Description
Do you want to build a career that is truly worthwhile? The World Bank Group 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 and promoting shared prosperity. 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.
Middle East and North Africa Region
The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) Region serves twenty countries, of which twelve are active/potentially active IBRD/IDA borrowers (Algeria, Djibouti, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, Syria, West Bank and Gaza, Tunisia and Yemen) and eight are users of the Region's non-lending services, mostly on a reimbursable basis (Bahrain, Kuwait, Libya, Malta, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates). The mission of MENA is to foster sustainable growth with a focus on job creation and poverty reduction, economic and social inclusion, and good governance. The World Bank assistance to MENA is organized around a high-level strategic framework that seeks to Renew the social contract; Strengthen Resilience to shocks; Expand Regional cooperation; and Support Reconstruction in conflict-affected countries.
MENA attaches importance to creating a supportive work environment based on the values of teamwork, transparency, trust, and client service, underlined by professional excellence. The regional leadership places high value on diversity. MENA is organized in five Country Departments (CMUs), the Office of the Regional Chief Economist, the Development Effectiveness Unit (MNADE), and External Affairs Unit (MNAEC).
Visit Middle East and North Africa: Development news, research, data | World Bank
The Planet Practice Group (PG), working across all PGs and CMUs, anchors the region’s work on climate change, including the preparation of the Climate Change and Development Report core diagnostics. Planet PG consists of 4 Global Practices – Agriculture and Food; Environment, Natural Resources and the Blue Economy; Social Inclusion and Sustainability; and Water – together with Climate Change as a Global Theme. In addition, Planet PG is the Bank-wide steward for the Environment and Social Framework (ESF).
Social Sustainability and Inclusion Global Practice
The Social Sustainability and Inclusion Global Practice helps countries tackle deep-rooted social problems stemming from fragility, climate change, exclusion, and the digital age with people-centered solutions that build on local values and institutions. We engage with citizens, communities, and governments to deepen resilience, build inclusion, and empower vulnerable and marginalized groups to have influence and voice. We prioritize participatory, multi-sectoral approaches that build on norms and informal institutions to address social challenges. We work across the Bank’s portfolio to implement the Environment and Social Framework (ESF) standards. The ESF offers an overarching platform for fostering inclusive approaches to ensure vulnerable groups benefit from Bank investments and mitigate against related risks.
This is done through four pillars of work:
Selection Criteria
This position is suited to constructive, highly motivated team players with an eye for detail, an understanding of the bigger picture context of operations, and creative problem-solving abilities. The successful candidate should have strong operational and analytical skills, have practical experience handling complex/sensitive social development issues through participatory processes of stakeholder engagement, and be able to integrate social development considerations in an operational context.
Master’s degree or Ph.D. in social sciences (gender studies, anthropology, sociology/social development, political science, law, public policy, international affairs, conflict/violence prevention, etc.).A minimum of eight (8) years of directly relevant professional experience in social development and inclusion. Demonstrated leadership experience and operational skills and experience in the areas of women empowerment, gender/GBV, social inclusion, citizen engagement, jobs and entrepreneurship, local economic development, migration, displacement, fragility, conflict, and violence in low- and middle-income countries.Proven leadership and project management experience with World Bank IDA and/or IBRD (or other comparable international organizations) lending operations, policies, and procedures; experience with leading design and implementation of social development programs. Knowledge and experience in addressing issues covered by the World Bank’s Environmental and Social Framework (ESF) and social safeguards policies or similar policies in other international finance institutions in complex and challenging settings, and across practices. This includes experience with social assessments and analyzing social risks and impacts on different population groups; involuntary resettlement in different socio-economic contexts and tenure systems; coordination of transparent consultative and stakeholder engagement processes; grievance redress mechanisms, integration of relevant planning instruments in overall project planning and implementation; labor and working conditions (in particular child labor); community health and safety; cultural heritage; Environment and Social Governance (ESG) in private sector; client capacity building and support to strengthen national E/S systems. Experience in managing Trust Funds/Grants and in coordinating with donor organizations; knowledge of World Bank trust fund procedures and processes. Experience working on complex multi-sectoral development challenges and working in a federal/decentralized system.Strong organizational skills, with the ability to prioritize, deal with frequent and unexpected changes and work within tight timeframes.Demonstrated ability to lead and translate analytical work into policy advice and actionable, practical recommendations; Experience in collecting, analyzing, and effectively using data related to social inclusion, youth/women empowerment, gender equality, GBV prevention and response.Experience in contributing to high-level strategic decisions and technical support to government counterparts, policymakers, beneficiaries, community-based organizations, and development partners on effective approaches to close gender gaps. Proven capacity to work with a wide range of stakeholders, international organizations, development agencies, government counterparts, beneficiaries of Bank projects, and civil society organizations; ability to effectively negotiate and build consensus to achieve constructive outputs.Outstanding interpersonal, communication, problem-solving, and team skills, and ability to think innovatively and strategically to find balanced solutions to complex development problems, with a strong client focus. Proven track record in communicating complex issues in a clear and concise manner to different stakeholders.Acting with integrity at all times to build trust and to create an enabling work environment, whether as team leader or team member. Very high level of energy, initiative and self-motivation; willingness to travel and work under challenging circumstances.Demonstrated ability to work across practices, work in cross-thematic teams, foster teamwork, and mentor junior staff. Excellent oral and writing skills in English and French is essential; ability to present and facilitate sessions; Arabic language skill is a plus.SSI GP Core Competencies Policy Dialogue Skills - Anticipate needs and requests in the field and conduct independent policy discussions with representatives of government and non-government partners. Social inclusion and empowerment - Experience in successfully applying social sustainability and inclusion principles and good practice, covering issues of gender/GBV, inclusion and non-discrimination of vulnerable and disadvantaged groups, stakeholder engagement, etc.Social sustainability and ESF/safeguards: Knowledge of World Bank Environment and Social Framework and experience in social risk management in operations, including policy framework and operational methods, tools, and databases. Social Development implications on policies, institutions, and operations –Solid understanding of the implications of social development on policy, institutions, and operations. Participation and Consultation - Extensive experience conducting social development consultative and participatory approaches, deriving results that resonate with the client; ability to coach others in the application of the interventions. Analytical Tools for Social Sustainability - Extensive experience conducting social development analyses, deriving results that resonate with the client; ability to coach others in the application of the tools.This vacancy is archived.