(Associate) Industry Specialist – Transport and Logistics

Job Posting Organization:
The World Bank Group (WBG) is a unique partnership of five global institutions dedicated to ending poverty, increasing shared prosperity, and promoting sustainable development. Established in 1944, the WBG has grown to include 189 member countries and operates more than 120 offices worldwide. It serves as one of the largest sources of funding and knowledge for developing countries, working with public and private sector partners to invest in groundbreaking projects and develop solutions to urgent global challenges. The organization is committed to providing impactful support to countries facing development challenges, leveraging data, research, and technology to drive progress.

Job Overview:
The position of (Associate) Industry Specialist (AIS) in the Transport and Logistics sectors is crucial for the Knowledge Bank’s Transport and Logistics Solutions and Impact team. The AIS will be responsible for providing expertise in business feasibility and project assessment, as well as supervising ongoing transport investments. This role requires a blend of operational experience and knowledge management to ensure that lessons learned and innovative solutions are effectively captured and disseminated across the World Bank Group and its clients. The AIS will report to the Manager for Transport and Logistics Solutions and Impact and will have a global focus, which may involve some travel. The role is designed for individuals who are passionate about making a significant impact in the transport and logistics sectors, contributing to the development of effective strategies and solutions that address the needs of clients and stakeholders.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The (Associate) Industry Specialist will have a diverse range of responsibilities, including:

• Upstream-related activities: - Identifying opportunities for advisory services to clients at various stages of project development, including early-stage business development and pipeline creation. - Supporting the development of sector strategies and the creation of new business opportunities. - Advising the Transport and Logistics Policy and Regulation Unit and other investment teams within the WBG on early-stage assessments of investment proposals from technical, managerial, commercial, and development impact perspectives.
• Investment-related activities: - Applying sector knowledge to appraise new investment proposals across various transport and logistics subsectors, including ports, roads, railways, urban transit, airports, transportation logistics & warehousing, shipping and barging, airlines, and electric mobility. - Providing independent assessments of project feasibility, risk, and impact, while supporting senior specialists in appraisals. - Liaising with clients' technical staff, project engineers, consultants, and lenders’ engineers as needed. - Reviewing and analyzing major contracts, including EPC, O&M, and Concession agreements. - Developing market assessments, revenue projections, cost benchmarks, and operational parameters to inform financial models prepared by investment teams. - Drafting Terms of Reference and supervising technical and market consultants as necessary. - Preparing timely project appraisal reports, including risk assessments, mitigation measures, and impact evaluations.
• Portfolio-related activities: - Providing technical supervision of the WBG’s portfolio of transport sector investments, including conducting field inspections as necessary. - Identifying and assisting in resolving operational weaknesses and documenting lessons learned and best practices for future projects.
• Other activities: - Supporting other specialists in their duties when necessary. - Maintaining an active WBG network to provide visibility of WBG activities relevant to the sector and coordinating activities as appropriate. - Keeping updated on sectoral and industry news, trends, technology developments, and cost references. - Developing industry knowledge to share within WBG and with external clients as part of WBG’s knowledge management programs.

Required Qualifications:
The ideal candidate for the (Associate) Industry Specialist position should possess the following qualifications: - A Master’s degree in Civil Engineering, Transport Engineering, or an equivalent technical discipline is required. - A minimum of 5 years of professional experience in the transport or logistics industry, with direct exposure to at least one subsector and broad knowledge of others. - Experience working with or on private sector transport projects is required, preferably in emerging markets. - Demonstrated experience in technical due diligence, project appraisal, feasibility assessment, or technical advisory roles is strongly preferred. - A good understanding of market operations, economics, subsectors, and key players within the transport sector is essential. - Strong oral and written communication skills are required, with fluency in English being mandatory. - The ability to produce clear and concise written inputs for investment reports, management briefings, and knowledge materials in English is crucial. - Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work effectively in multicultural, multidisciplinary teams are necessary. - The ability to travel to and work in emerging market countries is also required.

Educational Background:
Candidates must have a Master’s degree in Civil Engineering, Transport Engineering, or a related technical discipline. This educational background is essential to ensure that the candidate possesses the necessary technical knowledge and skills to effectively evaluate and manage transport and logistics projects.

Experience:
The position requires at least 5 years of professional experience in the transport or logistics industry. Candidates should have direct exposure to at least one subsector within the industry and a broad familiarity with others. Experience working on private sector transport projects, particularly in emerging markets, is highly desirable. Additionally, candidates should have demonstrated experience in technical due diligence, project appraisal, feasibility assessment, or technical advisory roles, which will be critical for the responsibilities of the AIS.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory for this position, as strong oral and written communication skills are essential for producing clear and concise reports and materials. While English is the required language, knowledge of additional languages may be considered a plus, particularly if they are relevant to the regions in which the WBG operates.

Additional Notes:
The position is a full-time role with a term duration of 3 years. It is part of an international recruitment effort, indicating that candidates from various countries are encouraged to apply. The World Bank Group offers a comprehensive benefits package, including a retirement plan, medical, life and disability insurance, and paid leave, including parental leave. The organization is committed to being an equal opportunity and inclusive employer, ensuring that all individuals are treated fairly and without discrimination based on gender, gender identity, religion, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or disability.