Edtech.com's Summary

IDB is hiring a Learning & Knowledge Senior Specialist / Specialist to enhance institutional capacity and drive development effectiveness through innovative learning and knowledge solutions across the IDB Group and its partners. This role involves leading capacity-building initiatives, coordinating strategic programs, and facilitating collaboration with diverse stakeholders to address development challenges in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Highlights

Lead and coordinate capacity-building initiatives aligned with the IDB Group Institutional Strategy.
Facilitate strategic dialogues with sectors, countries, multilateral banks, academia, private companies, and NGOs.
Design, implement, and evaluate learning programs integrating the Bank's knowledge and technical expertise.
Conduct needs assessments and translate complex content into accessible learning materials.
Master’s degree in social sciences, psychology, public or business administration, engineering, or related fields.
Minimum 5 years of professional experience related to social, economic, or sustainable development; 7 years preferred.
Proficiency in Spanish and English required; French and Portuguese preferred.
Strong strategic communication, collaboration, and results-based management skills.
Competitive compensation package including annual net salary, health insurance, pension plan, leave benefits, and development support.
Citizenship of one of the 48 IDB member countries required; assistance with relocation and visas available.

Learning & Knowledge Senior Specialist / Specialist Full Description

Learning & Knowledge Senior Specialist/ Specialist

City: Washington DC

Company: IDB

Posting End Date: 08/12/2025

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.

The mission of the Inter-American Institute for Economic and Social Development (INDES) is to strengthen the capacities of those who drive social, economic, and sustainable development in Latin America and the Caribbean.

About this position
We are seeking a strategic, collaborative, and forward-thinking Learning & Knowledge Specialist / Senior Specialist to join our team. In this role, you will play a key part in enhancing institutional capacity across the IDB Group, executing agencies, and other critical stakeholders—driving development effectiveness through innovative learning and knowledge solutions.

At the IDB, development effectiveness is understood as a multidimensional concept that reflects the degree to which an intervention achieves: ownership, results, impact, value for money—through principles of efficiency, equity, and sustainability, and knowledge—through the use and generation of evidence, experience, and data.

You will be part of the Inter-American Institute for Economic and Social Development (INDES) team, within the IDB’s Knowledge and Learning Division. This team leads BIDAcademy’s capacity-building initiatives, focusing on strengthening individual knowledge and skills through upskilling and reskilling. These efforts aim to empower people to perform more effectively, adapt to evolving labor market and organizational demands, and operate with greater autonomy.

What you’ll do

Promote a collaborative work environment to maximize performance and team-spirit.
As a member of the INDES Team, contribute to the delivery of the Units’ business plan to meet the Division’s goals.
Serve as a strategic partner in shaping and driving relevant capacity-building initiatives across operational and sectoral areas as part of the implementation the IDB Group Institutional Strategy.
Lead, participate in, or oversee innovative and strategic cross-cutting IDB programs and targeted initiatives to address the changing development challenges.
Facilitate strategic dialogue with sectors, countries, multilateral development banks, academia, private companies, think tanks, NGOs and other key stakeholders across the region to strengthen our collective capacity for impactful capacity-building initiatives.
Coordinate, lead and undertake cutting-edge innovations to address capacity-building challenges within the IDB, across the region, and at national and subnational levels.
Conduct thorough needs assessments and analyze target audience to determine instructional goals, content structure, and learning objectives.
Translates complex content into accessible and understandable concepts, facilitating clearer, faster, and more effective learning.
Conduct regular evaluations and assessments of learning solutions to identify areas for improvement and make necessary updates.
Incorporate the Bank's knowledge, technical expertise, and experience from both operational and non-operational functions into the design, implementation, and evaluation of learning programs.

What you'll need

• Education: Master’s degree in social sciences, psychology, public or business administration, engineering, adult education, instructional design, or a related field.

• Experience: At least 5 years of professional experience focused on social, economic or sustainable topics. (7 years preferred.) A strong understanding of the development challenges in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) is preferred.

Ability to strategically collaborate with highly experienced technical teams to drive knowledge and learning agendas.
Strong strategic communication skills and the ability to engage multiple stakeholders.
Solid knowledge of results-based management and ability to manage multiple initiatives simultaneously.
Ability to lead the development and implementation of comprehensive learning strategies and programs aligned with the institutional goals.
Proven ability to work independently, engage and motivate multidisciplinary teams, and integrate diverse perspectives effectively.
Strong analytical and synthesis capabilities.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with attention to detail.

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

• Staff:
- 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.

-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 accommodations@iadb.org.

Our Human Resources Team reviews carefully every application.

Original Job Description