Local recruitment: Extended Term Consultant (Global Water Security and Sanitation Partnership (GWSP))

Description

The World Bank Group is one of the largest sources of funding and knowledge for developing countries; a unique global partnership of five institutions dedicated to ending extreme poverty and promoting shared prosperity. With 189 member countries and more than 120 offices worldwide, we work with public and private sector partners, investing in groundbreaking projects and using data, research, and technology to develop solutions to the most urgent global challenges. As the world’s largest multilateral source of financing for water in developing countries, the World Bank is committed to Water for People and Planet. For more information, visit www.worldbank.org.

WATER GLOBAL PRACTICE AND THE PLANET VERTICAL

Water touches every aspect of development, and it links with nearly every Sustainable Development Goal (SDG). It drives economic growth, supports healthy ecosystems, and is essential and fundamental for life itself. Water is at the center of economic and social development; it is vital to maintain health, grow food, generate energy, manage the environment, and create jobs. Water availability and management impacts whether poor girls are educated, whether cities are healthy places to live, and whether growing industries or poor villages can withstand the impacts of floods or droughts.

Approximately 2 billion people around the world do not have safely managed drinking water services, 3.6 billion people do not have safely managed sanitation services, and 2.3 billion lack basic handwashing facilities. Gaps in access to water supply and sanitation, growing populations, more water-intensive patterns of growth, increasing rainfall variability, and pollution are combining in many places to make water one of the greatest risks to economic progress, poverty eradication and sustainable development.

The consequences of such stress are local, national, transboundary, regional, and global in today’s interconnected and rapidly changing world. Consequences will be disproportionately felt by the poorest and most vulnerable. Climate change expresses itself through water. Nine out of ten natural disasters are water related. Water-related climate risks cascade through food, energy, urban and environmental systems. If we are to achieve climate and sustainable development goals, water must be at the core of adaptation strategies. In response to the water and sanitation crisis, the World Bank Water Global Practice (Water GP) is committed to Water for People, Food and Planet. The SDGs provide an opportunity for the World Bank Group and development partners to work together in support of this vision.

Globally, the World Bank Group finances water development through projects, policy lending and technical assistance in the fields of sustaining water resources, delivering services (both in water in agriculture as in water supply and sanitation) and building resilience, the Water GP also seeks to ensure that water issues are effectively addressed across all related sub-sectors, such as agriculture (ensuring sustainable water availability for irrigation), climate change and disaster risk management, and energy (hydropower). In each sub-sector, an integrated approach is adopted which considers investment alongside issues such as governance, institutions, and policies. WIA (Water in Agriculture) projects focus on all aspects of agricultural water management, from governance in service delivery, to modernization of irrigation, farmer led irrigation, water accounting and resilience through improved agricultural water practices. The Water Supply and Sanitation (WSS) projects include rural and urban water and sanitation services, hygiene behavior, improving the efficiency of utilities, and provision of services to the poor. The Water Resources Management (WRM) projects include integrated water resource management, including groundwater management, dam safety, and flood management. Each team member is connected globally to these broad themes through the Global Solutions Groups (GSGs). The Water GP is housed within the Sustainable Development Practice Group, which brings together the cross-cutting sectors of Water with Agriculture, Environment, Social Inclusion, and Urban and Disaster Risk Management.

GLOBAL WATER SECURITY AND SANITATION PARTNERSHIP (GWSP)

The Global Water Security and Sanitation Partnership (GWSP) is a multi-donor trust fund administered by the World Bank’s Water Global Practice. The GWSP is a platform for collaboration and support of the water-related SDGs. It drives policy changes, builds capacity, and enables the delivery of results at scale. As a center of excellence for water-related issues, GWSP is well positioned to help countries increase action on water.

Over the last several years, GWSP has invested in a robust knowledge architecture, technical expertise, solutions, tools, and global and country diagnostics. Alongside our partners, GWSP supports and enables governments to develop solutions and scale up investment and impact for a water-secure world. Our work is critical for delivering the World Bank’s commitment to mobilizing and scaling up support for water through the Fast Track Water Security and Climate Adaptation Global Challenge Program.

COOPERATION IN INTERNATIONAL WATERS IN AFRICA (CIWA)

Since 2011, the Cooperation in International Waters in Africa (CIWA) multi-donor partnership has supported riparian governments in Sub-Saharan Africa to fuel sustainable, inclusive, climate-resilient growth by addressing constraints to cooperative management and development of transboundary waters.

Managed by the World Bank, CIWA makes investments to develop water infrastructure and offers technical support and analyses to create a better understanding of transboundary water issues so that governments, river basin organizations, and other stakeholders can make sound, evidence-based decisions.

