vacancy at World Bank Toni – Anywhere

 25  2

Job Description

Job #132295
Job Title Lead Education Economist/ Specialist
Job Type
Grade
Location Abuja, Nigeria
Recruitment TypeInternational Hire
Language RequirementEnglish [Essential]; French [Desired]
Closing Date05-Nov-2013

duties
Operations:

Lead and/or participate in teams and missions to develop, appraise and supervise Bank-supported human development and education sector operations. This will require a wide variety of skills, including technical analysis; design of project components and technical

assistance activities; monitoring and impact evaluation studies and sector-related project documentation; interaction with clients at policy level; supervision of consultants; and lead role in the development of proposals and loan negotiations.

Contribute effectively to policy dialogue with counterparts with a view to assisting government translate broad policy objectives into concrete development proposals.

Provide technical contributions to or selectively lead “cutting edge” knowledge

Participate in multi-sector lending and non-lending tasks (Health, Nutrition, Social Protection, Poverty Reduction, Sustainable Development, Private Sector Development and Economic Management).

Contribute to the development of new ideas to enrich the ongoing partnership with the country.

Non-Lending Services:

Strengthen the AAA work on education and skills in the country to help in forging a strategic framework for development of the sector.

Contribute to/generate “think pieces” and “good practice” papers and policy notes.

Lead and produce major (flagship) reports as may be requested by the government.

In collaboration with other sectors, play a key role in improving public expenditure analysis and monitoring and evaluation of sectoral activities.

Partnerships: Participate in partnership activities and contribute to forging new ones

Mentor other staff in the Unit and provide technical support to their work as may be required.

