INDEPENDENT CONSULTATION AND INVESTIGATION MECHANISM
(“The Mechanism”)

PROJECT OMBUDSPERSON

The Board of Executive Directors of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB or the Bank) recently approved a policy establishing a new Independent Consultation and Investigation Mechanism (“Mechanism”). The
“Mechanism” provides a forum and a process to address complaints from
parties that allege that they are or might be adversely affected by IDB
operations.

Detailed information about the Mechanism is available at www.iadb.org/mechanism.

The role of the Project Ombudsperson is to lead the Mechanism’s response to the problems of locally affected people in Bank projects, applying a range of consensual and flexible approaches. The Project
Ombudsperson will interact with the Requester, identify and gather
information from other stakeholders, and develop a range of responsible
options to help determine whether a resolution to the issues raised can
be reached and what is the best process for doing so. The Project
Ombudsperson may use fact-finding, promote further discussion and
negotiation, retain experts, and lead facilitation, conciliation or
mediation exercises during the Consultation Phase. The Project
Ombudsperson will prepare a report on each Consultation Phase exercise
and its results and will be in charge of the monitoring of any
resulting agreements.

As the first Project Ombudsperson under the Mechanism, he/she will prepare administrative procedures and other guidelines necessary to operationalize the Consultation Phase.

The successful candidate will report directly to the IDB Board of Executive Directors. He/she will be independent of any unit or official of the Bank and shall act on his or her own initiative.

The Project Ombudsperson will be a full-time Bank employee, appointed at an executive level under a fixed-term contract that is renewable by mutual consent.

Post of Duty: Washington, D.C.

Key Responsibilities:

• Assessing eligibility for the Consultation Phase and processing Requests thereunder.
   
• Conducting assessments and the Consultation Phase, including contracting outside experts, as appropriate, and providing information to prospective Requesters.
   
• Conducting, in coordination with the appropriate Bank units, training and providing advice to operational units in their problem-solving activities, but not for specific cases under review or
  that may reasonably be expected to come under review by the Mechanism.
   
  
• Undertaking contacts with the public, publishing periodic reports, disseminating lessons learned, and conducting outreach activities.
   
• Adopting administrative procedures for the operation of the Consultation Phase.
   
• Undertaking any other tasks that may be necessary or incidental to the Consultation Phase.

Eligibility Criteria and Competencies:

The successful candidate should have:

• Education: Relevant advanced degree (Master's or Licenciatura) in a relevant discipline (environmental, social, economic, engineering, legal and/or private sector fields related to
  international development).
   
  
• Experience:
  • Strong record of experience in the conflict resolution/mediation field and/or strong knowledge of conflicts that may arise in development projects.
  • Demonstrated knowledge of and experience with environmental sustainability and social issues, international development organizations, and civil society, preferably in Latin America and the
    Caribbean, and flexible dispute resolution methods. An experienced
    executive (minimum 12+ years of relevant experience) with a proven
    record in managing and delivering best practices for large, complex
    organizations.
  • Demonstrated integrity.
  • Knowledge of and experience with the operations of multilateral development organizations and/or private sector experience in developing countries also valuable.
  • Proven ability to engage effectively with a wide range of individuals and institutions in the resolution of disputes that might arise in development projects.
  • Ability and willingness to travel frequently and on reasonably short notice to Latin America and the Caribbean, including rural areas and difficult environments.
  • Independence from operations departments and Management of the IDB, IIC (Inter-American Investment Corporation) and MIF (Multilateral Investment Fund).
  • Excellent interpersonal skills; good exposure to international and multicultural environment.
     
• Languages: Command of Spanish and English. Portuguese desirable. French is a plus.
   
• Competencies:
  • Technical expertise: Knowledge and experience in techniques, strategies and methodologies to address conflicts and issues in development projects.
  • Leadership: Manages and leads a consensual problem-solving exercise with multiple stakeholders. Enhances the credibility of the Mechanism.
  • Analysis and Problem-Solving: Ability to make critical decisions based on systematic analysis and sound judgment.
  • Negotiation Skills: Ability to acknowledge and manage conflicts in a timely and constructive manner, as well as work through resistance and objections by providing proposals and negotiating
    compromises that take into account the key needs of all parties.
  • Strategic Thinking/Drive for Results: Proven ability to formulate objectives, set priorities, identify and optimize the use of resources, and implement plans consistent with the long-term
    interest of the institution in a global environment.
  • Communication and Knowledge-Sharing: Highly developed communication and diplomatic skills. Well-developed writing and editing skills; advanced presentation skills sufficient to convey complex
    information on issues requiring specific, fact-based reporting.
    Promotes effective sharing of knowledge within and outside the
    organization, in particular with strategic stakeholders, contributing
    to a continuous learning environment.
  • Building Coalitions: Able to build coalitions effectively with a variety of individuals and organizations such as civil society, non-government organizations, clients, member
    governments, other international organizations and comparable
    institutions, Board, Management and staff.

Considerations:

The Project Ombudsperson will be subject to the IDB Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct, Disclosure of Information Policy and other Bank policies and shall protect against conflicts of interest that
could weaken the objectivity and integrity of the Mechanism Office and
the Mechanism.

The IDB offers a competitive salary and benefits package and a diverse and inclusive work environment.

Applicants must be a citizen of one of the IDB Member Countries in order to qualify for any type of employment at the IDB. We kindly ask that you please indicate your country of citizenship on your resume.