Private Sector Development Specialist, Kabul (GF) World Bank Closing date: Wednesday, 4 March 2015 (added 25 February)

Closing date: Wednesday, 4 March 2015

Background / General description

The World Bank re-engaged in Afghanistan in May 2002 to help meet the immediate needs of the poorest people while assisting the government in developing the administrative systems required for longer-term nationwide development. Aid has since grown tremendously. To date, the World Bank has provided a total of over $3.07 billion for development and emergency reconstruction projects, and five budget support operations in Afghanistan. As of October 2014, the Bank has 15 active IDA projects in Afghanistan with net commitments value of over $1 billion.

Established in 2002, the Afghanistan Reconstruction Trust Fund (ARTF) is the largest single source of external on-budget financing that supports Afghanistan's national priority programs, government operating costs and salaries, as well as the policy reform agenda. It includes support for development projects in health, education, rural development, infrastructure etc. Since 2002, 33 donors have contributed a total of $7.3 billion to the ARTF. The ARTF is administered by the World Bank in close cooperation with the Government of Afghanistan (GoA), represented by Ministry of Finance, as well as the many donors. ARTF support is contributing to the achievement of the Afghanistan National Development Strategy goals.

The World Bank's approach in Afghanistan is to support GoA in implementing elements of the most important National Priority Programs (NPP) in a way that will build legitimacy and capacity of the institutions. One of GoA's greatest priorities will be to build domestic sources of growth and jobs to replace donor/military assistance and to prioritize and sequence NPPs to concentrate on foundational investments for growth. Under this Interim Strategy Note period, the Bank's program is built around three interlocking themes:

1. building the legitimacy and capacity of institutions;
2. equitable service delivery; and
3. inclusive growth and jobs.

A key to identifying and sustaining sources of inclusive growth has been work around the concept of 'Resource Corridors' which seeks to catalyze investments in Afghanistan's huge natural resources in a holistic manner, linking up mineral resources, infrastructure, communities and employment-creating sectors in a way that provides growth and jobs beyond the borders of the mines. In addition, enhancing the connections between Afghanistan and its neighbors in terms of transportation, power and other infrastructure will be essential not only for the export of Afghanistan's minerals, but will also help foster wider cooperation and trade in region.

The World Bank Group (WBG) Trade and Competitiveness (T&C) Global Practice (GP) brings together more than 500 global technical experts (from the World Bank and the International Finance Corporation) in the field of trade, competition policy, investment climate, competitive industries, innovation and entrepreneurship, with extensive policy expertise, sector-specific knowledge, and practical experience in the design and implementation of policy reforms. The practice offers an integrated package of solutions - including policy advice, technical assistance, financing and capacity building - which are tailored to address the specific trade and competitiveness challenges of client countries.

The South Asia T&C GP is recruiting a national Private Sector Development Specialist in Kabul to join the T&C team working on Afghanistan.

Note: If the selected candidate is a current Bank Group staff member with a Regular or Open-Ended appointment, s/he will retain his/her Regular or Open-Ended appointment. All others will be offered a 2 year term appointment.

Duties and Accountabilities: The Private Sector Development Specialist will report to the South Asia Practice Manager on Trade and Competitiveness and will focus on the following activities:

1. Project management (project preparation and project supervision): For tasks where project management responsibility is assigned in whole or part: carry out necessary project preparation and supervision activities, this includes technical inputs on financial and private sector issues, as well as close attention to financial management, procurement and safeguards (social and environmental).
2. Advisory and Analytical Activities: Contribute to advisory and analytical work undertaken by WBG T&C, such as impact assessments, surveys, stakeholder analysis and other technical analyses, as required.
3. General technical support to the World Bank Kabul office: Provide technical T&C inputs to the country level strategic policy dialogue (including Systematic Country Diagnostic and Country Partnership Framework), cross-support to relevant components in operations managed by other GPs (investment operations or development policy grants) and in multi-sectoral advisory and analytical work.
4. Dialogue Coordination. Maintain close liaison with key Government counterparts in Trade and Competitiveness issues.
5. Donor Coordination: Maintain close liaison with the development partners including DFID, USAID, UN and ADB, and consult with them for seeking inputs on Trade and Competitiveness issues.
6. The Private Sector Development Specialist will also provide support to the WBG Finance and Markets Global Practice (F&M GP) in Afghanistan, when required. The F&M GP aims to help countries build deep, diversified, inclusive, efficient and stable financial systems which are essential to promoting economic growth and reducing poverty and increasing shared prosperity.

