Operations Officer, Trade Logistics & Inspections- Dhaka, Bangladesh

Job #:	132727
Title:	Operations Officer, Trade Logistics & Inspections
Job Stream:	Technical Assistance & Advisory Services
Location:	Dhaka, Bangladesh
Closing Date:	12/30/2013
Background / General description:
The development of a vibrant private sector is central in promoting economic growth and expanding opportunities for poor people. Research shows that encouraging firms to invest, improve productivity and create jobs requires the right legal and regulatory environment – including protection of property rights, stable access to credit, and ease of starting a business. The World Bank Group’s Investment Climate Department (CIC) advises client country governments on improving their investment climate for domestic and foreign investors. The department acts as a focused center of expertise on business environment reform, and collaborates on these critical issues across the World Bank Group (WBG). About WBG Investment Climate Advisory Services  Investment Climate (IC) Advisory Services is a multi-donor service of the International Finance Corporation (IFC), Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA) and the World Bank, advising member country governments on how to improve their investment climate and promote both foreign and domestic investment in key sectors. IC’s Industry Department (CICIN) specialists identify practices that impede productive private investment, design financially and politically practical plans of action, and support their clients through all phases of transition and implementation. Typically many projects are developed and delivered in conjunction with the Regional Advisory offices in the field, as well as World Bank colleagues, to maximize the relevance of client focused interventions and leverage local stakeholder relationships. In South Asia, the Investment Climate (IC) Advisory Services team of the World Bank Group in South Asia works with national and sub-national governments to improve the operating environment for businesses. The focus of the programs is driven by two core objectives: (i) to reduce the time and cost of compliance of government regulations applicable to set up and operate a private business (both domestic and foreign investments); and (ii) to enhance the competitiveness of high growth/potential sectors in order to attract new private investments in the region. About Bangladesh Investment Climate Fund Bangladesh Investment Climate Fund provides advisory services aimed at improving business operating environment in Bangladesh. BICF is managed by IFC, in partnership with the UK Government and the European Union. Its objectives are consistent with the Bangladesh government’s strategic vision for private sector development within its poverty reduction strategy. Government agencies and BICF—in close collaboration with the key stakeholders in Bangladesh—jointly design and implement programs to institute business friendly policies, laws and regulations, and strengthen the institutions that implement them. About South Asia Regional Integration in Trade & Investment (SARTI)  The South Asia region, despite its recent progress, still houses most of the poor in the world. The north-eastern sub-region of South Asia comprising of Eastern and North-Eastern states of India, Bhutan, Nepal, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, is a region of special concern as it has one of the least integrated regional markets in the world. This is illustrated by the fact that Intra-regional trade comprises a mere two per cent of total regional exports, compared to more than 20 per cent in East Asia. The absence of regional trade in north-east sub-region of South Asia implies significant opportunities forgone.  As part of its strategic priorities in the region, IFC is implementing a South Asia Regional Integration in Trade and Investment (SARTI) program to increase the level of formal trade and south-south investment in the South Asia region. SARTI is comprised of two core components: Trade Facilitation and Investment Policy. The key beneficiary and driver of the proposed program will be the region’s private sector, which is at the core of all IFC interventions. Program Interventions will take place both at the regional level as well as at the national level.  IFC is seeking quality project management input with regard to its Investment Climate interventions which is providing technical assistance to the Government and private sector of Bangladesh with regulatory simplification and investment facilitation efforts.
Duties and Accountabilities:
The Operations Officer will be expected to support the implementation of the Investment Climate team’s South Asia Regional Integration in Trade and Investment (SARTI) and Business Inspection Reform programs in Dhaka. S/he will work closely with the Program Managers and Technical leads to Liaise with the Government focal points in implementing the trade and business inspections reforms.  Specific responsibilities and deliverables include: • Support Program Manager, SARTI in implementing program activities including leading discussions with the Government of Bangladesh; • Support Program Manager, BICF in implementing program activities including leading discussions with the Government of Bangladesh;  • Provide analytical support on trade facilitation and investment policy, as required, including developing process maps to identify areas of procedural simplification;  • Facilitate stakeholder consultations including holding Public Private Dialogues;  • Support the expert consultants with implementing the legal (Customs policy, Investment Policy), procedural (risk management system, trading documents, foreign investment processes etc.), and automation (Asycuda) related trade reforms in Bangladesh; • Design and implement programs to reform inspection regimes in various areas, including food safety, building safety and fire safety; • Support Regional Team in conducting Regional Workshops to enable multilateral trade dialogues between India, Bangladesh and Nepal, and identify reform areas;  • Manage procurement, consultants and administrative procedures for task managed advisory services projects and programs in accordance with IFC policies and procedures; • Inform and build links to the appropriate stakeholders within IFC and the WB, acting as the point of contact;  • Support the adherence to a solid measurement and evaluation framework for the program in collaboration with regional team members. This will specifically include calculating private sector cost savings for trade facilitation and compliance costs savings for inspections reform programs;  • Maintain collaborative Knowledge Management spaces; Assisting with the organization of knowledge management and dissemination events, including stakeholder workshops and seminars; • Assist Program Managers in developing project concept papers, funding proposals, project supervisory reports, and project completion reports; • Responding to requests from internal as well as external clients – mainly gathering data to support presentations to senior management, co-funders, annual reports, etc.; The successful candidate will be an experienced technical assistance practitioner, highly motivated, results-oriented and a self starter. S/he will have strong interpersonal, networking, and communication skills, together with the flexibility to be deployed on projects around the world.
Selection Criteria:
• Masters or equivalent degree in Economics, Public Policy, International Relations, Law or relevant area;  • At least 7 years of relevant experience in investment climate, private sector development, policy-making, and/or facilitating private investments in developing countries; • Established leadership skills and team player skills that will permit the candidate to position work within the institution and facilitate a global network of individuals that are not direct reports and vary in terms of seniority • A strong conceptual and strategic ability combined with good communication skills and client focus; • Strong research and analytical capability, including extensive knowledge of relevant analytical tools, data analysis, benchmarking, training and knowledge management, knowledge management and training tools and instruments, on-line services and delivery methods, etc.; • Demonstrated ability to work and implement projects effectively in multi-disciplinary teams – including in one or more developing countries; • Excellent networking skills, bringing a good existing network of contacts and credibility within both the development sector and broader private sector (including major private sector players and industry associations) • Fluency in English and Bangla as well as proven technical writing skills is essential. • Familiarity with the IFC investment operations and approaches in project management and procurement procedures will be an added advantage. • Innovative and open-minded; open to new approaches and ideas.  The WBG is committed to achieving diversity in terms of gender, nationality, culture and educational background. Individuals with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated in the strictest confidence. No paper mails or faxes please, only short-listed candidates will be contacted. APPLY