Senior Health Specialist/Senior HD Specialist – GG  

Description

Do you want to build a career that is truly worthwhile? Working at the World Bank provides a unique opportunity for you to help our clients solve their greatest development challenges. The World Bank 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, increasing shared prosperity, and promoting sustainable development. 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. For more information, visit www.worldbank.org 

East Asia and Pacific Region

The East Asia and Pacific Region (EAP) is a highly diverse region, with countries of all income levels and wide differences in resource endowments, human capital, and institutional capacity. The Health Nutrition, and Population (HNP) Global Practice in EAP has a large lending and advisory services and analytics (ASA) portfolio. The HNP Practice is actively engaged in most countries in the region, often at the subnational level. The EAP HNP strategy has the objective to improve HNP outcomes and make progress towards UHC, enhancing the performance and resilience of health systems in financially affordable and sustainable ways. The World Bank in South Asia: https://www.worldbank.org/en/region/eap

Unit Context :

Papua New Guinea (PNG), a lower-middle-income country with over 11 million people, faces significant development challenges. Its rugged terrain and poor infrastructure leave many communities isolated, hindering service delivery and contributing to one of the lowest global human capital index scores (0.43). Institutional development is ongoing, but PNG remains susceptible to internal conflict and natural disasters. The World Bank’s country program includes extensive policy advice, active health and social protection portfolios, and plans for education and health projects. Key initiatives include strengthening decentralized health services, community-based nutrition programs, and advisory support on health financing. Effective engagement requires strong implementation support, practical coaching, and a proactive, hands-on approach to overcome complex service delivery issues.

The selected candidate will join a diverse and collaborative Human Development (HD) team, contributing to the Health, Nutrition, and Population (HNP) Practice of the East Asia and Pacific Region. This position reports to the HNP Practice Manager based in Bangkok and will primarily support the health program in Papua New Guinea (PNG), with opportunities to engage in the broader HD portfolio. The role is based in Port Moresby, a non-family posting due to security considerations, accompanied by Rest & Recuperation allowances. Ideal candidates will possess the qualifications and experience to lead specific tasks, although strong early-career professionals demonstrating enthusiasm and potential will also be considered. A 3 -year term appointment will be offered to the successful candidate.

Duties and accountabilities:

• Lead or contribute to HNP sector operations and analytical tasks in collaboration with World Bank teams, clients, and development partners,  with an emphasis on cross-HD sector work.
• Guide and support the preparation and implementation of lending operations, providing operational expertise to clients with limited capacity in managing World Bank projects.
• Lead and support technical assistance for capacity-building activities, focusing on human development service delivery and systems strengthening, financing, and primary health care delivery in fragile contexts.
• Engage in policy dialogue with government and stakeholders on health service delivery challenges in PNG.
• Represent Education and Social Protection teams in meetings, mentor local HD staff, and foster partnerships with development partners.
• Contribute to the development and implementation of HD projects in education, nutrition, and labor mobility as defined by Practice Managers.
• Develop sector-specific/cross-sectoral inputs for operational products, coordinate contributions to corporate outputs, and respond to ad-hoc information requests.

Selection Criteria

• A Master’s degree or PhD in economics, health policy, public health, health systems administration, public administration, or a related human development field, along with a minimum of  8 years of relevant professional experience in human development systems strengthening and service delivery, is required.

• Demonstrated experience in project implementation, client capacity building in low-capacity settings, procurement, and project reporting.

• Proven ability to maintain high standards, meet deadlines, prioritize tasks effectively, and collaborate with team members to deliver high-quality work.

• Strategic thinking and the ability to rapidly analyze and synthesize information from diverse sources.

• Excellent oral and written communication skills, with a strong ability to produce clear, persuasive documentation and present complex ideas succinctly.

• Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a multicultural environment and collaborate with diverse teams.

• Experience with development organizations or aid agencies, including familiarity with World Bank Group (WBG) operations, policies, and procedures, as well as prior work experience in PNG, the Pacific Islands, or the East Asia and Pacific region, is advantageous.

World Bank Group Core Competencies

The World Bank Group offers comprehensive benefits, including a retirement plan; medical, life and disability insurance; and paid leave, including parental leave, as well as reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities.

We are proud to be an equal opportunity and inclusive employer with a dedicated and committed workforce, and do not discriminate based on gender, gender identity, religion, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or disability.

Learn more about working at the World Bank and IFC, including our values and inspiring stories.

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