Sector Specialist - Migration

Location

Post of duty: Washington, District of Columbia, USA.

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 seeking a proactive and dynamic Migration Specialist to contribute to the Migration Unit in the origination, design, preparation, implementation, and monitoring of Bank operations. You will lead strategic dialogues with governments regarding migration challenges. Additionally, you will provide inputs to regional and national policy dialogues, promote regional partnership initiatives to generate migration-related public goods, and propose topics for high-quality capacity-building and training programs. As part of operational activities, you will also generate knowledge in collaboration with other Bank units.

You will be part of the Migration Unit, which reports to the Manager of the Social Sector (SCL). We support countries of destination, returnee migrants, and host communities through lending operations, regional, subregional, and national dialogues, regional cooperation to generate public goods, capacity building and training, and applied research.

What You’ll Do

• Lead or participate in the origination, design, and preparation of Bank operations.
• Lead or coordinate the execution, monitoring, and evaluation of operations financed by the IDB.
• Monitor project performance, track results, and recommend corrective actions when needed.
• Manage grants and resource allocations aligned with donor priorities and country needs.
• Contribute to research on migration topics, and generate, systematize, and disseminate knowledge, best practices, and learning tools to enhance the IDB's relevance in borrowing countries.
• Promote the integration of migration issues across operational, analytical, and strategic activities (e.g., country strategies, loans, policy dialogue, and knowledge initiatives), while fostering collaboration and coordinated action across regional and international platforms.
• Coordinate work with other relevant IDB divisions to incorporate migration considerations.
• Engage in policy dialogue with government authorities and development partners based on solid technical knowledge and understanding of country contexts.
• Build and maintain strategic relationships with governments, donors, multilateral organizations, academia, think tanks, NGOs, and other partners.

• Provide technical guidance to junior staff, consultants, and project teams, ensuring quality delivery and knowledge sharing.

What You'll Need

• Education: Master’s degree (or equivalent advanced degree) in social sciences, education, applied economics, public policy, or other fields relevant to the responsibilities of the role.
• Experience: At least 4 years of relevant professional experience in migration issues in developing countries, and the promotion, programming, design, financing, supervision, execution, and knowledge in education-related topics and labor markets are considered an asset.

• Languages: Proficiency in English and Portuguese, spoken and written, is required. Additional knowledge of Spanish 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

• International: International staff contract, 36 months initially, renewable upon mutual agreement.

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.
• On-site position with the occasional flexibility of teleworking.
• 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 office amenities (as available): Lactation Room, Daycare Center, Gym, Bike Racks, Parking, spouse career support, and others.

Our culture

At the IDB Group, 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 [email protected].