Back Lead Specialist on Project Performance – PCR/XSR Validations

Lead Specialist on Project Performance – PCR/XSR Validations

Location: 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:

The Office of Evaluation and Oversight (OVE) is seeking a strategic, rigorous, and highly motivated evaluation professional who will lead OVE´s assessment of the performance of IDB and IDB Invest operations by validating PCRs and XSRs.

OVE is responsible for evaluating all aspects of the IDB Group's work. OVE undertakes independent and systematic evaluations of the IDB Group’s strategies, policies, programs, activities, delivery support functions, and systems. It disseminates the evaluations' findings so that recommendations for improvement can be used in the design, appraisal, and execution of new operations, providing oversight and support for enhancing the effectiveness of the IDB Group's evaluation system.

OVE’s annual work program includes the validation of Project Completion Reports (PCRs) prepared by the IDB, and of Expanded Supervision Reports (XSRs) prepared by IDB Invest. The purpose of these validations is to ensure the accuracy and credibility of the project performance rating system of the IDB Group. OVE uses four core criteria (relevance, effectiveness, efficiency, and sustainability) to assess project performance, as well as other non-core criteria (Bank performance and borrower performance for IDB operations and additionality, investment profitability, and work quality for IDB Invest ones). The independent review of the operations’ self-evaluations prepared by management is an integral aspect of the project evaluation system across MDBs.

What you will do:

• Lead OVE’s annual PCR/XSR validation cycle, which requires: (i) distributing the validation work among OVE staff and consultants and overseeing timely delivery; (ii) training and guiding evaluators on how to apply existing guidelines; (iii) conducting quality assurance of all validations to ensure quality and consistency across validations as well as correct application of PCR and XSR guidelines and OVE guidance documents; (iv) managing OVE’s interactions with management in the review of draft validations; (v) overseeing the final on-time delivery of OVE validations to management for reporting in the Development Effectiveness Overview.
• Lead the preparation of OVE’s annual PCR/XSR report to be submitted to the Boards of Directors in a timely manner in accordance with OVE’s annual work plan. This includes analyzing the results of OVE’s assessment of the IDB and IDB Invest project performance and quality of self-evaluations, identifying trends, key findings, and recommendations for Management, and presenting to the Board of Directors, as necessary.
• Recommend improvements as necessary, to enhance the efficiency of OVE’s annual PCR/XSR validation cycle, contributing to the development of innovative approaches to conduct the validation exercise.
• Contribute to the training and development of others and coach and mentor junior staff to build technical expertise.
• Represent OVE in discussions with management and the Boards regarding the interpretation and/or modifications to existing PCR and XSR guidelines.
• Represent OVE in trainings offered by management to IDB Group staff on how to prepare PCR and XSRs.
• Build connections with oversight offices of other institutions to discuss best practices in these types of exercises.
• Contribute to other activities aimed at furthering OVE’s mission and improving the quality of its work, notably by providing technical or methodological advice; providing guidance to and mentoring junior staff, research fellows, and consultants; leading or contributing to the development of other evaluation products; and actively participating in ad hoc working groups and other OVE initiatives.

  What you’ll need:

  Education: Master’s degree in evaluation, economics, finance, engineering, social policy, public policy, or related field, with solid knowledge of international development issues.

  Experience: At least 15 years of relevant hands-on experience in economic development, including professional experience in monitoring, evaluation and development effectiveness in development contexts, a policy or operational position in a government, multilateral organization, donor agency, think tank, NGO, consulting firm or private financier. Experience at least one of the following is highly desirable: designing and leading evaluations of public policies, development programs, or projects; leading learning and knowledge management activities; conducting operations at the IDB or other multilateral organization or donor agency; working in the LAC region.

  Language: Proficiency in English is required. Additional knowledge of Spanish, French or Portuguese a plus. Spanish is highly desirable so if you are not proficient, we will ask you to commit to learning once you join us, since the skill is essential for long-term success in this role.

  Key Skills:

  • Mentor and develop.
  • Promote Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging.
  • 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 assist you and your eligible dependents with relocation and visa applications.

    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.