Sr Private Sector Specialist

Sr Private Sector Specialist

Job #:	req25392
Organization:	World Bank
Sector:	Water/Sanitation
Grade:	GG
Term Duration:	3 years 0 months
Recruitment Type:	International Recruitment
Location:	Washington, DC,United States
Required Language(s):	English
Preferred Language(s):
Closing Date:	12/29/2023 (MM/DD/YYYY) at 11:59pm UTC

Description

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, visit www.worldbank.org.

The WBG consists of five specialized institutions: the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD), the International Development Association (IDA), the International Finance Corporation (IFC), the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA), and the International Centre for the Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID). The World Bank is organized into six client-facing Regional Vice-Presidencies, several corporate functions, and thirteen Global Practices (GPs) to bring best-in-class knowledge and solutions to regional and country clients.

The World Bank Group (WBG)s twin goals of ending extreme poverty and promoting shared prosperity reflect a new global landscape: one in which developing countries have an unprecedented opportunity to end extreme poverty within a generation.

The Water Global Practice: Context

As the worlds largest multilateral source of financing for water in developing countries, the World Bank is working closely with partners to achieve A Water-Secure World for All, by sustaining water resources, delivering services and building resilience.

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.

Water security is among the top global risks in terms of development impact. It is also an integral part to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The world will not be able to meet the sustainable development challenges of the 21st century human development, livable cities, climate change, food security, and energy security without improving management of water resources and ensuring access to reliable water and sanitation services.

The World Bank is the largest external source of financing for water supply and sanitation projects and has a large and growing portfolio in irrigation and water resource management. With a portfolio of water investments of US$41.4 billion (US$29.4 billion of water-sector projects and US$12 billion of multi-sector projects related to water), the World Bank is uniquely positioned to achieve the vision of a water secure world for all, developing and sharing global knowledge while amplifying the impact of lending through technical assistance on the ground.

The World Banks Water Global Practice (GP) is mandated to ensure that water issues are effectively addressed in all related sub-sectors, such as agriculture (ensuring sustainable water availability for irrigation), disaster risk management, energy (hydropower), and water supply & sanitation (rural and urban, assisting utilities on efficiency and financial sustainability, targeting the poor). In each sub sector an integrated approach is adopted which considers investment alongside issues such as governance, institutions, and policies.

2030 Water Resources Group (2030 WRG) is a global multi-donor trust fund, established with the aim of addressing water security through private sector engagement. It was incubated at the World Economic Forum (WEF) and formally administered by the IFC from 2012 to 2017; thereafter the 2030 WRG has been hosted by the World Bank from January 1, 2018, based on a decision of the 2030 WRG Governing Council.

2030 WRG plans to achieve transformational impact in the next phase of activity from 2023-2030 through public-private collaboration and finance facilitation, in the lead up to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It aims to do so by structuring large-scale, transformational programs in select countries, termed Accelerators. These initiatives focus to maximizing impact by leveraging the respective capacities, capital, and implementation strengths of the public and private sector.

The Sr. Private Sector Specialist will be based at the Headquarters of the World Bank in Washington DC, USA. She/he will report to Program Manager of 2030 WRG.

Duties and Accountabilities

2030 Water Resources Group is seeking a highly qualified and motivated individual to serve as a Senior Private Sector Specialist. The principal duties and responsibilities would include:

Support the Program Manager to lead the global program and support country programs as the work program evolves.
Support strategy development, business planning, financial management and monitoring of the global program.
Provide technical leadership on private sector development and financing in 2030 WRGs global and country programs and activities.
Support Bank operation as agreed with the Program Manager, including the GCP on Water Security and Climate Adaptation, and in particular in establishing new Country Platforms.
Support the implementation of the Scaling up Finance for Water strategic framework with respect to private sector participation and finance facilitation.
Lead high-quality global analytical products on private sector development and financing.
Coordinate engagements with key partners at senior-most levels on private sector participation in the water sector, including public sector, private sector, multilateral development banks, bilateral agencies, and civil society.
Manage coordination with IFC, MIGA, and other parts of the WB on private sector solutions across water sub-sectors.
Support the engagement with various private sector companies (e.g., agribusiness companies, technology companies, industrial/ manufacturing companies, operators, financiers etc.) as potential 2030 WRG/ WB partners at the global, regional, and national levels.
Lead the coordination of the 2030 WRG global governance structure and the development of the global strategy.

Selection Criteria

Candidates must demonstrate professional excellence and outstanding oral and written communication skills. They must also demonstrate excellent interpersonal skills, the ability to find practical solutions to problems and to think strategically.

The following specific criteria will also apply:

An advanced degree (masters or PhD) in water, finance or other qualifications relevant to the position and at least 8 years of relevant on experience in mobilizing private sector involvement in water security;
Track record of driving innovations for private sector development and financing in the water sector across different instrument types.
Demonstrated experience in developing high-quality analytical products, supporting enabling environment improvements, and designing public-private partnership models to crowd in the private sector.
Strong analytical skills and expertise in the technical, financial, and economic aspects of the water sector.
Experience in leading partnerships with an established network of partners across public sector, private sector, and international organizations, among others.
Demonstrated ability to lead teams.
Excellent writing and presentational skills, and ability to synthesize large amounts of material into crisp briefing memos and Power Point presentations.
Strong written and spoken English language communications skills are required; Any additional language skills will be an advantage.

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 theWorld BankandIFC, including our values and inspiring stories.