WATER TEAM OF THE HEART OF AFRICA REGION

Within the Heart of Africa Region, the hiring unit (SAEW2) 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 10 countries. Specifically, the unit supports the definition and achievement of these results through analytical, policy, and investment activities. The unit has a staffing complement of around 30 water professionals, with an active portfolio of over 1.6 billion, 14 investment projects, 10 Advisory Services and Analytics.

The water portfolio in South Sudan – a Fragile and Conflict-Affected Situation (FCS), is growing with a combination of lending and analytical activities focusing on climate resilience, flood management, water resources management, and scaling up access to Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH). Significant IDA have been allocated towards water sector priorities in South Sudan, led by the Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation (MWRI), to (i) strengthen institutions and information at national and sub-national scales to better manage water resources for climate adaptation and support climate resilient flood risk management in select river sub-basins of South Sudan, and (ii) increase the sustainable access and management of groundwater in the borderlands and transboundary aquifer of South Sudan. These priorities have been articulated through the following projects:

– The Regional Climate Resilience Program for East and Southern Africa Series of Projects (P180171, RCRP) – South Sudan (US$ 215 million IDA) became effective on September 29, 2023. This government led project aims to improve the management of water-related climate impacts, and, in case of an Eligible Crisis or Emergency, to respond promptly and effectively to it. It includes priority investments in flood and drought management infrastructure and nature-based solutions with key benefits extend to refugees and host communities, development of a national water resources strategy, establishment of a water information management system, elevate community awareness on climate risks and support to the legal and regulatory framework for water resources management, including transboundary water cooperation.

– The South Sudan National Water Supply, Sanitation, and Hygiene Project (P505316, NWASHP, US$ 60 million) is under preparation. This government led project implemented by the MWRI will support the development of a National WASH program focusing on sector wide institutional strengthening and WASH infrastructure investment in select urban areas and rural areas. The project will support the government’s national WASH compact to close the WASH access gap and achieve the SDG 6 targets by 2030. It is aligned with the Bank Africa Region’s priority on advancing the WASH agenda will be linked to the proposed Regional Multi-phase Approach aimed to accelerating access to WASH in the AFE Region. The delivery is expected by FY26, Q1.

These operational engagements collectively will support a transition away from emergency responses towards a government-led and long-term development approach to confront water-related disasters and harness water’s productive potential.

Complementarily, the World Bank is supporting the GoSS sectoral efforts through:

– The South Sudan Water Security and Sanitation Programmatic Advisory Services and Analytics (P500441, Water PASA). The Water PASA aims to strengthen the capacity of the government for climate resilient water resources management and water and sanitation service delivery in South Sudan. The program focuses on: (1) improving the use of adaptive information in decision-making, (2) promoting policy dialogue and investment programming to increase access to WASH, and (3) enhancing sector coordination, consultation, and partnerships for national water resources management and WASH initiatives, including establishing a water platform for sector consultation, coordination, and resource mobilization.

– A South Sudan Transboundary Waters Support Program ASA (P180611) is helping the MWRI deepen the dialogue and strengthen knowledge for sustainable planning and management of transboundary water resources.

This relevant engagement requires a strong footprint in Juba and intensive interactions with government counterparts, partners, and stakeholders to ensure ownership, local capacity, and sustained focus on implementation for results. The World Bank SAEW2 unit seeks to locally recruit an extended-term consultant (ETC) Water Specialist based in Juba, South Sudan. The local ETC will integrate the World Bank’s Water GP team in South Sudan and will work across all water projects, following the guidance of the Task Team Leaders and the Senior Water Supply and Sanitation Specialist based in Juba.

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The ETC Water Specialist will be integrated as part of the World Bank’s Water GP team in South Sudan and will contribute to support : (1) the  country sector strategic engagements and policy dialogue, with a focus on water resources management and water supply and sanitation; (2)  the preparation and implementation of World Bank-financed projects and Advisory Services and Analytics (ASA); (3) the monitoring and quality assurance of the water sector portfolio in South Sudan; and (4) coordination across development partners and World Bank’s global practices.

The candidate will be expected to work independently on complex projects / issues with guidance from  management and senior colleagues, including the Senior staff based in Juba and Task Team Leaders (TTLs) of water operations. S/he will support the lending and advisory services and analytics activities across the water sector. The assignment requires an extensive understanding of South Sudan’s water sector and principal constraints, as well as experience working with country clients and partners. While the candidate is expected to have a primary specialization in water resources management, s/he must have a demonstrated ability to work across the water spectrum, including in water resource management, floods and droughts, water supply and sanitation, underground water, irrigation and drainage, and climate resilience/adaptation within the South Sudan country program.

