Unit Chief for the Amazonia Forever Regional Program

This is an international staff role based at our Headquarters in Washington, D.C. We offer visa and relocation support.

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

About This Position

The Amazonia Forever Unit has rapidly positioned itself as a strategic leader in advancing sustainable development across the Amazonia region. In just three years, it has mobilized over $4.2 billion in operations across eight countries, launched innovative financing mechanisms, including Indigenous-led funds. Coordinated the first loans under the Green Climate Fund and the Amazon Bioeconomy and Forest Management Fund. Through regional networks, knowledge platforms, and global partnerships, the Unit has strengthened institutional capacities, promoted inclusive growth, and elevated the IDB’s leadership in Amazonia-related development.

We are seeking a strategic leader to serve as Unit Chief for the Amazonia Forever Regional Program. This role is central to advancing sustainable and inclusive development across the Amazonia region, which is home to nearly 40% of South America’s landmass. The Unit Chief will lead cross-sectoral efforts, manage funding mechanisms, and coordinate with internal and external stakeholders to ensure impactful and cohesive development strategies.

This position will report to the Manager of the Southern Cone Department. It will advise and support the Vice Presidency of Countries and Regional Integration, as well as the CSC, CAN, and CCB Managers, in the preparation, development, and implementation of national and regional dialogues, strategies, and activities related to the Amazonia Forever Program.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the Amazonia Forever Regional Program within the Bank and its funding mechanisms and coordinate the external partners and networks that are part of the Program.
• Coordinate high-level dialogues across Amazonia-region countries, in close collaboration with Country Representatives, to identify shared priorities and build consensus around strategic development goals.
• Align Amazonia Forever Program goals with Country Strategies, ensuring coherence across sectors and countries.
• Engage diverse partners and stakeholders to shape initiatives within the Amazonia Forever Program.
• Advise senior management on the formulation of operational strategies, policies, and guidelines tailored to the Amazonia region.
• Promote implementation of the program’s five key pillars: Combating deforestation and strengthening environmental control and security, Bioeconomy and creative economy, People-centered development, Sustainable cities, infrastructure, and connectivity, and Sustainable, low-carbon agriculture, livestock, and forestry.
• Integrate cross-cutting themes: inclusion of women, Indigenous peoples, Afro-descendants, and local communities; climate, biodiversity, and forest conservation; and institutional capacity and rule of law.
• Collaborate with the IDB Global Partnerships Department to mobilize resources from donors and partners.
• Coordinate and manage various funding mechanisms, including donor resources and IDB’s own funds.
• Leverage Amazonia Forever’s financial instruments to support strategic solutions for regional development challenges.

Requirements

• Education: Advanced degree (master’s or equivalent) from an accredited university in a field of the social sciences or humanities that is relevant to sustainable and inclusive development.
• Experience: Experience related to advancing sustainable and/or inclusive development in the region.
• Languages: Proficiency in English, and Spanish or Portuguese.
• Citizenship: Citizen of one of our 48-member countries.
• Consanguinity: 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.

What we offer

• 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.
• Pension plan: a defined benefit pension plan that provides financial security and supports employees in planning for their future.
• Hybrid and flexible work schedules.
• 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.

We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from diverse candidates.