Division Chief - Water and Sanitation

About this position

We are looking for a highly dynamic, strategic, and people-oriented leader to serve as Chief of the Water and Sanitation (WSA) Division. As Chief of the WSA Division, you will lead, with high-quality standards, the design, preparation, and execution of loans and technical assistance operations, policy dialogues, institutional capacity-building activities, and economic and sector work on water, sanitation, and solid waste management, incorporating cross-cutting themes such as poverty reduction, economic growth, resiliency and adaptation, inclusion, circular economy, institutional capacity, and the rule of law.

The Water and Sanitation Division (WSA) is part of the Infrastructure and Energy (INE) Department. The INE team is responsible for designing and implementing innovative and sustainable solutions to address key development challenges in infrastructure sectors, including energy, transportation, and water and sanitation.

The Division works to improve access to safe and sustainable water supply, sanitation, wastewater treatment, integrated water resource management, and modern solid waste management services across Latin America and the Caribbean.

What you’ll do

• Lead the preparation and execution of high-quality loans and technical assistance operations, policy dialogues, and institutional capacity-building activities in water, sanitation, and solid waste management, ensuring they are delivered on schedule and within budget. Incorporate cross-cutting themes such as gender and diversity, climate change resilience, digital transformation, circular economy approaches, institutional capacity, and governance, focusing on achieving meaningful development impact.
• Drive knowledge generation and dissemination through rigorous applied economic and sector research on water, sanitation, and solid waste challenges and solutions, in coordination with other IDB Group business units and leading external institutions.
• Advise Management and lead the development of strategies, policies, and guidelines for the IDB Group on water, sanitation, and solid waste management, working in collaboration with IDB Lab and IDB Invest. Ensure that strategies are tailored to the specific needs of different borrowing member countries.
• Manage and mentor the Division’s personnel, setting clear objectives, providing regular feedback, and offering technical guidance to optimize performance. Foster a workplace culture that upholds IDB’s policies on ethics, inclusion, and respect.
• Promote continuous improvement and innovation in the Division's operations, ensuring the IDB Group remains at the forefront of best practices in water supply, sanitation services, wastewater treatment, integrated water resource management, solid waste collection, recycling, waste-to-energy solutions, and circular economy initiatives.
• Align the Division’s work plans with broader institutional goals, translating them into clear objectives and leading the annual resource planning process to allocate resources effectively.
• Identify and implement innovative solutions to address sector challenges, leveraging new technologies, nature-based solutions, waste valorization strategies, and financing mechanisms, while building strong collaborations with IDB Lab, IDB Invest, and external partners.
• Develop and manage strategic partnerships with key stakeholders, including governments, international organizations, regional agencies, academia, civil society, and the private sector, to advance the IDB’s water, sanitation, and solid waste management agenda and secure support for major initiatives

What you'll need

• Education: Master’s degree (Ph.D. preferred) in one of the following areas: Economics, Engineering, Business Administration, Public Policy and Administration, or related fields with specialization on water and sanitation issues.
• Experience: At least 15 years of proven experience related to the key responsibilities of the position. Knowledge and understanding of the Latin America and the Caribbean Region. 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 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

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.