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. Visit www.worldbank.org.

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 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. 

The Infrastructure Practice Group is in charge of developing sustainable solutions to help close infrastructure gaps in developing and emerging economies. This is done by scaling up investments in critical infrastructure sectors, leveraging innovations that drive impact and promoting integration across sectors and regions at a scale that encourages the participation of the private sector. Our infrastructure interventions make a difference to outcomes in human capital, economic inclusion and climate change, and promote stability in fragile and conflict affected states. There is a strong emphasis on private sector resource mobilization and catalyzing financing from commercial and other sources of development and climate.   For more information  : https://www.worldbank.org/en/topic/infrastructure 

Europe and Central Asia Region

The Europe and Central Asia (ECA) region comprises 30 extremely diverse countries with a population of nearly 500 million people. Three client countries are IDA only, and the other two are IDA blend countries.  The remaining 25 are IBRD eligible. Although ten clients have joined the European Union and seven have graduated from IBRD, most remain active recipients of knowledge and/or financing through the WBG’s lending services.  ECA has a strong lending pipeline and an extensive and growing portfolio of Reimbursable Advisory Services.  Knowledge is critical to the World Bank’s value proposition to client countries in the ECA region in lending and advisory services.

A predominantly middle- and high-income region, ECA continues to be at the forefront in confronting the numerous development challenges that countries face in the evolving global economy. The region is at the vanguard of the clean energy transition, building regional connectivity while managing the changing structure of the labor market. At the same time, digital technologies are changing the nature of work, populations are aging, and large migration flows have generated social tensions that have contributed to increased political polarization. More recently, the conflict in Ukraine and its aftermath threaten to reverse the region’s achievements in regional integration, poverty reduction, and shared prosperity. 

These major challenges and crises re-emphasize the critical importance of ECA’s medium-term strategic agenda. To reach the World Bank Group’s twin goals, the ECA region’s strategy focuses on (i) boosting human capital – addressing inclusion, resilience, quality of delivery, and next generation of Human Capital challenges, (ii) enabling markets – supporting the private sector to compete in a knowledge-intensive global economy, (iii) green transition - innovative knowledge and financing engagements to decarbonize, build resilience and support a just transition through policy engagements, investments, and (iv) building & strengthening institutions - supporting the quality of spending, improve debt management, and enhance service delivery. 

https://www.worldbank.org/en/region/eca

Duties and Accountabilities

IECDR seeks to recruit a Senior Infrastructure Specialist/ Senior Economist to join the ECA Infrastructure Regional Director’s front office, which includes Energy, Transport, Urban Development, Disaster Risk Management, as well as Land Administration, in close collaboration with Extractives, Digital Development, and Infrastructure Finance, Public Private Partnerships and Guarantees.  There is also an increasing emphasis to work closely with IFC and MIGA to deliver integrated solutions to clients.  Key responsibilities include:

The duties of the candidate will include the following:
• Provide proactive input and support to the Regional Director on infrastructure strategy, infrastructure financing, operational matters and other issues.
• Support the Regional Director, Practice Managers and Operational teams in operationalizing WBG financing solutions across energy, transport and/or urban, disaster risk management and land administration in Europe and Central Asia.
• Support the development and implementation of strategic initiatives undertaken within IECDR, in priority areas including Private Capital Mobilization, Global Challenge Programs and its multi-phase approaches, regional institutions and MDB coordination. 
• Liaise with infrastructure program leaders in the development of country level infrastructure programs responsive to client demand; and contribute to the development and reviews of country partnership frameworks, country climate development reports, structured financing products and innovative approaches to achieve scale and impact. 
• Assist the Regional Director and PMs in developing strong partnerships with organizations including the EU Commission, IFIs and regional organizations with a view to leveraging climate financing, structured finance and private capital for infrastructure engagements in Europe and Central Asia. 
• Lead and contribute to analytical work of projects and programs to inform policy advice and  the selection and design of WBG instruments.
• Coordinate the design and implementation of the IECDR skill-up/training programs; with a focus on retooling and reskilling the practice group;  and contribute to the Knowledge Academies. 

Selection Criteria

• Advanced degree (Master’s or PhD)  degree in economics, infrastructure planning/economics, finance, public policy, or equivalent areas relevant for infrastructure development.
• At least 8 years of combined experience in the World Bank, IFC or MIGA;  other international institutions and/or companies, government agencies, and/or utilities with demonstrated track record of successful engagement with complex analytics/ policy advisory and investments in infrastructure such as energy, transport, urban development, disaster risk management or land administration.
• Demonstrated understanding of decarbonization and resilience priorities, infrastructure policies, technologies or strategies, private sector participation, and institutional development needed to support development and for the success of project and analytic work. 
• Demonstrated leadership in teamwork and inclusion to support collaboration and working across boundaries, and ensuring diverse talent and capability is mobilized across Infrastructure Global Practices.
• Experience leading and/or playing key roles in policy dialogue with clients and stakeholders; proven ability to work across practice and disciplinary boundaries as well as with multiple stakeholders to build collaborative alliances for results. 
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English with strong presentation skills and ability to synthesize analyze and present materials effectively and tailored to different audiences. Excellent communications skills, specifically in writing briefs, reports and preparing power point presentations.
• Demonstrated strong analytical research and organizational skills, ability to see the big picture as well as attention to detail and ability to prioritize work among multiple competing demands and tight deadlines.
• High degree of initiative, problem-solving skills, flexibility and ability to work independently.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and proven ability to build strong partnerships with clients, different stakeholders and colleagues across units and departmental boundaries in a multi-cultural environment with virtual teams located in different countries.

TECHNICAL COMPETENCIES

• Knowledge and Experience in Development Arena - Translates technical and cross-country knowledge into practical applications and contributions to country and infrastructure sector strategies; interacts with clients at the policy level;
• Policy Dialogue Skills - Anticipates needs and requests in the field and conducts independent policy discussions with representatives of the government and non-government partners;
• Integrative Skills - Understands relevant cross-sectoral areas how they are interrelated; able to undertake cross-sectoral work in lending and non-lending operations;

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.