Social Development Specialist
Apply NowCompany: The World Bank Group
Location: Washington, DC 20011
Description:
Social Development Specialist
Job #:
req32206
Organization:
World Bank
Sector:
Social Development
Grade:
GF
Term Duration:
4 years 0 months
Recruitment Type:
International Recruitment
Location:
Washington, DC,United States
Required Language(s):
English
Preferred Language(s):
Closing Date:
3/24/2025 (MM/DD/YYYY) at 11:59pm UTC
Description
Do you want to build a career that is truly worthwhile? 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 and promoting shared prosperity. 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. https://ww.worldbank.org.
East Asia and the Pacific (EAP) Region:
EAP is a large and diverse region, ranging from Small Island States of the Pacific to the Philippines and China! Despite substantial economic growth and poverty reduction, the EAP region faces huge development challenges. Growth has been uneven across and within countries, institutions still need strengthening, and most countries are heavily affected by climate change. The Bank plays a significant role on global public goods, including climate, biodiversity, water pollution, and health. The COVID pandemic, and more recently food and energy price increases are compounding the impact of the global economic slowdown. The World Bank Group is seen as a premier development institution in the Region, with a leadership role on analytical and advisory services as well as financing. (East Asia and the Pacific Region: https://www.worldbank.org/en/region/eap)
East Asia and Pacific Social Development Department:
The Social Development Unit 1 (SEAS1) in the East Asia and Pacific (EAP) region promotes social development and gender equality through analytics, technical advisory work, and investment operations. It also oversees compliance with social safeguards policies. The EAP Social Development Unit plays a key role in advancing gender equality as an important development goal in the region. Despite progress, gender inequalities in access to economic opportunities, assets, and decision-making remain significant challenges in many EAP countries. These disparities limit workforce participation, reduce productivity, and hinder broader development. Addressing gender gaps can unlock economic growth, boost GDP, and contribute to more sustainable economies.
To address these challenges, the unit has adopted a comprehensive, country-driven approach that reflects the diverse contexts across the region. This approach tailors' strategies to local needs, combining analytical work, policy dialogue, and targeted operations to achieve measurable results in closing gender gaps. By embedding gender considerations into project design and implementation, the approach ensures that meaningful change takes place at the national level.
Aligned with the World Bank Group's new Gender Strategy (2024-2030), the EAP Social Development Unit is stepping up efforts to implement gender-transformative solutions that support the Bank's corporate priorities and commitments. The strategy emphasizes closing gender gaps in human capital, expanding economic opportunities, and enhancing women's leadership and decision-making. The corporate scorecard further underscores the critical importance of gender equality, reinforcing the need to integrate it across all sectors and operations.
The Unit is seeking a Social Development Specialist in Washington DC to support the work of the Regional Gender Team of the EAP Social Development Unit. The selected candidate will be part of the overall Social Development team in EAP, and they will work closely with task teams they support. The selected candidate will report directly to the SEAS1 Practice Manager based in Singapore.
Role & Responsibilities:
Support the EAP regional gender coordinator in day-to-day coordination, implementation, and monitoring of the regional gender program. Specifically, the Social Development Specialist is expected to:
Coordination:
Coordinate requests for technical assistance on gender and Gender Based Violence (GBV) to operational task teams through the EAP Country Gender Programs.
Support EAP Country Gender Focal Points to ensure they receive new relevant research/evidence and up-to-date guidance on corporate commitments related to the Gender Strategy and the Corporate Scorecard. Organize regular meetings with the Focal Points to improve knowledge sharing and collaboration across the country programs.
Represent EAP in internal coordination meetings.
Liaise with the relevant stakeholders to ensure gender tag compliance and provide just-in-time reporting as requested.
Coordinate with the global Gender Group on gender tag pre-assessments and gender tag validations, and validation of new regional gender targets aligned to the Corporate Scorecard.
Prepare regular results stories, presentations, and briefing notes for senior management, CMUs and donors on gender tag results.
Monitor the implementation and budgets of EAP Country Gender Programs to ensure timely delivery of outputs, progress reviews and other milestones, donor reports, etc.
Analytics and Operational Support:
Support evidence-based identification of gender priorities through development of Country Gender Action Plans (CGAPs). Ensure the alignment of CGAPs with Country Partnership Frameworks and support CMUs to monitor the implementation of CGAPs.
Provide upstream analytical and technical support to Country Gender Programs in EAP. Lead the delivery of specific analytical products under the Country Gender Programs, including supervising consultants and ensuring the quality and timeliness of final deliverables.
