External Review Panel Member(s) for the Access to Information Policy

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Job description

Members of the Access to Information External Review Panel

Post of Duty: Remote, with occasional travel to 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. Our people find purpose and do what they love in an inclusive, collaborative, agile, and rewarding environment.

Background: The Access to Information Policy (the "Policy") sets a two-stage review process by which parties requesting information can request a review of the IDB's decision to deny access to information pursuant to the terms of the Policy. The review mechanism under the Policy establishes roles for both an Access to Information Committee (AIC) and an Access to Information External Review Panel (Panel).

The Panel is composed of three external members independent of IDB Management. These members are appointed by the Board of Executive Directors upon nomination by the President of the Bank, following a competitive and transparent selection process. The selection of candidates will be verified by a Selection and Recommendation Panel, which will prepare a list of eligible candidates, and the President of the IDB will present his proposals to the Board. Panel members are appointed for a three-year term, renewable once for a maximum total of six years.

The Panel conducts second-stage reviews in response to requests from interested parties in cases where the AIC, in conducting first-stage reviews, upholds Bank Management decisions to deny a requester access to information. The Panel has the authority to uphold or reverse AIC's first-stage review decisions to deny access to information. If the Panel reverses the AIC's decision to deny access to information, the Panel will provide to the requester the information, which remains the sole remedy available.

Under the New Access to Information Policy approved by the Board on June 26th, 2024, the Panel will have an additional responsibility to provide technical opinions to the Board of Executive Directors to resolve discrepancies in information classification matters that may arise between Management and any of the Bank's Independent Offices.

About this position

We are currently seeking to select candidates simultaneously to join the External Review Panel for the Access to Information Policy of the IDB. The selection process aims to create a diverse and complementary team, considering factors such as expertise, background, and gender and diversity representation. Candidates are selected based on their recognized technical competence, integrity, independence, academic background, and professional experience in the areas of access to information and transparency.

As a Panel member, you will review and resolve appeals on information denial decisions, provide technical opinions to the Board of Executive Directors as needed, and contribute to the IDB's transparency and accountability.

You will collaborate closely with the other Panel members and receive support from the Office of the Secretary (SEC) which acts as the Panel's Secretariat. Additionally, you will receive technical support from the Access to Information Office (ATI). The ATI is responsible for upholding the principles of transparency and accountability within the IDB. The Panel operates on an ad hoc basis, meeting as necessary to review specific cases.

What you'll do:

• Review and resolve second stage appeals on decisions to deny access to information.
• Provide technical opinions to the Board of Executive Directors on discrepancies regarding information classification between Management and the Bank's independent offices as needed.
• Prepare for and participate in virtual and occasionally in-person Panel sessions, including training sessions to be held at the IDB Headquarters.
• Review documentation, including confidential documents when necessary, and prepare well-founded decisions on reviewed cases.
• Contribute to reports for the Board of Executive Directors and publications on Panel activities and decisions.

Deliverables and Payments Timeline:

Panel members work on an on-call basis and do not have fixed deliverables. However, they are expected to: 1) Participate in Panel sessions as needed, which can last between 1 and 7 days depending on case complexity.2) Issue written decisions on each reviewed case. 3) Contribute annual or periodic reports on Panel activities. Remuneration will be based on time dedicated to Panel activities, including preparation for and participation in sessions: 1) One-time initial payment equivalent to 5 days of work for training and familiarization with the IDB. 2) Payment per day worked in Panel sessions and associated preparation. 3) Reimbursement of travel expenses when applicable.

What you'll need

• Education: Advanced degree in law, journalism, and/or development-related fields of specialization.
• Experience:
  • At least 10 years of relevant professional experience and proven competence.
  • Knowledge of borrowing and non-borrowing countries of the Bank. Preference will be given to knowledge related to access to information and transparency policies or frameworks.
  • Knowledge and experience of the operations of multilateral development organizations and/or private sector experience in developing countries will be valued.
  • Proven and solid ability to collect, analyze and synthesize information from multiple sources and present it concisely and clearly.
  • Excellent interpersonal skills; good degree of exposure to the international and multicultural environment.
• 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.
• 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:

• Type of contract: Products and External Services Consultant (PEC), Lump Sum
• Length of contract: 3 years, renewable for up to 3-year period (maximum 6 years total). Service on the Panel will be on an on-call basis.
• Work Location: Remote. With the possibility of occasional travel to Washington D.C. to attend in-person sessions.

Confidentiality and Conflict of Interest:

Panel members will be subject to the IDB's Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct, except for provisions that could be interpreted as restricting the Panel's independence or impartiality.

Members must report any real or apparent conflict of interest to the IDB's Ethics Office, the Panel Chairperson, and the Secretariat.

Panel members will not be eligible to accept positions as officials, consultants, or contractors of the IDB Group during their term and for up to three years after ending their service on the Panel.

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 with reasonable accommodation to participate in the job interview process. If you are a qualified candidate with a disability, please e-mail us at to request reasonable accommodation to complete this application.

Our Human Resources Team reviews carefully every application.

About IDB

We work to improve lives in Latin America and the Caribbean. Through financial and technical support for countries working to reduce poverty and inequality, we help improve health and education and advance infrastructure. Our aim is to achieve development in a sustainable, climate-friendly way. With a history dating back to 1959, today we are the leading source of development financing for Latin America and the Caribbean. We provide loans, grants, and technical assistance; and we conduct extensive research. We maintain a strong commitment to achieving measurable results and the highest standards of integrity, transparency, and accountability.

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