Senior Water Specialist

The Senior Water Specialist will provide technical and implementation support for water projects in West and Central Africa, focusing on water resources management, irrigation, and water supply and sanitation. The role involves managing complex multi-sector World Bank operations, leading client dialogue, and coordinating multidisciplinary teams to achieve water security and development goals.

Responsibilities

• Provide implementation support to selected projects including the DREVE Program.
• Provide technical solutions on flagship and problem projects and lead Bank-related adaptive implementation functions such as project restructurings, budget planning, preparation of TORs, provision of no objections, management briefs, etc.
• Provide technical advice on the implementation of water and sanitation, water resources management and irrigation activities.
• Lead client dialogue on flagship and problem projects as needed.
• Lead or contribute to ad hoc requests and be prepared to step in as “acting” PM as required.
• Contribute significantly to corporate priorities and key Global Solutions Group of the Water GP as a technical specialist.
• Work across Planet teams and coordinate the work of a multidisciplinary Bank team as appropriate.
• Support coordination of Bank-funded and donor-funded technical assistance activities and Bank-funded independent Panel of Experts when needed.

Requirements

• At least an MA degree in economics, or MS in civil/environmental engineering, with specialization in water resources management, water supply/hydraulics, irrigation or similar field or an equivalent combination of education and work experience.
• At least 8 years of work experience in the field of water resources management, irrigation and water supply and sanitation.
• At least 8 years of experience in project management in the water sector, with proven ability to manage complex multi-sector World Bank operations, including those that require significant resettlement.
• Deep understanding and demonstrated expertise of World Bank operations and processes.
• Excellent teamwork skills and ability to work and coordinate activities for cross-sectoral work, outside the Water GP and with external partners.
• Experience leading large teams and managing client dialogue in complex projects.
• Demonstrated capacity working in the West Africa region.
• Experience in FCV (Fragility, Conflict and Violence) would be preferred.
• Ability to speak, read and write in both English and French fluently.

Skills

• Water Resources Management
• Irrigation
• Water and Sanitation
• Project Management
• World Bank Group Operations
• Resettlement Management
• Inter-sectoral Coordination
• Team Leadership
• Client Dialogue Management
• Water Sector Knowledge
• Fragility Conflict and Violence Experience
• Regional Expertise West Africa
• Technical Implementation Support
• Multidisciplinary Team Collaboration
• Economic Analysis
• Civil Engineering
• Environmental Engineering

Languages

English, French