Unit Head, Strategic Corporate and Operational Data Unit (SPD/SCO) - Principal Specialist

Job Description Unit Head, Strategic Corporate and Operational Data Unit (SPD/SCO) - Principal Specialist City: Washington DC Company: IDB Posting End Date: 9/18/2026 11:59 PM EST 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 The Strategic Corporate and Operational Data Unit (SCO), within the Office of Strategic Planning and Development Effectiveness (SPD), coordinates the Bank’s corporate and operational data agenda to support strategic management, institutional performance monitoring, operational oversight, evidence-based decision-making and business intelligence solutions. SCO is responsible for strengthening the governance, stewardship, quality, accessibility, strategic use, and responsible use of corporate and operational data across the Bank. The Unit leads SPD’s analytics and business intelligence function; oversees key institutional dashboards data models, reporting products and analytical tools; coordinates corporate and operational data governance; leads operational data stewardship; and coordinates implementation of the IDB Group Personal Data Privacy Policy. The Unit Head provides expert technical leadership and managerial oversight for this mandate. The position leads a multidisciplinary team and translates institutional priorities into reporting products, analytical capabilities, governance mechanisms, stewardship arrangements, and cross-functional coordination arrangements that support Senior Management, the Board of Directors, SPD, and other Bank stakeholders. The Unit Head also serves as a senior institutional focal point for corporate and operational data matters, ensuring alignment among business needs, governance frameworks, operational reporting, analytical solutions, technology initiatives, and institutional policies. The role operates across five mutually reinforcing areas: Operational Reporting, Data Analytics and Business Intelligence: dashboards, institutional reporting, analytical products, semantic layers, data models, visualization and storytelling, measurement frameworks and decision-support solutions. Corporate and Operational Data Governance: governance frameworks, roles, standards, decision forums, cross-functional coordination, and enterprise-wide reuse of data, tools and definitions. Operational Data Stewardship: business definitions, ownership, quality, integrity, accessibility, issue resolution, and fitness-for-use. Data Privacy and Responsible Data Use: implementation of the IDB Group Personal Data Privacy Policy, compliance monitoring, advisory support, and privacy-by-design. Technical Advisory and Institutional Enablement: translation of business needs into data and technology solutions, coordination with technical teams, knowledge transfer, and change management. What you’ll do 1. Leadership and Strategic Direction · Provide expert leadership for SCO, translating the Bank's strategic priorities and SPD mandate into the Unit's work program, priorities, resource allocation, and performance objectives. · Lead strategic work across operational reporting, data analytics, data governance, operational data stewardship, technical advisory, responsible data use and data privacy. · Advise SPD Management and senior stakeholders on strategic issues, opportunities and risks related to corporate and operational data, reporting, analytics, governance, stewardship, privacy, and emerging technologies. 2. Operational Reporting, Data Analytics and Business Intelligence · Lead SPD's data analytics and business intelligence function, overseeing the development of dashboards, reporting solutions, and analytical products, interactive tools that allow users to query data, conduct scenario analysis, and support institutional decision-making. · Ensure the quality, consistency, accessibility, and usability of operational reporting and analytical products for SPD, Senior Management, and the Board. · Direct the development of data models, reporting solutions, and analytical capabilities in collaboration with business and technical teams, translating business requirements into executable data and analysis tasks · Promote the strategic use of analytics, visualization, storytelling, measurement frameworks, and predictive or advanced analytical approaches to strengthen planning, portfolio management, operational oversight, and development effectiveness. 3. Corporate and Operational Data Governance · Lead the implementation and continuous improvement of the Bank's corporate and operational data governance framework and operating model, applying an enterprise-wide perspective to data reuse, definitions, quality, and accountability. · Establish governance structures, stewardship arrangements, standards, and accountability mechanisms to strengthen the quality, consistency, and management of corporate and operational data. · Promote institutional alignment across business, operational, legal, technology stakeholders on data governance, business definitions, reporting standards, data sharing, responsible use, and related policies. 4. Data Privacy and Responsible Data Use · Lead the implementation of the IDB Group Personal Data Privacy Policy and oversee the Bank's data privacy program. · Direct privacy governance, compliance monitoring, advisory services, institutional reporting, privacy-by-design practices, and capacity-building activities. · Promote responsible data use and privacy-by-design institutional processes, systems, analytics, knowledge transfer, and decision-making. 5. Technical Advisory and Institutional Coordination · Provide strategic and technical advisory support to SPD on data, analytics, business intelligence, governance, stewardship, privacy, emerging technologies, and technology-related matters. · Serve as the primary liaison between SPD internal data and analytics teams and technical partners to ensure solutions alignment with clients and business needs, institutional priorities and enterprise data standards. · Foster collaboration across business and technical teams to advance enterprise data capabilities shared analytical solutions, knowledge networks, and adoption of data-driven practices. What you'll need Education Master’s degree (or equivalent advanced degree) in data science, information systems, information technology, economics, business administration, public policy, statistics, engineering, or other fields relevant to the responsibilities of the role. Advanced training or certification in data governance, data management, analytics, business intelligence, privacy, change management, or related areas is a strong asset. Experience · At least seven years of relevant professional experience, preferably ten years of experience, in data science, data analytics, business intelligence, data governance, data management, data policy, or related areas, including experience leading complex analytical initiatives, cross-functional programs, or multidisciplinary teams. Demonstrated track record of: · Designing and implementing enterprise data governance frameworks, data models, dashboards, and analytical products at scale. · Leading multidisciplinary work, mentoring others, transferring analytical knowledge, and building data analytics capacity across clients or teams · Engaging and influencing senior stakeholders and executives through clear communication, compelling data storytelling, and actionable recommendations. · Translating business needs into requirements, analysis tasks, reporting products, and BI solutions that support strategic decision-making and institutional performance. Experience in IDB operational data, business intelligence, privacy, data stewardship, or multilateral development bank contexts is a strong asset Languages Proficiency in English, spoken and written, is required. Fluency in Spanish is highly desirable. Additional knowledge of Portuguese and/or French is a plus. 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 perks (country specific): 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 .