Senior Water Specialist

Senior Water Specialist

Job #: req36933 Organization: World Bank Sector: Water/Sanitation Grade: GG Term Duration: 2 years 0 months Recruitment Type: Local Recruitment Location: N'Djamena,Chad (or) Bamako,Mali Required Language(s): French/English Preferred Language(s): French/English Closing Date: 6/29/2026 (MM/DD/YYYY) at 11:59pm UTC

Description

Do you want to build a career that is truly worthwhile? The World Bank Group is a unique global partnership of five institutions driven by a bold vision to create a world free of poverty on a livable planet. As one of the largest sources of funding and knowledge for developing countries, we help solve the world’s greatest development challenges. When you join the World Bank Group, you become part of a dynamic, diverse organization with 189 member countries and more than 120 offices worldwide. We work with public and private sector partners, invest in groundbreaking projects, and use data, research, and technology to bring tangible and transformative change around the globe. For more information, visit www.worldbank.org.

VPU Context:

Globally, the World Bank Group finances water development through projects, policy lending and technical assistance building on the new World Bank Group Strategy and the related Water Strategy Implemmentation Plan which focuses on three pillars: Water for People, Water for Food, and Water for the Planet.

The Water GP is housed within the Planet Vertical, which brings together the cross-cutting sectors of Water with Agriculture, Environment, Social Inclusion, and Urban and Disaster Risk Management. The Water Global Practice therefore operates in the fields of sustaining water resources, delivering services (both in water in agriculture as in water supply and sanitation) and building resilience, the Water Global Practice (GP) also seeks to ensure that water issues are effectively addressed across all related sub-sectors, such as agriculture (ensuring sustainable water availability for irrigation), climate change and disaster risk management, and energy (hydropower).

Unit Context:

The West and Central Africa Region, the hiring unit (SAWW1) is responsible for ensuring the translation of the World Bank’s Africa Regional Strategy and the Water Global Practice’s Water Security Strategy into practical results relevant to 13 countries. Specifically, the unit supports the definition and achievement of these results through analytical, policy, and investment activities. The unit has a staffing complement of 21 water professionals, with an active portfolio of over $2.6 Billion,11 investment projects, 2 Programs for Results, Advisory Services and Analytics and contribution to Development Policy Financing.

Duties and accountabilities:

Specific duties include, but are not limited to, the following tasks:

Strategies, Planning and Policies:

· Assist in the process of formulation of country sector strategies in the whole water sector (WSS, WRM, Irrigation, Reforms). Participate in reviews of different sector policies, legal and regulatory frameworks for the water and sanitation sector;

· Assist in the identification and preparation of projects;

· Liaise with and support teams from other GPs of the World Bank (e.g., human development, urban, environment, energy, agriculture) with the aim of ensuring that water-related issues are addressed consistently across various programs in the Bank;

· Participate in policy dialogue, together with other development partners, with key stakeholders in the country;

· As appropriate, with the Bank team, advise government counterparts on policy, institutional, and technical matters associated with the Bank’s water program; and

· Prepare reports, summaries, briefs and talking points on water-related projects and programs, business plans and strategies.

Project’s implementation

· Monitor closely the implementation of the Project

· Participate in the design, preparation and implementation of water activities in Chad/Mali which will include incorporating key cross-cutting issues such as gender and climate change;

· Participate and assist multidisciplinary supervision missions covering all phases of the project cycle;

· Identify implementation issues related to projects/programs in the sector;

· Work closely with client institutions to support effective implementation of WB supported programs;

· Maintain effective relationships with relevant governmental, non-governmental, donors and other stakeholders;

· Carry out the planning and organization of workshops on Bank procedures and deliverables; and

· Encourage clients to use disruptive technology and ICT to speed up project implementation.

Institutional and analytical work

· Support the design, preparation and implementation of sector strategies, studies, analytical work, policy work, and advisory activities;

· Stay informed on the status of the water sector and its institutions, as well as relevant donors, private sector and NGO initiatives;

· Participate in and eventually lead task teams for production of analytical studies and preparation and implementation support to investment and policy-oriented projects;

· Identify and share with client, relevant expertise and examples within and outside the World Bank; and

· Identify and support water sector links to the Bank’s country strategy and the work of other sectoral teams.

Monitoring & Evaluation

· Monitor and assess the implementation of sector portfolio;

· Ensure prompt preparation of quality and consistency related to sector portfolio management, including quality control; and

· Prepare timely reports on project implementation and progress.

Selection Criteria

• A Master’s degree in water resources, hydrology, hydraulics, sanitation, environment, civil engineering, irrigation or a related discipline with a focus on water supply and sanitation and water resources management.

• Recognized technical, operational and/or policy-oriented expertise, and at least 8 years of work experience in the relevant areas.

• Demonstrated knowledge and experience of water supply and sanitation service delivery and water resources management, including infrastructure development, utility/institutional reform, public/private partnerships, sector coordination and policy dialogue, private sector participation, pro-poor strategy, and program development.

• Sound knowledge of the water sector issues in Chad & Knowledge of cross-cutting issues related to the water sector: climate change, environmental and social issues, inclusion, and poverty reduction.

• Ability to think innovatively and strategically in dealing with technical and/or policy issues while maintaining a strong client focus & Ability to lead policy dialogue with governments and external partners.

• Excellent written and oral communication skills in French and English, including demonstrated ability of publishing technical and/or policy work and making effective presentations to diverse audiences.

• A high degree of dynamism and self-motivation, as well as the ability to work with minimal supervision & Demonstrated track record as a results-oriented professional and excellent team player.

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.