Job # 111518
Job Title : Lead Irrigation Specialist
Job Family Water and Sanitation
Location Washington, DC
Appointment International Hire
Job Posted 05-Aug-2011
Closing Date 26-Aug-2011
Language Requirements English [Essential]; French [Desired]; Spanish [Desired]
Appointment Type
Background / General description
The Water Anchor Unit of the Transport, Water and ICT Department (TWI) is located in the Sustainable Development Network (SDN) Vice Presidency. Its core functions are to: (i) serve as secretariat for the Water Sector Board; (ii) develop corporate strategy and policy in consultation with sector and country units and with other networks; (iii) act as an information clearing house; (iv) provide training for staff in collaboration with thematic groups; (v) provide state-of-the-art skills through cross support for Regional operations; (vi) disseminate knowledge and serve as an incubator for new ideas and policy research; and (vii) strengthen cooperation with external partners. The Water Anchor is seeking a Lead Irrigation Specialist to lead its agricultural water management team (AWM). The selected candidate will report directly to the Sector Manager of the Water Anchor. The candidate will focus on advancing the World Bank Group’s work on AWM in both irrigated and rainfed agriculture, and is expected to integrate AWM into broader water and rural development approaches in strong coordination with professionals of the water practice and the ARD family. This will also include involvement in the Bank’s responses to global food price volatility and its impact on food security in the short-term (such as the Global Food Crisis Response Program) and in the longer term (including the Global Agriculture and Food Security Program), as well in the work on improving food and water security in coordination with the G20 process.
Duties and Accountabilities
The duties of Lead Irrigation Specialist include (i) bringing cutting edge global experience and excellent problem-solving skills to help regional colleagues develop business, and solve specific problems in both analytical and operational work; (ii) leading efforts to shape the strategic direction of the Bank as it expands lending in AWM, and accelerates its efforts to integrate AWM into water resources and rural development activities; (iii) enhancing analytical and programming synergies with related sectors as well as regional units; (iv) enhancing the AWM practice’s contribution to institution-wide initiatives and corporate priorities; and (v) representing the Bank in developing partnerships with external groups. This will require solid technical grounding in all aspects of AWM, including in irrigation and drainage of large- and small-scale systems based on surface and ground water as well as in rainfed agriculture, and in-depth operational experience leading complex projects. Proven background in carrying out policy analysis and providing guidance on policy reforms will be a distinct advantage. The experience should comprise work on issues such as improving irrigated and rainfed systems, private sector participation, and water conservation, and linking agricultural water use to broader water resources management issues (including water allocation and quality management). The post will also require experience in addressing challenges at a high level, and advocating new directions for the AWM practice. Excellent communication skills and proven willingness to lead, influence and help others resolve AWM-related issues are essential attributes. Specific tasks include the following:
• Lead and ensure the quality of the AWM practice across the Bank with a particular focus on scaling up project and program interventions and impact at the country level. This will require extensive interaction with other professional practices, such as Water Resources Management and Climate Change, Agriculture and Rural Development Department (ARD), Poverty Reduction and Economic Management (PREM), and Social Development Department (SDV). It will also include developing methodologically sound approaches to upstream analytical work and to project design and evaluation;
• Conceive of and lead multidisciplinary initiatives, and advise country teams on appropriate methods and approaches to incorporating AWM issues and strategies in investment lending, as well as in poverty assessments, public expenditure reviews, and other upstream advisory work and programmatic lending operations;
• Lead specific knowledge management initiatives in demand by the Bank, country clients and partners, including support to thematic groups. Accelerating cross-country learning is particularly important;
• Provide quality operational support to regional task teams advising clients on program/project design and execution. Operational support is expected to account for about 30% of the specialist’s time;
• Lead preparation of the Water Anchor’s inputs into corporate priorities, including corporate reporting, and learning events, and represent the Bank at relevant organizations and fora;
• Mentor sector staff and lead the design of AWM-related professional and operational training and development activities.
Selection Criteria
In addition to matching Bank-wide and SDN competencies corresponding to GH level positions, it is expected that the incumbent meets the following selection criteria:
• Advanced degree in engineering and/or economics or a related discipline with a focus on AWM;
• Recognized technical, operational and/or policy-oriented expertise and leadership, and at least 12 years of relevant work experience for a candidate with a PhD or 15 years for a candidate with a Masters degree. This experience may include governments, private companies, consultant firms, and multilateral institutions;
• Ability to think innovatively and strategically in dealing with technical and/or policy issues while maintaining a strong client focus;
• Demonstrated effectiveness in conducting high-level dialogue with stakeholders, including senior government officials, civil society, private sector, donor community, and professional and research organizations;
• Capacity to lead, work in multidisciplinary teams, share information and responsibilities, inspire staff to technical excellence, and resolve conflicts;
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, including demonstrated ability of publishing technical and/or policy work and making effective presentations to diverse audiences; and
• Ability to work in Spanish and/or French is a distinct 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.
To apply:
http://extjobs.worldbank.org/external/default/main?pagePK=64273552&piPK=64273556&theSitePK=1058433&JobNo=111518&order=descending&sortBy=job-req-num&location=WAS&menuPK=64262364
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