Economics Research Assistant

We improve lives

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

You will work as a Research Assistant in the Climate Change and Sustainable Development Sector.

The Climate and Sustainable Development sector (CSD) leads the IDB’s work on climate change and sustainable development and develops overall Bank policies, strategies, operational guidelines, and programs in these areas. CSD specialists and consultants conduct high quality analytical research aimed at improving the efficiency and effectiveness of the policy interventions supported and conducted by the IDB and its client countries. Within CSD, the Sector Economic Advisor (SEA) leads research in three strategic areas and helps to coordinate all knowledge activities withing the sector.

Strategic lines of research. The first strategic line of research examines forests, specifically the effects on forest health, ecosystem service provision, and local livelihoods of a variety of conservation and development interventions including land titling, community forestry, and regulatory fines and inspections. The second strategic line of research examines local pollution, specifically, the effects on a variety of health and non-health outcomes of policy interventions that affect air pollution. The third strategic line of research examines climate mitigation and adaptation. These three lines of research rely on, among other methods, rigorous experimental and/or quasi-experimental impact evaluation.

Coordinating of CSD knowledge activities. CSD’s SEA mentors junior researchers, organizes and hosts a monthly research seminar, coordinates the annual allocation of Economic Sector Work and Corporate Information Product funding, coordinates CSD inputs into country strategies, helps to shepherd manuscripts through the IDB publication process, and represents CSD in a variety of internal and external academic and policy fora.

What you’ll do

• Provide research assistance to the Sector Economic Advisor, CSD’s SEA, on a variety of projects focused environmental and natural resource issues in Latin America and the Caribbean;
• Compile, clean, and manage datasets and conduct econometric and other types of economic analysis;
• Assist with a variety of administrative tasks related to CSD knowledge activities, including hosting seminars and workshops, responding to short-term requests for data and non-technical analysis, and helping to manage research funds, IDB publications, and contracting with consultants.
  
  

What you'll need

• Education: Bachelor's degree (or equivalent advanced degree) in Environmental Economics, or other fields relevant to the responsibilities of the role.
• Experience: At least 3 years of progressive experience as a Research Assistant or Researcher.
• Languages:
• Proficiency in Spanish and English, spoken and written, is required. Additional knowledge of French and Portuguese is preferable.
  
  

Requirements

• Citizenship: You are a citizen of one of our 48-member countries. We may offer assistance with relocation and visa applications for you and your eligible dependents.
• 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.
  
  

Type of contract and duration

• Type of contract: International consultant Full-Time
• Duration: 24 months
• Location: Headquarters, on site.
  
  

What we offer

The IDB group provides benefits that respond to the different needs and moments of an employee's life. These benefits include:

• Competitive compensation packages.
• Leaves and vacations: 2 days per month of contract gender- neutral parental leave.
• Health Insurance: the IDB Group provides a monthly allowance for the purchase of health insurance.
• Savings plan: The IDB Group cares about your future, depending on the length of the contract, you will receive a monthly savings plan allowance.
• We offer assistance with relocation and visa applications for you and your family when it applies.
• Hybrid and flexible work schedules.
• Development support: We offer learning opportunities to boost your professional profile such as seminars, 1:1 professional counseling, and much more.
• Health and wellbeing: Access to our Health Services Center which provides preventive care and health education for all employees.
  
  

Other perks: Lactation Room, Daycare Center, Gym, Bike Racks, Parking, and others.

Our culture

At the IDB Group we work so everyone brings their best and authentic selves to work, willing to try new approaches without fear, and where they are accountable and rewarded for their actions.

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging (DEIB) are at the center of our organization. We celebrate all dimensions of diversity and encourage women, LGBTQ people, persons with disabilities, Afro-descendants, and Indigenous people to apply.

We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job interview process. If you are a qualified candidate with a disability, please e-mail us at diversity@iadb.org to request reasonable accommodation to complete this application.

Our Human Resources Team reviews carefully every application.