An opportunity has opened at the World Bank for a skilled and forward-thinking professional to serve as the Senior Development and Operations Specialist in Juba, South Sudan. This is a crucial leadership role within the Fragility, Conflict, and Violence (FCV) Group and the GTFS2 unit. The appointed individual will be expected to relocate to Juba for a term of three years, or for the full length of their contractual engagement with the Bank. The specialist will report directly to the Practice Manager of GTFS2, with a collaborative reporting relationship to the Country Manager of South Sudan.
This role is integral to advancing the World Bank’s development agenda in fragile and conflict-affected environments, where adaptive thinking, a collaborative approach, and a deep understanding of local and global political dynamics are key to success.
Senior Development and Operations Specialist Position Available in Juba, South Sudan (World Bank)
Core Responsibilities:
The Senior Development and Operations Specialist will be expected to undertake a wide range of responsibilities that align with both strategic planning and operational execution. Key duties include:
- Research and Analysis:
- Lead or support analytical studies that examine fragility, conflict dynamics, and political-economic frameworks impacting South Sudan.
- Connect findings from these studies with developmental strategies, helping to shape a context-specific, resilient engagement model.
- Country Strategy and Policy Contributions:
- Collaborate on the creation of country engagement documents and eligibility assessments.
- Assist in preparing the necessary submissions to secure funding from the FCV envelope and other International Development Association (IDA) windows.
- Operational Engagement:
- Actively participate in the design and execution of country programming.
- Offer hands-on support to operational teams to ensure programs are conflict-sensitive and inclusive.
- Peace and Inclusion Advocacy:
- Help implement and integrate a peace and inclusion framework across operational activities.
- Identify opportunities to promote social cohesion through targeted project interventions.
- Partnership Building:
- Build and maintain collaborative relationships with key partners at the global, regional, and community levels, such as UN agencies, aid groups, and local non-governmental organizations.
- Enhance cross-sectoral collaboration to optimize development impact and address immediate community needs.
- Program Monitoring and Supervision:
- Provide support in implementing and managing the Geo-Enabling for Monitoring and Supervision (GEMS) platform to strengthen project supervision and tracking.
- Ensure real-time data collection and reporting to inform better project oversight.
- Capacity Building and Mentorship:
- Provide technical training and mentorship to national staff and stakeholders.
- Help build institutional capacity to respond effectively to FCV challenges.
- Collaboration with SIPRI:
- Work closely with the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute to implement projects that explore and strengthen social contracts in South Sudan.
Qualifications and Selection Criteria:
Candidates interested in this position should fulfill the following eligibility requirements:
- A graduate-level degree (Master’s or Ph.D.) in economics, social sciences, law, or a closely related discipline.
- A minimum of eight years of experience in areas related to development, operations, or fragility, conflict, and violence settings.
- A strong client-focused mindset and a proven drive for achieving results.
- Deep knowledge of conflict mitigation strategies and fragile contexts, particularly within the South Sudanese framework.
- Exceptional analytical and strategic thinking abilities.
- Demonstrated capability to connect political insights with real-world development operations.
- Proven ability to collaborate with multidisciplinary teams and maintain relationships with various stakeholders.
- Excellent organizational and time management skills, with a knack for adapting to shifting priorities.
- Superior written and verbal communication skills.
- Previous experience with the operational processes and policy frameworks of the World Bank is a plus.
- Recognized capacity for problem-solving and identifying actionable solutions in complex settings.
Specialized Skills in Fragility, Conflict, and Violence (FCV) Settings:
Candidates should bring specific expertise in working within FCV contexts, including:
- Applied understanding of how state-society dynamics, limited governance capacity, and societal polarization affect development outcomes.
- Practical knowledge of incorporating FCV considerations into project design and implementation.
- Strong behavioral competencies such as resilience, adaptability, critical judgment, and the ability to guide others in high-pressure environments.
- Operational experience in balancing urgent local needs with longer-term development strategies in fragile settings.
Opportunity Overview:
- Position Type: Senior-Level Development Role
- Application Status: Accepting applications on a rolling basis
- Deadline for Consideration: October 24, 2023
- Country of Assignment: South Sudan
- Organization: The World Bank
- Duty Station: Juba
Final Thoughts:
The World Bank’s operations in fragile and conflict-affected areas such as South Sudan are essential to creating opportunities for stability and long-term development. The Senior Development and Operations Specialist will play a central role in translating complex realities on the ground into effective, impactful programming. This role is ideal for someone with deep expertise in conflict-sensitive development, a strategic mindset, and the ability to work across cultures and sectors to bring lasting change.
If you are ready to make a tangible difference in one of the world’s most challenging development environments, consider applying for this rewarding and impactful position.
