LAC Regional Network for Knowledge Sharing on Sustainable Infrastructure
Washington, DC

Job Description

LAC Regional Network for Knowledge Sharing on Sustainable Infrastructure

Background and Justification: Sustainable Infrastructure is central to achieving the global goals defined in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the Paris Agreement, and the Addis Ababa Action Agenda. Without sustainable infrastructure, it will not be possible to meet demands for energy, transport, logistics, communications, water, and sanitation services in growing cities (New Climate Economy 2016).

Despite this, the global community is not meeting the scale of investment required and much of the infrastructure being planned and constructed is not sustainable. The main challenges related to sustainable infrastructure are (1) weaknesses in the national institutional contexts for delivering sustainable infrastructure; (2) failure to design and implement infrastructure projects with high sustainability standards; and, (3) financing mechanisms are not aligned to effectively address climate related risks or to mobilize new sources of finance.

There are already numerous information platforms, exchange formats, support facilities, and gatherings of decision makers related to infrastructure in place, though primarily at the global level, including (non-exhaustive list): Global Infrastructure Hub (GIH); Infrastructure Working Group (IWG) of the G20; Global Infrastructure Facility (GIF); Global Infrastructure Connectivity Alliance (GICA); Task teams and/or working groups of the engagement groups of the G20 such as B20 (business leaders), T20 (think tanks), C20 (civil society), U20 (urban); Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) / G20 Task Force on long-term Finance (with a strong focus on infrastructure). Furthermore, there are numerous regular global conferences convening experts and decision makers on infrastructure, such as the Global Infrastructure Forum (GIF) last held in Bali, Indonesia, 2018. Multi-lateral Development Banks (MDBs) also have established an MDB Infrastructure Cooperation Platform.

The IDB is looking for a consultant to help establish a regional networking mechanism for sharing lessons learned and experiences on delivering sustainable infrastructure across LAC. This network should build on existing mechanisms and effectively engage national and sub-national government entities, including ministries of finance, planning and sector ministries; regional and international organizations; bilateral and multilateral donors; national and multilateral development banks; private and state-owned infrastructure providers and construction companies; financial sector, including commercial and investment banks, institutional investors; think tanks and universities; international and civil society organizations.

Overall Objective: The overall objective of this assignment is to support the IDBG in identifying the most effective knowledge networking opportunities in LAC to advance the concept of sustainable infrastructure.

What you'll do:

The consultant will:

* Identify and document the contributions of key internal and external stakeholders to the process of delivering sustainable infrastructure in LAC;
* Identify and evaluate the main actors, focal audience, engagement process, spatial and temporal focus, and general effectiveness of existing sustainable infrastructure networking mechanisms that are applicable to LAC;
* Propose, test, and establish a networking mechanism with IDBG support to enhance the delivery of sustainable infrastructure in LAC.

Key Activities

* Undertake a stakeholder analysis and review of existing networking mechanisms in LAC
* Work with IDBG personnel to identify key internal and external stakeholders in the delivering sustainable infrastructure in LAC.
* Through interviews with key stakeholder groups, document and evaluate existing sustainable infrastructure networking approaches in LAC.
* Develop a report with the results of the stakeholder analysis and this analysis.


* Develop and propose a cost-effective knowledge networking mechanism.
* On the basis of the assessments in activity (1), develop a report that proposes a cost effective and costed proposal for action to enhance an existing networking mechanism or support a new networking mechanism with activities implemented during 2018 and 2019.
* Support the implementation of a pilot process/event in accord with the proposed mechanism
* Support the implementation of one activity (event) in accord with the proposal as proof of concept. The activity should engage up to 40 participants with geographical representation across LAC. IDB will provide logistical support.


* Develop a final report with recommendations
* Critically reflect on process after the pilot activity and provide recommendations for a future network, including, but not limited to institutional and financial sustainability.
* Present findings in MS PowerPoint format at an internal IDB meeting.
* Submit final report based on feedback from workshop.



Expected Outcome and Deliverables

* First draft report with stakeholder analysis
* Second draft report with Proposal for Action
* One pilot activity
* Final report with recommendations

Payment Timeline

* 10% Upon contract signature
* 40% Upon delivery of Second Draft Report
* 50% Upon presentation of the Final Report and completion of the pilot event.

What you'll need:

* Education and Experience: A Masters' degree or equivalent with a minimum of 10 years of relevant professional experience, or the equivalent combination of education and experience in engineering, architecture, design, business, sustainability, governance, public administration or similar.
* 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.
* Areas of expertise: Knowledge management, knowledge networks, exchange and cooperation platforms or similar. Infrastructure, especially sustainability related issues (economic/financial, environmental - incl. climate, resilience, social, institutional). Experience in communication and social media a plus. Understanding of IDB operations and priorities a plus.
* Skills: Analytical and organizational skills related to networks and cooperation platforms. Stakeholder analysis and mapping. Organization of multi-stakeholder events in Latin America and the Caribbean, including innovative meeting formats promoting knowledge exchange, co-creation, and sustainable networks. Strong regional experience and networks in Latin America and the Caribbean related to infrastructure, incl. in government, regional/international organizations, donor/community/foundations, business, civil society, academia/think tanks.
* Languages: Excellent command of oral and written English and Spanish required.

Opportunity Summary

* Consultancy Category & Modality: PEC Consultant
* Length of contract: 03 Months
* Location: Remote location
* Responsible person: Sector Principal Specialist (CSD/CCS) who will provide comments to any reports, approve reports, documents, work, and give instructions for any changes.
* Reporting Requirements: The consultant will prepare reports in English language and deliver them in PowerPoint .ppt and where needed in Microsoft Word .docx format; and deliver any numerical results or other data in Microsoft Excel .xlsx format.
* Other Requirements: (Bank policy GN-2765-1 does not allow the procurement of goods and related services except when such goods and related services are necessary to achieve the objectives of the Bank-executed Operational Work and are included in the consulting services contract and represent less than ten percent (10%) of the consulting services contract value.) If it is determined that acquisition of goods is necessary by the consulting firm, please add a very detailed technical specification of the minimum requirement of said goods.

Nuestra cultura: nuestra gente está comprometida y apasionada por mejorar vidas en América Latina y el Caribe, y hacen lo que les gusta en un entorno de trabajo diverso, colaborativo y estimulante. Somos la primera institución de desarrollo de América Latina y el Caribe en recibir la certificación EDGE, reconociendo nuestro fuerte compromiso con la equidad de género. Como empleado, puedes ser parte de grupos de recursos internos que conectan a nuestra comunidad diversa en torno a sus intereses comunes.

Alentamos a las mujeres, los afrodescendientes, las personas de origen indígena y las personas con discapacidades a postularse.

Sobre nosotros: En el Banco Interamericano de Desarrollo, estamos dedicados a mejorar vidas. Desde 1959, hemos sido una fuente importante de financiamiento a largo plazo para el desarrollo económico, social e institucional en América Latina y el Caribe. Sin embargo, hacemos más que prestar. Nos asociamos con nuestros 48 países miembros para proporcionar a América Latina y el Caribe investigaciones de vanguardia sobre temas de desarrollo relevantes, asesoramiento de políticas para informar sus decisiones y asistencia técnica para mejorar la planificación y ejecución de proyectos. Para ello, necesitamos personas que no sólo tengan las habilidades adecuadas, sino que también sean apasionadas por mejorar vidas.

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