Description
Do you want to build a career that is truly worthwhile? 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 and promoting shared prosperity. 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. Eastern and Southern Africa (E AFR) Region Home to about 700 million of Africa’s people, Eastern and Southern Africa is a geographically, culturally and economically diverse region of 26 countries stretching from the Red Sea in the North to the Cape of Good Hope in the South. Children under 18 make up almost half of the total population. The subregion boasts of some of the world’s richest human and natural resources and, apart from South Africa, the countries are predominantly raw material exporters. The subregion harbors some of Africa’s protracted conflicts, rendering many of its countries fragile, while significant gaps in education, health, and skills development continues to keep people from reaching their full potential. This creates a huge development challenge, impacts heavily on the lives and livelihoods of people, and hinders regional integration and trade. But it also creates an opportunity to work closely with country leaders, civil society, development partners, and young people to chart a brighter course for the future. The World Bank’s Eastern and Southern Africa Region, comprised of approximately 1,207 staff, mostly based in 26 country offices, has been helping countries realize their considerable development potential by focusing on the following priorities: (i) creating Jobs and Transforming Economies, (ii) building up the Digital Economy, (iii) making institutions more Efficient and Accountable, (iv) investing in People, (v) supporting Climate Change Mitigation and Adaption: (vi) addressing the Drivers of Fragility, Conflict, and Violence; (vii) Building Partnerships and Working across the African Continent. Eastern and Southern Africa (E AFR) Region: https://www.worldbank.org/en/region/afr/eastern-and-southern-africa The Planet Department The Planet Department helps E AFR countries tackle their most complex challenges in the areas of Agriculture and Food, Climate Change, Environment, Natural Resources & Blue Economy, Environmental and Social Framework, Resilience & Land, Social Sustainability and Inclusion, and Water. Social Development Group Social Development Group (SDG) within the Planet Department helps countries address deep rooted social problems stemming from fragility, climate change, exclusion, and the digital age with people centered solutions that build on local values and institutions. The SDG engages with citizens, communities and governments to deepen resilience, build inclusion, and empower vulnerable and marginalized groups to have influence and voice. The SDG prioritizes participatory, multi-sectoral approaches that build on norms and informal institutions to address social challenges and to build more inclusive, empowered communities. It also works across the Bank’s portfolio to implement the Environment and Social Framework (ESF) standards and strengthen inclusive development. The E AFE region has two SDG units (SAES2 and SAES3). SAES3, the hiring unit, covers three Country Management Units (CMU), which in turn cover the following countries: Mozambique, Madagascar, Comoros, Seychelles, Mauritius; Democratic Republic of Congo, Burundi, Angola, Sao Tome & Principe; and South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Lesotho, and Eswatini. SDG in Madagascar The SDG Group is placing a priority on engagement in southern region of Madagascar, which is the poorest and among the most climate vulnerable part of the country and is an increasing focus of World Bank financed Projects to address poverty alleviation. Comprising the three administrative regions of Anosy, Androy, and Atsimo- Andrefana, southern Madagascar has the highest concentration of poverty with an estimated 90 percent of the population living below the poverty line. Female-headed households and families with more children are associated with even higher poverty levels and higher levels of vulnerability to climate shocks and stressors. There is heavy dependence on low-yield subsistence agriculture and climate-sensitive crops, which is exacerbated by the environmental degradation. The fragile social and political context with increasing levels of insecurity, lack of public investment, gender inequality, and impacts from climate change and variability driving food insecurity and water scarcity are the main reasons for the persistence of high levels of poverty in these southern regions. Partnering with the Government of Madagascar to break the cycle of poverty in the South, The World Bank portfolio in southern Madagascar comprises financing for eleven projects, totaling more than $1billion of investment. Key sectors of investment include energy, water, agriculture, social safety nets, public health, education, environmental protection, support to decentralization, climate resilience and road improvement. The Support for Resilient Livelihoods in Southern Madagascar Project (P171056; $ 188 million) (MIONJO Project) is managed by a SDG Task team and is the backbone of this investment. The Project is led by the Ministry of Decentralization and Territorial Management. A key aim of the Project is to support local government functioning in the South and to enable local officials and community leaders to better plan, manage and strengthen multi-sectoral development. By strengthening local government systems, the Project aims to create a platform through which climate-resilient development can be better organized and sustained. Duties and Accountabilities: SAES3 seeks to hire a Regional Coordination Officer for the South, to be based in Fort Dauphin, Madagascar. The postholder will be a core member of the World Bank task team for the MIONJO Project but will work across all eleven World Bank financed Projects and further the building and strengthening of the platform for delivering multi-sector support, with particular attention to the most vulnerable populations. Specialized Knowledge & Technical Skills:
Coordination is a key part of the effective delivery of the World Bank portfolio in the South, in order to maximize results for the poorest and to see lasting change in the poverty profile of the region. There are four axes where improved coordination is needed: (i) with Government regional counterparts, ensuring that World Bank investment is aligned with regional development plans and priorities; (ii) within the Mionjo Project, enabling synergies between different sectors so that activities build upon and complement each other for stronger impact; (iii) across the portfolio of the World Bank, so that the 11 Projects operating in the South are better targeted to ensure holistic development investments and so that the Government and World Bank can continue to define a development strategy for the South; and (iv) between the World Bank financed portfolio and other aid and development Projects in the South, ensuring that the World Bank financing builds upon existing good practice and capacity for the South and also targets sustainability gaps in donor financing.
Selection Criteria
The following would be an advantage but not required: This is a locally recruited position, not an internationally recruited position. As a result, the conditions of employment will be in line with the employment market in the country where the position is located.
World Bank Group Core Competencies
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.