Provide gender inputs to core country analytics, including Country Partnership Frameworks, Country Economic Memoranda, Country Climate and Development Reports, Poverty Assessments, etc.
Respond to just-in-time requests for operational guidance and technical assistance on gender and GBV, including guidance on project-level gender assessments, results indicators and monitoring frameworks, etc.
Contribute to strategic operational tasks as needed, including participation in the design and implementation of project components, inputting project documents, and participating in official missions.
Communications and Knowledge Sharing:
Facilitate knowledge sharing and research uptake related to gender and GBV through events/seminars, regular updates to the EAP Gender website, development of quarterly gender digests, dissemination of publications, preparation of blogs, etc.
Coordinate with GP and Regional communications teams to systematically collect and update gender stories and briefs for internal and external dissemination.
Other assignments as and when required by the Practice Manager.
Note: This internal requisition is open to WB and IMF staff only(including short-term and extended term consultants/ temporaries). Externalcandidates are requested not to apply. In case an external candidate applies,their application will not be considered.
Selection Criteria
A master's degree or equivalent in economic, social sciences or public administration and minimum of five years of relevant experience or equivalent combination of education and experience.
Academic or professional experience working on gender equality and girls and women's empowerment policy and programming is required.
Knowledge of gender inequities and their drivers in the EAP region is desirable, as is work experience in EAP countries on women's empowerment/gender equality.
Familiarity with Gender Based Violence issues is desirable.
Strong analytical skillset and experience conducting quantitative and qualitative data collection and analysis. Experience with software preferred (STATA, Dedoose, etc.).
Proven capacity to translate analytical work into practical making recommendations for operations and/or policy.
Strong interpersonal, problem-solving, and team skills, and ability to think innovatively and strategically to find balanced solutions to complex development problems, with a strong client focus.
Proven ability to work independently or with minimal supervision, when needed.
Attention to detail and ability to prioritize and deliver assignments on schedule is essential.
Demonstrated broad knowledge of project management tools and methodologies; ability to identify key risks and mitigation measures; ability to interpret background analysis and propose solutions.
Knowledge of and experience with WB financing instruments and operational procedures, including trust fund management is desirable.
Excellent oral and written communications skills in English are essential.
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.
Job #:
req32206
Organization:
World Bank
Sector:
Social Development
Grade:
GF
Term Duration:
4 years 0 months
Recruitment Type:
International Recruitment
Location:
Washington, DC,United States
Required Language(s):
English
Preferred Language(s):
Closing Date:
3/24/2025 (MM/DD/YYYY) at 11:59pm UTC
Description
Do you want to build a career that is truly worthwhile? 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 and promoting shared prosperity. 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. https://ww.worldbank.org.
East Asia and the Pacific (EAP) Region:
EAP is a large and diverse region, ranging from Small Island States of the Pacific to the Philippines and China! Despite substantial economic growth and poverty reduction, the EAP region faces huge development challenges. Growth has been uneven across and within countries, institutions still need strengthening, and most countries are heavily affected by climate change. The Bank plays a significant role on global public goods, including climate, biodiversity, water pollution, and health. The COVID pandemic, and more recently food and energy price increases are compounding the impact of the global economic slowdown. The World Bank Group is seen as a premier development institution in the Region, with a leadership role on analytical and advisory services as well as financing. (East Asia and the Pacific Region: https://www.worldbank.org/en/region/eap)
East Asia and Pacific Social Development Department:
The Social Development Unit 1 (SEAS1) in the East Asia and Pacific (EAP) region promotes social development and gender equality through analytics, technical advisory work, and investment operations. It also oversees compliance with social safeguards policies. The EAP Social Development Unit plays a key role in advancing gender equality as an important development goal in the region. Despite progress, gender inequalities in access to economic opportunities, assets, and decision-making remain significant challenges in many EAP countries. These disparities limit workforce participation, reduce productivity, and hinder broader development. Addressing gender gaps can unlock economic growth, boost GDP, and contribute to more sustainable economies.
To address these challenges, the unit has adopted a comprehensive, country-driven approach that reflects the diverse contexts across the region. This approach tailors' strategies to local needs, combining analytical work, policy dialogue, and targeted operations to achieve measurable results in closing gender gaps. By embedding gender considerations into project design and implementation, the approach ensures that meaningful change takes place at the national level.
