Job: Economics Senior Advisor/Advisor

Location: Washington
Deadline: Saturday, 20 July 2013 

Description

OVE - Senior Advisor / Advisor

Grade 2 /3*

The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), the largest and leading source of financing for regional development in Latin America and the Caribbean, is seeking to fill a position(s) to work as Senior Advisor/Advisor in the Office of Evaluation and Oversight (OVE). The IDB's OVE was created in 1999 and is responsible for evaluating all aspects of IDB's work. OVE undertakes independent and systematic evaluations of the IDB's strategies, policies, programs, activities, delivery support functions and systems. It disseminates findings of the evaluations so that recommendations for improvement can be used in the design, appraisal and execution of new operations, providing oversight and support for the enhancement of the effectiveness of the IDB's evaluation system.

OVE is an independent office, with the Director reporting directly to IDB's Board of Executive Directors, an independent budget and management structure, and approximately 50-60 staff and consultants working full-time on evaluations. OVE staff have full access to all IDB information and are expected to produce high-quality, accurate, objective and evidence-based evaluations. Notwithstanding the independent nature of their functions, OVE staff members are eligible for career development and growth opportunities in other areas within the IDB.

OVE seeks to provide IDB with a strong, relevant, high quality, and useful evaluation function that effectively serves both accountability and learning needs in IDB. To this end OVE is advertising a position of Senior Advisor/Advisor with the following accountabilities and qualifications (with a particular emphasis on the first two, methodology/quality control and leadership of major evaluations).

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES

• Methodology and Quality Control. To provide advice and leadership to OVE teams and OVE management on issues of evaluation methodology and quality during all stages of the evaluation process, including the initial delineation of evaluation questions, the design of evaluation approaches, the gathering of evidence, the presentation of evaluation findings and recommendations, and the dissemination of evaluation outputs. Candidate must possess strong analytic and writing skill; in-depth knowledge of evaluation and research methods; mature judgment and ability to conceptualize and prioritize issues; specialized expertise and experience in one or more key Bank sectors (preferably in the Latin American context).
• Leading Evaluations. To lead and/or oversee evaluation teams in conducting major evaluations.
• Management Support. To advise and assist the Director in the management of OVE, including the formulation and monitoring of the work program and budget, the recruitment and coaching of staff, the allocation of staff and other resources to OVE tasks, the building and sustaining of productive relationships with OVE stakeholders and clients, and the quality control and timely delivery of OVE outputs.
• Support to Self-Evaluation System. To support the development of a strong evaluation system in IDB, including liaison with Management in developing the self-evaluation system and harmonizing evaluation criteria used by Management and OVE.
• Outreach. To interact and build relationships with the Board of Executive Directors, country clients, academic and research institutions, and evaluation offices in partner agencies to further the sharing of knowledge and evaluation capacity development, including attendance at external meetings and participation in activities related to evaluation capacity development.

• Education: Ph.D. (or equivalent) in economics, public policy, or related field, with broad knowledge of development issues.
• Experience: At least 6-7 years (depending on grade) of relevant hands-on experience in development, including at least 4 years in a policy or operational position in a government, donor agency, think tank, or NGO dealing with issues of economic and social policy in developing countries (preferably including operational experience in IDB or another multilateral development bank).
• Language: Proficiency in English and Spanish required. Knowledge of an additional Bank language (French or Portuguese) desirable.

TECHNICAL COMPETENCIES

• Economic Analysis and Research: Demonstrates a command of statistics, econometrics and economic theory, and the ability to design, conduct and evaluate economic analyses and research.
• Strategy Process: Critically analyzes and evaluates country, sector, and/or institutional strategies.
• Results Management: Critically analyzes and validates the economic data, assumptions, and design underlying IDB projects and programs.
• Knowledge Management and Dissemination: Effectively disseminates research findings and provides advice on economic trends and development needs.
• Relationship Management: Develops ongoing relationships with internal stakeholders, academia, and relevant third parties to better inform IDB priorities and the formulation of sound evaluation strategy and approaches.
• Country/Sector Knowledge: Understands the main development challenges and policies of countries and/or sectors and the implications for IDB country and/or sector strategies and programs.

CORE COMPETENCIES

• Client Focus & Management: focuses efforts on achieving business results through understanding and meeting internal and external client and stakeholder needs. Values the importance of providing high-quality customer service, while balancing the interests of the client and the IDB.
• Innovation & Creativity: Generates innovative and creative solutions to problems that contribute to organizational effectiveness. Tries different and novel ways of approaching work to create added value in the services/products provided.
• Knowledge-Sharing: Actively develops and shares knowledge within and outside own business area. Leverages expertise to improve organizational effectiveness and add value within sphere of influence.
• Collaboration & Influence: Cooperates with others and encourages teamwork to achieve mutually beneficial results. Gains the support of others for own ideas and initiatives, regardless of formal authority and organizational boundaries.
• Critical Thinking & Judgment: Uses experience and good judgment to make sound decisions and devise effective solutions to problems. Assesses and manages risk in own work.

*The grade of the position will be determined by the level of responsibilities assigned. The title of the position will be assigned according to the role level.

Competitive Salary

Excellent Benefits

Relocation Package (if applicable)

Diverse and Inclusive Work Environment

The IDB is committed to gender equality and encourages women to apply.

We seek diversity also in terms of nationality, ethnicity, race, and educational background.

Persons living with disability or HIV/AIDS are equally encouraged to apply.

More info and Application