Sector Manager - Climate Change and Sustainable Development Sector

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Sector Manager - Climate Change and Sustainable Development Sector

City: Washington DC

Company: IDB

Posting End Date: 10/16/2026 11:59 PM EST

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 (LAC). Our people find purpose and do what they love in an inclusive, collaborative, agile, and rewarding environment.

The IDB Group Institutional Strategy recognizes sustainable and resilient development as a key priority for advancing prosperity and improving quality of life across LAC. The region faces increasing climate related challenges, biodiversity loss, natural disasters, rapid urbanization, and environmental sustainability. Addressing these challenges requires integrated solutions that strengthen resilience and disaster risk management, protect natural capital, support sustainable cities, and promote inclusive development.

The Climate Change and Sustainable Development (CSD) Sector conceptualizes, prepares, supervises, and supports the implementation of Bank operations related to biodiversity and natural capital, disaster risk management, housing and urban development, sustainable cities, and climate. The Sector tackles the challenges of climate risks and environmental sustainability through a holistic, territory-based approach.

CSD develops policies, strategies, operational guidelines, and flagship programs; conducts cutting-edge research, analytical work, and case studies; and fosters networks of cities and regional stakeholders to share knowledge, lessons learned, and best practices. The Sector also integrates climate change and sustainable development considerations across Bank operations by advising Management, providing specialized technical support to other sectors, and coordinating technical aspects of strategic initiatives and specialized funds.

The Sector is organized into two divisions and two units: (i) Climate Change Solutions Division (CCS); (ii) Housing and Urban Development Division (HUD); (iii) Biodiversity and Natural Capital Unit (BNC); and (iv) Disaster Risk Management Unit (DRM).

About this position

We are looking for a strategic, people leader, and highly motivated individual to head our Climate Change and Sustainable Development Sector (CSD) under the Vice Presidency for Sectors and Knowledge.

The CSD Manager will report to the Vice President for Sectors and Knowledge.

As Manager, you will lead a multidisciplinary team committed to helping the IDB Group conceptualize, prepare, support implementation, and supervise Bank operations and knowledge work in the areas of biodiversity and natural capital, disaster risk management, housing and urban development, climate and sustainable cities. You will oversee the preparation of sector policies, strategies, operational guidelines, and programs; the development of relevant research and analytical work; and the provision of specialized technical support to borrowing member countries. You will also promote a systems-based approach across the Sector and strengthen coordination with IDB Invest and IDB Lab to maximize development impact.

What you'll do

• Lead, manage, and mentor a multidisciplinary and diverse team located in Washington, D.C. and in the Bank's Country Offices across LAC to support the IDB Group's mission.
• Oversee the conceptualization, preparation, supervision, and implementation support of Bank operations, technical cooperation programs, knowledge products, and strategic initiatives related to climate, biodiversity and natural capital, disaster risk management, housing and urban development, and sustainable cities and development.
• Lead the evaluation of the development results of interventions under the Sector's responsibility.
• Promote an integrated systems approach across the Sector's divisions and units, strengthening collaboration to maximize development impact.
• Perform quality enhancement functions for CSD sector programs in alignment with the Bank's fiduciary and environmental and social safeguards policies.
• Work with other sectors to ensure a multi-sector approach to Bank operations and strengthen the integration of climate and sustainable development considerations across the institution.
• Provide thought leadership and direction to the Sector. Lead the annual planning, implementation, and supervision of the Sector's work program. Monitor the quality of outputs, achievement of long-term goals, and annual objectives.
• Develop and oversee the Sector's research and knowledge agenda, assuring high-quality analytical work and coordinating the dissemination of knowledge products and best practices.
• Advise Senior Management on the development of strategies, policies, and guidelines related to climate, sustainability, biodiversity and natural capital, disaster risk management, housing and urban development, and sustainable cities.
• Support the development and implementation of country strategies and programs in the Sector's areas of responsibility.
• Provide technical guidance to borrowers, implementing agencies, Country Offices, and other units of the Bank on matters related to programs and projects in execution.
• Lead technical dialogue with governments and relevant national and subnational authorities of borrowing member countries to support policy reforms and sustainable and resilient development agendas.
• Foster knowledge networks and partnerships among cities, development partners, academia, civil society organizations, and private sector stakeholders.
• Promote synergies across the IDB Group and when needed, provide technical advice to non-sovereign guaranteed operations led by IDB Invest and IDB Lab.
• Set annual goals and expectations for personnel in the Sector, mentor staff, and provide feedback to optimize performance.

Represent the Bank at public forums, conferences, and seminars as speaker, panelist, and participant.

What you'll need

Education: Master's degree or equivalent advanced degree in Sustainable Development, Environmental Sciences, Economics, Public Policy, Engineering, Urban Development, Natural Resource Management, Disaster Risk Management, International Development, Business Administration, or other relevant fields. Candidates with a Ph.D. are preferred.

Experience: Extensive relevant international professional experience, preferably including Latin America and the Caribbean, together with a sustained record of progressively responsible leadership in complex, multidisciplinary, and multicultural organizations. In addition:

• Deep understanding of the Multilateral Development Bank environment and demonstrated experience working across complex international organizations and development finance institutions.
• Demonstrated ability to lead across multiple technical disciplines and build collaboration among teams, sectors, and institutions to operate as an integrated system.
• Demonstrated ability to think strategically and develop innovative solutions to meet clients' needs.
• Proven experience leading sustainability, climate, biodiversity and natural capital, disaster risk management, urban development, resilience, or related development agendas.
• Strong social and communication skills with the ability to consult, partner, and work effectively with senior leaders, governments, development partners, private sector stakeholders, and multidisciplinary teams across countries and sectors.
• Proven managerial skills with track record of building high-performing teams with strong client-service orientation.
• Experience handling multidisciplinary and/or cross-sectoral teams.
• Impeccable integrity and high ethical standards.

Languages: Proficiency in English is required and proficiency in Spanish highly desired. Additional knowledge of French and Portuguese is advantageous.

Please note that for this position, the final candidates will be required to successfully pass a background check to the satisfaction of the IDB Group, as a pre-employment condition, which will be conducted by third-parties.

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 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 which covers medical, dental, vision, preventive care, and prescription drugs.
• Pension plan: defined benefit pension plan that provides financial security and supports 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 wellbeing: 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 benefits: 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.

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