What are the responsibilities and job description for the Operations Principal Specialist - Head, Civil Society position at Inter-American Development Bank?
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
We are looking for a seasoned civil society engagement expert with extensive experience in stakeholder relations, policy dialogue, and strategic communication with proven track record of fostering meaningful partnerships between international organizations, government entities, civil society organizations (CSOs) as well as other key stakeholders, including Senior Management and Board of Executive Directors, among other. This critical role will play a pivotal part in shaping our organization's engagement with civil society to advance IDB Group’s strategic objectives to reduce poverty, address the climate crisis, and bolster sustainable growth through enhanced client management and strengthened strategic dialogue. The engagement will include dialogue, consultation, information exchange, operational partnerships, operational support, and constructive feedback and evaluation to improve the Bank's interventions in the Region, among other activities.
You will work in the External Affairs Unit part of External Affairs and Communications department. The External Affairs and Communications Department is responsible for managing internal and external communications, managing and expanding the Bank’s brand, providing protocol services and managing external outreach efforts to stakeholders including Civil Society and governmental entities. The Department, reporting directly to the President, leads IDB Group -wide efforts to (i) consolidate and strengthen communication and external dissemination efforts for the IDB Group, ii) foster more effective internal communication; iii) establish a consistent institutional voice across all communications efforts across the IDB Group, reinforcing our brand and values; iv) manage internal and external communications efforts, channels and interactions with the media; v) manage and expand the Bank’s brand and reputation; vi) oversee external outreach and engagement with key stakeholders including civil society organizations, governmental entities, community, media, etc.; vii) manage events production for IDB internal and external events; viii) manage protocol services; ix) lead IDB community relations program efforts; and; x) manage the Bank’s arts, transformation and culture programs.
What you’ll do
Strategic Engagement and Consultation
Partnerships and Proposals
What we offer
The IDB group provides benefits that respond to the different needs and moments of an employee's life. These benefits include:
At the IDB, we work so everyone brings their best and authentic selves to work while finding their purpose. Our people consistently strive for excellence, and we recognize and celebrate the impact of their contributions. In our efforts to drive innovation, we intentionally include all voices, cultivate a sense of belonging and champion fairness. We welcome individuals from underrepresented groups to join us and share their unique perspectives. We ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations to participate in the job interview process. If you require an accommodation to complete this application, please email us at accomodations@iadb.org.
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 seasoned civil society engagement expert with extensive experience in stakeholder relations, policy dialogue, and strategic communication with proven track record of fostering meaningful partnerships between international organizations, government entities, civil society organizations (CSOs) as well as other key stakeholders, including Senior Management and Board of Executive Directors, among other. This critical role will play a pivotal part in shaping our organization's engagement with civil society to advance IDB Group’s strategic objectives to reduce poverty, address the climate crisis, and bolster sustainable growth through enhanced client management and strengthened strategic dialogue. The engagement will include dialogue, consultation, information exchange, operational partnerships, operational support, and constructive feedback and evaluation to improve the Bank's interventions in the Region, among other activities.
You will work in the External Affairs Unit part of External Affairs and Communications department. The External Affairs and Communications Department is responsible for managing internal and external communications, managing and expanding the Bank’s brand, providing protocol services and managing external outreach efforts to stakeholders including Civil Society and governmental entities. The Department, reporting directly to the President, leads IDB Group -wide efforts to (i) consolidate and strengthen communication and external dissemination efforts for the IDB Group, ii) foster more effective internal communication; iii) establish a consistent institutional voice across all communications efforts across the IDB Group, reinforcing our brand and values; iv) manage internal and external communications efforts, channels and interactions with the media; v) manage and expand the Bank’s brand and reputation; vi) oversee external outreach and engagement with key stakeholders including civil society organizations, governmental entities, community, media, etc.; vii) manage events production for IDB internal and external events; viii) manage protocol services; ix) lead IDB community relations program efforts; and; x) manage the Bank’s arts, transformation and culture programs.
What you’ll do
Strategic Engagement and Consultation
- Lead the efforts to develop the IDB Group-Civil Society Engagement Strategy: Ensure alignment with organizational goals and stakeholder expectations. Regularly review and update the strategy based on feedback and evolving needs.
- Lead strategic discussions and engagement with civil society organizations (CSOs) that monitor Bank-financed operations: Build and enhance relationships with CSOs, community groups, universities and other actors engaged in monitoring and evaluation. Maintain open lines of communication and provide timely updates on project progress. Coordinate with Country Representatives and project team leaders to address any concerns.
- Facilitate and support Bank-Client/Government-Civil Society dialogue: Act as a mediator to ensure productive and respectful exchanges. Identify strategic opportunities to drive collective action, aligned with bank’s strategic interests.
- Advocacy and policy influence. Develop, modify and promote internal policies that enhance civil society engagement across IDB institutions.
- Track impact of society engagement and consultation. Develop and manage a system to track: (1) impact of CSO engagement, (2) feedback and recommendations, (3) related modifications to strategy or internal policies, and (4) progress on prioritized follow-up actions.
