Senior Global Water Specialist

Seeking qualified applicants until July 17, 2011

For more information or to apply online, visit: www.ifc.org/ifcext/careers.nsf/Content/CurrentOpportunities

The International Finance Corporation (IFC), the private sector investment arm of the World Bank Group, pursues its mission of reducing poverty and improving people s lives by promoting private sector development through investment and advisory services. IFC's Sustainable Business Advisory (SBA) Business Line works with firms in manufacturing, agribusiness, services, and infrastructure to contribute to the creation of inclusive, environmentally sustainable, and efficient markets in three strategic areas of focus: (i) engaging the private sector in climate change mitigation and resilience, (ii) scaling business models to extend access to basic infrastructure services, and (iii) increasing market access for firms in emerging markets.

The Business Line's delivery of services is anchored by the Sustainable Business Advisory Department (CSB), which functions as a global service center supporting regionally-based staff in the design and delivery of advisory projects as well as managing some global partnerships and initiatives. Specialists in the Department's Global Products Division are accountable for strategic guidance, quality assurance, knowledge management, resource mobilization and relationship management support for advisory projects in one of seven products in the SBA Business Line: (i) Resource Efficiency, (ii) Clean Energy, (iii) Environmental, Social and Trade Standards, (iv) SME Capacity Building, (v) Strategic Community Investment, (vi) Corporate Governance, and (vii) Sustainable Investing.

The objective of our work in Resource Efficiency is to increase investment flows into resource efficiency through the efficient use of energy, water, materials by offering relevant business solutions to IFC investee clients and others in key sectors.

The business line seeks to bolster its impact in the water sector by establishing this new position of Senior Water Specialist to provide technical and market expertise in the water agenda in support of each of these product groups. With an expanded IFC s focus on agriculture and food security as well as climate change, it is expected that the Water Specialist will focus particularly on expanding IFC's impact on water-use efficiency in the agriculture sector.

Duties and Accountabilities: The Senior Global Water Specialist Role

The Senior Specialist will be a technical resource on water efficiency technologies, business structures, and water sector markets to support IFC s global business as it engages in the water sector. Water use efficiency in the agriculture sector is expected to be an initial focus of this work.

Working with IFC's regional departments and in collaboration with IFC's global network of field-based staff, the Water Specialist supports development of strategies and programs which accelerate market development of water-use technologies and practices that address water scarcity/quality and support economic development through efficient water resource use. With IFC's industry-focused investment departments, the Water Specialist supports innovation through new business models leveraging IFC investment in the water sector, thus leveraging substantial commercial investment. The Water Specialist also provides quality assurance across the Sustainable Business Advisory water sector business, and anchors IFC's knowledge management in the area of sustainable water through a global network of IFC staff and partners engaged in sustainable water programs and investments.

Duties and Accountabilities

The Senior Water Specialist will have several functional responsibilities:

1. Water sector advisory program portfolio management: Support regional teams to develop new advisory projects and programs which address water scarcity and/or water quality. In coordination with regional staff, manage development, testing, and roll out of new approaches and delivery models related to addressing water issues. Ensure the quality of advisory projects in water efficiency space by working closely with regional teams throughout the project cycle: project design, approval, implementation/supervision and project closure

2. Client Support: Support IFC investment and advisory teams to identify opportunities for working with existing and perspective IFC clients to improve water use efficiency.

3. Knowledge Management and Thought Leadership: Contribute to IFC internal knowledge management practices by gathering, managing and disseminating global best practice and institutional knowledge on water efficiency agenda across IFC and the World Bank Group. Provide thought leadership (externally targeted publications, presentations, learning fora, and other communications vehicles) to catalyze investment and support replication of effective models and approaches across the private sector in developing country markets to address water scarcity and water quality and access.

4. Relationship Management with stakeholders in water agenda: Liaise with IFC and WBG internal stakeholders active in water space. Represent IFC externally to global industry players, international organizations and donors are relevant on issues relevant to the water efficiency topic.

Selection Criteria:

The successful candidate will bring a mix of education, skills and experience, including some combination of:

Masters level degree in business administration, policy, resource management, engineering, water resource management, or equivalent;

A minimum of eight to ten years of relevant work experience in water efficiency (depending upon level of position);

Technical expertise in water-use efficiency, with experience working in the agriculture water-use sector;

Demonstrated technical knowledge of best available practices related to water efficiency, as well as related economics of solutions;

Understanding of how markets function and will have informed insights about the role of the private sector in addressing water scarcity through improved water-use efficiency;

Experience undertaking programs or interventions which catalyzed market development.

Experience operating businesses in water efficiency, prior exposure to water efficiency in agribusiness sector is highly desirable.

The successful candidate will have demonstrated measurable impact in their prior professional engagements and will have been agents of innovation and change in their careers. They will be motivated by, and have a vision for achieving, sustainable development of developing country water markets, particularly in water efficiency in agribusiness. They will be entrepreneurial by nature and have demonstrated leadership and the interpersonal skills necessary to manage teams while building effective partnerships either within the World Bank Group or in the global market. Excellent English written and spoken communication skills are essential, and multiple language skills are highly preferred. The selected candidates level of experience and qualifications will determine their grade of position.

Other: The position will report to the Sustainable Business Advisory's Resource Efficiency Product Leader. The position will be based initially in Washington, DC, with potential relocation based on business needs.

Application Procedure (closes July 17, 2011)
To apply, please provide the following:
1. a cover letter -- not to exceed one page;
2. a CV -- not to exceed two pages.
3. Submit application through www.IFC.org/careers as attachments when you apply to position #111048(Washington, DC).

The cover letter should highlight the accomplishments of the candidate in prior positions which specifically relate to the skills being sought by IFC for this position. The letter should not simply describe the candidate's prior job history and responsibilities, but rather should complement the CV by clearly and succinctly elaborating on specific accomplishments of the candidate: how the candidate achieved innovation, directly created change, and delivered impact through their work. The candidate's ability to follow these guidelines and succinctly describe their relevant accomplishments will be a factor in the selection of the short-listed candidates.

The World Bank Group 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.

Contact: Elizabeth Burden, Resource Efficiency, International Finance Corporation
email: eburden@ifc.org