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. Visit www.worldbank.org.

 The East Asia and Pacific Region (EAP) and the EAP Regional Infrastructure Department (IEADR)

The EAP region serves 22 client countries with a total population of about 2 billion. Clients range from large IBRD countries such as China, Indonesia, Vietnam and the Philippines; to smaller IDA countries (or IDA/IBRD blend countries) such as Cambodia, Laos, Mongolia, several Pacific Island states, Papua New Guinea and Timor-Leste. The EAP region presents a dramatic illustration of the global dynamics, opportunities and risks of the 21st century. EAP has made spectacular progress towards achieving the WBG’s twin goals, eliminating extreme poverty and boosting shared prosperity – extreme poverty declined faster than any other region and the income of the bottom 40% increased substantially. Such a rapid transformation has made EAP one of the most dynamic regions in the world. However, it also faces important challenges such as managing the largest shift in rural-to-urban population in human history, coping with rising inequality, addressing large infrastructure gaps, dealing with climate change, and building human capital.

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.

Transport Portfolio in Papua New Guinea (PNG) and Pacific Islands Countries (PICs)

The World Bank’s Papua New Guinea (PNG) and Pacific Islands Country Management Unit (CMU) covers twelve countries (Fiji, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Nauru, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu).  Over the past few years, the World Bank has substantially scaled-up its program and field presence in PNG and the Pacific Islands, with a focus on initiatives that address the challenges of fragility, isolation, size and limited capacity, and create a foothold for wider development engagement with emphasis on country-specific strategies.

Key Transport Sector challenges in PNG and PICs include climate change and natural disasters, with significant social and economic impacts; Extremely poor connectivity results in high transport and investment costs; Weak implementing capacity in both public and private sectors; Lack of sustainable infrastructure asset management; and Lacking safety measures across aviation, maritime and roads.

To address these challenges, the current World Bank transport program comprises of about 17 investment projects, focusing on enhancing resilience of infrastructure, safety, and connectivity across roads, maritime and aviation sub-sectors; and sustainable asset management. There is a strong potential to scale-up this program further in coming years and explore new engagement areas. 

The Extended Term Consultant based in Sydney is expected to work on lending and analytic activities focusing on pacific countries.  

The Transport Specialist will provide a full range of technical and operational support on assigned projects under the Pacific Transport Portfolio. The selected candidate will be an integral member of the EAP Unit within the Transport Global Practice and the specific duties will include, but not necessarily limited to the following:

Selection Criteria

• Master’s degree in the field of transport planning, urban mobility, or urban development.
• A minimum of five (5) years of relevant working experience in the fields of policy development, or project preparation and implementation in the transport sector. Experience in urban mobility preferred.
• Experience in working in or working closely with the government or working in or working closely with international donors.
• Experiences in working on World Bank operations (including analytical works or lending operations) preferred.
• Good understanding of government’s regulations, and fiscal and budgetary system desired
• Excellent communication skills in English

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.

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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.