Social Protection Specialist – GF  

Description

Do you want to build a career that is truly worthwhile? The World Bank Group (WBG) 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 on a livable planet. 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.

The Middle East and North Africa Region (MENA)

The MENA Region serves twenty countries, of which twelve are active/potentially active IBRD/IDA borrowers and eight are users of the Region’s non-lending services, mostly on a reimbursable basis. The mission of MENA is to foster sustainable growth with a focus on job creation and poverty reduction, economic and social inclusion, and good governance. MENA attaches importance to creating a supportive work environment based on the values of teamwork, transparency, trust, and client service, underlined by professional excellence. MENA is organized in five Country Departments (CMUs), the Office of the Regional Chief Economist, and the Development Effectiveness Unit (MNADE).

People Practice Group (PPG)

The WBG is the largest provider of development finance and solutions for human development working with high-income, middle-income, and low-income countries to develop country-tailored solutions for human development under the themes of education, health, social protection, jobs and gender. The PPG coordinates with other Practice Groups to ensure a coordinated and integrated approach to development challenges, and through the World Bank Regional Units is expected to deliver the strongest and most pertinent support to our client countries.

The Social Protection (SP) Global Practice

The SP Global Practice delivers operational approaches and evidence-based solutions to help individuals and families manage risk, cope with chronic/transitional poverty, and access better livelihoods and jobs. These include:

• Strategy, analysis, financing and design of programs delivering social safety nets/social assistance in the form of cash transfers, public works programs, social services, and fee waivers.

• Advisory and analytical services on design and delivery of contributory transfers (including old-age pensions, unemployment insurance, disability and survivor benefits), and their fiscal sustainability (including budget support for transitions).

• Analysis, design and delivery of labor market and youth employment programs (with a focus on supply side interventions and intermediation policies), as well as policy advice on labor market regulations and interventions.

MENA SP unit (HMNSP) manages a growing operations portfolio and exciting knowledge products across the region that supports an articulated suite of SP instruments and solutions to address poverty, labor market exclusion and other social risks, including through (i) adaptive delivery systems for SP; (ii) integrated packages of support to the poor including cash assistance and human capital support through social services and economic empowerment; (iii) affordable social insurance to informal workers and support to active ageing; and (iv) labor market solutions to increase access job opportunities (including online/remote and overseas opportunities), particularly among youth and women. HMNSP manages active lending engagements in middle income countries (Morocco, Tunisia, Jordan, Egypt, Djibouti) and FCV countries (Yemen, West Bank & Gaza, Lebanon), and RAS engagements high income countries (GCC countries). Recent and ongoing knowledge work includes a regional report on the future of SP in MNA, a regional study on energy subsidy reform, SP and Gender courses for MENA countries and a global labor market academy and conference.

HMNSP is seeking a Social Protection Specialist to support SP engagements in MENA. The position is based in Washington DC. The successful candidate will report directly to the HMNSP Practice Manager and will join an energetic team of about 30 professionals based in DC and throughout the MENA region.

Roles and responsibilities

The successful candidate will mainly support SP engagements in Mashreq and GCC countries. S/he will be expected to work closely with country-based staff

to contribute to, and in some cases lead, dialogue, operations and knowledge work across SP instruments and solutionssocial assistance & systems; social insurance; and labor policiesas well as multi-GP programs related to, for example, human capital, jobs and ageing. More specifically, the SP Specialist is expected to assist with the following tasks:

• Contribute to the dialogue with governments and development partners on SPand SP contributions to broader development agendas, in focus countries.

• Contribute to, and in some cases lead, knowledge products and capacity building activities in focus countries, particularly on topics related to labor, social insurance and ageing.

• Contribute to the preparation and implementation of projects in focus countries, including taking the lead on selected components.

• Work closely and collaboratively with other SP staff working on the same countries and coordinate with country teams from other GPs as needed.

• Contribute to the development of new business areas of engagement.

• Contribute to regional knowledge products and the evolving engagement strategy for SP in MENA, particularly around topics related to labor, social insurance and ageing.

Selection Criteria

• A minimum of a Master’s degree in a relevant discipline (social sciences, public policy or economics) and at least 5 years of experience relevant to social protection.

• Demonstrated experience and expertise in social protection, particularly around knowledge products on topics related to labor and social insurance.

• Fluency (reading, writing, speaking) in English required; fluency in Arabic is preferred.

• Policy dialogueability to identify and assess policy issues and play an active role in the dialogue with the government and/or other stakeholders.

• Time managementability to handle multiple tasks effectively, meet deadlines, manage uncertainty, and adjust to a changing work program.

• Demonstrated project management skills.

• Ability to work effectively and independently as a team member and as a leader alike, including in multi-sectoral teams.

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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