IDB Lab - Ecosystem Building and Acceleration - Division Chief (Chief Ecosystem Building Officer)

IDB Lab – Ecosystem Building and Acceleration - Division Chief (Chief Ecosystem Building and Acceleration officer)

IDB Lab is the innovation and venture capital arm of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) Group. It focuses on fostering early-stage innovation with a strong emphasis on technology and entrepreneurship. The primary objectives of IDB Lab are to benefit poor and vulnerable populations and to activate new industries in frontier markets. By mobilizing financing, knowledge, and connections, IDB Lab supports innovative ventures and ecosystems, enabling them to thrive.

In addition to its focus on technology and entrepreneurship, IDB Lab addresses specific challenges such as climate resilience, access to quality essential services, and creating greater opportunities for livelihoods. It leverages partnerships between the public and private sectors, civil society, and academic institutions to influence public policy and the entrepreneurial ecosystem. Through its various flagship initiatives, IDB Lab aims to drive social inclusion, environmental action, and productivity in the region, ultimately improving lives in Latin America and the Caribbean. IDB Lab actively promotes new industries for development such as Silver Economy, blockchain ecosystem, digital tokens for biodiversity, among other key nascent sectors in Latin America and the Caribbean.

To align the implementation of MIF IV with the organizational structure of IDB Lab, the Ecosystem Building and Acceleration Unit has been upgraded to a Division (EBA), reinforcing its strategic role in strengthening entrepreneurial ecosystems across Latin America and the Caribbean. The division deploys non-reimbursable resources in a highly selective manner to support the consolidation of entrepreneurial ecosystems, fostering the development of new industries for entrepreneurship and impact while enhancing the growth of existing ecosystems.

The division works closely with the Venture Capital Investments (VCI) Division to ensure a seamless continuum of interventions and financing within IDB Lab. Additionally, it collaborates with multiple departments across the Inter-American Development Bank’s public sector and IDB Invest to generate synergies that amplify impact.

Finally, EBA leads IDB Lab’s connection and engagement activities, including the organization of flagship events such as the IDB Lab Forum, positioning IDB Lab as a key player in the region’s innovation and entrepreneurship landscape and providing an integrated offering of products and services to entrepreneurs and ecosystem stakeholders.

About this position

We are looking for a visionary leader to head the Ecosystem Building and Acceleration Division. This role will drive IDB Lab’s efforts in ecosystem development, connections, events and deployment and mobilization of non-reimbursable financing. The Division Chief will lead initiatives to foster innovation ecosystems, support the scaling of startups, and promote cross-sector collaboration to achieve sustainable development impact both within the IDB Group and with external partners. The head of the EBA Division will supervise a diverse team both in HQ and in the field to implement the above activities.

As Ecosystem Building and Acceleration Division Chief, you will report directly to the CEO of IDB Lab.

What you’ll do

• Lead the development and execution of ecosystem-building programs, fostering innovation and entrepreneurship across Latin America and the Caribbean

• Financing non reimbursable operations from IDB Lab own account resources as well as mobilizing resources from third parties by developing strategies to engage donors, investors, and private sector partners.

• Design and implement flagship initiatives in IDB Lab’s priority areas, such as climate resilience, silver economy, digital transformation and others.

• Build and maintain strong partnerships with key ecosystem players, including accelerators, incubators, corporate partners, financial institutions, universities and government lead entrepreneurship entities and funds.

• Implement the connections area in IDB Lab ensuring all activities contribute to the ecosystem development.  Organize events and ensure IDB Lab’s presence in critical forums.

• Lead a high-performing team responsible for sourcing, executing, and monitoring ecosystem development projects, ensuring alignment with IDB Lab’s impact framework.

• Represent IDB Lab in high-level discussions within the IDB Group and externally, advocating for the role of innovation ecosystems in sustainable development.

What you'll need

• Education: Master’s degree in one of the following areas: Economics, Finance, Business Administration or related fields relevant to the responsibilities of the role. 
• Experience: At least 10 years of proven experience related to the key responsibilities of the position. Track record of handling high-performance teams.  Experience with financial instruments and knowledge of one or more areas under the purview of the Division.
• Languages:  Proficiency in English is required and in Spanish desired. Additional knowledge of Portuguese and/or French is a plus.

Key skills

• Coach and Develop 
• Promote Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging  
• Build Lean and Versatile Teams  
• Lead Change and Transformation  
• Foster a Digital Innovation Culture
• Leverage Data and Technology for Strategic Decision-Making. Operational Excellence and Client Service
• Embrace an Agile and Adaptive Approach
• Create Partnerships  
• Innovation and creativity

Requirements

• Citizenship: You are a citizen of one of our . 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 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.
• 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. 

Our culture 

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 .

Our Human Resources Team reviews carefully every application. 

About the IDB Group

The IDB Group, composed of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), IDB Invest, and the IDB Lab, offers flexible financing solutions to its member countries to finance economic and social development through lending and grants to public and private entities in Latin America and the Caribbean.

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Primary Location: HQ-US-Washington DC