Governance Specialist

Governance Specialist Job #: req27027 Organization: World Bank Sector: Governance Grade: GF Term Duration: 3 years 0 months Recruitment Type: Local Recruitment Location: Kuwait City,Kuwait Required Language(s): English, Arabic Preferred Language(s): French Closing Date: 4/19/2024 (MM/DD/YYYY) at 11:59pm UTC 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. Visit The Prosperity Practice Group The Prosperity Vertical provides support to low- and middle-income countries to build the economic and institutional foundations for inclusive and sustainable growth and, thereby, make progress towards achieving the World Bank Group's twin goals of reducing poverty and boosting shared prosperity! The Prosperity Practice Group includes the WBG Global Practices of Finance Competitiveness and Innovation (FCI); Governance (GOV), Macroeconomics Trade and Investment (MTI); and Poverty and Equity (POV). Position Context The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) Region includes twenty-one countries of which three are IDA countries (Djibouti, Syria, and Yemen) while eight are high-income non-borrowing countries among the oil-exporters, particularly in the Gulf. The remaining countries are IBRD borrowing eligible. The region faces challenges, not least ongoing political turmoil and ongoing conflicts, high youth unemployment, severe water scarcity, high energy subsidy, and human and social development outcomes that have been below those achieved by countries at similar levels of income. These challenges have been recently compounded by the health, social and economic impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic and the fall out of the war in Ukraine. The social contract in the countries of the region is often described as broken and unsustainable. The WBG's engagement in governance in MENA Region is anchored in an ambitious strategy with a focus on four pillars - "the 4 R's" - Renewing the social contract; Regional cooperation; Resilience to migration shocks; and Reconstruction and recovery. In parallel with the focus on immediate needs, we are helping countries develop new models for sustainable and inclusive growth in a dynamic and increasingly knowledge-based global economy. In 2019, we expanded the focus of the MENA regional strategy to include improving human capital outcomes, leveraging digital technologies, and opening-up business environments for the private sector to compete in a free and fair market. For more information, please go to: The Governance Unit (EMNGU) is implementing the regional strategy through fiduciary assurance of the Banks portfolio and the following key work streams: Justice Sector Reform, GovTech, Economic Governance, SOE reform, public sector performance, and strengthening development impact and risk mitigation through understanding the political economy. Themes such as climate change; transparency, accountability, and participation (TAP); anti-corruption; and gender are mainstreamed throughout the work streams. The World Bank has maintained strong partnerships with Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries for over five decades. Governments in Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have used the knowledge and global development expertise the World Bank Group provides through technical assistance programs offered as Reimbursable Advisory Services (RAS). The Bank's RAS portfolio in the GCC reflects country priorities, core World Bank strengths, the World Bank Mission to end extreme poverty and boost prosperity on a livable planet and the direction of the Bank's strategy for the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. Saudi Arabia and the World Bank are partnering under the Technical Cooperation Program (TCP) Agreement for FY23-25. Under the TCP, the World Bank brings technical expertise and global knowledge to government entities to support the country's development agenda. The advisory program is aligned with and supports the implementation of Vision 2030. Over the last few years, the program has been expanded to cover various sectors, including improving the investment climate, education, health, labor markets, transport, energy, urban planning, economic management and planning, public financial management, digital economy, PPPs, and SME strategy. The RAS engagements focus on strengthening institutional capacity within government entities and assisting in developing the legislation and policies that advance Vision 2030 goals and objectives. Note: This internal requisition is open to WBG and IMF staff only (including short-term and extended term consultants/ temporaries). External candidates are requested not to apply. In case an external candidate applies, their application will not be considered. Duties and Accountabilities The Governance Specialist will help implement and further develop the GCC governance activities, including research, development of global public goods, and operational work. The Governance Specialist will also participate in relevant missions in Saudi Arabia and other client countries. This requires knowledge of economic and public sector governance issues and familiarity with the general issues in GCC countries. The Governance Specialist will be able to actively integrate governance and political economy issues, organization, institutional analysis, and change management in their work. The selected candidate will report to the Practice Manager of Governance in MENA for all technical and human resource-related matters. The selected candidate will be based in Kuwait and will be part of the Kuwait Country Office team. She or he will work closely with the Prosperity Practice Group's Program Leader based in Riyadh as well as EMNGU colleagues in the region to undertake the following specific tasks:

• Contribute to the implementation of the World Bank Governance agenda in one or more of the EMNGU work streams mentioned above, including through business development;
• Provide technical inputs and collaborate with relevant Country Management Units, Task Team Leaders, and sector experts across projects on the application of institutional reform in addressing governance issues in the country and sectors;
• Prepare and participate in missions, conduct day-to-day supervision of consultants;
• Fulfill reporting, monitoring, and evaluation requirements as required of team members;
• Provide relevant, practical advice as part of task teams to government officials on public sector management issues and challenges;
• Lead or provide technical inputs to analytical works and reports (conduct analysis, report findings, and develop policy recommendations) in close collaboration with other TTLs and sector experts within and outside the Bank;
• Contribute to learning course modules and other learning and knowledge transfer activities, helping to shape the curricula and content for learning. This may include agenda setting, creating training materials, and delivering presentations;
• If the opportunity arises, contribute to the design and implementation of lending operations in client countries in MENA.

Selection Criteria

• Master's or Ph.D. (preferred) degree in Law, Public Administration, Economics, or a related field.
• At least 5 years experience in public sector reform in one or more of the workstreams mentioned above.
• Consistent record to identify client needs and operationalize these into operational lending engagements.
• Outstanding technical and operational skills as evidenced by a track record of delivery of operations. Prior World Bank experience is preferred. Knowledge and experience relevant to results based financing and investment lending and operations will be an advantage.
• Outstanding analytical skills demonstrated through contributions to sector/economic reports and other analytical published work.
• Demonstrated inclusive team-work and collaboration skills.
• Strong communication skills, including the ability to speak persuasively and present ideas clearly and concisely. Demonstrated efficiency in conducting policy dialogue on issues with senior government officials, the private sector, donor representatives, and civil society.
• Ability to prioritize numerous opposing demands and priorities, respond quickly to country and management requests and set priorities for self and others.
• Excellent knowledge of English and Arabic (required); French (desirable).

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.

Boost your career

Find thousands of job opportunities by signing up to eFinancialCareers today. #J-18808-Ljbffr