Description
Established in 1944, the WBG is one of the world’s largest sources of funding and knowledge for development solutions. In fiscal year 2018, the WBG committed $67 billion in loans, grants, equity investments and guarantees to its members and private businesses, of which $24 billion was concessional finance to its poorest members. It is governed by 188-member countries and delivers services out of 120 offices with more than 16,000 staff located globally.
The WBG consists of five specialized institutions: The International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD), the International Development Association (IDA), the International Finance Corporation (IFC), the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA), and the International Centre for the Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID). IBRD and IDA are commonly known as the World Bank, which is organized into six client-facing Regional Vice-Presidencies, several corporate functions, and – as of July 1, 2014 – has introduced fourteen Global Practices (GPs) as well as five Cross-Cutting Solution Areas (CCSAs) to bring best-in-class knowledge and solutions to regional and country clients.
WATER GLOBAL PRACTICE
Water resources are under unprecedented and increasing pressures, driven by greater climate variability, population and economic growth, land-use changes, and declining quantities and qualities of both ground and surface waters. With cross-cutting impacts on agriculture, education, energy, health, gender equity, and livelihood, water is an essential resource for all life on the planet and is at the center of economic and social development. The world will not be able to meet the great development challenges of the 21st century – human development, livable cities, climate change, food security, energy security, and universal access to services – unless we ensure a water-secure world for all.
WATER GLOBAL PRACTICE IN WEST AFRICA
Within the Africa Region, the hiring unit is responsible for ensuring the translation of the World Bank’s Africa Regional Strategy and the Water Global Practice’s Water Security Strategy into practical results relevant to the Francophone countries of West and Central Africa. Specifically, the unit supports the definition and achievement of these results through analytical, policy, and investment activities.
The hiring unit has an active portfolio of projects in Cote d’Ivoire under implementation, focusing on water supply and sanitation. In all cases, these require intensive engagement with government counterparts and other stakeholders to ensure local ownership, capacity and sustained focus on implementation for results. As a result, the World Bank is locally recruiting one Senior Water Supply and Sanitation Specialist based in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire.
DUTIES AND ACCOUNTABILITIES
The assignment requires an extensive understanding of the state’s issues, as well as a solid base of experience in working with global, regional, and country clients and partners. Under the supervision and guidance of senior water and sanitation specialists, the Senior Water Supply and Sanitation Specialist will work as part of the country and task teams with a specific focus on:
1. Strategies, Planning and Policies:
- Assist in the process of formulation of country sector strategies in the water and sanitation sector. Participate in the reviews of different sector policies, legal and regulatory frameworks for the water and sanitation sector,
- Assist in the identification and preparation of projects
2. Projects implementation
- Participate and assist in multidisciplinary supervision missions covering all phases of the project cycle.
- Identify implementation issues related to projects/programs in the sector.
- Work closely with client institutions to support effective implementation of WB supported programs.
- Maintain effective relationships with relevant governmental, non-governmental, donor, and other stakeholders.
- Assess capacity building and training needs of Executing Agencies of projects/programs.
- Carry out the planning and organization of workshops on Bank procedures and deliverables.
- Encourage clients to use technology and ICT to speed up project implementation.
3. Institutional and analytical work
- Staying informed on the status of the water sector and its institutions, as well as relevant donor, private sector and NGO initiatives.
- Providing capacity-building support to clients.
- Participating in the production of analytical studies and preparation and implementation support to investment and policy-oriented projects.
- Identifying and sharing with clients, relevant expertise and examples within and outside the World Bank.
4. Monitoring & Evaluation
- Monitor and assess the implementation of sector portfolio.
- Ensure prompt preparation of quality and consistency related to sector portfolio management, including quality control.
- Prepare timely reports on project implementation and progress.
- Contribute to the preparation of learning notes and knowledge products in the sector.
Selection Criteria
- Master’s degree in civil or environmental engineering, economics, institutional development, water resources management, water and sanitation, or other fields relevant for water sector development.
- 8 years of relevant professional experience in either: (i) Water Supply and Sanitation (ii) Economics of Water or relevant field such as Public Economics or Applied Econometrics; (iii) Irrigation and Drainage; (iv) Water Resource Management; (v) Related field.
- Integrative Skills: Integrating divergent viewpoints of multiple external and internal stakeholders into a coherent project/program/strategy.
- Policy Dialogue Skills: (i) Translates broad policy objectives into concrete development proposals. (ii) It is able to conduct policy dialogue with country counterparts. (iii) Facilitates and organizes intra and inter-sectoral teams, international experts to debate and exchange ideas on key issues. (iv) Communicates and defends orally and in writing difficult issues and positions to senior Bank management and government officials. (v) Actively promotes dialogue with relevant counterparts, the donor community, the private sector, government officials, as well as with civil society.
- Water Policy and Strategy: Demonstrates a good understanding of water policies and strategies and their role in delivering outcomes to end users/customers.
- Public-Private Partnerships: Demonstrates a good understanding of the various models for partnering with the private sector in the delivery of sustainable services and associated regulation.
- Written & Verbal Communication Skills: Demonstrates the ability to influence and persuade others to accept ideas and suggestions (such as counterparts in government, international partner organizations, academia, and Bank colleagues, senior staff and managers).
WBG COMPETENCIES
- Lead and Innovate – Develops innovative solutions.
- Deliver Results for Clients – Proactively addresses clients’ stated and unstated needs.
- Collaborate Within Teams and Across Boundaries – Collaborates across boundaries gives their own perspective and willingly receives diverse perspectives.
- Create, Apply, and Share Knowledge – Applies knowledge across WBG to strengthen solutions for internal and/or external clients.
- Make Smart Decisions – Interprets a wide range of information and pushes to move forward
