Manager, External Affairs and Communications Department (EXC) - Inter-American Development Bank

Inter-American Development Bank

Executive position based in Washington D.C.

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.

About this position 

We are looking for a strategic people leader and highly motivated individual to be the Manager of the newly created External Affairs and Communications Department (EXC).

Reporting directly to the President, the Manager of the External Affairs and Communications Department leads IDB Group-wide efforts to consolidate and strengthen communication and external dissemination efforts for the IDB Group, fostering more effective internal collaboration.

The Manager plays a key role in establishing a consistent institutional voice across the IDB Group, reinforcing our brand and values. The Manager will ensure informed, timely interactions that support the institution's strategic objectives.

The External Affairs and Communications Department is responsible for managing internal and external communications, managing and expanding the Bank's brand, providing protocol services, and managing external engagement with key stakeholders including civil society organizations and governmental entities. 

What you'll do

• Lead the newly created EXC Department, overseeing both the Communications Division and the External Affairs Unit. Provide strategic guidance to ensure alignment with institutional priorities and the President's vision, positioning the Bank as a key player in improving lives in Latin America and the Caribbean. 

• Implement the strategic direction for the EXC Department's work program, managing change effectively and ensuring the achievement of long-term goals and annual KPIs. Foster a culture of impact and meritocracy by guiding a multi-disciplinary team. 

• Act as a strategic advisor to the President, Senior Management, and key departments on communications and external affairs, enhancing the Bank's influence and stakeholder engagement. Ensure cohesive and consistent messaging across all institutional efforts, internally and externally. 

• Oversee the integration of diverse outreach functions, including protocol services, civil society engagement, government outreach, arts and culture, and events logistics. Strengthen relationships with key stakeholders through personalized and impactful engagement initiatives. 

• Enhance the institution's brand by guiding strategic communications, storytelling, visual identity, and public outreach, leveraging insights to protect and advance the IDB Group's reputation. 

• Ensure effective coordination between the Communications Division and the External Affairs Unit. Promote seamless collaboration and shared objectives, creating synergies and optimizing resources across departments. 

• Oversee the Culture, Arts & Collection group within the External Affairs Unit, ensuring its activities align with the institution's external engagement strategies and enhance its identity and mission. 

• Shape and execute communication strategies to safeguard the institution's reputation during crises and challenging situations. Establish and maintain stakeholder trust through accurate, transparent, and impactful messaging.

What you'll need

• Education: Master's degree or equivalent in fields relevant to the functions of the role.
• Experience: At least 15 years of relevant experience with at least 5 in a leadership role in communications and/or external affairs matters in private or public national/international organizations. Working experience in a multilateral development bank and in developing region/s, with particular emphasis on LAC is a plus. In addition, it would also be a plus:
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  • Proven track record in managing external relations and/or communications.
  • Understanding of the development sector and multilateral institutions.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
  • Ability to work under pressure and manage multiple priorities.
  • Should have a demonstrated track record in strategic thinking; staff management, teamwork and consensus-building; planning, organizing, and delegating work across diverse activities; and have sound policy judgment and proven capacity for problem-solving.
  • Should be an exceptional and clear communicator, both verbal and written; with the ability to represent the IDB at all external and internal levels is essential, as well as to clearly defend and explain difficult and complex concepts.
  • Collaborative attitude; ability to work in close coordination with other units; solid interpersonal skills, and sound judgment and emotional intelligence.
  • Proven managerial skills with track record of building high performing teams with strong client service orientation.
• Languages: Proficiency in English is required and in Spanish strongly desired. Additional knowledge of Portuguese and/or French is a clear plus.

Key skills

• Coach and Develop
• Promote Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging 
• Build Lean and Versatile teams 
• Lead Change and Transformation 
• Create Partnerships 

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.
• 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 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 wellbeing: Access to our Health Services Center which 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 Group we work so everyone brings their best and authentic selves to work, willing to try new approaches without fear, and where they are accountable and rewarded for their actions.

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging (DEIB) are at the center of our organization. We celebrate all dimensions of diversity and encourage women, LGBTQ+ people, persons with disabilities, Afro-descendants, and Indigenous people to apply.

We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job interview process. If you are a qualified candidate with a disability, please e-mail us at diversity@iadb.org to request reasonable accommodation to complete this application.

Our Human Resources Team reviews carefully every application.

About the IDB Group

The IDB Group, composed of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), IDB Invest, and the IDB Lab offers flexible financing solutions to its member countries to finance economic and social development through lending and grants to public and private entities in Latin America and the Caribbean.

About IDB

The Inter-American Development Bank is devoted to improving lives. Established in 1959, the IDB is a leading source of long-term financing for economic, social and institutional development in Latin America and the Caribbean. The IDB also conducts groundbreaking research and provides policy advice, technical assistance and training to public and private sector clients throughout the region.

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Sector: Nonprofit/Community/Social Services/International Cooperation

Role: Other

Working hours (%): 80-100% / 100%

Job type: Staff (Permanent and Fixed Term)