Senior Water Specialist

Senior Water Specialist Job #: req33483 Organization: World Bank Sector: Water/Sanitation Grade: GG Term Duration: 2 years 0 months Recruitment Type: Local Recruitment Location: Nairobi,Kenya Required Language(s): English and Kiswahili Preferred Language(s): Closing Date: 6/25/2025 (MM/DD/YYYY) at 11:59pm UTC

Description

Do you want to build a career that is truly worthwhile? Working at the World Bank Group provides a unique opportunity for you to help our clients solve their greatest development challenges. The World Bank Group 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, 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. For more information, visit www.worldbank.org

Water Global Practice and the Sustainable Development Practice Group

The water challenges of the world are tremendous. For human development, livable cities, food security, and energy security the need for better water resources management is growing. Even today, 2.5 billion people lack access to improved sanitation, of which 1 billion people practice open defecation. Poor sanitation, including inadequate wastewater collection and treatment, impacts health, education, the environment, and industries such as tourism. At least 800 million people lack access to safe drinking water. The lack of access to safe water and sanitation results in significant economic losses in many countries. This is further exacerbated by climate change, water pollution, water scarcity, and the global covid-19 pandemic in a fast-changing world.

The Water Global Practice (WTR GP) is poised to deliver on a Water Secure World through an approach that focuses on Sustaining Water Resources, Delivering Services and Building Resilience. The WTR GP also seeks to ensure that water issues are effectively addressed across all related sub-sectors, such as agriculture, climate change and disaster risk management, and energy (hydropower). An integrated approach is adopted in each sub-sector, with the support of its respective Global Solutions Group, which considers investment alongside issues such as governance, institutions, and policies. Water in Agriculture (WIA) projects focus on all aspects of agricultural water management, from governance in service delivery, to modernization of irrigation, farmer led irrigation, water accounting and resilience through improved agricultural water practices. The Water Supply and Sanitation (WSS) projects include rural and urban water and sanitation services, hygiene behavior, improving the efficiency of utilities, and provision of services to the poor. The Water Resources Management (WRM) projects include integrated water resource management, including groundwater management, dam safety, and flood management. Increasingly, while staff may specialize in one sub-sector, they are encouraged and supported to address the full water agenda in terms of analytical, policy and operational work – and the position of Senior Water Sector Specialist is an integral element of bringing together all elements to manage water security and “water writ large”.
The Water GP is housed within the Planet Vertical, which brings together the cross-cutting sectors of Water with Agriculture, Environment, and Social Inclusion. The GP, through its fully integrated GWSP Trust Fund, places highest priority on transferring global knowledge to local implementation, with ken consideration of local context.

Eastern and Southern Africa (AFE) Region

Home to about 700 million of Africa’s people, Eastern and Southern Africa is a geographically, culturally and economically diverse region of 26 countries stretching from the Red Sea in the North to the Cape of Good Hope in the South. Children under 18 make up almost half of the total population. The subregion boasts of some of the world’s richest human and natural resources and, apart from South Africa, the countries are predominantly raw material exporters.

The subregion harbors some of Africa’s protracted conflicts, rendering many of its countries fragile, while significant gaps in education, health, and skills development continue to keep people from reaching their full potential. This creates a huge development challenge, impacts heavily on the lives and livelihoods of people, and hinders regional integration and trade. But it also creates an opportunity to work closely with country leaders, civil society, development partners, and young people to chart a brighter course for the future.

The World Bank’s Eastern and Southern Africa Region, comprised of approximately 1,200 staff, mostly based in 26 country offices, has been helping countries realize their considerable development potential by focusing on the following priorities: catalyzing job creation and economic transformation; driving universal digital connectivity by 2030; bolstering efficient, accountable institutions for better policy and service delivery; investing in people—especially women—by improving education, health, and employment opportunities; advancing climate-smart solutions such as renewable energy, green infrastructure, and locust-response programs; addressing the root causes of fragility through regional peace-building initiatives; and deepening partnerships that foster continent-wide integration from North to Sub-Saharan Africa.

Eastern and Southern Africa (E AFR) Region: https://www.worldbank.org/en/region/afr/eastern-and-southern-africa

AFE Water Team (SAEW3)

Within the Eastern and Southern Africa Region, the hiring unit, SAEW3 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 in three Divisions : (i) Kenya, Uganda, Somalia and Rwanda; (ii) Tanzania, Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe; and (iii) Mozambique, Madagascar, Comoros, Seychelles and Maurice. The unit (SAEW3) supports the definition and achievement of these results through analytical, policy, and investment activities. The unit has a staffing complement of around 30 water professionals, with an active portfolio of over $4.13 Billion, through 21 investment finance projects, 2 Programs for Results, Advisory Services and Analytics, and contribution to Development Policy Financing. These require intensive engagement with government counterparts, and other stakeholders to ensure local ownership, capacity, and sustained focus on implementation for results.

