Junior Professional Associate

Do you want to build a career that is truly worthwhile? Working at the World Bank Group provides a unique opportunity for you to help our clients solve their greatest development challenges. 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, 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, please visit www.worldbank.org

Junior Professional Associates – Program Description

The Junior Professionals Associate Program (JPA) offers an exceptional opportunity for recent graduates to embark on a professional journey, providing a three-year contract with valuable work experience within a diverse and dynamic environment and the potential of field work experience. The program is an excellent platform to sharpen your existing skills and to develop new ones, all while gaining a profound understanding of the challenges associated with reducing poverty and fostering shared prosperity on a livable planet.

We will provide you with the opportunity to gain entry-level professional experience in a premier development institution, on an Extended Term Consultant (ETC) contract with benefits. For more information, please visit www.worldbank.org/careers/jpa

The following are minimum requirements to be eligible for the JPA program:

Be 32 years of age or younger

Hold a bachelor’s degree

Be fluent in English

The JPA program at the World Bank is a highly competitive initiative. Candidates who are being actively considered for positions may be required to present academic transcripts and professional references. The World Bank’s Human Resources team and hiring team will reach out exclusively to individuals selected for assessment and interviews.

Positions may be in any of the World Bank’s offices worldwide.

Specific Unit Description – Integrity Vice Presidency

As part of the World Bank Group (WBG), the Integrity Vice Presidency (INT) shares in the WBG’s overall mission in alleviating poverty and achieving a shared and sustainable prosperity in client countries. INT’s fundamental role within the WBG is to help detect, prevent, and deter fraud and corruption in the use of the WBG’s financial resources, so that those resources are used effectively to benefit the poor people that they are intended to reach. In contributing to the WBG’s overall mission, INT works closely with other stakeholders across the WBG to:

1. Help detect, prevent, and deter fraud and corruption in WBG-supported projects and activities by:

• Professionally investigating allegations of fraud, corruption, collusion, coercion, or obstruction (the WBG-sanctionable practices) in WBG activities;

• Seeking WBG sanctions against firms and individuals that have engaged in any sanctionable practice;

• Using information available to INT to help operational staff design and implement projects in ways that minimize fraud and corruption risks.

• Working with the operational complex and other oversight and control units to help prevent fraud and corruption in operations by distilling lessons learned from investigative findings, developing effective risk identification and management tools, preparing remedial recommendations at the project and broader level, as appropriate, to address risks and issues identified through investigations, and ensuring timely disclosure to the Board of risks identified through ongoing or recently completed investigations that are of relevance to new operations presented to the Board for approval;

• Conducting detailed fiduciary reviews of WBG-supported projects with operations using forensic methodology in order to detect indicators of fraud or corruption and help address them as early as possible for better project outcomes; and

• Working with sanctioned entities through the Integrity Compliance Office in supporting and monitoring their efforts to put in place appropriate integrity compliance programs in order to raise their integrity standards and reduce risks associated with their operations following their release from sanction.

2. Help client countries to fight fraud and corruption by:

• Referring investigative findings to the investigative and enforcement authorities in those countries and working with authorities, as requested, to follow-up and take action;

• Supporting client country counterparts with their preventive and integrity risk mitigation efforts at the project and policy levels;

• Helping build client country capacity in preventive and forensic techniques;

• Collaborating in multilateral efforts to mitigate the risks of fraud and corruption in development activities; and

• Promoting integrity principles and the implementation of integrity compliance programs among entities sanctioned by the WBG, and more broadly.

3. Enforce the highest standards of professional integrity and ethical behavior among WBG staff and corporate vendors by:

• Investigating allegations of staff misconduct involving significant fraud and corruption;

• Investigating corporate vendors alleged to have engaged in sanctionable practices; and

• Mining the lessons learned from those investigations to undertake training and outreach programs and also strengthen the WBG’s internal controls environment.

INT’s work contributes directly to achieving the shared prosperity/poverty reduction mission of the WBG. Reducing fraud and corruption in WBG projects helps to ensure that WBG funds are used for their intended purposes: to alleviate poverty and to increase prosperity and stability in our borrowing countries. Working with others in international development institutions, INT’s principal goal is to measurably minimize development assistance funds lost to fraud, corruption and abuse and increase the quality and results of development efforts. Results are reported in an annual report that contains aggregated data, outcomes, and generic descriptions of significant cases. To ensure its independence, INT’s Vice President reports directly to the President of the WBG.

