E T Consultant Job #: req34514 Organization: World Bank Sector: Infrastructure Grade: EC2 Term Duration: 1 year 0 months Recruitment Type: Local Recruitment Location: Tokyo,Japan Required Language(s): English, Japanese Preferred Language(s): Closing Date: 10/20/2025 (MM/DD/YYYY) at 11:59pm UTC
Description
Do 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. 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, increasing shared prosperity, and promoting sustainable development. 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
Infrastructure Vice Presidency
Globally, one billion people live more than 2 kilometers from all-weather roads, 685 million people lack electricity, and nearly 4 billion people lack Internet access. Access to basic infrastructure services is critical for creating economic opportunities for the poor. The Infrastructure (INF) Practice Group within the World Bank is charged with developing sustainable solutions to help close infrastructure gaps in developing and emerging economies. The INF Vice Presidential Unit (VPU) currently consists of four Global Departments (GD): Energy & Extractives (EEX); Transport; Urban, Resilience and Land (URL); and Infrastructure Finance Practice (IFP). It oversees the Bank's work across energy and transport sectors, urban development, as well as efforts to promote energy transition, low-carbon transportation, livable cities, disaster risk resilience, land management, and quality infrastructure services through public-private partnerships. Infrastructure represents around $110 billion of the Bank’s portfolio. For more information: https://www.worldbank.org/en/topic/infrastructure
About GFDRR
The Global Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery (GFDRR), established in 2006, is a multi-donor partnership and grant making financing mechanism. The Facility supports on-the-ground technical assistance to help developing countries integrate disaster risk management (DRM) and climate change adaptation into development strategies, policies and investment programs, including post-disaster recovery and reconstruction.
GFDRR implements the majority of its activities in countries through the World Bank, in partnership with national, regional and other international agencies. To support country engagements, GFDRR maintains 14 thematic initiatives that provide grant recipients with specialized knowledge and quality assurance in the design and implementation of activities. These initiatives allow GFDRR to collaborate with a broad array of partners, facilitate global engagements and capacity building, and produce innovative knowledge.
The GFDRR Secretariat is hosted within the Urban, Resilience and Land (URL) Global Department (GD) under Infrastructure (INF) Vice-Presidency Unit at the World Bank in Washington D.C. with satellite offices in Brussels and Tokyo. The Secretariat is responsible for awarding and managing grants, reporting on results, and carrying out outreach and partnership development. It also acts as the support hub for a decentralized network of DRM experts in the World Bank and provides a global platform or knowledge sharing and capacity building.
The Japan-World Bank Program for Mainstreaming DRM in Developing Countries
The Japan-World Bank Program for Mainstreaming DRM in Developing Countries (“the Program”) is a program established by the partnership between the Government of Japan and The World Bank to support client countries in enhancing their resilience against climate change natural disasters. The Program was established in 2014 and operated by the GFDRR's satellite office in Tokyo (the “Tokyo DRM Hub” ( https://www.worldbank.org/en/programs/tokyo-drm-hub ).
). The Hub works in partnership and coordination with World Bank regional and thematic teams and global, regional, and national institutions. Moreover, the Hub partners with Japanese and international experts and institutions on DRM across various sectors.
The objectives of the Japan-World Bank Mainstreaming DRM Program are (i) to support developing countries in mainstreaming DRM in national development planning and investment programs through World Bank operations and country strategies, and (ii) connect Japanese and global expertise in DRM with developing countries and World Bank teams. Day-to-day operations of the Program are conducted by the Tokyo DRM Hub. The Hub works in partnership and coordination with World Bank regional and thematic teams, and global, regional and national institutions. Moreover, the Hub partners with international experts and institutions at the forefront of DRM.
In this context, the GFDRR is expanding capacity of its satellite office in Tokyo, the World Bank Tokyo DRM Hub, given its growing program, the Japan-World Bank Program for Mainstreaming DRM in Developing Countries.
The World Bank Group is committed to achieving diversity in terms of gender, nationality, culture, and educational background. Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated in the strictest confidence.
Responsibilities
GFDRR is seeking a highly motivated Extended Term Consultant (ETC), with strong analytical, writing, and organizational skills, to help deliver on the Tokyo DRM Hub’s work program specifically on resilient infrastructure technical assistance (TA) grants (activities that aim to integrate DRM principles and processes across the lifetime of infrastructure investments through design, construction, operations and maintenance, and contingency planning), as well as key initiatives in knowledge and operations. The position will report to the Program Task Team Leader, based in Tokyo, Japan.
The ETC will work closely with all Tokyo DRM Hub staff and interact frequently with World Bank operational teams. The successful candidate will provide timely and professionally competent technical review of technical assistance grant activities developed by World Bank Global Departments, such as Urban, Resilience, and Land (URL), Transport, Water, Energy, Health, Education, Finance Competitiveness and Innovation (FCI), and Digital Development.
The selected candidate will liaise with key constituencies on cross-cutting infrastructure sectors in Japan. Based on the demand from World Bank task teams, the incumbent will facilitate the mainstreaming of Japan’s and global experience and good practices on Disaster Risk Management in World Bank administered grant activities as well as in investment projects through connecting the experts with relevant skillsets and experience to the task teams and World Bank member countries. The selected candidate will also aid in the identification, broadening and strengthening of partnerships in Japan with the public, private sectors and academia on resilient infrastructure and provide support to other Tokyo DRM Hub staff.
