Public Sector Mgmt. Spec. - Hoofdinhoud

The World Bank Group serves 30 client countries in the Latin America and the Caribbean Region (LCR). Clients range from middle income clients to IDA countries, from large countries to small Caribbean states. The Latin America region emphasizes strong client orientation and responsiveness; innovation and high quality; results; teamwork and collaboration across sectors; and a dedication to attracting and developing a diverse and talented staff.

Sector Context

The Latin America and the Caribbean Region Public Sector Unit (LCSPS) is a sector group within PREM in Latin America and the Caribbean region (LCSPR). LCSPR is divided into three sector groups: Economic Policy, Poverty and Gender, and Public Sector. The overall mission of LCSPR is to assist LCR countries in developing and implementing strategies to reduce poverty and promote sustainable development through our lending, advice and analytical work. The Public Sector Group contributes to the pursuit of LCSPR's mission by addressing the challenge of improved public sector management and governance.

LCSPS's key activities are:

• Promotion of efficient public expenditure and revenue management.

• Modernizing governmental organizations and institutions.

• Strengthening accountability, transparency and civic engagement.

• Supporting effective intergovernmental finance and decentralization arrangements.

• Supporting legal and judicial reform.

• Assisting in the reduction of corruption.

The Latin America and the Caribbean Region Public Sector Unit (LCSPS) is seeking a Public Sector Management Specialist to be based in Washington, DC. The specialist will contribute to the work of LCSPS, and will be expected to have skills in at least one of the following areas: (i) public financial management; (ii) institutional structures of policy making and implementation; (iii) human resource management in the public sector including Civil Service Reform; (iv) intergovernmental finances and decentralization; and (v) governance and transparency. The incumbent will also be expected to make a broader contribution to analysis and policy dialogue in all aspects of public management and governance at the national and sub-national levels.

Taken

General tasks:

• Identify and assess policy issues and communicate findings/points of view verbally and through economic and sector reports and papers including playing an active role in the dialogue with the government counterparts and/or other stakeholders as part of the Bank teams;

• Contribute to the Bank’s reputation of excellence and topical knowledge concerning approaches to improve the performance of the public sector;

• Develop and disseminate effective approaches to address public sector management challenges and strengthen accountability, transparency and civic engagement in the LCR region;

• Understand client’s needs and developmental challenges and identify entry points for public sector management and governance interventions;

• Work with country and sectoral teams to address public sector management issues in Country Partnership Strategies, lending operations, analytical work and advisory services to clients, helping to match the strategy, reforms and types of operations to the governments’ institutional context and reform pathways;

• Work to mainstream institutional development activities into Bank operations and assist clients in strengthening institutions at national and sub-national levels.

Specific tasks:

• Assist in developing the analytical bases for advisory work and lending operations at national and sub-national levels, and provide hands-on technical assistance, in relation to some of the following thematic areas: (i) public financial management; (ii) tax and revenue administration; (iii) human resource management in the public sector including Civil Service Reform; (iv) institutional structures of policy making and implementation; (v) intergovernmental finances and decentralization; and (iv) reform of legal and judicial institutions.

• Work with other staff working on the above themes through formal and informal networking and dissemination of good practice.

• Work with other Networks to help coordinate Bank lending and analytical work on public sector management including coordinating with other development partners to support sustainable reforms and use of country systems in donor-supported operations.

Criteria

• Advanced degree in Economics, public administration, public policy, or similar fields and a minimum of 5 years of relevant experience in development agencies and/or other organizations including governments;

• Demonstrated experience in actively participating in policy-dialogue on public sector management issues with high level government officials (ministers and vice-ministers);

• Deep knowledge and demonstrated experience in at least one of the thematic areas listed above and understanding of political economy issues of public sector reform including developing analytical products and delivering technical assistance;

• Knowledge of Bank lending instruments;

• Experience in working in developing countries (LCR experience is a plus);

• Excellent analytical skills, including qualitative and/or quantitative analysis of data relating to economic and public sector management issues;

• Proactivity, client-orientation, risk taking and initiative;

• Excellent interpersonal skills, teamwork and track record of working across sectors;

• Excellent English and Spanish written and oral communications skills are required (good knowledge of Portuguese or French is 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.