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.

EAP Region
East Asia Pacific (EAP) is a large and diverse region, ranging from Small Islands States of the Pacific to the Philippines and China. Despite substantial economic growth and poverty reduction, the EAP region faces huge development challenges. Growth has been uneven across and within countries, institutions still need strengthening, and most countries are heavily affected by climate change. The Bank plays a significant role on global public goods, including climate, biodiversity, water pollution, and health. The COVID pandemic, and more recently food and energy price increases are compounding the impact of the global economic slowdown. The World Bank Group is seen as a premier development institution in the region, with a leadership role on analytical and advisory services as well as financing.

Country and Position Context
The PNG & Pacific Department currently works in twelve developing countries in the Region (the Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Kiribati, the Marshall Islands, Nauru, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, the Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu). It has Country Offices in Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands, and a South Pacific Hub in Suva, Fiji.

The World Bank in Pacific Islands: https://www.worldbank.org/en/country/pacificislands

The Pacific Department is seeking to hire a Country Officer, to be based in Port Vila, Vanuatu, who will work closely with the Country Representative for Vanuatu, to coordinate with and support the client to enhance implementation, coordinate with stakeholders across the portfolio and contribute to the department’s quality assurance and strategy documents. The position will report to the Country Representative for Solomon Islands and Vanuatu.

The World Bank’s office in Vanuatu includes four full time staff, contract staff and a country officer for the International Finance corporation (IFC).   World Bank and IFC staff and consultants from other World Bank offices travel to Vanuatu to provide support to the World Bank portfolio and engagement.  The Country Representative frequently is also in Vanuatu.  The Country Officer will be responsible to provide day to day oversight for the management of the office under the supervision of the Country Representative and support from other World Bank staff primarily based in Sydney, Australia.

This is a three-year renewable term appointment given satisfactory performance and workload requirements.

Duties and Accountabilities

• Work closely with the Country Representative to strengthen and maintain the quality of the Vanuatu portfolio, in line with World Bank policies and procedures.
• Facilitate communication between the World Bank, the Government of Vanuatu, the development partner community and report on donor activities.
• Keep the country representative abreast of evolving political, institutional and economic realities in Vanuatu and help provide guidance to the country team on these aspects. This may include reporting on major events such as for example annual budgets, expenditure review outcomes, elections etc.
• Under the guidance of the Country Representative, lead on country-level briefings and coordinate the gathering of country-level information for reporting within the World Bank.   Lead on coordination of high-level visits, including drafting of briefing notes and agenda setting in consultation with the Country Representative.
• In close consultation with the Task Team Leader/s and appropriate team members of each project:
– Provide support to World Bank missions and staff visits through involvement in the preparation, coordination, planning and logistics of visits.
– Liaise with implementing agencies regarding the preparation of key documents required throughout the project lifecycle.
– Advise implementation agencies on compliance with World Bank requirements.
– Monitor and report on remedial actions which task teams have developed to address project problems and on risk mitigation measures incorporated into the project.
• Proactively identify and lead opportunities to build capacity within Government agencies utilizing the resources of the World Bank.
• Pilot innovative approaches to implementation and link implementing units to broader World Bank knowledge.
• Assist with analyzing portfolio trends/issues impacting project implementation and identify possible solutions for improving the portfolio as needed.
• In close coordination with the Pacific Operations team, support the monitoring and quality assurance of the Vanuatu portfolio.
• Regularly liaise with the World Bank’s communication department on opportunities to expand the local media coverage of the World Bank and help formulate appropriate media messages for achieving a greater exposure and broader information dissemination results in the country.
• Manage the day-to-day operation of the Country Liaison Office in Vanuatu.
• Other tasks, as needed.

Selection Criteria

• A minimum of a master’s degree in a relevant discipline, preferably in economics, business administration, development studies, finance or accounting; or equivalent combination of tertiary education and relevant professional experience.
• At least 5 years’ relevant experience.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English.
• Excellent communication skills in Bislama.
• Experience working in government organizations, fiscal, economic and development aid management agencies, with past involvement in public relations and information dissemination being an advantage.
• A sound understanding of World Bank Instruments Policies and Procedures, including Environment and Social risks, Financial Management and Procurement is an advantage.
• Strong interpersonal and supervisory skills and ability to work independently.
• Strong time management and the ability to manage multiple competing tasks with tight deadlines.
• Computer skills, especially in the use of Microsoft Word and Excel;
• Familiarity with Pacific culture and institutions, in particular Vanuatu, is required.

Please refer to the below link to know more about the COS competencies:
https://tinyurl.com/y34lnxvu

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.