Infrastructure Specialist - Hoofdinhoud

The Global Partnership on Output-Based Aid (GPOBA) was established by the UK development agency (DFID) and the World Bank in January 2003, and currently has IFC, DGIS of the Netherlands and AusAid of Australia as additional partners. The partnership is based in Washington DC in the Finance, Economics and Urban Development Department (FEU) within the Sustainable Development Network (SDN) Vice Presidency. The goal of GPOBA is to facilitate increased access to infrastructure and social services for the poor in developing countries, by developing best practice techniques for, and encouraging the broader use of, Output Based Aid (OBA) approaches for the provision of these services. GPOBA provides funding for technical assistance and subsidies for pilot projects to reduce the costs of services for poor people. The subsidies can be granted to public and private sector service providers, non-government organizations (NGO) and community based organizations (CBO). In the design and execution of OBA pilot projects, GPOBA works together with International Financial Institutions (IFIs) such as the World Bank, IFC, and KfW among others. Management of GPOBA's day-to-day operations is the responsibility of the Program Manager who leads a small cohesive team in the World Bank’s headquarters in Washington, DC.

GPOBA is in the process of mainstreaming the use of OBA among governments and other development partners through a combination of knowledge sharing, implementation of OBA pilot projects and establishment of OBA funds (or OBA facilities) within government systems. GPOBA is now recruiting for the position of an Infrastructure Specialist to work in the development and structuring of new pilot projects and OBA facilities.

Taken

The Infrastructure Specialist will be part of the New Business team within GPOBA, responsible for the implementation of technical assistance and government training activities, the development, processing and closing of new pilot projects to be funded with subsidies from GPOBA, and of structuring OBA funds and facilities. This will support the GPOBA strategy to mainstream OBA within and outside the WBG and becoming a Center of Expertise on OBA by 2013.

Reporting to the leaders of the New Business team, the Infrastructure Specialist will have the following responsibilities:

• 1. 

  Task Management (or support to Task Manager) of Technical Assistance Activities

The Infrastructure Specialist is expected to originate and/or review technical assistance applications that request funding for providing advice to various stakeholders (including donors, IFIs and developing countries) on incorporating OBA in their own programs; on using OBA funds and facilities; and on structuring OBA mechanisms in developing countries’ budget support systems and sector wide approaches.

• 2. 

  Transaction Advisory on new OBA Pilot Projects

GPOBA has developed a strong pipeline of potential projects which require appraisal, structuring and negotiation of grant agreements.

• a. 

  The Infrastructure Specialist is responsible for originating pilot projects where innovative OBA approaches can be tested, and will provide guidance to prepare quality applications.
• b. 

  The Infrastructure Specialist will also review applications for technical assistance that request funding for the structuring and implementation of OBA pilot projects to be funded with subsidies.
• c. 

  The Infrastructure Specialist will assist the Task Manager for selected projects in basic infrastructure sectors, and health and education, and will conduct due diligence or provide guidance on the appraisal of projects, and liaise with the WB fiduciary and safeguard specialists to ensure that the projects are in compliance with WB related policies and procedures.
• d. 

  The Infrastructure Specialist will prepare the project documentation required to submit the projects for approval of GPOBA's Panel of Experts and donors, and monitor and track the results of the projects.
• 3. 

  Supervision of GPOBA Portfolio Projects

As support to the Task Team Leader, the Infrastructure Specialist will supervise GPOBA funded projects, including review of status reports, requests for grant extensions or restructuring, and of preparing periodic reports on portfolio performance and lessons learned; and flag issues for follow-up and resolution including with donors, management, and operational units of the World Bank and other IFIs.

• 4. 

  Other Responsibilities

The Infrastructure Specialist will also be required to contribute to: (i) the further development of policies pertaining to OBA; (ii) the maintenance of a monitoring tracking system so that lessons learnt can be readily disseminated; (iii) outreach activities to WBG, IFIs, donors and client countries; and (iv) the dissemination of OBA knowledge through conferences, workshops and other fora.

Criteria

The selected candidate should have the following qualifications:

• Advanced university degree in business, finance, economics, engineering, or related discipline.

• A minimum of 5 years of relevant operational experience and experience structuring the financing of, or equity investments in infrastructure projects.

• Strong analytical and credit assessment skills for infrastructure projects, and sound knowledge of related loan/investment documentation, accounting, financial statement analysis and financial modeling.

• Sound business judgment and problem solving, negotiation and commercial skills.

• Proven experience in the design and implementation of innovative and practical approaches to complex operational and policy issues, and the ability to look ahead and think outside the box.

• Experience working with private sector companies, international investors, and IFIs, in infrastructure and or health sectors.

• Work experience in low income countries (DAC I and II countries).

• Commitment to sustainable development.

• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to interact directly and independently with the management of potential clients and of financial and technical partners, and with colleagues from various cultural backgrounds.

• Ability to multi-task, deal with conflicting priorities and deliver high quality work on schedule.

• Strong teamwork and ability to work effectively in a small team under tight deadlines.

• Excellent English written, communication and presentation skills.

Thorough understanding of WB operations and operational policy procedures (including policies on selection and contracting of consultants, procurement and fiduciary oversight of recipient executed activities) would be considered a plus, as well as experience working in a developing country.

Knowledge of French would be a plus.

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.