World Bank Group Hiring for Transport Specialist Job at Sydney Full Time

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.

The East Asia and Pacific Region (EAP) and the EAP Regional Infrastructure Department (IEADR)
We need the greatest talent focused on our region in order to harness the potential and innovation happening across the continent. The EAP has made the fastest progress in economic growth and poverty reduction of any region in the last quarter-century. At present, the region remains one of the main drivers of the world economy, accounting for nearly two-fifths of global economic growth!

Despite this progress, the region still faces huge development challenges. A large portion of the region’s population remains vulnerable to income shocks, including from a global economic slowdown, changing global and regional value-chains, and climate-related risks.

EAP was the first region to be hit by the COVID-19 pandemic which has provoked both an unprecedented health crisis and a severe economic shock in the region. Poverty in the region is expected to rise for the first time in over 4 decades.

Are you ready to make an impact? We are looking for dedicated professionals to join our innovative and diverse group of people to improve people’s lives and help countries build back better after Covid!

The EAP Infrastructure Department (IEADR) is responsible for project lending and policy advisory work in the energy, transport and related climate action and private capital mobilization space for the EAP Region. The department has a transport and energy lending portfolio of approximately $10 billion – and a diverse program of analytic and advisory work. The principal themes underlying the infrastructure department’s lending and advisory engagements include: access to modern energy services and all-weather road and transport services; transitioning to a clean energy mix away from coal, and green transportation systems; building climate resilient energy and transportation infrastructure; integrated urban mobility planning and solutions; financial restructuring and debt-management at the infrastructure sector and economy-level; regional infrastructure network connectivity, integration and trade; and energy connectivity; and reform of state-owned enterprises and delivering efficient private finance solutions.

This position is subject to local recruitment. Australian citizens and permanent residents will be considered on a priority basis.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Transport Specialist is expected to work on transport projects across several modes (land transport, maritime, aviation) in the Pacific. The EAP transport portfolio has increased substantially with a total of 44 ongoing projects. The position therefore requires candidates with expertise and practical experience across a range of modes in infrastructure planning, financial and economic analyses, technical modelling, transport policy, procurement and technical issues. Broader knowledge of the key issues in the transport sector as a whole, including gender, accessibility, social and environmental impacts and safeguards, public-private partnerships, road safety, and climate change considerations are also required. The successful candidate will be working closely with transport task teams, and more broadly the INF Practice Group in EAP, on this important agenda. The assignment includes:

• Co-lead and/or support task teams in the preparation and implementation of transport projects in the Pacific, covering the core elements (planning, financial and economic analysis, engineering, maintenance, and operations), but also incorporating key cross-cutting issues such as gender, climate change, road safety, and private sector engagement;
• Support the design, preparation and implementation of complex and innovative lending and non-lending activities that are part of larger regional transport programs such as the Pacific Aviation Investment Program and the Pacific Climate Resilience Transport Program;
• Support other task team leaders and projects across the portfolio to ensure that they are reflecting good practice with regards to the issues listed above, social and environmental considerations, and general best practices in the investment, management and delivery of infrastructure and services;
• Engage with clients in designing and advancing sector policy and institutional reforms and capacity building programs, seeking to develop capacity in the implementing entities to plan, develop, and manage transport projects under their jurisdiction, with increased attention to issues such as gender equality and climate change;
• Participate in the policy dialogue under the guidance of the Practice Manager and the CMU, with external stakeholders/development partners in the countries and region;
• Provide support and guidance to improve the quality of transport projects in general, through peer reviews, technical advice, quality assurance;
• Support the identification and development of a pipeline of projects and programs as new client requests come in;
• Advise government counterparts on technical matters associated with transport projects, including engineering aspects, the formulation of policy, and measures to strengthen institutional arrangements;
• Supervise the work of consultants and technical specialists to ensure quality and consistency with the World Bank standards;
• Provide procurement and contract management support and advice to the project implementing agencies;
• Participate in cross-sectoral teams responsible for preparation of policy notes, Systematic Country Diagnostics and Country Partnership Frameworks, public expenditures reviews, sectoral studies, and research and policy development activities on the topics/sections pertaining to the transport, urban development, trade and competitiveness, and agriculture sectors;
• Support the World Bank-wide professional community of staff engaged in the transport practice by participating in a selected number of thematic technical groups (Global Solutions Groups or Communities of Practice) and drafting of technical notes, and supporting cutting-edge work in collaboration with other global practices to enhance knowledge creation and dissemination, and expanding the existing knowledge base;
• Stay abreast of recent developments in the transport sector world-wide, and on cross-cutting issues, in relation to the topics of specialization for this position; identifying knowledge gaps and disseminating relevant knowledge to clients; and
• Represent the World Bank at public events relevant to the sector.