Public Sector Specialist at World Bank

JOB #130613
JOB TITLE :Public Sector Specialist
JOB FAMILY: Public Sector Management
JOB TYPE: Professional & Technical
GRADE :GF
LOCATION: Abuja, Nigeria
RECRUITMENT TYPE: Local Hire
LANGUAGE REQUIREMENT: English [Essential]
CLOSING DATE: 24-Mar-2013
 
Background / General description:
The Africa Poverty Reduction and Economic Management Group (AFR PREM) plays a key role in implementing the Africa Region Strategy, which identifies governance and public-sector capacity as the foundational challenge for growth and development in the region.  AFR PREM has particularly significant responsibilities in strengthening efforts to build sustainable and effective institutions that can help bring about shared growth and poverty reduction in the countries of the region.
 
In Nigeria, poor governance and weak institutions for public financial management and service delivery are major challenges that undermine growth and development. The World Bank and other development partners have committed significant resources to support the Government of Nigeria in its efforts to strengthen institutions and improve governance. Policy dialogue and technical assistance engagements are aimed at both the federal and state levels. Presently, the Bank is engaged in public financial management and institutional strengthening in 15 states and in collaboration with the European Union, under a trust fund, intends to extend similar reforms to six additional states. The fund is set to be implemented over five years.
 
To respond to increasing client demand AFR PREM is looking to recruit a dynamic and problem-solving individual as a Public Sector Specialist to support the program.  
 
The selected candidate will be based in the World Bank Country Office in Abuja, Nigeria for an initial period of two years (with the possibility of renewal).  Working as a member of the PREM Team and in close collaboration with the Task Team Leader, she/he will work particularly with six states and their constituent Local Government Councils, as well as with government and non-government entities and with other development partners.
 
The candidate will ensure close collaboration with staff in thematic Networks in the Bank and will foster multi-sector approaches to addressing systemic constraints to public service delivery and effective management across sectors with a focus on public financial management at state and local level.
 
Duties and Accountabilities:
The selected candidate will report to the Sector Manager (SM) and will work closely with the Task Team Leader.  The candidate will be expected to carry out the following duties:
 
•             Lead or support multi-sector teams to deliver the analytical and grant operations pertaining to public sector reform, especially public financial management at state level. 
•             In so doing, the candidate will work closely with clients to facilitate the implementation of PFM reforms. 
•             Generate and exchange knowledge relating to concepts, techniques and lessons of experience pertaining to public financial management, public sector reform, and capacity building.
•             Join or lead multi-sector teams to integrate PFM reforms into sector operations at state level.
 
Selection Criteria:
The successful candidate will be a seasoned professional with solid operational experience
of working on public sector reform in Nigeria and/or other  developing countries. In addition, the successful candidate will fulfill the following criteria:
 
•             Advanced degree (minimum of Masters) in public policy and administration, economics, political science, finance, or any other related field
•             At least 5 years of relevant experience in public sector reform and capacity building.
•             Work experience in Africa would be preferred
•             Experience with public financial management, procurement and decentralization/devolution of powers to sub-national level would be an advantage
•             Demonstrated skills in project management
•             Strong interpersonal skills, proven team orientation, ability to multi-task and work across unit boundaries and a solid track record of mentoring junior staff
•             Demonstrated ability to develop and maintain productive, professional relationships with government counterparts, donors and other stakeholders
•             Excellent analytical writing abilities; persuasive oral communication skills
•             Fluency in English.
 
COMPETENCIES
Knowledge and Experience in Development Arena - Understands policy making process; distills operationally relevant recommendations/lessons for clients. 
Policy Dialogue Skills - Identifies and assesses policy issues and plays an active role in the dialogue with the government and/or other stakeholders. 
Integrative Skills - Working to develop an integrated view across all facets of current sector. 
General Governance and Public Sector Knowledge and Experience - Has demonstrated analytic and operational skills in the area of public sector, and has practical experience working on production of projects and/or studies on areas key to public sector. 
Written and Verbal Communication - Delivers information effectively in support of team or workgroup 
Client Orientation - Takes personal responsibility and accountability for timely response to client queries, requests or needs, working to remove obstacles that may impede execution or overall success. 
Drive for Results - Takes personal ownership and accountability to meet deadlines and achieve agreed-upon results, and has the personal organization to do so. 
Teamwork (Collaboration) and Inclusion - Collaborates with other team members and contributes productively to the team's work and output, demonstrating respect for different points of view. 
 
Knowledge, Learning and Communication - Actively seeks knowledge needed to complete assignments and shares knowledge with others, communicating and presenting information in a clear and organized manner. 
Business Judgment and Analytical Decision Making - Analyzes facts and data to support sound, logical decisions regarding own and others' work.