selection criteria
• Advanced degree (Master’s or PhD) and demonstrated ability to translate analytical/technical skills into operational innovations and results.
• Sustained record of achieving high-quality substantive results over an extended period (typically at least 10 years) preferably in the education sector with experience in addressing complex issues in a holistic manner, and in designing, organizing and helping implement programs. Experience in differentiated education systems (e.g. centralized, decentralized) is an advantage.
• Experience in reform of education systems (particularly secondary & higher education), skills development, science education, education financing and public expenditure analysis. In addition, knowledge of recent developments in the sector such as ICTs, online learning and early childhood development will be an advantage.
• Experience in working multisectorally, particularly with respect to (but not limited to), public finance and education, governance and accountability, skills development and job creation and poverty reduction.
• Demonstrated skills in analytical tools required for economic, social and institutional research.
• Proven ability to interact effectively with clients, including ability to assist clients at all levels in their analysis, policy formulation, and education planning with a focus on results.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, demonstrated ability to work cooperatively with both Bank staff and client country counterparts, and ability to liaise tactfully as a member of a multicultural team.
• Demonstrated ability to lead multidisciplinary teams and competence to coach and mentor junior staff.
• Excellent presentational and writing skills are essential.
Competencies
General Economic Knowledge and Analytical Skills: Has broad knowledge of the main issues of economic development, gained through wide seasoning in the profession (either through extensive academic work, relevant public or private sector employment, or by providing technical advice to clients). Has a track record of intellectual leadership and ability to integrate economic-specific knowledge and specific micro/sector fields of expertise. Uses familiarity with prior work/reports to provide quality assurance and assess technical soundness of work/reports. Recognized as economic expert in specific field as evidenced either through (if research) a solid record of publications in peer reviewed journals, or (if operations) through a track record of managing and delivering high quality economic reports, lending operations, or equivalent assignments.
Knowledge and Experience in Development Arena: Has in-depth understanding of Bank objectives and practices and is capable of advising management and staff on strategy and long-range interventions on policy and related operational issues in an area important to Bank work. Influences the design and execution of major policy and/or research initiatives; conceives, develops and promotes innovations in Bank development policies, project design, organization and management to improve Bank operational and sector work. Is able to effectively engage in strategic aspects of country work, and has prior substantive and sustained work in more than one world region (including pre-Bank experience and/or corporate assignment in the Bank).
Policy Dialogue Skills: Is able to translate broad policy objectives into concrete development proposals. Has a track record of conducting effective policy dialogue with country counterparts. Facilitates and organizes intra and inter- sectoral teams, international experts to debate and exchange ideas on key issues. Has ability to communicate and defend orally and in writing difficult issues and positions (including in a hostile environment, as necessary) to senior bank management and government officials. Actively promotes dialogue with relevant counterparts, the donor community, the private sector, government officials, as well as with civil society.
Integrative Skills: Has in depth understanding of Bank services in all areas of work in the network, and proven fungibility. Has strong understanding of other Bank knowledge areas. Combines this understanding and superior technical skills to make substantial contributions across sectors.
Technical and Quantitative Skills as an Applied Development Microeconomist (HD): Participates in high level human development-related policy discussions at the ministerial or presidential level. Integrates analytical work with operations, taking in to account political economy considerations and policy strategy issues. Creates, implements and leads country, regional or global knowledge initiatives that involve learning, capacity building, knowledge creation and knowledge sharing in the areas mentioned above.
Client Orientation: Builds linkages across boundaries for optimal performance. Acts as a trusted advisor resolving client issues within and across units. Influences key stakeholders and gains approval and commitment on issues that affect the work of others in own Region/Network or VPU corporate unit. Moves ideas in meeting client needs from conceptualization to proposed actions. Translates insight into practice across disciplines, hierarchies, geographies and organizational units in service of clients.
Drive for Results: Facilitates and impacts results across units. Ensures successful implementation and delivery of key Regional/Network or Corporate Unit programs and projects with multiple resources. Sets, reviews and evaluates client deliverables against clear standards and expectations arrived at in collaboration with appropriate stakeholders. Delivers products that impact results to a broad spectrum of groups and that align with the Network/Region or VPU/Corporate unit results agenda. Demonstrates capacity to work within a complex environment but does not create complexity.
Teamwork (Collaboration) and Inclusion: Leverages capabilities of others within and across boundaries. Invites an honest exchange of ideas with others regardless of organization level. Seeks to bring about collaboration between highly competing interest and stakeholders. Acknowledges the contributions of others within and across Networks, Regions, and Corporate units. Advises and coaches others on collaboration; nurtures and grows talent across departments and encourages others to reach their full potential. Creates a team climate of practical and innovative action.
Knowledge, Learning and Communication: Produces and disseminates knowledge products to create added value. Produces knowledge products and tools at the department level and across Regions and Networks. Ensures lessons learned are captured, documented and shared broadly with internal and external stakeholders in a variety of ways including face to face meetings, thematic groups, global expert teams, social media and knowledge sharing platforms and BBLs. Demonstrates a strong command of all forms of communication and delivers same in a consistently clear, objective and engaging manner in Network/Regional or VPU/Corporate Units wide settings. Partners with others WBG leaders to design innovative products, services, offerings that meet client’s needs. Helps shape debates on global or regional issues, facilitating the Bank and its client to communicate openly and productively on critical Bank-wide issues. Enhances Region and Network client capability through effective and timely knowledge transfer. Composes technical/management reports that impact results to a broad spectrum of groups. Facilitates/leads discussions by ensuring the audience stays focused while engaged in a productive exchange of ideas; brings discussions to appropriate closure at the Network/Regional or VPU/Corporate Unit level.
Business Judgment and Analytical Decision Making: Provides leadership in analytical decision making across boundaries. Acts as a trusted advisor to others on their decisions, ensuring alignment with other units and optimal impact on the organization as a whole. Considers and prepares contingency plans for challenging situations where leadership across multiple stakeholders is necessary. Mentors and provides counsel to staff on understanding and assessing risk, dealing with crises and solving problems.
The World Bank Group is committed to achieving diversity in terms of gender, nationality, culture and educational background. Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated in the strictest confidence.