Senior Transport Specialist

Job Description

Empregador: World Bank Group

Localização: Luanda, Angola

Categorias: Engineering

Indústria: International Trade & Development

Descrição da Vaga: DescriptionDo 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. For more information, visit www.worldbank.org. Eastern and Southern AfricaThe 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:Creating Jobs and Transforming EconomiesBuilding up the Digital EconomyInstitutions more Efficient and AccountableInvesting in PeopleSupporting Climate Change Mitigation and AdaptionAddressing the Drivers of Fragility, Conflict, and ViolenceBuilding Partnerships and Working across the African ContinentThe Transport Global PracticeConnectivity is a critical factor of competitiveness, economic growth and inclusion. Yet, a third of the world’s population lacks access to an all-weather road and two-thirds of people live more than one hour away from a large city. The World Bank Group is the largest provider of development finance for transport globally, with an active transport portfolio of US$39 billion in 115 countries.Transport in the Africa Region has a large and diverse portfolio of about 54 projects under implementation, with an aggregate value of about US$ 8.9 billion. This portfolio is increasing by 5-10 projects per year, with a slightly smaller number closing over the same period. The transport program in Africa consists of four units across two regions each led by a Regional Vice President: a) Africa East (AFE) covering (a) Eastern Africa including East Africa countries and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Burundi, Angola and São Tomé & Príncipe, and (b) Southern Africa and Ethiopia, Sudan South Sudan and Eritrea, and Africa West (AFE) covering a) the Sahel sub-region and Nigeria, and (d) Central Africa, Cote d’Ivoire, Burkina Faso, Togo, Benin, Ghana, Liberia and Sierra Leone. The transport units are led by Practice Managers who are decentralized and report to Regional Directors, as well as the Global Infrastructure Practice Group led by a Vice President covering transport, energy, digital development, as well as infrastructure finance, public-private partnerships and guarantees.The Transport Unit in Eastern Africa is now seeking an internationally recruited Senior Transport Specialist to be based in Luanda, Angola, to support the design, preparation, and supervision of lending operations and technical assistance activities and new business development in the sector in both Angola and São Tomé & Príncipe. The work will require strong business development skills and operational and analytical skills across transport modes, along with experience in addressing cross-cutting transport issues such as road safety, gender, climate change, logistics, procurement and institutions/governance.Duties and Responsibilities:The Senior Transport Specialist reports to the Transport Practice Manager. S/he is expected to work on transport projects across several modes (land and urban transport, potential rail and maritime) in Angola and São Tomé & Príncipe. The transport portfolio in Angola currently consists of analytical work but is supposed to move towards a first transport-led project under IDA20; and there is one project under implementation in São Tomé & Príncipe, with a follow-up project under IDA20. The Transport Team is also collaborating with other Global Practices on regional trade facilitation, disaster risk management, and agriculture integration to enhance integrated development in the country. The primary objectives of the assignment will be to:Lead and/or co-lead task teams in the preparation and implementation of transport projects in Angola and São Tomé & Príncipe, covering the core elements (planning, financial and economic analysis, engineering, maintenance, and operations), but also incorporating key cross-cutting issues such as gender, climate change, road safety, and private sector participation;Support the design, preparation and implementation of new lending and non-lending activities that are part of larger regional transport or trade facilitation programs;Engage with clients in designing and advancing sector policy and institutional reforms and capacity building programs, seeking to develop capacity in the implementing entities to plan, develop, and manage transport projects under their jurisdiction, with increased attention to issues such as gender equality and climate change;Participate in the policy dialogue under the guidance of the Practice Manager, the Country Manager, and the Program Leader, with external stakeholders/development partners in the two countries and region;Provide support and guidance to improve the quality of transport projects in general, through peer reviews, technical advice, quality assurance;Advise government counterparts on technical matters associated with transport projects, including engineering aspects, the formulation of policy, and measures to strengthen institutional arrangements;Supervise the work of consultants and technical specialists to ensure quality and consistency with the World Bank standards;Provide procurement and contract management support and advice to the project implementing agencies;Participate in cross-sectoral teams responsible for preparation of policy notes, Systematic Country Diagnostics and Country Partnership Frameworks, public expenditures reviews, sectoral studies, and research and policy development activities on the topics/sections pertaining to transport, urban development, trade & competitiveness, and agriculture sectors;Support the World Bank-wide professional community of staff engaged in the transport practice by participating in a selected number of thematic technical groups (Global Solutions Groups or Communities of Practice) and drafting of technical notes, and supporting cutting-edge work in collaboration with other global practices to enhance knowledge creation and dissemination, and expanding the existing knowledge base;Stay abreast of recent developments in the transport sector world-wide, and on cross-cutting issues, in relation to the topics of specialization for this position; identifying knowledge gaps and disseminating relevant knowledge to clients; andRepresent the World Bank as designated by the Practice Manager or the Country Manager at public events relevant to the sector.Selection CriteriaThe position requires candidates with expertise and practical experience in infrastructure planning, design and construction, sector policy, combined with appreciation and awareness of the challenges/difficulties of working in the Sub-Saharan Africa region. Specialist in-depth knowledge of a particular thematic focus (such as climate resilience, private sector participation, or road safety) is essential, as is experience in working in developing countries.Candidates for the position will be selected based on the following considerations:Master’s degree or higher in civil/transport engineering, planning, economics, environment, public policy, finance or other related disciplines;Minimum 8 years proven experience in the transport sector or in a related infrastructure field (either with a government’s transport authority, contractor(s), design or supervision consultant(s), or development institutions), with demonstrated ability to work on: (a) infrastructure design or planning; (b) civil works contract management and execution; (c) procurement of civil works and consultancy contracts; (d) sustainable transport infrastructure asset management; and (e) economic, social, and environmental impact of infrastructure investments;Experience of working with programs financed by development partners, multilateral or bilateral;Work experience in developing countries, with experience in more than one of the World Bank’s regions and/or in fragile and island states as an asset;Experience in analytical work, such as on international and national transport policy, strategy, institutions and regulation as they relate to the transport sector;Knowledge of key developments in related sectors and on cross-cutting issues affecting the performance of the transport sector, such as private sector engagement, environmental and social impacts including gender-based violence, road safety, operational health and safety issues, and climate change;High degree of dynamism and self-motivation, as well as the ability to work with minimal supervision;Ability to identify and develop potential areas for future World Bank transport sector initiatives based on client consultation and analysis;Willingness to travel to and work in challenging country environments;Excellent written and communications skills in English and Portuguese (desirable).World Bank Group Core CompetenciesThe 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.

Full-time