office that promotes the dissemination of knowledge, information, and intelligence among all relevant actors, internal and external.
Technical Competencies:
- Institutional representation: Represents the IDB Group in the country, promoting its mission and policies to government officials, the private sector, civil society, and the media.
- Strategic Planning. Applies understanding of the IDB Group’s mission and implements the institutional strategy, in accordance with the IDB Group’s business model, instruments and knowledge and with the country’s development objectives; and proposes comprehensive solutions that have an impact to address the country’s challenges.
- Public-private synergies. Identifies and promotes public-private synergies to ensure compliance with the objectives of the IDB Group’s institutional strategy.
- Program and Project Management: Supervises the design, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of development programs and projects financed by the IDB Group in the country, ensuring that they achieve the expected impact.
- Private Sector Financing/Co-financing. Understands the financial and contractual details of private sector projects, including risk implications; the country’s strengths, weaknesses and opportunities, and alignment with the IDB Group’s interests.
- Customer Relationship Management and Networking. Develops and maintains relationships with different levels of government, the private sector, local partners, civil society organizations, and other stakeholders. Collaborates with these entities to promote the alignment of the IDB Group’s institutional strategy with the country’s development objectives. Maintains and expands these networks, both public and private, that add value to the IDB Group.
- Resource Mobilization: Promotes and manages the mobilization of resources from the private sector and other development partners for the financing and co-financing of IDB Group projects and programs in the country and at a regional level as appropriate.
- Knowledge to Formulate and Implement the Country Strategy. Leverages the knowledge of the country’s economic, political, and social environment, as well as the regulatory framework, to better serve the assigned country, jointly using the IDB Group’s strategy and instruments, in accordance with its policies and procedures. Coordinates the preparation of the country strategy based on the Group’s matrix inputs and dialogue with the country authorities and taking into account the regional dimension.
- Dialogue and Programming. Leads policy dialogue, coordinates IDB Group programming with in-country counterparts, -and at a regional level as appropriate-, and monitors and advises, on the implementation of national and/or regional projects and initiatives,
- Institutional, Operational and Risk Management Knowledge of the IDB Group. Interprets and applies policies and operational frameworks in a manner appropriate to the client’s needs and in accordance with the IDB Group’s guidelines. Identifies and manages risks, both internal and external, to operate in the country, including integrity analysis of private sector clients. Guarantees the security of the Bank’s staff and assets in the country.
- Reporting and Accountability: Keeps IDB Group Senior Management informed about the progress of programs and projects, financial status, and compliance with regulations and policies.
- Team Leadership: Leads, develops, and effectively manages a diverse team of professionals to support policy dialogue, technical assistance, and management of the IDB Group’s operations in the country. Encourages hybrid work models and a collaborative, productive work environment.
- Resource Planning and Management. Plans and manages financial and human resources to meet the current and future business needs of the organizational unit.
- Political and Interpersonal Skills. Understands governmental and international structures, processes, and positions and how they affect the interests of the public and private sectors; operates with an attentive and considerate personal style that appreciates group and interpersonal dynamics; Is careful with the dissemination of information.
- Promote Workplace, Culture, and Values: Fosters a culture of inclusion and equity where diverse perspectives are shared, heard, and considered in decision-making. Ensures that the IDB Group operates in compliance with institutional and local laws, regulations, and ethical standards.”
Reporting: This position will have dual reporting to IDB and IDBInvest.
What you’ll need
Education: Ph.D. or Master’s degree in Public Policy, Business, Economics, Law, or any discipline relevant for the position. Outstanding professional background and strong technical competencies.
Experience: At least 15 years of relevant experience.
- Strong leadership skills, proven ability to build and motivate high performing teams.
- Strong interpersonal skills with demonstrated ability to quickly establish and maintain trust and credibility with all stakeholders, as well as navigate complex scenarios.
- Strong business acumen and clear understanding of Bank culture and/or other similar multilateral development organization or development financial institution.
- A track record of being a collaborative team player who can work across the organization to support the goals of the business.
- Strong ability to develop, preserve and strengthen strategic relationships while managing and/or negotiating solutions to sensitive situations.
- Experience in distinct functional areas of the IDB Group is a plus. (For internal candidates).
- At least three years of experience in a comparable position with another multilateral development organization or development financial institution. (For external candidates).
Languages: Excellent communication skills. Proficiency in English and Spanish, oral and written required.
Other: Willingness to travel, ability to work in a multicultural environment, outstanding interpersonal skills.