Senior Urban Development Specialist

Job Posting Organization:
The World Bank, a member of the World Bank Group (WBG), is a global organization dedicated to addressing the world's most pressing development challenges. Established to foster economic development and reduce poverty, the World Bank operates in 145 countries with over 182 offices worldwide. The organization focuses on investing in people, strengthening markets, and delivering scalable, data-driven solutions that generate jobs and improve lives. The World Bank is committed to building partnerships with governments, the private sector, and development partners to achieve sustainable development goals.

Job Overview:
The Senior Urban Development Specialist position at the World Bank involves supporting the development and implementation of urban programs across India, particularly focusing on cities, sub-sovereign finance, tourism, and resilience. The role requires a deep understanding of urban development challenges and opportunities, especially in the context of India's rapid urbanization and economic transformation. The specialist will engage with national and state governments, lead policy dialogues, and contribute to the design and implementation of lending operations and advisory services. The position emphasizes the importance of integrating public and private financing solutions to enhance urban infrastructure and services, thereby improving access to jobs and high-quality urban services. The specialist will also be responsible for developing knowledge products and best practices that connect Indian clients with global experiences, ensuring that the urban unit's activities align with the broader objectives of the Country Partnership Framework (CPF) for India.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Senior Urban Development Specialist will have a range of responsibilities, including leading policy dialogue and coordination with national and state governments on urban, resilience, land, housing, tourism, municipal development, and finance agendas. The specialist will design and implement lending operations and advisory services, focusing on private capital mobilization and public-private partnerships (PPPs). They will provide technical leadership on complex policy and implementation issues, develop urban development proposals, and contribute to strategic analytical products. Additionally, the specialist will manage and supervise consultants and technical specialists, ensuring that their analyses inform high-quality client recommendations. The role also involves contributing to professional development and knowledge sharing within the India program and the Global Practice.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates for the Senior Urban Development Specialist position must possess an advanced degree in fields such as engineering, urban planning, economics, finance, or urban development, along with at least 12 years of relevant experience. Alternatively, an equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered. Applicants should have deep experience across the urban agenda, including local government, municipal services, urban development and finance, and tourism, with a proven track record in structuring or negotiating private-sector and PPP transactions. Strong knowledge of India's urban, resilience, and land policy agenda is essential, as is the ability to lead independent policy dialogue with various stakeholders.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes an advanced degree in relevant fields such as engineering, urban planning, economics, finance, or urban development. This educational foundation is crucial for understanding the complexities of urban development and the associated policy frameworks.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 12 years of relevant experience in urban development, with a focus on local government, municipal services, and finance. Candidates should have demonstrated experience leading or co-leading complex operations and delivering analytical and research work that meets client demands. Experience in fragile, conflict-affected, and violent contexts is also valued and should be highlighted in the application.

Languages:
The mandatory language for this position is English, with a strong command of both written and spoken English required. While no additional languages are specified as preferred, proficiency in other languages may be beneficial in the context of working with diverse stakeholders.

Additional Notes:
This position is classified as an Open-Ended Staff (OPEN-OP) role, indicating that it is a permanent position. The recruitment type is local, meaning that candidates should ideally be based in India. 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 candidates regardless of gender, identity, religion, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or disability.