Duties and Responsibilities

INT is seeking to recruit a JPA who will support the Integrity Compliance Office (INTIC) and Internal Investigations Unit (INTII) in the performance of the teams’ respective core functions. This position requires rigorous analytical skills, excellent English and Spanish writing skills, as well as a demonstrated ability to work harmoniously in a team and exercise good judgment. The level and quality of these skills will be a determining factor in the selection for the position.

Under the INTIC key duties and accountabilities, the JPA will carry out tasks related to INTIC’s work program under the direct supervision of designated senior team members. The JPA’s main duties for INTIC will include:

• Working with other INTIC personnel in connection with the review and disposition of pre-sanction and post-sanction cases in the INTIC portfolio, including in the settlement context, in consideration of the principles set out in the WBG Integrity Compliance Guidelines and in accordance with the applicable WBG Sanctions Procedures;

• Assisting other INTIC personnel in drafting high-quality documents in connection with the review of integrity compliance policies and procedures, and related matters;

• Monitoring compliance with the applicable policies and procedures, including all applicable time limitations and requirements of confidentiality;

• Working with others, monitoring developments, researching, and analyzing materials in the relevant fields; and

• Performing other tasks necessary for INTIC’s successful operation, as per the direction of senior team members.

Under the INTII key duties and accountabilities, the JPA will carry out tasks related to INTII’s investigations under the direct supervision of an experienced investigator, team leader, or manager. The JPA will be accountable for gathering, reviewing, and analyzing all relevant information to support the case/project work, assisting in the conduct of interviews, preparation of investigative results, and the preparation of written outputs. The JPA’s main duties for INTII will include:

• Research, review, and analyze all relevant information to support case/project work in a thorough and timely manner:

a) Conduct research by navigating the WBG’s databases, external databases, internet based open-source searching, and using INT’s own database facilities.

b) Review and analyze all information found, determine and extract that which is pertinent to investigative case at hand, evaluate the significance of the information and determine subsequent steps to follow.

c) Present analysis and work product in a clear manner.

d) Draft work products consistent with INT standards of quality in a timely manner.

• Provide timely, thorough and high-quality analysis of inquiries and investigations into allegations of significant fraud and corruption involving WBG staff and corporate vendors:

a) Prepare summaries of allegations and identify next investigative steps.

b) Coordinate activities such as identifying potential interviewees, preparing questions for interviewees, and participating in interviewing as appropriate.

c) Draft investigative plans.

• Provide timely and thorough analysis in the review and editing of investigative work products and prepare specific case-related documents:

a) Prepare detailed synopsis of findings to supplement an investigation or inquiry.

b) Present research findings, using visualization tools as necessary.

c) Ensure work products are corroborated by gathering evidence.

d) Draft reports, correspondence, and memos and ensure they are written in grammatically correct English.

e) Edit and cite-check work products with significant attention to detail.

• Continually and comprehensively manage case files and update case-related records in the INT database and corresponding hard files in a timely and thorough manner.

• Undertake other tasks as assigned by the supervisor.

Selection Criteria

• Post-graduate law degree (JD, LLM, or equivalent);

• Fluency in oral and written Spanish and English required, with ability to work in French a plus;

• One (1) year of relevant experience (experience with international organization, leading international law firm, or national government is highly desirable);

• Experience with integrity compliance and investigations of fraud and corruption is highly desirable;

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with a demonstrated ability to anticipate, identify, and analyze legal and policy issues and propose sound, reliable, and creative solutions;

• Proven ability to clearly and concisely prepare, present, discuss, and defend findings and recommendations at senior levels, as well as to produce complex and compelling written work products, including during times of heavy workload, and on very short notice or tight deadlines;

• Proven ability to work in interdisciplinary task teams/working groups across organizational boundaries, including with senior officials, both internally and externally;

• Excellent interpersonal skills, including a proven ability to deal sensitively in multicultural environments and build effective working relationships with colleagues;

• Established reputation for integrity, sound judgment, fairness, and discretion in dealings internally and externally; and

• Highly organized, highly dependable, and responsible, and highly attentive to detail.

