Irrigation Specialist, Water Resource Management Specialist, Water Economist. (WBG Young Professionals Program)

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The World Bank Group (WBG) is 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.

Our Young Professionals Program (WBG YPP) is an exciting way to start a career with the World Bank Group. For close to 60 years, the program has recruited some of the brightest young minds to contribute to our top priorities, from poverty eradication, social development and climate change to the current response to the COVID-19 crisis. 

Irrigation Specialists, Water Resource Management Specialists, Water Economists with YPP qualifications below are encouraged to apply from June 15 - July 15 at www.worldbank.org/ypp

We are looking for individuals who are younger than 32 years of age, who demonstrate a passion for water and international development, graduate level education, relevant professional experience and the potential to grow into leadership roles across the World Bank Group. 

Description

Water resources are under unprecedented and increasing pressures, driven by greater climate variability, population and economic growth, land use changes, and declining quantities and qualities of both ground and surface waters.  With cross cutting impacts on agriculture, education, energy, health, gender equity, and livelihood, water is an essential resource for all life on the planet and is at the center of economic and social development.  The world will not be able to meet the great development challenges of the 21st century - human development, livable cities, climate change, food security, energy security, and universal access to services – unless we ensure a water-secure world for all. To achieve this goal the World Bank’s Water Team works with governments and partners across the world to sustain water resources, deliver water services and build resilience for people and the planet.   

YPP Selection Criteria

• Born on or after October 1, 1990
• Relevant Master’s by September 2022 OR PhD by September 2023
• 3+ years of relevant experience OR continued study at the doctoral level
• Fluency in English

Desired Qualifications:

We are seeking Irrigation Specialists, Water Resource Management Specialists and Water Economists. Relevant experience could include a proven track record in Economics of Water or relevant field such as Irrigation and Drainage or Water Resource Management.

• Master’s degree or higher in civil or environmental engineering, economics, institutional development, water resources management, irrigation and drainage, or other fields relevant for water sector development.
• Demonstrated understanding of water policies and economics, and their roles in delivering outcome to end-users.   
• Demonstrated operational experience with water infrastructure and technologies, including deeper experience in at least one of the included subtopics (irrigation and drainage, water resources management, water economics).  
• Demonstrated experience with the implications of climate change on hydrological variability, water availability, flood/ drought forecasting and management, and water-related climate change adaptation and mitigation measures.  
• Good understanding of water resource management and / or irrigation and drainage institutions (ministries, regulators, service providers, community organizations). 
• Demonstrated knowledge of water resource and/or irrigation and drainage planning, management and development, with depth in at least one subtopic. 
• Basic training in regulatory economics/water sector finance. 
• Demonstrated ability to synthesize information and contribute to analytics on water issues.  
• Good knowledge of common planning and implementation issues in the water sector, and practical exposure to solution formulation and implementation.  

Added Plus:

• Big data, AI and remote sensing
• Climate change (including climate financing)
• Water ecology (given increased focus on adaptation, nature-based solutions and biodiversity)
• Familiarity with the World Bank’s development initiatives and policies and practices related to lending and non-lending operations 
• Strong integrative thinking and ability to support project teams in developing an integrated point of view around development challenges: 
• Synthesizing inputs from across sectoral and thematic boundaries.
• Examining relevant information/data on similar policy questions in multiple regions 
• Identifying/assessing policy issues and communicate findings/ points of view verbally and through reports and papers 
• Ability to contribute to development and implementation of communication strategy
• Proficiency in French, Spanish or Portuguese is a plus. 

World Bank Group Core Competencies

• Knowledge and Experience in Development Arena - Translates technical and cross-country knowledge into practical applications and contributions to country and sector strategies; interacts with clients at the policy level.
• Policy Dialogue Skills - Anticipates needs and requests in the field and conducts independent policy discussions with representatives of the government and non-government partners.
• Integrative Skills - Understands relevant cross-sectoral areas how they are interrelated; able to undertake cross-sectoral work in lending and non-lending operations.
• Project Design for Impact and Sustainability - Contributes to the design of projects and programs based on an understanding of the country and sector context.
• Sector Dialogue - Able to conduct a dialogue with the client including on complex issues, based on a solid understanding of the sector.
• Client Orientation - Maintains client relationships in the face of conflicting demands or directions, and provides evidence-based advice and solutions based on sound diagnosis and knowledge.
• Drive for Results - Identifies the needed resources to accomplish results involving multiple stakeholders and finds solutions to obstacles affecting key deliverables.
• Teamwork (Collaboration) and Inclusion - Shows leadership in ensuring the team stays organized and focused, and actively seeks and considers diverse ideas and approaches.
• Knowledge, Learning, and Communication - Leads in the sharing of best practice, trends, knowledge and lessons learned across units and with clients and partners, articulating ideas verbally and in writing in a clear and compelling way across audiences of varied levels.
• Business Judgment and Analytical Decision Making - Gathers inputs, assesses risk, considers impact and articulates benefits of decisions for internal and external stakeholders over the long term.

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, IFC and MIGA including our values and inspiring stories.