Driver

Driver

Job #: req37248 Organization: World Bank Sector: Other Grade: GA Term Duration: 3 years 0 months Recruitment Type: Local Recruitment Location: Bissau,Guinea-Bissau Required Language(s): Portuguese, English Preferred Language(s): Closing Date: 7/2/2026 (MM/DD/YYYY) at 11:59pm UTC

Description

Do you want to build a career that is truly worthwhile? The World Bank Group (WBG) 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 Western and Central Africa Region Context:

The World Bank's Country Management Unit for Senegal, Mauritania, Guinea-Bissau, Cabo Verde, and The Gambia (AWCF1) is responsible for setting strategic direction, overseeing portfolio implementation, monitoring impact, and evaluating results across the five countries. The unit operates through a network of country offices in Dakar, Nouakchott, Bissau, Praia, and Banjul, ensuring close engagement with governments, development partners, and other stakeholders on the ground. Together, the five countries represent a diverse and growing portfolio spanning a wide range of sectors, reflecting the region's varied development challenges and opportunities.

Country and Unit Context:

Guinea-Bissau is a small, fragile state in West Africa with one of the lowest human development indices globally. Despite recording real GDP growth of 4.8 percent in 2024, driven largely by cashew production, services, and infrastructure investment, poverty remains widespread, with over 50 percent of the population living below the national poverty threshold. The World Bank maintains an active on-the-ground presence in the country through a Country Office in Bissau, with a portfolio of approximately six active national IDA-financed projects totaling US$189.79 million in net commitments, complemented by four regional operations for an additional US$169 million, bringing the total active portfolio to approximately US$358.79 million. National operations span Energy, Transport, Health, Education, Social Protection, and Governance and Public Sector Development, with Guinea-Bissau also participating in regional operations covering Statistics, Coastal Resilience, Electricity Access, and Digital Infrastructure. The Bissau Country Office operates in a dynamic and operationally demanding environment, supporting a growing portfolio while navigating the political and logistical complexities inherent to a fragile state context. The office team works closely with government counterparts, task teams, and regional colleagues to ensure continuity and quality of operations. Given that Guinea-Bissau is a Portuguese-speaking country, all interactions with government officials, local partners, and stakeholders are primarily conducted in Portuguese, making strong Portuguese language skills essential to effective performance in this role.

Roles & Responsibility:

The Driver will be an integral member of the Administrative and Client Support (ACS) team in the Bissau Country Office, providing reliable, safe, and professional transportation and logistical support to ensure the smooth day-to-day functioning of the office and the effective delivery of the Bank's operations in Guinea-Bissau. The role requires a responsible, punctual, and service-oriented professional who is able to exercise sound judgment, manage competing schedules, and adapt to a fast-paced and sometimes challenging operational environment, including field missions in remote or difficult terrain. S/he will report to the Resident Representative.

The main functions include but are not limited to:

• Drive teams to Meeting venues and Field trips under high professional attitudes.

• Use tact and professionalism to deliver the Office daily assignments in very good and required conditions, according to World Bank procedures. Follow
road security and safe driving requirements to ensure that staff aboard Bank
vehicles feel safe and secure.

• Stay alert and anticipate actions during Senior Management Visits in The Guinea-Bissau. In case of flight delays, get necessary information from the airport desk and take
appropriate action, either waiting for the plane’s revised schedule or
coordinating with the Administration Unit on any further steps.

• Maintain assigned vehicle clean in good condition, recorded mileage and gasoline consumption.

• Anticipate any mechanical issues with the assigned official vehicle to
prevent disruptions due to unnecessary breakdowns, from the engine to the tire
condition. For instance, conduct daily inspections of tire pressure, brake
fluid, water level, etc. In summary, ensure that every part of the vehicle is
in perfect operating condition.

• Collect and disseminate all correspondences to Government and other Stakeholders daily and carry visa requests to relevant Embassies.

• Follow up on tax exemptions at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and VAT
exemptions, as well as vehicle registration for license plates, and ensure
close follow-up to obtain the appropriate documents in due course.

• At
ministries and embassies, use tact and diplomacy to deal with difficult cases,
in close liaison with the Administration Unit, until everything is settled in a
timely manner to help the office meet all relevant deadlines.

• Perform any fiduciary tasks the Admin Unit may assign to him.

Selection Criteria

Attention : Preference will be given to local talent, that is, applicants that are authorized to work in the duty station for any employer. Internal applicants may apply per existing guidelines.

• High school diploma.

• At
least five years of driving experience with knowledge of auto mechanics.

• Good geographical knowledge of Guinea-Bissau. Familiarity with other
countries in the Senegal Country Management Unit (Senegal, Cabo Verde,
Mauritania, and The Gambia) and the sub-region will be an asset.

• A valid document for driving in the sub-region, a driver’s license for
4x4 vehicles and minibuses, and a recent certificate of fitness proving that
the candidate is fit to drive.

• A
training certificate from the Red Cross on first aid would be an asset.

• A certificate of training in auto mechanics and any other relevant
technical training in electronics or electricity would be an asset.

• Experience
working in an international institution would be an advantage.

• Language Requirements: English and Portuguese (spoken and written).

• Knowledge of computers and MS Office is
desirable.

WBG Culture Attributes:

1. Sense of urgency: Anticipate and quickly respond to the needs of internal and external stakeholders.
2. Thoughtful risk-taking: Challenge the status quo and push boundaries to achieve greater impact.
3. Empowerment and accountability: Empower yourself and others to act and hold each other accountable for results.

World Bank Group Core Competencies

The World Bank Group offers comprehensive benefits, including a retirement plan; medical, life and disability insurance; and paid leave, including parental leave, as well as reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities.

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.

Learn more about working at the World Bank and IFC including our values and inspiring stories.