Competencies

Client Orientation: Identifies WBG solutions to meet client’s needs and goals. Considers the changing environment and sometimes competing client demands in the forefront of all work activities. Maintains client relationships in the face of conflicting demands or directions and proposes sustainable solutions based on good diagnosis; applies best knowledge and evidence-based advice. Seeks resources and skills to meet challenging and unexpected client needs. Formulates effective development solutions that are sensitive to cultural values and beliefs of varied client groups and is able to resolve differences, negotiate and bring client to closure in a culturally sensitive manner. Delivers new insight and recommends actions or viable solutions for multiple client groups and future needs related to goals and department-wide results.

Drive for Results: Creates conditions to achieve challenging results. Identifies the needed resources to accomplish results involving multiple stakeholders and communicates the importance to business outcomes. Finds solutions to obstacles affecting key deliverables. Actively employs risk analysis and mitigates risk, making high-quality decisions on resource allocation and setting priorities for highest impact. Collaborates with others to make needed adjustments to work methods or systems to improve performance.

Teamwork (Collaboration) and Inclusion: Seeks to improve team collaboration and inclusion. Reaches out to contribute to the work of others in the department. Addresses challenges to effective teamwork contributing to the team staying organized and focused on work, even under stress. Shows leadership in ensuring the team actively seeks and considers diverse ideas and approaches. Directs and identifies the collaboration needed across boundaries, internally and externally in order to have lasting impact. Keeps teams fully informed to ensure integration and work consistency. Facilitates an open exchange of ideas among team members and across teams to select beneficial solutions among alternatives.

Knowledge, Learning and Communication: Transfers knowledge and communicates effectively across boundaries. Leads in the sharing of best practice, trends, knowledge and lessons learned across units and with clients and partners. Leads in designing thematic activities and knowledge-sharing forums and encourages others to participate. Articulates ideas, verbally and in writing, using appropriate language that is understandable and easily appreciated by a target audience that spans several client groups or departments. Provides a forum to mentor, guide and influence colleagues and or client groups to share knowledge across boundaries. Applies expertise and experience to proactively innovate and challenge the status quo. Demonstrates the ability to influence and persuade others to accept ideas and suggestions WBG-wide.

The WBG is committed to achieving diversity in terms of gender, nationality, culture and educational background. Individuals with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated in the strictest confidence. Short listed candidates will be asked to supply references and be required to authorize background checks.

Confidentiality and Document Security

1. The JPA is expected to maintain the highest level of confidentiality on all information to which s/he is exposed and will be required to sign an INT confidentiality agreement. In conducting these assigned tasks, the following specific conditions are applicable:

2. The JPA will not provide legal advice or make legal judgments in the course of his or her work (applicable only if being hired as a lawyer).

3. All travel made on behalf of the WBG will be consistent with World Bank travel policies and guidelines, including costs and per diem.

4. The JPA will be made aware and respect the immunities and privileges of the WBG. The JPA will abide by all relevant WBG rules and respect member government laws at all times.

5. Collected evidence, reports, witness statements, and other documents will be retained exclusively by INT. All such information, reports, witness statements, documents and electronic media referred to in the statement above shall be the exclusive property of INT.

6. Required to maintain the strictest degree of confidentiality on the information to which its staff will be exposed. Staff will be required to sign an INT-specific Confidentiality Agreement and adhere to the terms and conditions set forth in the Confidentiality Agreement. Any materials or information, whether written, audio-visual or oral must be provided exclusively to INT, and not be shared with anyone outside of this delivery channel.

7. JPA shall manage information, reports, witness statements, documents and electronic media obtained, accessed or reviewed under this TOR in a secure manner and location. The privacy, safe keeping, security and integrity of those documents are matters of the highest importance and are matters for which JPAs are responsible while the documents are either within or outside the INT offices.

8. All work conducted will be kept strictly confidential and not released outside of INT. No statements will be made to the media regarding any matter associated with any engagement.

Poverty has no borders, neither does excellence. We succeed because of our differences and we continuously search for qualified individuals with diverse backgrounds from around the globe.