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. For more information, www.worldbank.org

The South Asia region (SAR-Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka) experienced a long period of robust economic growth averaging 6 percent a year over the past 20 years. Although this strong growth translated into a significant decline in poverty and impressive improvements in human capital, the region continues to be home to a third of the world’s poorest and there are numerous sources of inequalities and disparities that remain. Furthermore, rapid growth was also accompanied with congestion and pollution, while South Asia is also vulnerable to extreme climate and weather events. Regional growth prospects continue to depend on expanding access to digital technologies, addressing infrastructure gaps, improving governance, reducing corruption, and enhancing debt transparency. This long-term agenda is made even more pressing given the unprecedented impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on global and regional growth, adding increased macro-economic, financial, and social vulnerabilities to the already daunting development challenges. More information is available at https://www.worldbank.org/en/region/sar

The Finance, Competitiveness, and Innovation (FCI) GP is composed of two directorates: The Finance directorate, and the Trade, Investment and Competitiveness (TIC) directorate. The GP aims to support client countries to create an enabling environment in which financial stability, efficiency and firm-level solutions are provided in an integrated way to crowd in the private sector, support the creation of markets, and accelerate equitable growth. FCI leads or participates in a wide variety of analytical and advisory work that add to the core expertise delivered to client countries. Knowledge and learning are a central part of the FCI agenda, with work focused on the following thematic areas: (a) Financial Stability and Integrity; (b) Long Term Finance; (c) Financial Inclusion and Infrastructure; (d) Crisis & Disaster Risk Finance; (e) Investment Climate; (f) Firms, Entrepreneurship and Innovation; (g) Markets and technology; and (h) Trade and regional integration.

To assist with implementation of its growing and complex work program in Bangladesh, the World Bank Finance, Competitiveness and Innovation Global Practice (FCI GP) seeks to hire an experienced and highly motivated professional to join its team based in Dhaka. The selected expert will be part of the Bangladesh Country Team and you will represent FCI GP in the country along with the rest of the team.

The responsibilities of selected expert will include the following:

• Serve as team member/team leader for lending operations, advisory, and analytical work, and contribute to the delivery and quality of WB’s financing and knowledge engagements in the area of financial sector development in Bangladesh.

• Collect relevant financial and private sector data; conduct quantitative and qualitative analysis of financial sector issues; contribute to the production of technical notes on financial and private sector developments in Bangladesh; and help with the dissemination of analytical work.

• Work on financial sector development issues in Bangladesh with a focus on financial sector stability and regulation/supervision, financial inclusion, Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise (MSME) access to finance, climate finance, and development of capital markets/long term financial instruments.

• Support the design, implementation and monitoring of FCI financing/lending projects and advisory services and analytics (ASAs) and contribute to developing a work program of future lending and ASAs to meet the country’s needs in line with country and WB priorities.

• Support FCI staff and management in engaging in strategic dialogue with the Government of Bangladesh, Bangladesh Bank, and other financial sector regulators on the design of policies to promote sound, efficient and inclusive financial sector.

• Develop and support the development of one-World Bank Group solutions to financial and private sector development challenges, based close and continuous engagement with IFC and MIGA country teams.

• Facilitate consultations with various stakeholders including other development finance institutions, financial sector entities, civil society and enterprise sector.

• Interact frequently and productively with counterparts at all levels in government, supervisory authorities or other businesses and organizations, as well as acts as ensure the flow of information between team members in headquarters and the country office.

• Contribute to a variety of written products and communications, including Policy Briefs, Analytical Notes, Back to Office Reports, Aide Memoires, Project Concept Notes, and Project Documents, as well as contribute to Bank’s analytical reports (Country Economic Memorandum, Country Climate Diagnostic Report, etc.) on issues related to financial sector.

Selection Criteria

This job requires a professional who has strong technical skills in financial sector policy agenda, as well as superb organizational skills. The selected expert will have demonstrated an ability to work effectively with multidisciplinary teams and deliver results on the ground.

• A Master’s degree in Finance, Economics, Management or a related field.

• Minimum of 5 years of working on financial sector development issues in Bangladesh, in public sector (e.g., central bank or other financial sector regulatory bodies), and/or private sector, and/or international organization, with strong track record of results and impeccable reputation.

• Experience with a broad range of financial sector policy and technical issues, with a focus on financial stability and regulation/supervision, inclusion, MSME financing, and capital market development.   In addition to the thorough knowledge of the local financial sector standards and practices, legislation, market participants and key developmental issues, familiarity with international regulatory/supervisory standards and practices would be expected.

• Strong client engagement skills and demonstrated ability to establish productive relationship with senior government officials.

• Strong organizational/project management skills and demonstrated ability to work on multiple complex engagements running simultaneously.

• Strong results focus, with a track record of supporting/leading teams to deliver top quality outputs in a timely manner.

• Excellent command of English and Bangla (both verbal and written skills) is mandatory.

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.

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