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Thursday, January 16, 2014
Organization: World Bank
Country: Australia
City; Sydney, Australia
Office: World Bank Sydney
Background / General description:
Regional Context
The East Asia and Pacific (EAP) Region presents a dramatic illustration of the global dynamics, opportunities and risks of the 21st century. After making the fastest progress in growth and poverty reduction of any region around the world in the last fifteen years, some countries in the region - such as Mongolia - are poised to become middle-income, and some are preparing to join the small group of high-income countries. Such a rapid transformation is leading to the largest shift in rural-to-urban population in human history, generating rising inequality within and across countries, leaving individuals and regions behind in the dash for prosperity.
Meanwhile, the uncertainty in the advanced economies clouds the prospects for countries across the region which are being forced to adjust to changed growth and development prospects while addressing evolving impacts on macroeconomic stability, employment and poverty.
EAP comprises of more than 20 countries, including China, several MICs, LICs, and fragile states (EAP has the second highest number of fragile states amongst all the Bank regions). The Region is characterized by generally rapid growth, both sophisticated and low capacity borrowers, and some highly dynamic sectors. At the same time, EAP countries are faced with weak governance environments. The Bank's program in EAP is multi-faceted and has grown rapidly in recent years: lending in FY13 exceeded $6 billion; the portfolio consists of nearly 300 operations for about $30 billion; and the TF program is significant (with a portfolio of about $4.3 billion). EAP consists of over 800 staff with 20% in Washington and 80% based in the country offices in the six CMUs.
Department Context
The Sustainable Development (SD) Department covers Infrastructure (transport, energy, urban/water and sanitation); Social, Agriculture and Rural development; and Environment and Natural Resources Management. The Department accounts for a substantial part of East Asia's overall business. Overall, SD is responsible for:
delivery of about 50 operations per year, amounting to about $4-5 billion annually;
an active dialogue on regional issues, such as climate change, urbanization and decentralization, and huge demand for efficient infrastructure development;
about 160 active projects in the portfolio, amounting to around $16 billion;
about 220 regular staff.
A key characteristic of the Bank program in the region is a high level of decentralization. About 60% of staff is located in the field, and about 45% of operations are managed and led from the field. The underpinning of this decentralization rests on four main pillars:
better integration at the field level to provide greater synergies and integrated responses;
a decentralized management structure supported by regional and global knowledge;
provision of faster responses and management decisions to our clients; and
the need to reposition ourselves in the region given the large urbanization and decentralization trend in almost all countries, the need to incorporate better environment dimensions of the fast growth rates and huge demand for infrastructure, and the need to better deal with governance issues and growing income disparities between urban centers and rural areas and lagging regions.
To address this high level of decentralization, SD's Management Team is headed by a Sector Director at HQ, seven field based Sector Managers responsible for the client interface in Indonesia (two, of which one is the SM for SDV), Vietnam, China/Mongolia, Australia/Pacific, Philippines, Thailand/Cambodia/Lao PDR/Malaysia/Myanmar, and three HQ based sector managers responsible for the corporate interface grouped around platforms of engagement, and organized around thematic lines, as in the rest of the Bank.
Unit and Country Context
The Pacific Islands Countries (PICs) comprise a region uniquely identified by its dispersion, remoteness and small populations. A consequence of dispersion, remoteness, and small populations is increased vulnerability to economic isolation and external shocks. Well-performing maritime and aviation sub-sectors are vital for the connectivity and access required to facilitate overseas employment, health and educational opportunities, tourism sector growth, intra-regional integration and trade with neighboring larger economies. Well-maintained and climate resilient roads are important for ensuring domestic economic growth and intra-island connectivity in a region vulnerable to climate change.
In this context, the Bank provides essential support to the PICs with project implementation and support. The Bank is supporting the design and implementation of a Regional Pacific Aviation Investment Program (PAIP) which finances priority infrastructure investments as well as regulatory reforms and capacity building for sector oversight, airports and air traffic control systems, and technical advice on a variety of topics. In the maritime sub-sector, the team has launched a regional ESW supporting safe, efficient and sustainable maritime transport systems in the Pacific which will be used as a platform to structure a regional operation modeled on the PAIP. In the roads sub-sector, the Bank has a long and successful history of financing relatively large-scale civil works projects in select countries, with strong emphasis in strengthening roads' resilience to climate change and disasters and in introducing performance based contracting and other innovative asset management practices to improve maintenance practices. Finally, the Bank is using its technical as well as its convening powers to support countries on a variety of topics including structuring x-sector and/or x-country regulatory entities, designing sector-wide approaches that encompass policy development and institutional and regulatory reform, and identifying and implementing forms of private participation adapted to the local context.
Note: If the selected candidate is a current Bank Group staff member with a Regular or Open-Ended appointment, s/he will retain his/her Regular or Open-Ended appointment. All others will be offered a 3 year term appointment.
