Social Policy Specialist

Description

Do you want to build a career that is truly worthwhile? Working at the World Bank provides a unique opportunity for you to help our clients solve their greatest development challenges. The World Bank 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

East Asia and Pacific Region:

The East Asia and Pacific Region (EAP) is a highly diverse region, with countries of all income levels and wide differences in resource endowments, human capital, and institutional capacity. The Health Nutrition, and Population (HNP) Global Practice in EAP has a large lending and advisory services and analytics (ASA) portfolio. The HNP Practice is actively engaged in most countries in the region, often at the subnational level. The EAP HNP strategy has the objective to improve HNP outcomes and make progress towards UHC, enhancing the performance and resilience of health systems in financially affordable and sustainable ways. The World Bank in South Asia: https://www.worldbank.org/en/region/eap

The Social Policy unit in the East Asia and Pacific (EAP) region, part of the World Bank’s People vertical, supports countries in advancing job quality, inclusion, and resilience, with a strong focus on scalable implementation. It integrates social development and social protection tools to strengthen country systems that expand livelihoods, protect households from shocks, and empower communities. The Department also collaborates with IFC and MIGA to align public programs with private investment and job creation.

In the Philippines, the unit has a strong operational and analytical presence, delivering context-specific solutions aligned with client priorities. Its portfolio includes major investment and advisory programs that strengthen social protection systems, promote inclusive jobs, support community resilience, and advance gender equality, social inclusion, and peacebuilding—particularly in vulnerable and conflict-affected areas.

We are seeking a Social Policy Specialist for a four-year local term appointment based in Manila, Philippines, reporting to the Practice Manager for East Asia and Pacific. The Specialist will play a key role in advancing the EAP Social Policy agenda as an integral member of the regional team, working closely with task teams to support the design and implementation of operations and analytical work.

Duties and accountabilities:

• Contribute to the preparation, implementation, and supervision of World Bank investment and policy operations across social protection, community resilience, local economic development, peacebuilding, jobs, and women’s economic empowerment.

• Provide comprehensive support to Task Team Leaders, including inputs to project design, results frameworks, operational manuals, and coordination on procurement and financial management, as well as participation in supervision missions.

• Ensure integration of social inclusion, gender, and jobs-related elements into project design and implementation, while monitoring progress, identifying risks and bottlenecks, and proposing practical mitigation measures.

• Prepare key operational deliverables, including Implementation Status and Results Reports (ISRs), aide-mémoires, briefing notes, and management updates.

• Deliver hands-on technical assistance to government counterparts on community-driven development, community resilience, social protection and adaptive delivery systems, local governance, institutional strengthening, public participation, and inclusive economic opportunities (including youth and indigenous peoples).

• Support governments in translating policy priorities into implementable programs, systems, guidelines, operational procedures, and capacity-building plans, and contribute to policy dialogue with national and subnational stakeholders, development partners, and civil society.

• Contribute to analytical and advisory services and core country diagnostics (e.g., CPFs, CCDRs, poverty assessments), support evidence-based learning by documenting implementation lessons and results, and engage in knowledge sharing across regional and global teams, while undertaking additional tasks as required by the Practice Manager.

Selection Criteria

• Master’s degree (or equivalent) in social sciences, economics, public policy, development studies, or a related field, with at least five years of relevant professional experience, including exposure to World Bank or comparable multilateral development bank operations.

• Strong experience supporting project implementation at scale, including supervision of investment operations and engagement with government implementing agencies.

• Demonstrated technical expertise in one or more areas such as community-driven development, community resilience, social protection systems, local governance, jobs and livelihoods, and women’s economic empowerment.

• Solid technical and analytical skills, including experience in data analysis, research, and applying evidence to inform policy dialogue and program design.

• Good understanding of country systems, institutional capacity constraints, and implementation realities in low- and middle-income countries, with experience contributing to analytics, advisory services, or policy dialogue that inform operations or reforms.

• Familiarity with World Bank operational policies, financing instruments, and procedures is highly desirable.

• Strong interpersonal, problem-solving, and teamwork skills, with the ability to think strategically and innovatively, work independently with minimal supervision, manage priorities effectively, deliver on time.

• Fluency in Filipino and English, with excellent organizational and communication skills, the ability to prepare well-structured reports, and effectively present ideas to diverse audiences.

WBG Culture Attributes:

1. Sense of urgency: Anticipate and quickly respond to the needs of internal and external stakeholders.
2. Thoughtful risk-taking: Challenge the status quo and push boundaries to achieve greater impact.
3. Empowerment and accountability: Empower yourself and others to act and hold each other accountable for results.

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.