The World Bank is recruiting an experienced and dynamic infrastructure professional to join its policy and lending support program in Mongolia. The World Bank has been working closely with the Government of Mongolia and a range of partners to ensure that the mineral-led economic growth translates in the future into development benefits for all Mongolians, in particular the poorest.

Reflecting fast economic growth over the last few years, the infrastructure sector in Mongolia is undergoing rapid transformation. The country is poised to launch a massive program to reconstruct existing infrastructure facilities and to build new systems in the following areas: (i) urban-related infrastructure services, particularly in Ulaanbaatar; (ii) large-scale investments in the transport, energy and water sectors to support development of the mining sector; (iii) downstream, value-added activities involving semi-processed mineral commodities for export; (iv) access infrastructure to facilitate trade with Mongolia’s neighbors, particularly north-south linkages; and (v) linkages between the Aimag capitals and Ulaanbaatar. Over the next ten years, as much as US$10 billion will be required to meet demand.

To finance such a large program the Government, with the support of external partners, plans to seek private sector investment, through public-private partnerships (PPPs), to the extent possible. Partnering with the private sector would bring much needed capital at a time of constrained budgets, and speed the development of infrastructure essential for mining operations.

The World Bank currently has three ongoing infrastructure-related operations in the energy, water/sanitation, and mining sectors that account for more than $100 million of commitments. Additional operations are under preparation in urban infrastructure planning and management, air pollution, and possibly transportation.. The Bank Group maintains a strong policy dialogue with counterparts including advice on prioritizing infrastructure investments, energy pricing notes in electricity and heating, and implementation of a new electricity and heating market.

Compensation

This is a two-year appointment that has the potential of being renewed based on office needs and staff performance. The World Bank provides competitive compensation and benefits package to staff. New staff entry net annual pay for a Sr. Infrastructure Specialist (grade GG) position may range from USD 30,000 to USD 43,000. The staff entry net annual pay for an Infrastructure Specialist (grade GF) may range from USD 21,000 to USD 31,000.

Note: If the selected candidate is a current Bank Group staff member with a Regular or Open-Ended appointment, s/he will retain his/her Regular or Open-Ended appointment. All others will be offered a 2 year renewable term appointment.

Taken

The Sr. Infrastructure Specialist will be a member of the Bank’s Regional Infrastructure Team and will be expected to: (i) supervise some projects (depending on personal field of expertise) and support task teams in supervising all other on-going infrastructure projects; (ii) support the development of a pipeline of new infrastructure projects; and (iii) advance the dialogue on all infrastructure issues with government and other counterparts (e.g. private sector, CSOs, Development Partners).

More specifically, the Sr. Infrastructure Specialist will:

• contribute to sector policy;

• advise government counterparts on technical matters;

• supervise the work of consultants and technical specialists to ensure quality and consistency with Bank standards;

• evaluate studies and sector-related project documents;

• interface with, and provide guidance to, project teams implementing on-going Banks projects and activities;

• provide support in the development of project documents and grant proposals, both during preparation and implementation; and

• represent the Bank at workshops and public events.

The Sr. Infrastructure Specialist may be offered the opportunity to support operations in other countries throughout the East Asia Region.

Criteria

The successful candidate will have the following qualifications:

• an advanced degree (Masters or equivalent) from an accredited University in engineering, public management, economics or business;

• a minimum of 8 years experience in infrastructure or any of its subsectors, particularly in energy, urban management, transport sector;

• experience in preparing and implementing operations, formulating policy and associated legal and regulatory aspects, and strengthening institutional arrangements;

• a thorough understanding of infrastructure issues in Mongolia;

• proven ability to communicate in English, both orally and in writing;

• ability to work independently or in teams under direction from others;

• capable of prioritizing and delivering under tight schedules.

Candidates with lesser experience are also encouraged to apply and could be hired as Infrastructure Specialist (grade GF).