ย
ย 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.ย 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 Bankโs program has nearly doubled over the last 10 years. By 2030, about 87% of the worldโs 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 peopleโs lives and help countries build back better after COVID.ย ย
https://www.worldbank.org/en/region/afr/western-and-central-africa
The Infrastructure Practice Group
Globally, 840 million people live more than 2 kilometers from all-weather roads, 1 billion people lack electricity, and 4 billion people lack Internet access. Access to basic infrastructure services is critical for creating economic opportunities for the poor. The Infrastructure Practice Group is charged with developing sustainable solutions to help close infrastructure gaps in developing and emerging economies.
Transport Global Practice
Better transport has the potential to improve the lives and livelihoods of billions of people by facilitating access to jobs, markets, and essential services such as healthcare or education. The World Bank provides financial and technical assistance to help countries implement sustainable mobility solutions that createย real, lasting development benefits. For more information: https://www.worldbank.org/en/topic/transportย
The World Bank Western and Central Africa Region Transport Unit (IAWT3) is hiring a Senior Urban Transport Specialist, with extensive prior experience โ preferably in Africa, to serve as Senior Urban Transport Specialist.ย He/she will be based in Washington on a four-year appointment and mapped to IAWT3 and will be reporting to the Transport Practice Manager. The specific responsibilities and the role of the Senior Urban Transport Specialist are outline below under duties and responsibilities.ย ย
Role & Responsibilities:
IAWT3 is hiring a Senior Transport Specialist, with extensive operational experience to be based in Washington, DC. The Senior Urban Transport Specialist would be a highly experienced staff, with solid track record in urban transport projects, with specific experience in BRTs. A sound knowledge of PPPs/projects' financing structuring and climate friendly solutions in mass transport systems would be highly desirable. Excellent understanding of Interfaces of Urban Mobility and Digital and Energy transition is strongly recommended. Strong leadership skills to lead multisectoral teams and drive transformative approach is required.ย
Specific duties and responsibilities shall include:ย ย
(i)lead the technical dialogue in the transport sector with countries of the CMUs under the jurisdiction of IAWT3 Unit (Cameroon, Cรดte dโIvoire and Ghana Country Management Units-CMUs), as well as with other clients in the region.ย
(ii)Lead the preparation and implementation support of transport projects, covering the core elements, but also incorporating the key cross-cutting issues such as gender equality, private sector participation, climate change.
(iii)Participate in the sector policy dialogue, together with other development partners, under the guidance of the Program Team Leader and Practice Manager, with external stakeholders in the country and region.
(iv)lead and contribute to projects and knowledge activities in the unit and department, and in close collaboration with other Africa Transport units and other Global Practices.
(v)Develop capacity in the pertinent implementing entities to plan, develop, and manage transport projects, and pay greater heed to the cross-cutting issues of gender equality, climate change, inter alia.ย
(vi)Promote the participation of the private sector in provision of transport infrastructure and services, with emphasis on mass transport systems in African cities.
(vii)Provide support and guidance to improve the quality of transport projects in general, through technical advisory, quality assurance, and mentor junior staff.
(viii)Provide guidance and leadership for the development of Bank strategies, particularly with respect to issues related to institutional design of implementation agencies, financing, and public private partnership options.
(ix)Provide support to teams in other sector units for the implementation of transport components in their projects, enhance the quality of project design, implementation and supervision, and related technical assistance components.
(x)Support the formulation and implementation of institutional reforms and capacity building initiatives in the transport sector and urban transport sub-sector in particular, in cooperation with responsible agencies and other partners at country level.
The Senior Urban Transport Specialist will be based in the World Bankโs Washington Office on a four-year appointment.ย She/He will report to the IAWT3 Practice Manager. Her/His activities will be identified with the Practice Manager and adjusted based on business needs. She/He will actively participate in the relevant Country Management Unit discussions, particularly on the preparation of Systematic Country Diagnostics (SCD) and Comprehensive Partnership Frameworks (CPF), as well as on portfolio reviews. She/He will also liaise and work with other global practices and cross-cutting solutions areas, as relevant, and ensure appropriate collaboration and partnership between Government, the World Bank Group, and other international and bilateral organizations involved in the transport sector in Africa West and Central.
