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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 WATER GLOBAL PRACTICE
Water resources are under unprecedented and increasing pressures, driven by greater climate variability, population and economic growth, land-use changes, and declining quantities and qualities of both ground and surface waters. With cross-cutting impacts on agriculture, education, energy, health, gender equity, and livelihood, water is an essential resource for all life on the planet and is at the center of economic and social development. Climate change expresses itself through water and sound water management lies at the heart of the resilience agenda. Successful water management requires accurate knowledge of the resource available and an assessment of competing demands for its usage. Making best use of available supplies requires complex and sensitive economic, environmental and socio-political trade-offs. Planning for a more uncertain and more constrained water environment in the future only makes the situation more complex. The world will not be able to meet the great development challenges of the 21st century - human development, livable cities, climate change, food security, energy security, and universal access to services – unless we ensure a water-secure world for all.
The WBG is in a unique position to help governments take such an integrated and strategic approach to solve water supply, sanitation, water resource, hydropower, and irrigation problems through partnership, finance, and knowledge. The Water Global Practice is poised to deliver on a Water Secure World through an approach that focuses on Sustaining Water Resources, Delivering Services and Building Resilience. The WTR GP also has strong external partnerships and houses the Global Water Security and Sanitation Program (GWSP), the 2030 Water Resources Group (2030WRG) and several regional transboundary programs.
Water Global Partnerships Unit (SWAGP)
The Water Global Partnership Unit supports the cultivation and management of global partnerships, which includes the Global Water Security and Sanitation Partnership (GWSP). SWAGP works with development partners to mobilize external funding to support analytical work and technical assistance that encourages a holistic approach to water by providing new opportunities to test innovations, build country capacity, and shape the future of client demand for the financial resources and expertise offered by the World Bank and development partners. GWSP is a multi-donor trust fund established in 2017 with the objective of supporting client governments achieve SDG6 and other water related SDGs through the generation of innovative global knowledge and the provision of country-level support, while leveraging World Bank Group financial instruments and promoting global dialogue and advocacy with key partners and clients to increase reach and impact. GWSP is fully aligned with the vision of the World Bank Group’s Water Global Practice – A water secure world for all. It is also fully embedded within the Water GP; an integrated and influential part of the World Bank architecture.
Management of GWSP’s day-to-day operations is the responsibility of the Program Manager who leads the Water Global Partnerships Unit in the Water Global Practice, and who reports to the Water GP Global Director of the Planet, Practice Group. GWSP is governed by the GWSP Council which acts as the governing and decision-making body of the GWSP MDTF including strategic guidance on the direction of the MDTF, assessment on the progress of work program implementation and the results achieved as well as financial and administrative matters.
Duties and Accountabilities: The Senior Water Specialist (Partnerships) will be a core member of the GWSP program management team and will report to the Program Manager.
• Take the lead on developing new partner relationships with key global actors in the water sector. Identify entry points and provide technical inputs into outreach and advocacy efforts, ensuring GWSP’s achievements and value-proposition are well documented, clearly explained and tailored to the priorities of key constituencies.
• Develop and coordinate implementation of a communications and partnership strategy for GWSP. Work with ECR to identify engagement opportunities and create materials tailored to specific constituencies.
• Lead dialogue with Development Partners and other key stakeholders on specific water-related issues. Take the lead, in collaboration with Water GP Global Leads, on designing and leading sessions to engage partners in technical discussion on topics such as nature-based solutions, integrity management, water-economy-climate nexus, among others.
• Working closely with the Water GP Global Leads, identify opportunities and help facilitate collaboration with other trust fund programs, including potentially developing joint programs.
• In consultation with the Program Manager, provide technical inputs and support in overall donor relations and management of GWSP, including lead the drafting of funding proposals and appraisal documents and engage in strategic discussion on areas for partnership and internal donor requirements.
• Advise and provide support to Water Security and Climate Adaptation Global Challenge Programs on working in partnership with international and local development partners. Provide advice and support to operational teams who are setting up country platforms, identify mechanisms to support and build capacity drawing and engage with development partners.
• Promote opportunities for co-financing with bi-lateral and multi-lateral agencies. Work closely with Water GP operational teams to identify and facilitate opportunities for bi-lateral and multi-lateral co-financing of operations.
Selection Criteria
• Advanced degree (Masters/Ph.D.) in a relevant discipline and at least 8 years of relevant experience, preferably in the water sector.
• Demonstrate an understanding of water services, including WASH and irrigation, and water resource management, and demonstrate the ability to communicate this knowledge to diverse audiences.
• Experience working with external stakeholders and managing high-level external engagements a plus.
• Established networks among key individuals and organizations associated with the water, climate, and environment agenda, ideally across public, private, and civil society sector a plus.
• Experience working across GP and/or Regions to understand the different needs and operational practices of different internal clients.
• Strong conceptual, technical and analytical skills supporting an advanced capacity to understand diverse aspects of partnership programs, and to pull them together into a “big picture” approach.
• Understanding of development partner strategies and priorities and demonstrated ability to work effectively with development partners and other clients.
• Excellent oral and written communications skills in English, including the excellent ability to write reports and briefing notes, and with demonstrated ability to think strategically and synthesize complex issues. Proficiencies in French and/or Spanish will be an added value.
• Demonstrated track record of building and maintaining good relationships with partners in the face of conflicting demands or directions and of providing evidence-based advice and solutions based on sound diagnosis and knowledge.
• High degree of initiative, flexibility and ability to work independently with good track record of being a team player.
• Effective interpersonal and communication skills with the capacity to interact in a multi-cultural.
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.