Duties and Accountabilities:
The primary duties of the assignment will be to:
Lead the transport practice in the Pacific, assuming responsibility for the preparation of new operations, the supervision of existing operations (ensuring adoption of optimal technical solutions adapted to the local context, managing fiduciary and safeguards responsibilities, and ensuring compliance with the Bank guidelines in the provisions of loan/credit/grant agreements), and for the delivery of high quality AAA/ESW activities.
Foster knowledge and learning exchanges between team members within the country office as well as within the department as a whole, helping to link teams with the Bank transport community of practice.
Support capacity development in the pertinent implementing entities to design and implement enhancements to transport infrastructure and transport services and operations, and address potential social and economic externalities.
Represent the Bank in International fora in the Pacific Region such as the Pacific Region Infrastructure Facility (PRIF).
Stay abreast of key developments in road transport policy, planning, operations, management, governance, and financing, and in cross-cutting issues affecting the performance of the transport sector, such as: logistics, governance frameworks, environment, safety, social and health impacts, and gender issues.
Mentor less experienced staff on technical and analytical design issues and on Bank policies and procedures.
Qualification/ Selection Criteria:
A Masters (or Ph.D.) in Civil/Structural/Transport Engineering.
Minimum 15 years (with a Masters) of professional experience in the transportation sector, in at least 2 Bank regions with strong technical and operational skills as evidenced in a proven track record in the delivery of Bank analytical work and investment operations.
Recognized as a leader of the Bank's Road transport practice.
Very strong operational track record, with demonstrated ability to work on civil works design, contract procurement, and contract management and execution.
Practical experience in carrying out feasibility analyses for specific road and air transport projects, and general experience in broader transport issues, with an understanding and the ability to work on policy, institutional, and financing aspects, contract management, and social and environmental requirements for the sector.
Demonstrated experience in leading/managing a technical community of practice involving multiple donor partners.
Strong client skills, with proven experience in providing quality policy and project advice to clients on transport issues, interest in transferring knowledge.
Strong track record of publications in transport/infrastructure journals or specialized magazines.
Highly Proficient in English (spoken and written).
Competencies
Knowledge and Experience in Development Arena - Influences the design and execution of major policy and/or research initiatives; conceives and promotes innovations in development policies, project design, organization and management to improve operational and sector work.
Policy Dialogue Skills - Has a track record of conducting effective policy dialogue with country counterparts; communicates and defends difficult issues and positions to senior bank management and government officials.
Integrative Skills - Possesses in-depth understanding of Bank resources in all areas of work in the network.
Road Transport and in particular Highway Policy, Strategy, and Institutions. Viewed as an expert in road transport policies, strategies, institutions, and regulations. Capable of serving as a lead in representing the Bank internationally.
Air Transport- Comprehensive understanding of transport policies, strategies, institutions, and regulations.
Maritime Transport - Good understanding of transport policies, strategies, institutions, and regulations.
Sector Dialogue - IL - Able to lead a broad dialogue with the client, including high-level officials, based on an understanding of the client's objectives and constraints.
Operational Project Management - Demonstrates expert knowledge and understanding of project management tools & methodologies; ability to manage complex, multi-functional projects/programs including managing relationships with stakeholders & counterparties.
Operational Policies Application to the Project Cycle (fiduciary, disbursement, safeguard and GAC policies) - IL - Possesses a thorough understanding of fiduciary, disbursement, safeguard and GAC policies; able to identify key issues, conduct objective evaluation of non-compliance, and devise recommendations to Bank management.
Team Leadership - Demonstrates inspirational leadership combined with practical delivery of Bank initiatives; sought out to mentor other colleagues.
ESW/TA - Leads through AAA work the analysis of key development issues; demonstrated ability to identify policy options that are underpinned by solid analytic work and that are attuned to specific country circumstances.
Client Orientation - Translates insight into practice across disciplines, hierarchies, geographies and organizational units in service of clients.
Drive for Results - Ensures successful implementation and delivery of key programs and projects, ensuring that outputs positively impact results.
Teamwork (Collaboration) and Inclusion - Creates a team climate of practical and innovative action, facilitating collaboration between competing interests and stakeholders.
Knowledge, Learning and Communication - Demonstrates command of all forms of communication and presents in a clear, objective and engaging manner in high-level settings; ensures knowledge is captured and shared in a variety of ways.
Business Judgment and Analytical Decision Making - Serves as a trusted advisor to others on their decisions, ensuring optimal impact for clients.
Directly Apply Here: http://web.worldbank.org/external/default/main?pagePK=8454041&piPK=8454059&theSitePK=8453353&JobNo=140020&contentMDK=23158967&order=descending&sortBy=job-req-num&location=ALL&menuPK=8453611
Application Closing Date: Tuesday, 28 January 2014
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Posted in: Banking Jobs,Transportation Jobs