Selection Criteria
The Candidates for the position will be selected based on the following requirements:
Minimum Requirements:
โข Masterโs degree or higher, in transport planning, engineering, economics, finance, or other disciplines relevant to the urban transport sub-sector.ย
โข At least 12 years professional experience in urban transport with a focus on one or more of the following areas: (a) planning and implementing public transport reform; (b) public transport policy and financing; (c) planning and implementing sustainable transport plans and policies, including land use considerations, non-motorized transport, and transport demand management and parking; (e) public transport regulatory, institutional and managerial aspects; and (f) public transport operations.
โข Extensive operational expertise, in both the preparation and implementation of projects.
โข Experience in the design and implementation of initiatives that can harness the opportunities of new technologies in urban mobility (e.g. digitalization, โbig dataโ analytics).
โข A sound knowledge of PPPs/projects' financing structuring and climate friendly solutions in mass transport systems would be highly desirable; expertise in e-mobility and/or private capital mobilization would be a plus.
โข Excellent understanding of safeguards requirements, as well as a robust technical expertise and ability to integrate and work with other sectors.
โข Excellent soft skills are required to engage appropriately with more sophisticated demands from clients in this subregion.ย
โข Experience in managing excellent clients' relationships is required and proven ability to build relationships involving multiple stakeholders.ย ย
โข Excellent understanding of Interfaces of Urban Mobility and Digital and Energy transition is strongly recommended.
โข Experience in working on similar programs in developing countries (including middle-income countries), in activities financed by the World Bank or other financing organizations, or in a consultant capacity; experience in fragile context would be a plus.
โข Excellent analytical skills and proven written and oral communication skills in English and French (both are required), with the ability to present complex issues in a concise manner.
Transport GP Technical Competencies:ย
โข General Transport Engineering and Planning Knowledge - Possesses specialized technical knowledge in the transport fields and ability to translate this knowledge for the practical benefit of clients.
โข Knowledge and Experience in the Development Arena - Translates technical and cross-country knowledge into practical applications and contributions to country and sector strategies; interacts with clients at the policy level.ย ย
โข Policy Dialogue Skills - Anticipates needs and requests in the field and conducts independent policy discussions with representatives of the government and non-government partners.ย ย
โข Integrative Skills - Understands relevant cross-sectoral areas how they are interrelated; able to undertake cross-sectoral work in lending and non-lending operations.ย ย
โข Transport Policy, Strategy, and Institutions - Solid understanding of policies, strategies, institutions, and regulations that affect both passenger transport and freight logistics.ย ย
โข Transport Systems and Technologies - Extensive experience with urban and interurban transport systems and technologies, with ability to apply knowledge to policy-related decisions and advice.ย ย
โข Client Orientation - Maintains client relationships in the face of conflicting demands or directions and provides evidence-based advice and solutions based on sound diagnosis and knowledge.ย ย
โข Drive for Results - Identifies the needed resources to accomplish results involving multiple stakeholders and finds solutions to obstacles affecting key deliverables.ย
WBG COMPETENCIES
โข Deliver results for clients - Proactively addresses clients stated and unstated needs.
โข Collaborate within Teams and Across Boundaries - Collaborates across boundaries, gives own perspective and willingly receives diverse perspectives.
โข Make Smart Decisions - Interprets a wide range of information and pushes to move forward.
โข Integrative skills โ Understands relevant cross-sectoral areas
โข Policy dialogue skills โ anticipate needs and requests in the field and conducts independent policy discussions with representatives of the government and non-government partners
โข Transport policy, strategy and institutions โ Solid understanding of transport policies, strategies, institutions, and regulations.
โข Operational Project Management โ demonstrates in depth knowledge and understanding of transport project management tools and methodologies,ย
โข Project design for impact and sustainability โ contributes to the design of projects and programs, based on an understanding of the country and sector context
โข Team leadership โ leads teams to achieve challenging outcomes, providing a role model and enhancing the team-leadership skills of team members.
The World Bank Group values diversity and encourages all qualified candidates who are nationals of World Bank Group member countries to apply, regardless of gender, gender identity, religion, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or disability.ย Sub-Saharan African nationals, Caribbean nationals, and female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. The duration of this assignment will be a 2-year termย appointment. It may be extended based on business needs, the satisfactory performance of the candidate, and the availability of trust fund resources. Candidates with open term appointments will retain their employment status if selected for this position.
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 theย World Bankย andย IFC, including our values and inspiring stories.