Representative of the Office in Europe (Madrid), Office of Outreach and Partnerships
Location: Madrid, Spain
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 Outreach and Partnerships (ORP) is looking for a highly qualified senior professional to lead its regional office in Europe (ORP/EUR) under ORP Work Plan. This position reports directly to the ORP Manager.
ORP is structured with four business units: the Office in Asia (ASI), the Office in Europe (EUR), the Resource Mobilization Division (REM), and the Grants and Co-financing Management Unit (GCM). These units work together under the direction of the ORP Manager to play a pivotal role in managing relationships and leading the mobilization of additional financing to public and private interventions in the IDB Group, as well as non-financial partnerships. In addition, ORP provides management of grant and reimbursable resources from partners and ordinary capital, in coordination with Vice Presidencies of Country (VPC), Sector (VPS), Finance and Administration (VPF), respectively, IDB Invest, IDB Lab, and other relevant units.
What you’ll do:
This position's function is to support the ORP Manager and the ORP’s mandate in managing relationships with partners in Europe. It entails mainly maintaining dialogue with current partners, bringing new business/partnership opportunities, and revamping relationships with traditional and non-traditional donors.
The main functions are detailed as follows:
1. Under the leadership of the ORP Manager, lead the EUR Madrid team to manage the relationship with nonregional member countries as well as with the key partner institutions located in Europe.
Dialogue with public partners – bilateral agencies to position the IDBG work and support them in designing cooperation strategies with LAC. (when it comes to relationships with the private sector, universities, or agencies located in Europe, the relationship should be managed depending on the nature of the collaboration):
Resource Mobilization Division (ORP/REM) leads all collaborations about resource mobilization. Grants and Cofinancing Management Unit (ORP/GCM) leads all donor resources management and reporting. Anticipate and inform the ORP manager of potential issues with partners. Open new business opportunities - identify new partners.2. Support resource mobilization under the direction of the REM. For all other collaborations, EUR’s support mainly includes:
Conducting business Intelligence/ country briefs and maintaining up-to-date detailed summarized material (under REM’s guidance) with information on partner´s priorities, development strategies, past/recent accomplishments, expected goals, and next steps in a shared folder. Supporting REM Coordination Groups (Global Fora, Innovative Financial Instruments, Partnerships and Cofinancing, and Global Positioning) in specific activities or projects associated with EUR partners. Conducting donor mapping for the development of resource mobilization plans. Providing information for yearly action plans with the vice-presidencies of countries (VPC), sectors (VPS), and finance (VPF). Providing relevant information for the preparation of briefings. Providing information and active support in coordinating deep dives and visits from European partners to the HQs in Washington, D.C.3. Inform the ORP Manager of donor-relevant changes concerning (i) thinking on development aid issues and (ii) development policies of corresponding non-regional members. EUR office is strategically placed to know first-hand donors’ strategies and their priority areas for LAC. Particular attention should be given to new funds/opportunities.
4. With the ORP Manager’s approval, represent the Bank at meetings at international fora. In addition:
Support and coordinate BID for the Americas in EUR. Support and conduct visits for IDB employment opportunities in coordination with HRD. Coordinate with the ORP front office and HRD for employment opportunities for European nationals at the IDB. Prepare communication material and participate in key events/missions to promote the IDB and the region.5. Support all missions to Europe and keep the ORP team informed of results and relevant follow-ups.
PCY and delegated VPs and Managers. Manage related Agendas/logistics. Support missions IDB Lab and IDB Invest in coordination with ORP/REMThe candidate must be a recognized leader with an understanding of the geopolitical and economic context in Europe, Latin America, and the Caribbean (LAC) region, who has a proven record of solid and effective leadership and the ability to adapt to a different social and cultural environment, where the understanding and respect for diversity and inclusion – gender, various cultural traditions, work habits, and business practices is essential.
Education: Minimum a master’s degree or equivalent in Business Administration, Economics, Finance, Public Policy, Economics, or a related academic field.
Experience/Skillsets:
Minimum of 15 years of working experience with development finance institutions, preferably with operational experience of more than ten years working with the LAC region. Minimum of 10-12 years of professional experience in partnerships and mobilization. At least 10-12 years at the senior leadership level and a solid technical performance track record in managing multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural teams. Proven effectiveness in supervision, management, and development of staff. The candidate should be recognized as a thoughtful leader among peers in their specific discipline. In-depth knowledge of the LAC region's development and socio-economic issues and familiarity with IDB Group’s key strategic areas, such as climate change, digitalization, small and medium enterprise development, and gender/diversity, to drive alignment with key organizational priorities. Experience in LAC countries is preferred. Political astuteness to understand the structure, hierarchies, and decision-makers in partner organizations, country ministries, and IDBG matrix, and manages multiple players' political sensitivities and unique perspectives in complex deals to find synergies. Executive presence to act with composure and confidence, as well as social solidity and presentation/communication skills with the ability to transmit ideas and information to different audiences, consult, partner, and work effectively with senior leaders and business partners across countries and sectors. Business acumen to successfully execute/deliver results from various activities and programs designed to meet diverse partners and stakeholders with different needs and priorities. Embrace new ideas and incorporate them easily into the work program. Be willing to seek out opportunities to increase knowledge and awareness of IDB, IDB Invest, and IDB Lab. The ability to adapt to different cultures and customs and act sensitively to the interpersonal and organizational dynamics that influence relationships and transactions.
Language: English language proficiency, oral and written, is required. Proficiency in Spanish language in oral and written is strongly preferred. Familiarity with other European languages is desirable but not required.
Key skills
Mentor and develop.
Promote Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging
Build Lean and Versatile Teams.
Lead change and Transformation.
Create Partnerships.