Social Protection Specialist

Social Protection Specialist Job #: req35337 Organization: World Bank Sector: Social Protection Grade: GF Term Duration: 4 years 0 months Recruitment Type: Local Recruitment Location: Djibouti,Djibouti Required Language(s): English, French Preferred Language(s): Closing Date: 1/29/2026 (MM/DD/YYYY) at 11:59pm UTC

Description

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. Visit www.worldbank.org.

The MENAAP Region

The Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan, and Pakistan Region (MENAAP) serves twenty two countries, of which twelve are active/potentially active IBRD/IDA borrowers (Algeria, Djibouti, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, Syria, West Bank and Gaza, Tunisia, Yemen, Afghanistan, and Pakistan) and eight are users of the Region's non-lending services, mostly on a reimbursable basis (Bahrain, Kuwait, Libya, Malta, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates). The mission of MENAAP is to foster sustainable growth with a focus on job creation and poverty reduction, economic and social inclusion, and good governance. MENAAP attaches importance to creating a supportive work environment based on the values of teamwork, transparency, trust, and client service, underlined by professional excellence. MENAAP places high value on diversity. MENAAP is organized in seven Country Departments (CMUs), the Office of the Regional Chief Economist, and the Development Effectiveness Unit (MAPDE).

The SPL and HNP Global Practices in MENAAP

The Social Protection and Labor (SPL) 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 (cash transfers, public works programs, social care services), social insurance (old-age pensions, unemployment insurance, disability and survivor benefits), and labor market and youth employment programs and policies (public employment services, active labor market programs, labor market regulations and institutions).

The SPL unit in the Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan and Pakistan (MENAAP) (HMAPS) manages a growing operations portfolio of about 20 projects worth US$7 billion in net commitments and exciting knowledge program across the region. HMAPS is part of the MENAAP People department (HMADR), which also includes Health, Nutrition and Population (HMAPH) and Education (HMAPE). The HMAPH unit provides financial and knowledge support to MENAAP countries to achieve Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and to provide quality, affordable health services to everyone —regardless of their ability to pay — by strengthening primary health care systems and reducing the financial risks associated with ill health and increasing equity.

HMAPS is seeking a Social Protection Specialist to support the Bank’s SPL and HNP engagements in Djibouti. As such, this will be a joint HMAPS-HMAPH position mapped to HMAPS. The successful candidate will be professionally mapped to the SPL Global Practice. The position will be based in Djibouti City, Djibouti. 

The SPL program in Djibouti includes financial assistance to the Government of Djibouti for the implementation of cash transfers, social and behavior change communication related to nutrition and early childhood development, economic inclusion activities for poor and vulnerable households and persons living with disabilities, as well as the strengthening of social protection delivery systems such as the social registry. The program also includes a series of analytical tasks related to cash transfers, economic inclusion, targeting of social assistance, adaptive social protection and shock-responsive systems, nutrition, childcare, and gender. Lastly, the SPL team is working with HNP and education teams to preparation a project aimed at addressing key constraints to the strengthening of human capital in Djibouti.

Djibouti’s health sector has made steady gains but still lags regional peers, with persistent access and quality challenges, high maternal mortality (about 162 per 100,000 live births), and infrastructure and referral gaps particularly outside Djibouti City. The selected candidate would also help drive a growing health portfolio in Djibouti, where persistent inequities and service gaps—especially in maternal, neonatal, and child health—continue to lag regional peers and disproportionately affect underserved populations, refugees, and host communities. The centerpiece is the current Djibouti Health System Strengthening Project (P178033; US$19.5 million: IDA credit US$14.5m + WHR grant US$5m), which aims to improve the utilization and quality of reproductive, maternal, neonatal, child, adolescent health and nutrition (RMNCAH N) services through service delivery optimization (rehabilitation of priority facilities and maternal waiting homes, referral/counter referral systems, strengthening the central drug store CAMME, support for human resources for health, and mobile service delivery), community health platforms, and performance based financing. PBF/DFF pilots show steady improvements in key RMNCAH indicators and have made a significant contribution in reducing maternal and child mortality. 

Roles and responsibilities

The successful candidate will report to the HMAPS Practice Manager. S/he will work closely with the SPL and HNP teams working on Djibouti and the country team. The primary responsibilities of the successful candidate will include:

• Contribute as core team member to the SPL and HNP programs in Djibouti, including the preparation and implementation of operations and technical assistance. 

• Provide project implementation, technical support and capacity building to relevant government counterparts, including the Ministère des Affaires Sociales et des Solidarités (MASS), the Agence Djiboutienne de Développement Social (ADDS), the Agence Nationale des Personnes Handicapées (ANPH), and Ministère de la Santé (MS).

• Engage and contribute to policy dialogue. 

• Liaise with donor partners and represent the Bank in activities related to SPL and HNP in Djibouti.

• Support external communications related to SPL and HNP in Djibouti. 

• Lead or contribute to analytical work on SPL and HNP. 

• Work closely with other Global Practices in the field to ensure synergies. 

• Respond to ad-hoc and urgent requests from management as needed.

• Contribute to other tasks as needed including potential work on other countries in the region, preparing new projects, events and conferences. 

• Be the focal point on the ground for the CMU on issues related to SPL and HNP.

Selection Criteria

• Master’s degree in relevant discipline (social policy, economics, public policy, public administration or similar) with at least five years of relevant experience in areas relevant to SPL. Some experience in areas related to HNP is required.

• Demonstrated technical expertise in areas relevant to SPL. Some technical expertise in areas related to HNP is desired.
 
• Experience working in, or closely with, government departments or related agencies on SPL and HNP issues.

• Fluency (reading, writing, speaking) in English and French are required. 

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

• Time management—ability 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.

WBG Culture Attributes:

1. Sense of urgency: Anticipate and quickly respond to the needs of internal and external stakeholders.
2. Thoughtful risk-taking: Challenge the status quo and push boundaries to achieve greater impact.
3. Empowerment and accountability: Empower yourself and others to act and hold each other accountable for results.

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.