Description

 Do you want to build a career that is truly worthwhile? 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.  For more information, visit www.worldbank.org.

Western and Central Africa (AFW) Region

We need the best and brightest talent focused on Sub-Saharan African countries in order to harness the potential and innovation happening across the continent. Africa is a continent on the move, with a young population and a growing market of nearly 1.2bn people. We are committed to making the Africa regional teams into leading innovation hubs.
Yet, these vast opportunities are tempered by persistent gaps in education, health, and skills, which have Africa only reaching forty percent of its estimated potential. Moreover, conflict, food insecurity, population growth, and the disruptive forces of climate change threaten to curtail or even reverse the progress that has been made over the past decades.

In West and Central Africa, the World Bank is a leading partner with a growing portfolio of 387 projects totaling more than $44.1 billion in areas such as agriculture, trade and transport, energy, education, health, water and sanitation- all to support job creation, gender equality, poverty reduction, and better lives. Across the continent, the World Bank’s program has nearly doubled over the last 10 years. By 2030, about 87% of the world’s extreme poor are projected to live in Sub-Saharan Africa, so this is where our mission to end extreme poverty and to promote shared prosperity will be achieved.
Are you ready to make an impact? We are looking for dedicated professionals to join our innovative and diverse team to improve people’s lives and help countries build back better after COVID. 

Western and Central Africa (AFW) Region: https://www.worldbank.org/en/region/afr/western-and-central-africa

Equitable Growth, Finance and Institutions Practice Group

Equitable Growth, Finance, and Institutions (EFI) Practice Group (PG) support economic policies and legal, regulatory, and institutional reforms to enable equitable and sustainable growth and to reduce poverty.

The Governance Global Practice

More than half of the global population expresses distrust in government institutions. The Governance GP helps developing countries build capable, efficient, open, inclusive and accountable institutions that can support economic growth, reduce poverty, deliver needed services and earn the confidence of citizens.  Our work encompasses public financial management, public procurement, civil service reform, open government, anti-corruption, and using technology to improve quality and access to government services. For more information:

More information: https://www.worldbank.org/en/topic/governance

The Procurement Team in the AFW Region works with client countries on two major tasks: i) fiduciary assurance and implementation support to Bank-financed projects and ii) strengthening country procurement systems. The areas of focus in these countries include strengthening procurement institutions, procurement legislation, professionalization of procurement staff, procurement data analytics, sustainable/green procurement, SME development and improving procurement transaction efficiency.
The majority of the EAWP1 procurement team is decentralized and based in country offices. Procurement team members supporting the country programs in the AWCF2 countries (Benin, Cote D’Ivoire, Guinea and Togo) and seven other countries in AFW are managed by an Accredited Practice Manager (PM) who is based at the World Bank Office in Dakar, Senegal.

Job Duties and Responsibilities:

The Procurement Specialist will help support and further develop EAWP1’s work program, with a specific focus on the Cote D’Ivoire portfolio. He/she will participate and play a key role in the operational, analytical, and advisory activities of the unit. This requires strong knowledge of both economic and public-sector governance issues, as well as extensive experience in operations. He/she will also have diplomatic skills to engage effectively with the many stakeholders involved inside and outside the Bank. He/she will have demonstrated ability to work effectively with counterparts in government as well as with multilateral and bilateral institutions. He/she is also expected to establish and maintain good working relationships with a variety of international and national partner organizations (academia, civil society groups, local research centers).

He/she will work with a team comprising one Senior Procurement Specialist/Hub Coordinator based in Washington DC, a Senior Procurement Specialist based in Abidjan and a few STCs to provide a complete range of procurement services to the Cote D’Ivoire portfolio and work with institutions to improve service delivery and public expenditures management through more effective and efficient procurement and contract management. In Cote D’Ivoire 27 projects are under implementation with a total commitment of $5.4 billion and about 4 projects ($0.81 billion) are in the lending program. The Procurement Specialist will work with the Senior Procurement Specialist who leads the dialogue with authorities in Cote D’Ivoire on public procurement reform as well series of other initiatives and continue to strengthen country procurement systems with the objective of using elements of the country systems under the Bank-financed projects.

The selected candidate will undertake the following tasks:

Scope of Work

• Provides technical fiduciary advice on procurement activities and engage in policy dialogue to strengthen procurement systems.

• Supports clients in achieving value for money in public procurement in order to enhance service delivery and development outcomes with integrity.

• Understand relevant procurement markets using analytical tools and approaches to define more effective procurement strategies.

• Participates in missions and plays a key role in developing practical approaches to procurement while simultaneously dealing with difficult policy and operational issues.

• Prepares and/or comments on draft operational directives and policy papers; produces major/complex reports.

• Develops and executes training modules on complex sector related procurement topics.

The work implies frequent interaction with the following stakeholders:

• The Practice Manager who is based in Dakar, Senegal, Management in her/his duty station, and on some occasions in Washington DC or locations in other countries.

• Government officials and equivalent contacts in other international organizations, partner entities, etc.

• Procurement specialists within the World Bank and government units.

• Counterparts in the Bank across VPUs, Global Practices and other units involved in meeting the Bank’s business objectives.

• Other external constituencies and expert groups.

Selection Criteria

Basic Requirements:

• High levels of integrity

• Excellent command of French and English

• An advanced degree (At least Master’s degree) with a major in a relevant discipline (e.g. business administration, engineering, commerce, law, procurement, public policy, etc.).

• Knowledge of the concepts, principles and practices governing international procurement, with the ability to translate concepts into operational work, including but not limited to Value for Money, sustainable procurement, strategic sourcing, market analysis, contract management, etc.

• Minimum of 5 years of direct relevant experience in carrying out technical duties in procurement inside or outside the World Bank.

• Ability to deal sensitively in multi-cultural environments and build effective working relations with clients and colleagues.

• Preference will be given to nationals or residents of Cote D’Ivoire.

General Competencies:

• Good communication skills and persuasiveness in presenting, negotiating, and resolving highly complex issues, both orally and in writing.

• Client-driven and a sense of personal responsibility for achieving a technical quality and timeliness.

• Ability to solve complex problems involving multiple stakeholders and constraints.

• Analytical skills to recognize patterns, extract conclusions and strategies out of information coming from multiple sources and in a variety of forms.

• Results-oriented to act as a trusted, strategic advisor, partnering with clients to deliver results.

Specific Specialized Skills, Knowledge, and Competencies:

• Knowledge on institutions and procurement reforms in Borrower’s countries.

• Understanding of the World Bank’s business objectives, products, and project cycle.

• Understanding of political economy, public policy, public systems, and public management.

• Demonstrates knowledge and understanding of project management tools & methodologies.

• Ability to manage complex, multi-functional, cross-regional projects/programs including managing relationships with stakeholders & counterparts.

• Good understanding of risk management.

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.