(Senior) Industry Specialist - Transport and Logistics - Solutions and Impact Unit

Job Posting Organization:
The International Finance Corporation (IFC) is a member of the World Bank Group, established to focus on the private sector in emerging markets. The IFC is dedicated to creating markets and opportunities in developing countries, leveraging its capital, expertise, and influence. With a commitment of $71.7 billion to private companies and financial institutions in fiscal year 2025, the IFC plays a crucial role in mobilizing private capital to combat poverty and promote sustainable development. The World Bank Group, which includes the IFC, operates in 189 member countries and has over 120 offices worldwide, working collaboratively with public and private sector partners to address the most pressing global challenges.

Job Overview:
The (Senior) Industry Specialist will play a pivotal role in the Transport and Logistics Solutions and Impact team, which is responsible for providing best practices, investment, and advisory solutions to clients in the Transport and Logistics sectors. This position requires a blend of operational experience and knowledge management, ensuring that lessons learned and innovative solutions are effectively captured and disseminated across the World Bank Group and its clients. The selected candidate will evaluate transport projects, provide sector advice, and monitor the transport portfolio, contributing to the development of sector strategies and new business opportunities. The role involves regular travel commitments and a global focus, emphasizing the importance of collaboration with various stakeholders.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The (Senior) Industry Specialist will have a comprehensive set of responsibilities, including:

• Upstream-related activities: - Identifying opportunities to support clients through advisory services during business development, appraisal, and supervision stages. - Supporting the development of sector strategies and creating new business opportunities. - Advising on early-stage assessments of investment proposals from technical, managerial, commercial, and developmental perspectives.
• Investment-related activities: - Applying sector knowledge to evaluate transport projects and assisting other specialists in appraising new investment proposals across various subsectors, including ports, roads, railways, urban transit, airports, and more. - Liaising with clients' technical staff, project engineers, and consultants as necessary. - Reviewing major contracts and providing insights on market assessments and revenue growth potential. - Drafting Terms of Reference and supervising technical consultants as needed. - Preparing project appraisal reports, including risk assessments and impact evaluations.
• Portfolio-related activities: - Providing technical supervision of the WBG’s transport sector investments and conducting field inspections. - Identifying operational weaknesses and documenting lessons learned for future projects.
• Other activities: - Assisting Industry Analysts in developing their knowledge and capabilities. - Maintaining an active network within the WBG to coordinate relevant activities and keep updated on industry trends and developments.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a civil engineering background with a postgraduate degree and at least 10 years of experience in the transport industry, including familiarity with various subsectors. They should demonstrate strong analytical, quantitative, and risk management skills, along with significant private sector experience. A comprehensive understanding of market operations, economics, and key players in the transport sector is essential. Candidates should have a broad range of responsibilities in areas such as commercial feasibility studies, project management, procurement, and environmental compliance. The ability to produce clear and concise written reports in English is crucial, along with up-to-date knowledge of capital costs and productivity benchmarks across diverse transport subsectors and regions.

Educational Background:
A postgraduate degree in civil engineering or a related field is required for this position. This educational background is essential to ensure that the candidate has the necessary technical knowledge and skills to evaluate and manage transport projects effectively.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 10 years of experience in the transport industry, with specific expertise in various subsectors. Candidates should have a proven track record of working in emerging economies and possess experience as a lenders’ or sponsors’ engineer, or have a consultancy background. This level of experience is critical to ensure that the candidate can navigate the complexities of transport projects and provide valuable insights and guidance.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory for this position, both in written and oral communication. While additional languages are not specified as mandatory, proficiency in other languages may be considered an asset, particularly in regions where the IFC operates.

Additional Notes:
The position is a full-time role with a contract duration of three years. It involves international recruitment, indicating that candidates from various countries are encouraged to apply. The World Bank Group offers a comprehensive benefits package, including retirement plans, medical and life insurance, paid leave, and reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities. The organization is committed to diversity and inclusion, ensuring equal opportunities for all employees.