Location
Post of duty: Washington, District of Columbia, USA.
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
We are looking for a lead or senior specialist with extensive practical experience in tax administration to support the design, implementation, and evaluation of tax administration reforms in Latin America and the Caribbean. The role requires deep knowledge of tax administration functions and their interaction with tax policy, as well as the ability to lead institutional and technological modernization programs. You will design and supervise IDB operations, provide technical assistance and strategic advice, lead analytical work, and guide multidisciplinary teams.
The Fiscal Management Division (IFD/FMM) supports national and subnational governments in Latin America and the Caribbean in strengthening fiscal policy and management to foster economic growth and reduce inequality and poverty. Its main areas of work include tax policy and administration, public expenditure management, subnational fiscal management, fiscal sustainability, macro-fiscal policy, and fiscal transparency.
What you’ll do
- Support FMM specialists and country teams on tax administration issues and contribute to policy dialogue with national and subnational authorities.
- Lead or participate in the identification, design, negotiation, execution, supervision, and evaluation of lending operations and technical cooperations that support tax administration reforms.
- Provide technical assistance on core tax administration functions, including registration, filing and payment, taxpayer services, compliance risk management, audit, refunds, debt collection, dispute resolution, and performance management.
- Advise on organizational design, governance, business-process modernization, strategic planning, human resources, integrity, and change management in tax administrations.
- Guide the effective use of information technology, interoperability, data governance, advanced analytics, and responsible artificial intelligence, ensuring that digital investments respond to institutional and operational needs.
- Develop proposals to improve voluntary compliance and taxpayer services using behavioral insights, segmentation, electronic invoicing, prefilled returns, and other digital tools.
- Assess the administrative implications of tax reforms and contribute to work on international taxation, the digital economy, customs coordination, and social security contributions, as relevant.
- Lead analytical products, publications, operational tools, training, workshops, seminars and knowledge exchanges; promote the use of data to measure tax gaps, evasion, informality, and the results of administrative reforms.
- Monitor the technical quality and development effectiveness of the portfolio, identify implementation bottlenecks, and provide clear guidance to project teams and counterparts.
- Build and sustain partnerships with other Bank departments, tax administrations, multilateral organizations, donors, academia, and research centers; mentor colleagues and supervise consultants and technical workstreams.
Those demonstrating deeper subject-matter expertise gained through experience will be considered for Lead Specialist.
What you'll need
• Education: Master’s degree (or equivalent advanced degree) in economics, public policy, public administration, law, accounting, business administration, or other fields relevant to the responsibilities of the role. Academic training in data analysis, technology, or data science is an additional asset.
• Experience: At least five (5) years of progressive experience, preferably ten (10) years of experience, in tax administration, ministries of finance, international organizations, development institutions, specialized consulting, or applied research. Practical experience in senior, managerial, or advisory positions within a revenue body is highly desirable. Experience leading complex reforms or projects and sound knowledge of tax procedures, digital transformation, data use, and international good practices are required.
• 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
• Staff: 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.
-On-site position with the occasional flexibility of teleworking.
-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 office amenities (as available): Lactation Room, Daycare Center, Gym, Bike Racks, Parking, spouse career support, and others.
Our culture
At the IDB Group, 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 at accommodations@iadb.org.