Selection Criteria: The successful candidate will have:

1. Masters' degree in Finance, Business Administration, or Economics from an internationally reputed university.
2. iAt least 5 years of relevant professional experience in private sector development, in the public or private sector (international organization, private company, non-government organization, etc.). An experience in the private sector is an advantage.
3. Excellent knowledge of issues affecting private sector development, trade and competitiveness in Afghanistan. International experience on private sector development issues is an advantage.
4. Strong project management skills. Good familiarity with procurement based on principles of transparency, fairness, efficiency and competition is an advantage.
5. Strong conceptual and analytical skills, ability to understand and analyze complex problems and to identify solutions.
6. Strong interpersonal skills and ability to communicate and liaise effectively with clients.
7. Motivated, driven and committed to World Bank's development goals.
8. Demonstrated oral and written proficiency in English. Excellent written English skills are essential.
9. Ability and willingness to prepare and supervise projects across the country (under World Bank security rules) and to travel in the region and beyond.

WBG CORE COMPETENCIES FOR ALL STAFF: Lead and Innovate

Effective WBG staff demonstrate personal leadership and commitment to the WBG's values and mission. They take initiative, and are persistent in their drive for results. They seek opportunities to improve and find innovative solutions, where appropriate, to problems. They inspire and encourage others to have a positive attitude and impact, are able to adapt to changing circumstances, and are willing to be bold to increase the Bank's Group's effectiveness.

Deliver Results for Clients

Effective WBG staff set high standards and challenging goals, and measure impact. They address the needs and challenges of internal and external clients, while also keeping the goal of 'reducing poverty' and 'increasing prosperity' as the ultimate objective. They hold themselves accountable and take personal ownership for identifying and managing risks and delivering evidence-based results that are financially, environmentally and socially sustainable and have development impact.

Collaborate Within Teams and Across Boundaries

Effective WBG staff collaborate and work with others across and outside of the World Bank Group in order to achieve the best results for clients. They cultivate and leverage their professional networks to this end. They are inclusive in gathering options and information, and align their behavior and priorities with the needs and goals of WBG. They maintain a WBG corporate mindset above an individual or team perspective and are proactive in mitigating and managing conflicts.

Create, Apply and Share Knowledge

Effective WBG staff understand the value of creating, applying, and sharing knowledge. Staff, rapidly and readily share their expertise; create and contribute to the WBG's body of knowledge and efficiently reflect and draw on lessons of past experience from colleagues, clients, partners and external sources to drive the WBG to achieve its goals. They expand their professional networks in their areas of expertise by forging linkages with others. They energize others to create, apply and share knowledge and learn from each other. They also seek opportunities to grow personal and institutional knowledge and invest in the growth of others through mentoring, as well as developing themselves and others through feedback and continuous learning.

Make Smart Decisions

Effective WBG staff balance the need for risk management with a sense of urgency by making quick, timely, and relevant decisions. They display the confidence to take smart risks and make timely and effective decisions and show confidence in own judgment and actions. They are good problem solvers, collect evidence, lessons from past experience, and research to support their actions, and are willing to make decisions and take smart risks that advance the goals of WBG. They take ownership for decisions they make, and ensure issues are pushed to the right level for decision-making when needed. Senior leaders drive alignment, and ensure information is shared to make realistic, sound decisions and recommendations. Trust and support is given to decision makers, regardless of level, with the assumption that the right decisions will be made.

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

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