- Advise, coordinate, and monitor the work of 26 Country Office Civil Society Liaisons: Develop a robust framework for capacity building, including training programs and resource materials. Given recent shifts in the sector, include a focus on grant writing, financial sustainability, resource mobilization and donor diversification. Foster a collaborative environment with Country Managers and Representatives to ensure consistent support and guidance.
- Lead efforts to strengthen and develop internal capabilities to collect, process, and provide access to information for civil society engagement: Implement advanced data management systems and ensure transparency in information sharing.
- Optimize and fine-tune public consultation processes: Use technology to streamline consultations, making them more inclusive and efficient.
- Customize and scale up fora for collaboration with civil society: Tailor engagement platforms to meet the specific needs of different civil society groups. Expand successful models to other regions.
- Participate and advise on country and sector strategy dialogue and consultation: Ensure that civil society perspectives are integrated into strategic discussions. Open channels for CSOs (individual & collective) to provide targeted recommendations for country and sector strategies.
- Contribute to strategy for communications. In close coordination with communications team, develop messages on impact of civil society engagement for public outreach and reporting. Work closely with Country Teams, Economists, and sector teams to align efforts.
- Coordinate Regional-level dialogue with civil society: Plan and execute key events such as the Annual IDB-Civil Society Meeting and sub-regional dialogues. Ensure these events are well-organized and impactful. Ensure civil society participation in events with private sector clients (ie., investment platforms, etc) to elevate the voice of civil society in private capital mobilization.
- Design and monitor civil society-related operations: Oversee the implementation of targeted operations and ensure they meet their objectives.
Partnerships and Proposals
- Facilitate operational partnerships with CSOs: Identify potential partners and establish mutually beneficial relationships, in coordination with IDB’s Global Partnership Office.
- Design, coordinate, and implement Calls for Proposals targeting CSOs: Work with trust fund donors and other departments to ensure successful proposal processes aligned closely with IDB’s core strategic objectives.
- Enhance civil society access to information: Provide easy access to technical knowledge and other relevant information.
- Foster inclusiveness and pluralism: Engage with a diverse range of CSOs to ensure broad representation.
- Seek synergies across Bank Departments: Promote cross-departmental collaboration to maximize engagement opportunities.
- Advise on civil society issues as required by Bank management: Provide expert advice to ensure informed decision-making.
- Incorporate civil society engagement and outcomes into public outreach. Ensure partnerships with CSOs and impact are built into IDB’s narrative for external communications and advocacy, in close coordination with communications lead and sector, country communicators.
- Education: Master’s degree (or equivalent advanced degree) in Social Sciences, International Development, International Relations, Economics, Law, Business, or other fields relevant to the responsibilities of the role.
- Experience: At least 10 years of progressive experience in a role focused on outreach, developing and managing strategic partnerships with CSOs, as well as with other key stakeholders, including Senior Management, Boards, Government, among other. Experience in a multinational environment is highly preferrable. Experience in the formulation, design, and management of projects; experience in interacting with Civil Society Organizations that monitor Bank's operations. Preferable experience in planning and implementing calls for proposals targeting civil society organizations; designing civil society capacity-building programs and managing civil society projects portfolios in the Region for International cooperation agencies; managing processes that relate civil society, government, and international cooperation agencies.
- Languages: Proficiency in Spanish and English, spoken and written, is required. Additional knowledge of French and Portuguese is preferable.
- Citizenship:
- 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.
- Staff:
What we offer
The IDB group provides benefits that respond to the different needs and moments of an employee's life. These benefits include:
- A competitive compensation package, including an annual base salary expressed on a net-of-tax basis.
- Leaves and vacations: 24 days of paid time off 8 personal days sick leave gender-neutral parental leave.
- Health Insurance: IDB Group provides employees and eligible dependents with a robust medical benefits program that covers medical, dental, vision, preventive care, and prescription drugs.
- Pension plan: defined benefit pension plan that provides financial security and support employees in planning for their future.
- We offer assistance with relocation and visa applications for you and your family when it applies.
- Hybrid and flexible work schedules.
- Health and well-being: Access to our Health Services Center that provides preventive care and health education for employees.
- Development support: We offer tools to boost your professional profile, such as mentoring, 1:1 professional counseling, training and learning opportunities, language classes, mobility options, among others.
- Other perks: Lactation Room, Daycare Center, Gym, Bike Racks, Parking, Spouse Career Program, and others.
At the IDB, we work so everyone brings their best and authentic selves to work while finding their purpose. Our people consistently strive for excellence, and we recognize and celebrate the impact of their contributions. In our efforts to drive innovation, we intentionally include all voices, cultivate a sense of belonging and champion fairness. We welcome individuals from underrepresented groups to join us and share their unique perspectives. We ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations to participate in the job interview process. If you require an accommodation to complete this application, please email us at accomodations@iadb.org.