Specific responsibilities of the ETC will include:
1. Identify and support the building and maintaining of a network of centers of excellence in Japan as well as Japanese firms and consultants and connect them with task teams to improve the design and implementation of TA activities and mainstreaming of DRM in eligible countries.
2. Provide a competent technical review and screening of Resilient Infrastructure Technical Assistance (TA) grant activities developed by World Bank Global Departments, such as Transport, Water, Energy, Digital, Health, Education, and Urban, Resilience, and Land (URL), and conduct research into or provide advice on Japanese expertise which could inform the implementation of these activities.
3. Where necessary, discuss and define with the task teams of their technical requirements for support on activities in Resilient Infrastructure Technical Assistance, and identify a Japanese expert or institution that can support the activity.
4. Lead or support the organizing of knowledge exchange events to be hosted in Japan on DRM topics, and seminars, identify contributors for those events, and
5. Draft and coordinate notes, briefs, presentations and talking points for World Bank management, stakeholders, task teams, and GFDRR’s communication team and Tokyo Office Communications team (ECRJP).
6. Conceptualize, develop, and publish content on climate and disaster-resilient infrastructure for GFDRR/GPURL newsletters, PG-wide email communications, Tokyo DRM Hub website) and help organize events, including BBLs, and infrastructure-specific events.
7. Carry out substantive research and analytical tasks on a wide range of resilient infrastructure topics and consolidate information from various sources at the request of the Program Task Team Leader or Tokyo DRM Hub staff.
8. Draft and provide inputs to sections of annual reviews, annual reports, website pages, and other communications materials as needed.
9. Support the Special Representative of the World Bank in Japan, in his/her role as representative of the Tokyo DRM Hub, in maintaining and carrying out institutional relationships with Program stakeholders, including civil society, academia, private sector, government agencies and other relevant entities.
10. Perform other duties and functions as assigned by the Program Team Leader, the Special Representative of the Bank in Japan, and the GFDRR Manager.
Selection Criteria
• Master’s degree or equivalent in infrastructure engineering (environmental engineering, civil engineering, transport infrastructure, etc), or related field with a strong preference for candidates with good technical training and practical experience in disaster risk management related to large scale civil engineering, water, transport or industrial engineering projects, energy infrastructure.
• A minimum of 5 years of relevant professional experience is required. International experience and demonstrated ability to work in diverse, multicultural environments are required.
• Excellent writing skills in English and Japanese with ability to distill key infrastructure messages is a must.
• Business level Japanese is essential.
• Strong ability to analyze and transfer infrastructure research information into easily accessible language and to present complex ideas in a straightforward way.
• Knowledge of the World Bank key infrastructure priorities and programs is a plus but not essential.
• Excellent organizational skills with ability to work under tight deadlines and handle multiple requests simultaneously, while being detail oriented.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills and proven ability to apply these in carrying out research and operational tasks, presenting findings and recommendations, and contributing to resolution of sector and/or country issues.
• Field experience in developing countries is a plus.
• Understanding of good practices, trends, knowledge, and lessons learned from Japan with clients and partners, articulating ideas verbally and in writing in a clear and compelling way across various audiences.
• Ability to take initiative and deliver with minimal supervision in a fast-paced environment.
• Proven communications skills, both in oral presentations and in written documents, including sections of papers, briefs, and independent reports.
• Strong interpersonal, diplomatic and team building skills, and proven track record of building and maintaining collaborative relationships.
• Ability to gather inputs, assess risk, consider impact, and articulate benefits of decisions for internal and external stakeholders over the long term.
• Experience managing procurement contracts in the development sector is preferred.
• Advanced computer skills and full proficiency in the use of relevant software applications; (e.g. excellent skills in Microsoft PowerPoint).
WBG COMPETENCIES
• Lead and Innovate - Develops innovative solutions.
• Deliver Results for Clients - Proactively addresses clients’ stated and unstated needs.
• Collaborate Within Teams and Across Boundaries - Collaborates across boundaries, gives own perspective, and willingly receives diverse perspectives.
• Create, Apply and Share Knowledge - Applies knowledge across WBG to strengthen solutions for internal and/or external clients.
• Make Smart Decisions - Interprets a wide range of information and pushes to move forward.
WBG Culture Attributes:
1. Sense of urgency: Anticipate and quickly respond to the needs of internal and external stakeholders.
2. Thoughtful risk-taking: Challenge the status quo and push boundaries to achieve greater impact.
3. Empowerment and accountability: Empower yourself and others to act and hold each other accountable for results.
World Bank Group Core Competencies
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.
Note: The selected candidate will be offered a one-year appointment, renewable at the discretion of the World Bank Group, and subject to a lifetime maximum ET appointment of three years. If an ET appointment ends before a full year, it is considered as a full year toward the lifetime maximum. Former and current ET staff who have completed all or any portion of their third-year ET appointment are not eligible for future ET appointments.