Senior PPP/Infrastructure Finance Specialist

Job Description

Background / General description:

The Public-Private Partnerships CCSA (Cross-Cutting Solutions Areas) is one of five WBG units within the World Bank Group that foster solutions for multi-sectoral, highly-strategic priority development areas. The CCSAs complement the work of the Global Practices (GPs) in delivering lending and advice, including technical assistance, to our clients. Though the CCSAs, the WBG will work towards IDA commitments and other corporate targets while providing expert support on high-value, complex projects. The PPP CCSA is located in the Sustainable Development Vice-Presidency.

The PPP CCSA is a team of approximately 50 staff co-located in Washington DC and in Singapore. It acts as a ‘connector’ on PPP and infrastructure finance and policy issues across the WBG and wider development community; provides integrated knowledge lessons and solutions to help our clients, including knowledge work and capacity building. The aim is to develop and foster infrastructure financing solutions which may range from policy advice, economic as well as financing tools that may combine public and private resources. The team also has a mandate to develop and promote tools and standards to improve decisions about infrastructure finance planning and, as appropriate, when and how to use PPPs. It has a key role in linking the WBG to global expertise on PPPs. As of July 1, 2017, the CCSA will expand with the addition of the Financial Solutions Unit which provides financial structuring solutions for infrastructure projects, including World Bank guarantees.

This position is aimed at increasing the PPP CCSA’s ability to serve clients in the Africa region, particularly with regard to advice on upstream issues related to PPP frameworks, enabling environments at the sector level, and the development of PPP institutions and programs.

Note: If the selected candidate is a current Bank Group staff member with a Regular or Open-Ended appointment, s/he will retain his/her Regular or Open-Ended appointment. All others will be offered a 3 year term appointment.

Duties and Accountabilities:

• Provide practical and cutting-edge expertise in all aspects related to PPP and infrastructure finance, in particular on the development of sector frameworks and enabling environments

• Provide support and advice on the execution of advisory and project work related to a particular PPP transaction

• Act as a focal point for West & Central Africa based PPP activities including appropriate coordination with the CCSA teams in different locations as well as GP and regional leads on infrastructure financing issues

• Lead teams and provide leadership on knowledge products, practical tools to assist in decision-making on PPPs, and ensure that good practices on PPPs are integrated into WBG guidance

• Lead work designed to improve WBG information on the extent and impact of our PPP activities

• Works independently under general direction of the Practice Manager and guides and mentors junior staff and consultants.

• Facilitate dialogue between CMUs and Government officials on the private sector participation and commercial financing in infrastructure

• Help design and monitor TA programs by task team leading activities in the institutional/multi-sectoral field.

Selection Criteria:

• Master’s degree in engineering, economics, finance, management, law or similar disciplines relevant to PPP

• A minimum of eight years of PPP experience, or in related fields such as infrastructure finance;

• Experience in the field of infrastructure finance and related issues with demonstrated ability to engage on a range of issues in developing countries including advice on both program and project development;

• Knowledge of local government PPPs and related issues an advantage;

• Track record of achievements ideally in collaboration with MDBs and other development partners in the field of PPPs;

• Recognized by peers for providing high quality, pragmatic advice to internal and external clients on PPPs;

• Client focus and commitment to results;

• Good experience in Africa a distinct advantage, and

• High level written and oral presentation skills.

• French is essential

The World Bank Group is committed to achieving diversity in terms of gender, nationality, culture and educational background. Individuals with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated in the strictest confidence. Women are particularly encouraged to apply.

About the Organization

The World Bank, a member of the World Bank Group, is a vital source of financial and technical assistance to developing countries around the world. Our mission is to fight poverty with passion and professionalism for lasting results and to help people help themselves and their environment by providing resources, sharing knowledge, building capacity and forging partnerships in the public and private sectors.

We are not a bank in the common sense; we are made up of two unique development institutions owned by 188 member countries: the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) and the International Development Association (IDA).

Each institution plays a different but collaborative role in advancing the vision of inclusive and sustainable globalization. The IBRD aims to reduce poverty in middle-income and creditworthy poorer countries, while IDA focuses on the world's poorest countries.

Their work is complemented by that of the International Finance Corporation (IFC), Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA) and the International Centre for the Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID).

Together, we provide low-interest loans, interest-free credits and grants to developing countries for a wide array of purposes that include investments in education, health, public administration, infrastructure, financial and private sector development, agriculture and environmental and natural resource management.