The successful candidate will be recruited for a GG-level Locally Recruited Staff position to be based in Nairobi, Kenya for a Two-year term and report to the SAEW3 Water Practice Manager.

OBJECTIVE AND CONDITIONS OF RECRUITMENT

The SAEW3 unit seeks to recruit a Senior Water Specialist to support the team providing implementation support to it program in Kenya, Uganda, Somalia and Rwanda.

SPECIFIC TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Duties & Accountabilities:

The Senior Water Specialist will be responsible for the following specific tasks including but not limited to:

- Provide project implementation support for water investment operations in Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda, and Somalia, as well as for multiple sector-led trust funds, including reviewing Terms of Reference (TORs), specifications and bidding documents, and assist for the organization of implementation support missions and the preparation of internal report documentation – with a particular emphasis on the engineering aspects and quality control;

- Supervise the work of consultants and technical specialists to ensure consistency and conformity with the Bank’s standards; evaluate studies and sector-related project documentation;

- Assist with the coordination of stakeholders, as well as internal WB efforts to ensure timely completion of ongoing activities under the project and meeting multiple interests around management of water resources, water supply, sanitation and hygiene in Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda, and Somalia;

- Coordinate closely with the Bank’s teams across different GPs and Divisions as well as with Development Partners investments and national and local public administration officials;

- Provide guidance to government counterparts and implementing agencies identifying potential problems, implementing bottlenecks and advising on required actions as well as overall project/program implementation;

- Support development of water project pipeline in Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda, and Somalia and preparation of future projects/programs in the sector;

- Help adapt global good practice to local context and advise government counterpart and Bank teams on matters related to the water sector;

- Contribute to operational aspects of the preparation, appraisal, and negotiations of water lending operations, including Sector Investment Projects and Technical Assistance activities in the water portfolio;

- Contribute to cross-sectoral engagements such as Sustainable Development Practice Group works, Systematic Country Diagnostic and Country Partnership Framework and other Division-led activities;

- Actively contribute and engage with the overall strategic program development within the SAEW3 unit;

- Participate in professional development and knowledge sharing activities in the Water Global Practice, the GSGs, and contribute specific knowledge both within the assigned countries and in the World Bank;

- Perform other duties and functions as assigned by the Practice Manager, including in countries beyond Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda, and Somalia.

Selection Criteria

* Master’s or Ph.D. degree in technical fields relevant to water such as civil engineering, hydrology, geology, physical or environmental sciences, agricultural engineering, or equivalent;

* At least eight years of relevant experience on water infrastructure, water supply, irrigation, drainage, urban/municipal development or related field in the African context, ideally to the Division countries (Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda, and Somalia)experience on fragile contexts is a plus

* Experience working on water resources management -including groundwater, watershed management, irrigation, water supply and reuse, sewered and non-sewered sanitation and climate change;

* Knowledge of water and urban infrastructure. Experience working on strengthening of local governments, service providers and local associations;

* Experience working on complex water projects or programs involving high environmental and socials safeguards and fiduciary risks, and multi-sector coordination;

* Demonstrated skills to engage and effectively lead dialogues with both local communities affected by water risks as well as city leaders and decision makers;

* Demonstrates familiarity with the water policies, strategies, local government and institutions relevant to the World Bank projects and analytical work. Experience conducting independent policy discussions with representatives of the government and non-government partners on selected policy issues;

* Possesses political judgment, diplomatic acumen, and negotiating skills;

* Understands policy making process and the role of own sector of expertise in that process;

* Understanding of the World Bank's operations and range of Bank products and services, knowledge of the Bank's operational policies and processes is desirable;

* Has excellent analytical writing ability;

* Fluency in English (spoken and written) is required. Knowledge of a local language of Kenya is a plus.

WBG Culture Attributes:

1. Sense of Urgency – Anticipating and quickly reacting to the needs of internal and external stakeholders.
2. Thoughtful Risk Taking – Taking informed and thoughtful risks and making courageous decisions to push boundaries for greater impact.
3. Empowerment and Accountability – Engaging with others in an empowered and accountable manner for impactful 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.