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About this position
We are looking for a motivated, organized and detail-oriented research assistant to collaborate in the translation from English to Portuguese of the IDB Research Department’s 2026 flagship report on digitalization and artificial intelligence in Latin America and the Caribbean.
The IDB Research Department is currently producing the 2026 Development in the Americas (DIA), which explores how digitalization and artificial intelligence can be leveraged to advance economic development in Latin America and the Caribbean. The report is motivated by the region’s long-standing challenge of weak productivity growth and examines whether new technologies can help change that trajectory. It highlights both the promise of digitalization and AI to deliver measurable gains across sectors and the challenge that adoption remains shallow across firms, governments, and individuals. The report analyzes the underlying constraints—including gaps in institutions, human capital, and data infrastructure—and proposes policy priorities to foster broader adoption and translate technological advances into economy-wide productivity gains and improved public services.
The consultant will receive the final version of 14 chapters in English of the report. The consultant will use an AI-based translation tool to produce a translation of the chapters into Portuguese. The objective is to produce a clean, coherent first draft. As part of this work, the consultant will also build a glossary of preferred Portuguese translations for recurring terms used throughout the report. The draft produced by the consultant will later be revised by language editor and a technical reviewer. The consultant will not participate in these revisions, as their assignment will be complete upon the production of the first draft.
The goal is not to suggest additions, clarifications, or improvements to the report's substance but to produce a Portuguese translation that is faithful to the English original of the manuscript. The consultant should be prepared to work within a tight timeline and remain flexible with respect to start dates.
What you’ll do
- The consultant will receive each chapter of the 2026 DIA in English in the form of Microsoft Word files (chapters) and Microsoft Excel files (graphs and tables). Reviewed versions must be returned within 2 calendar days of receipt. Chapters may be delivered out of sequence.
- The consultant will produce the Portuguese translation using AI tools (DeepL, Claude, ChatGPT, or others) and compare that translation against the English original to verify that the text reads naturally and conveys the intended meaning accurately, identifying and correcting instances of awkward phrasing, overly literal renderings, or unclear passages.
- The consultant will ensure terminological consistency across all chapters, maintaining a running glossary of key economic, technical, and policy terms and their preferred Portuguese translations. The updated glossary must be delivered alongside the return of every reviewed chapter. It will serve as a reference for the technical editor and language editor in subsequent review stages.
- The consultant will ensure that all visual elements—including titles, subtitles, figures, tables, notes, sources, footnotes, author bios, preface, and executive summary—are accurately translated.
What you'll need
- Education: Bachelor’s degree in economics, translation, public policy, or other fields relevant to the responsibilities of the role.
- Experience: At least 2 yearS of experience as a research assistant, economics consultant, or in a similar role involving economic research or policy analysis.
- Languages: Proficiency in Portuguese and English, spoken and written, is required.
:
- Familiarity with economic concepts and terminology in Portuguese, particularly in areas such as digitalization, productivity, labor markets, and public policy.
- Strong attention to detail and ability to maintain terminological consistency across a multi-chapter document.
- Ability to work efficiently under tight deadlines.
- Experience using Microsoft Word (including Track Changes) and Microsoft Excel.
- Good communication skills and responsiveness when coordinating with the editorial team.
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)
- Length of contract: 3 months
- Work Location: Remote.
Our culture
At the IDB, 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.