PEC Consultant - Inclusive Growth Index Framework (Kingston, JM)

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About this position

The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) Country Office of Jamaica is supporting the Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ) in finalizing and operationalizing the Inclusive Growth Index Framework (IGIF). The IGIF is a composite index and supporting analytical framework that measures inclusive growth across seven development pillars for Jamaica and CARICOM countries. The project expects to deliver a fully onboarded, automated, accurate, user‑friendly, and sustainable IGIF system that produces timely results with minimal manual input.

The team is seeking a senior technical development professional with a background in data science, economics, statistics, or computational modelling to automate, refine, stress‑test, and consolidate the IGIF, while establishing the technical and institutional foundations for long‑term sustainability.

What you will do

The consultant will work closely with the PIOJ technical units responsible for data governance, national planning, macroeconomic analysis, and statistical systems. These units aim to strengthen evidence‑based policymaking through high‑quality data, analytics, and integrated systems that support Jamaica’s long‑term development planning and monitoring. The IGIF plays a central role in enabling data‑driven insights on inclusive growth, requiring robust internal coordination, standardization, and governance.

The Consultancy includes the following activities:

• Onboard and operationalize the IGIF within PIOJ’s internal systems by mapping indicators, integrating datasets, establishing metadata, and designing governance and version‑control protocols.
• Automate the IGIF lifecycle, including data cleaning, validation, imputation, normalization, weighting, composite scoring, and dashboard‑ready output generation, using R, Python, Excel, or SQL‑based tools.
• Strengthen data quality and infrastructure by building standardized data pipelines, automated anomaly detection, imputation systems, and secure data linkages (APIs or structured manual workflows).
• Conduct stress testing and sensitivity analysis to assess model robustness and evaluate how IGIF outputs respond to methodological changes and external shocks using Jamaica and CARICOM comparator data.
• Develop statistical relationship analyses linking indicators and pillars to uncover synergies, trade‑offs, and drivers of performance, supported by dashboards, visualizations, and analytical scripts.
• Prepare a full handover package, including training, SOPs, update protocols, documentation, templates, and dissemination tools for sustainable internal ownership.

Deliverables

Deliverables:

1. Inception Package – work plan, timeline, methodology, stakeholder onboarding.
2. Foundational IGIF Infrastructure – indicator mapping, metadata, validation protocols, data linkages, governance and version‑control frameworks.
3. Core Data Infrastructure – finalized J, X, and E databases with metadata; automated cleaning and imputation pipelines; QA logic; retrieval plans.
4. Indices Computation Module – modular R scripts, validated composite/pillar scores, integrated pipeline, version‑control protocols, relationship analyses, and output templates.
5. Automated IGIF System & Communication Tools – end‑to‑end automated system, update‑ready scoring logic, dissemination templates for briefs, dashboards, and reports.
6. Sensitivity & Stress Testing Report – methodological sensitivities, stress tests, cross‑country simulations, refinements, and interpretation guidance.
7. Final System Handover Package – end‑to‑end workflow verification, SOPs, checklists, training manual, and staff training sessions.
8. Final Presentation – summary of outputs, lessons learned, and sustainability recommendations.

What you'll need

• Education: Master’s degree in Economics, Statistics, Social or Economic Research, Data Science, Public Policy, Development Studies, Computer Science, or related field.
• Experience: Minimum 5 years of progressive experience in data processing, modeling, index development, or statistical system design; Experience with PIOJ, STATIN, or similar public sector institutions is an asset.
• Languages: Proficiency in English
• Core and Technical Competencies: Proficiency in R, Excel, Python and/or SQL for data processing, automation, and analytics; Strong skills in metadata development, validation rules, imputation, and anomaly detection; Ability to conduct statistical analyses (correlation, PCA, clustering, regression); Core IDB soft skills: continuous learning, collaboration, communication and influence, innovation and flexibility.

Requirements

• Citizenship:   You are either a citizen of Jamaica or a citizen of one of our 48-member countries with residency or legal permit to work in Jamaica .
• 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.
   
  The selected candidate will not provide services from the Bank's office and will not be provided a physical space on the premises of the Bank's Country Office. The candidate selected will be responsible for setting up the space, and for having the equipment, internet, and phone accesses to accomplish these TORs, outside the Bank's office. Access to the Bank's systems will be arranged in coordination with the Bank.

Type of contract and duration

• Type of contract: Products and External Services Consultant (PEC)
• Length of contract: 9 months
• Work Location: Remote

Our culture

At the IDB, we work to ensure that everyone can bring their best and be authentic while also finding their purpose. Our staff constantly strive for excellence, and we recognize and celebrate the impact of their contributions.

In our efforts to drive innovation, we intentionally include all voices, foster a sense of belonging, and promote equity. We invite individuals from underrepresented groups to join us and share their unique perspectives.

We ensure that individuals with disabilities receive the reasonable accommodations necessary to participate in the interview process. If you require any accommodation to complete this application, please write to us at [email protected].