Application Guide
How to Apply for Sector Economic Advisor
at Inter-American Development Bank (IDB)
🏢 About Inter-American Development Bank (IDB)
The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) is the leading source of development financing for Latin America and the Caribbean, uniquely positioned to drive sustainable and inclusive growth in the region. Working at IDB offers the opportunity to directly influence policy and investment decisions that impact millions of lives, within a prestigious multilateral institution known for its technical excellence and regional focus.
About This Role
As a Sector Economic Advisor, you will lead high-impact research on climate change, biodiversity, disaster risk, and urban development to shape IDB's programs and policy dialogues across Latin America and the Caribbean. This role is impactful because it directly informs strategic decisions and investments that address some of the region's most pressing sustainable development challenges.
💡 A Day in the Life
A typical day might involve reviewing a technical report from a country team on disaster risk financing, providing detailed feedback to ensure methodological rigor. You could then lead a virtual meeting with external researchers from a Brazilian university to collaborate on a joint study about urban biodiversity, followed by preparing talking points for representing your sector in a Bank-wide committee on climate strategy.
🚀 Application Tools
🎯 Who Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) Is Looking For
- A PhD-holder in Economics or Public Policy with over 10 years of recognized, authoritative experience specifically in climate, biodiversity, or urban development economics in the Latin American/Caribbean context.
- A proven leader who has successfully coordinated complex, multidisciplinary projects with teams across different countries or institutions, not just managed direct reports.
- Fluent in both English and Spanish, with a portfolio of published analytical work or high-level policy documents that demonstrate technical rigor and influence.
- An established networker with active connections to academic institutions, think tanks, and partners relevant to Latin American development challenges.
📝 Tips for Applying to Inter-American Development Bank (IDB)
Quantify your '10+ years of relevant experience' by explicitly listing major projects, publications, or policy contributions related to the four sector areas (climate, biodiversity, disaster risk, urban dev) for the LAC region.
Showcase your 'recognized leadership and authority' by naming specific committees you've chaired, reports you've led, or external partnerships you've established, rather than just stating you have leadership experience.
Tailor your resume to highlight experience with 'multidisciplinary teams in complex projects'—mention economists, engineers, policy experts, etc., you've collaborated with, especially on LAC-focused work.
Explicitly state your language proficiency levels (e.g., 'Native Spanish, Fluent English') and provide examples, like links to publications or presentations in both languages, if possible.
Frame your achievements in terms of IDB's mission: emphasize how your past research or guidance has led to tangible policy changes, program designs, or investments, not just academic outputs.
✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter
['Your specific research expertise and publications in one or more of the four key sectors (climate, biodiversity, disaster risk, urban development), with a clear link to Latin America/Caribbean challenges.', "Concrete examples of providing 'technical guidance and quality assurance' for analytical work—describe a complex report or model you oversaw and how you ensured its rigor and policy relevance.", 'Demonstrated experience building and leveraging research networks with universities/think tanks in the LAC region to solve development problems.', "Your motivation to contribute to IDB's role as a regional leader, showing understanding of its unique position as a development bank (not just a research institute)."]
Generate Cover Letter →🔍 Research Before Applying
To stand out, make sure you've researched:
- → IDB's current institutional strategy and recent flagship publications (like the 'Development in the Americas' reports) to understand its priority themes and analytical approach.
- → Specific IDB departments and operations (e.g., Climate Change Division, Urban Development Division) to see active projects and identify potential alignment with your expertise.
- → IDB's key partner institutions in the LAC region (e.g., ECLAC, CAF, regional think tanks) to understand the ecosystem you'd be engaging with.
- → Recent IDB policy dialogues or high-level events (like the Annual Meeting) to grasp current debates and the Bank's role in them.
💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics
Based on this role, you may be asked about:
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Submitting a generic research-focused CV without clearly linking your expertise to IDB's operational and policy work in Latin America and the Caribbean.
- Overstating language skills—IDB will test Spanish/English proficiency, so claiming fluency without evidence can disqualify you.
- Focusing only on academic research achievements without demonstrating experience in translating analysis into practical guidance for programs or policies.
📅 Application Timeline
This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.
Typical hiring timeline:
Application Review
1-2 weeks
Initial Screening
Phone call or written assessment
Interviews
1-2 rounds, usually virtual
Offer
Congratulations!
Ready to Apply?
Good luck with your application to Inter-American Development Bank (IDB)!