Aligned with the World Bank Group's new Gender Strategy (2024-2030), the EAP Social Development Unit is stepping up efforts to implement gender-transformative solutions that support the Bank's corporate priorities and commitments. The strategy emphasizes closing gender gaps in human capital, expanding economic opportunities, and enhancing women's leadership and decision-making. The corporate scorecard further underscores the critical importance of gender equality, reinforcing the need to integrate it across all sectors and operations.
The Unit is seeking a Social Development Specialist in Washington DC to support the work of the Regional Gender Team of the EAP Social Development Unit. The selected candidate will be part of the overall Social Development team in EAP, and they will work closely with task teams they support. The selected candidate will report directly to the SEAS1 Practice Manager based in Singapore.
Role & Responsibilities:
Support the EAP regional gender coordinator in day-to-day coordination, implementation, and monitoring of the regional gender program. Specifically, the Social Development Specialist is expected to:
Coordination:
Coordinate requests for technical assistance on gender and Gender Based Violence (GBV) to operational task teams through the EAP Country Gender Programs.
Support EAP Country Gender Focal Points to ensure they receive new relevant research/evidence and up-to-date guidance on corporate commitments related to the Gender Strategy and the Corporate Scorecard. Organize regular meetings with the Focal Points to improve knowledge sharing and collaboration across the country programs.
Represent EAP in internal coordination meetings.
Liaise with the relevant stakeholders to ensure gender tag compliance and provide just-in-time reporting as requested.
Coordinate with the global Gender Group on gender tag pre-assessments and gender tag validations, and validation of new regional gender targets aligned to the Corporate Scorecard.
Prepare regular results stories, presentations, and briefing notes for senior management, CMUs and donors on gender tag results.
Monitor the implementation and budgets of EAP Country Gender Programs to ensure timely delivery of outputs, progress reviews and other milestones, donor reports, etc.
Analytics and Operational Support:
Support evidence-based identification of gender priorities through development of Country Gender Action Plans (CGAPs). Ensure the alignment of CGAPs with Country Partnership Frameworks and support CMUs to monitor the implementation of CGAPs.
Provide upstream analytical and technical support to Country Gender Programs in EAP. Lead the delivery of specific analytical products under the Country Gender Programs, including supervising consultants and ensuring the quality and timeliness of final deliverables.
Provide gender inputs to core country analytics, including Country Partnership Frameworks, Country Economic Memoranda, Country Climate and Development Reports, Poverty Assessments, etc.
Respond to just-in-time requests for operational guidance and technical assistance on gender and GBV, including guidance on project-level gender assessments, results indicators and monitoring frameworks, etc.
Contribute to strategic operational tasks as needed, including participation in the design and implementation of project components, inputting project documents, and participating in official missions.
Communications and Knowledge Sharing:
Facilitate knowledge sharing and research uptake related to gender and GBV through events/seminars, regular updates to the EAP Gender website, development of quarterly gender digests, dissemination of publications, preparation of blogs, etc.
Coordinate with GP and Regional communications teams to systematically collect and update gender stories and briefs for internal and external dissemination.
Other assignments as and when required by the Practice Manager.
Note: This internal requisition is open to WB and IMF staff only(including short-term and extended term consultants/ temporaries). Externalcandidates are requested not to apply. In case an external candidate applies,their application will not be considered.
Selection Criteria
A master's degree or equivalent in economic, social sciences or public administration and minimum of five years of relevant experience or equivalent combination of education and experience.
Academic or professional experience working on gender equality and girls and women's empowerment policy and programming is required.
Knowledge of gender inequities and their drivers in the EAP region is desirable, as is work experience in EAP countries on women's empowerment/gender equality.
Familiarity with Gender Based Violence issues is desirable.
Strong analytical skillset and experience conducting quantitative and qualitative data collection and analysis. Experience with software preferred (STATA, Dedoose, etc.).
Proven capacity to translate analytical work into practical making recommendations for operations and/or policy.
Strong interpersonal, problem-solving, and team skills, and ability to think innovatively and strategically to find balanced solutions to complex development problems, with a strong client focus.
Proven ability to work independently or with minimal supervision, when needed.
Attention to detail and ability to prioritize and deliver assignments on schedule is essential.
Demonstrated broad knowledge of project management tools and methodologies; ability to identify key risks and mitigation measures; ability to interpret background analysis and propose solutions.
Knowledge of and experience with WB financing instruments and operational procedures, including trust fund management is desirable.
Excellent oral and written communications skills in English are essential.
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.