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.

Human Development Practice Group

The WBG is the largest provider of development finance and solutions for human development working with high-income, middle-income, and low-income countries to develop country-tailored solutions for human development (HD) under the themes of education, health, and social protection and jobs.  The HD PG coordinates with other Practice Groups to ensure a coordinated and integrated approach to development challenges, and through the World Bank Regional Units is expected to deliver the strongest and most pertinent support to our client countries.

The Social Protection and Jobs Global Practice

The WBG Social Protection and Jobs (SPJ) Global Practice seeks to strengthen social protection systems to reach the goal of universal social protection by 2030 and to promote better earnings opportunities for the poorest households. These challenges are intimately related. The WDR 2019 on The Changing Nature of Work focuses on the challenges linked to the shifting patterns of technology, including the need to reform and strengthen social protection systems to facilitate universal coverage.

Duties and accountabilities:

The main accountabilities for this position includes activities related to Pensions and Social Insurance (PSI) represent one of the key areas of SPJ’s operational and analytical work, and one in which the World Bank is recognized as a leader worldwide. The community of staff and TTLs working on the theme are supported by a Global Solutions Group (GSGs) in terms of corporate and strategic guidance; community building; country engagement; and knowledge management. 

The PSIs GSG is seeking a Social Protection Specialist to advance and engage in those objectives.

The candidate will report to Practice Manager for Global Engagement and work closely with the Global Lead (GL) for the PSI GSGs. S/he will spend at least 50% of his/her time on PSI GSG activities, with the expectation that other operational, analytical and evaluative engagements would absorb the remaining half of the candidate’s work program.

The candidate would work closely with the PSI GL in the context of the following activities: 

•Significant engagement in PSI GSGs knowledge generation and sharing activities, with a focus on core and cutting-edge topics such as: (a) pensions and social insurance solutions for informal sector workers; (b) contributory and non-contributory pensions; (c) pension modeling, (d) social protection programs to support aging societies, extend working careers and promote inclusion and long term care of elderly and persons with disabilities, and (e) manage and engage the GSG community on Open Unified Repository and similar initiatives.

•Deep involvement in the development and execution of learning events, including core courses, learning fora, and other initiatives for staff, clients and/or partners.

•Engage in corporate and strategic issues through guidance on key management priorities, including as they relate to global knowledge and WBG operations in PSI matters.

•Co-lead formal and informal on-demand community-building initiatives and clinics that help GSG members connect and share knowledge and practices.

•Liaise with clients, partners and donors as part of dialogue, operations and partnerships.

•Strengthen linkages with other GSGs and GPs through the above activities and other innovative and cross-sectoral initiatives.

Selection Criteria

• Master’s degree or equivalent in economics or a related social policy field.
• At least 5 years of experience in analytical products, policy formulation, program evaluation, and/or operational implementation.
• Operational experience is highly desirable, including in TTL/co-TTL capacity.
• Solid knowledge in analytics, evidence and practice of social protection and specifically of pensions and social insurance; 
• Quantitative skills, including good understanding of PROST and/or other pension actuarial models;
• Analytical skills.
• Excellent writing and communication skills.

Competencies :

• Knowledge and experience in social protection. Understands policy-making process, especially in social protection/social insurance and pensions, and its role in development. Has knowledge of relevant information and experience to examine policy questions across regions and to distill operationally relevant lessons for WBG teams, clients and partners.

• Innovation. Contributes new insights to understand situations and develops solutions to resolve problems. Adapts as circumstances require and manages impact of own behavior on others in context of WBG’s values and mission. Identifies and pursues innovative approaches to resolve issues.

• Policy dialogue skills. Possesses good judgement and diplomatic acumen and negotiating skills. Applies cross-country development knowledge to discussions with clients and partners. Can anticipate needs and requests in the field and develop and offer relevant tools to clients. Can conduct independent policy discussions with stakeholders on selected policy issues, participate in formal negotiations, and assist governments in setting priorities.

• Written and verbal communication. Delivers information effectively in support of teams and colleagues. Can analyze, synthesize, and communicate material from a wide range of sources. Articulates ideas, orally and in writing, using the most effective means of delivery and appropriate verbal and graphical content. Can draft and prepare articles and analytical and technical reports clearly and quickly. Can communicate data, technical information, and complex concepts to non-specialists. Demonstrates respect and consideration when communicating with all cultures.

• Delivering results for clients. Adds value by constantly looking for a better way to get more impactful results; sets challenging goals for herself / himself. Engages with client’s experiences and perspective by asking probing questions to understand needs. Demonstrates accountability for achieving results that have a development impact as well as financial, environmental and social sustainability. Identifies and proposes solutions to mitigate and manage risks.

• Collaborate within teams and across boundaries. Involves others in decision making appropriately and communicates clearly and collegially with key stakeholders. Approaches conflicts as common problems to be solved. Actively seeks and considers diverse ideas, displaying mutual commitment and respect. Integrates WBG perspective into work.

• Create, apply and share knowledge. Leverages department’s expertise and body of knowledge across WBG to strengthen internal and or external client solutions. Seeks to learn from more experienced staff to deepen or strengthen their professional knowledge and helps others to learn. Builds personal and professional networks inside and outside the department unit.

• Make smart decisions. Seeks diversity of information and input, examines possible solutions, and generates recommendations based on evidence, experience, and context. Identifies and understands risks and proposes recommendations. Makes decisions in a timely manner within own area of responsibility, considering risks and the interests and concerns of all stakeholders.

• Language proficiency. Strong command of English both written and oral; command of other languages preferred.

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.