Specific duties include, but are not limited to, the following tasks:

Project Preparation, Implementation and Supervision

– Participate in the identification and preparation of investment and policy-oriented projects and associated implementation support.

– Participate in project supervision, including day-to-day monitoring and follow-up, field supervision, review of technical /procurement documents and work programs, assessing progress and key project outcomes and indicators through dashboards, and contributing to supervision documentation.

– Coordinate and lead as needed project and technical meetings, government and non-government stakeholders, support in-country mission planning.

– Work closely with client institutions and liaise with TTLs and other team members to support effective preparation, implementation, and supervision of World Bank supported programs.

– Establish good working relationships with project implementation units (PIUs), implementing agencies, governmental institutions, donors, non-governmental organizations, and other relevant stakeholders.

– Follow-up on data required / information requests for project preparation. Identify and support the resolution of implementation issues related to projects/programs in the sector.

– Support the client in preparing planning, workplans and budgets for the projects.

– Coordinate technical review of procurement and financial management documents including consultant and budget reports, annual work plans, etc., liaising with other technical members as needed and work closely with procurement and financial management to ensure timely consolidated response to the client throughout the project implementation.

– Work closely with the Bank safeguard team to follow up with the project implementation units on the preparation, review, and implementation of safeguard documents, providing technical inputs as needed.

– Support and participate in missions and contribute to timely production of operational and mission documents (AMs, ISR, etc.)

– Contribute to identify capacity building needs. Support the organization and participate in training and leaning exchange activities to improve the efficiency of implementing agencies and project teams.

– Liaise with consultants (individual and firms), ensuring consistency and conformity to Bank standards; and evaluating studies and sector-related project documentation.

– Contribute to preparing briefing materials and progress reporting related to the Bank management project activities.

Advisory Services and Analytics – Strategies, Planning and Policies

– Contribute to strategic water Advisory Services and Analytics (ASAs) for South Sudan and review of policies and legal and regulatory frameworks for the water sector.

– Contribute to formulation of country diagnostics and strategy papers, and sector reports, including country engagement notes and climate change and development reports (CCDR), particularly for the water sector.

– Work closely with the TTLs and Practice Manager to keep them updated on the program.

– Participate in the South Sudan Country Office meetings and support the team in ensuring the Country Management Unit is duly informed of developments in water-related projects, programs, and analytics.

– Provide technical and coordination support to the Senior Water Supply and Sanitation Specialist based in Juba, and TTLs

– Represent the water team in country water-related meetings with development and humanitarian partners and other stakeholders.

– Identify and support linkages between the water sector, the World Bank’s country strategy, and the work of other sectoral policies and programs, particularly the environment, agriculture, disaster risk management, urban, transport and energy agendas.

– Stay informed of developments in South Sudan’s water sector and its institutions, as well as relevant donor, private sector, and NGO initiatives.

– Participate in professional development and knowledge sharing activities in the Water Global Practice, the GSGs, and contribute specific knowledge both within the assigned country and in the World Bank.

– Other activities as agreed with the TTLs and Practice Manager.

SPECIAL TERMS & CONDITIONS / SPECIFIC CRITERIA

Timing/Assignment Duration

The consultant will initially be recruited for 12 months with the possibility of extension by another year based on performance and affordability.

Reporting

The successful candidate will report to the SAEW2 Water Practice Manager. On day to day technical matters, the candidate will work closely to the water Task Team Leaders.

Selection Criteria

* A master’s or higher-level degree in water resources, hydrology, hydraulics, sanitation, environment, civil engineering, irrigation, or a related discipline with a focus on water supply and sanitation and water resources management.

* Over 5 years’ experience in water resource management, flood management, water supply and sanitation in South Sudan or other countries in Horn of Africa.

* Demonstrated experience with water sector planning, policy processes and project preparation, preferably including experience in water resources management and water supply and sanitation.

* In-depth understanding of governance and ministerial structure at federal, state and county level; prior experience within federal and/or state agencies, South Sudan Urban Water Corporation (SSUWC) is an asset.

* Good understanding and experience working in multicultural environments with international financial institutions, UN agencies, humanitarian organizations, or bilateral development partners.

* Excellent written and oral communication skills in English, including demonstrated ability to prepare and deliver effective presentations to diverse audiences.

* Commitment to teamwork and ability to interact effectively and collegially with peers at all levels and from diverse backgrounds.

World Bank Group Core Competencies

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Note: The selected candidate will be offered a one-year appointment, renewable at the discretion of the World Bank Group, and subject to a lifetime maximum ET appointment of three years. If an ET appointment ends before a full year, it is considered as a full year toward the lifetime maximum. Former and current ET staff who have completed all or any portion of their third-year ET appointment are not eligible for future ET appointments.