UK Sustainable Infrastructure Program Technical Consultant

Post of duty: Washington, DC USA

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.

The United Kingdom Sustainable Infrastructure Program (SIP) is a bilateral program funded through the UK’s International Climate Finance (ICF), via the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), and delivered by the IDBG. At approximately £177 million, the program constitutes the largest joint effort between the IDB Group and the United Kingdom in Latin America and the Caribbean. The purpose of the SIP is to accelerate and enable the implementation of the NDCs of the Paris Agreement in LAC by supporting and catalyzing strategic private sector investments in sustainable low-carbon infrastructure, adaptation and resilience, and nature-positive activities. The Fund provides financing for public sector technical cooperation (TC), along with private sector TC and blended finance investments. SIP operates in: Central América: Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua and Panama; in the Caribbean: The Dominican Republic, Haití, Bahamas, Barbados, Guyana, Jamaica, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago; and in South América: Colombia, Peru, and Brazil.

Eligible sectors include renewable energy, transmission and distribution networks for renewable energy, lower-carbon and efficient energy generation, energy efficiency, non-energy greenhouse gas (GHG) reductions, waste and wastewater, and transport.

The SIP’s programming is implemented across the public (IDB) and private sector (IDB Invest) arms of the IDB Group. An innovative aspect of the SIP is that it can provide a broad spectrum of instruments and support modalities –including grants for technical cooperation and mixed financing for loans, equity investments and guarantees– to fully address barriers to private investment and respond flexibly to the priorities and needs of the beneficiary countries.

The IDB Technical Advisor for the coordinates the development of public sector TC and investment grant operations supported by the SIP, and engagement with the donor in relation to these activities.

About this position

The Energy Division (INE/ENE) is a functional division in IDB’s Infrastructure and Energy Sector, under the Vice Presidency for Sectors and Knowledge, INE/ENE is responsible for developing the technical analysis and the identification, preparation, and supervision of programs, TCs and studies in the energy sector.

With regards to the SIP, INE/ENE oversees the implementation of the program’s public sector activities, in coordination with the Divisions that work in the climate change, finance, transport and water sectors.

What you’ll do:

• Act as main point of contact with FCDO at the technical level, engaging on a regular basis to update on progress in the design and implementation of technical assistance activities and discuss potential issues that may impact SIP implementation.
• Carry out internal and external consultations and analyses to support identification of priorities for TC and investment grant operations to be financed with the SIP.
• Agree and communicate priorities defined for technical assistance with relevant teams across IDB and FCDO.
• Facilitate and support the design, execution, and monitoring of IDB SIP-funded TCs, ensuring consistency with the agreed objectives.
• Prepare and participate in annual meetings with FCDO.
• Coordinate every 2 months meetings with UK Embassies.
• Coordinate quarterly meetings and present information to FCDO on the status of the SIP-funded TCs under preparation and execution.
• Working closely with IDB Invest and the Grants and Co-financing Management Unit (GCM), contribute to the reporting, internal monitoring, and evaluation reports required under the SIP.
• In coordination with GPS, IDB Invest, and FCDO, implement and keep updated the communications strategy, materials, and activities in relation the SIP and identify opportunities to promote the SIP in wider IDBG activities.
• Oversee preparation of lessons learned related to SIP TC activities within and outside FCDO and IDB, including technical input for the design of project-level communication products.
• Develop and maintain knowledge and networks in relation to activities, sectors, and countries relevant to the SIP.
• Undertake other activities, as needed, to ensure the alignment of the SIP to the IDBG’s work with other funds under administration.

What you'll need

• Education: Master’s degree in engineering, climate change, climate finance, economics, public policy, infrastructure and/or environmental management, or other related subjects is required.
• Experience: At least five years of experience in project design and management; proven expertise in financing related to climate change and/or infrastructure, as well as the design and implementation of technical assistance is required. Ideally with direct experience of working with governments and the private sector, three years working in multilateral institutions or government agencies, and experience in Latin America and the Caribbean. Experience of working with the UK government desirable.
• Languages: Fluency in English and Spanish is required. Knowledge of Portuguese a plus.

:

• Capacity to engage in policy dialogue based on solid knowledge of the climate change sector, development challenges of client countries, and IDB policies, strategies and guidelines.
• Ability to promote sector priorities based on country and regional needs and key program priorities.
• Ability to conceptualize, prepare, and implement projects and programs, in coordination with other team members, the respective authorities, and private sector stakeholders.
• Ability to effectively support the execution of projects and programs to maximize their results.
• Ability to design and implement effective monitoring and evaluation approaches related project and program delivery.

Requirements:

• Citizenship: You are a citizen of one of our 48-member countries.
• 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

• Length of contract: 12 months (up to 36 months). 
• Work Location: Washington, DC

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
• 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, 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 accommodations@iadb.org.