Senior Water Specialist, Governance and Regulation

Job #:
req37859

Organization:
World Bank Group

Sector:
Water/Sanitation

Grade:
GG

Term Duration:
3 years 0 months

Recruitment Type:
International Recruitment

Location:
Washington, DC,United States

Required Language(s):
English

Preferred Language(s):
English

Closing Date:
8/21/2026 (MM/DD/YYYY) at 11:59pm UTC

Description

Senior Water Specialist, Governance and Regulation: The Senior Water Specialist, Governance and Regulation, will report to the WBG Manager, Policy and Regulations, who is accountable to the WBG Director, Water.

Key responsibilities:

The Senior Water Specialist, Governance and Regulation, will be responsible for leading on water sector policies, institutions and regulatory (PIR) support to WBG internal and external clients of the WBG Water Global Leadership Team, and being a thought-leader in this space. Specific duties and accountabilities include the following:

1. Provide just-in-time strategic and hands-on advice and guidance on water sector regulatory issues, based on global lessons learned and fit-for-purpose solutions for the respective country/client context, following-through on support to help lead to tangible results for WBG operations.
2. Provide just-in-time strategic and hands-on advice and guidance on appropriate policy and institutional issues, based on global lessons learned and fit-for-purpose solutions for the respective country/client context, following-through on support to help lead to tangible results for WBG operations.
3. Lead and/or contribute to sharp and concise operations-oriented research and analysis to bring the latest knowledge and innovation to our support to clients, collaborating with others, both inside and outside the Water Global Department, to ensure full synergies.
4. Lead and/or contribute to papers on PIR for water, blogs and other communication materials, and contribute to global flagship reports, curate lessons learned and case studies, participating in select conferences and events as agreed with management, and the like.
5. Participate in relevant corporate initiatives and undertake relevant corporate reviews to ensure WBG Global Water contributions reflect the latest and context-appropriate thinking that consider PIR in the water sector.
6. Provide briefings to senior management on complex PIR on an as-needed basis.
7. Be an active participant of the Water Global Department's Leadership Team and specifically the P&R Unit's Leadership Team.
8. Work with management to develop a core team of PIR experts to provide hands-on support to task teams on PIR, within existing budgetary and other parameters.
9. Participate in all relevant activities sponsored by the Global Water Security and Sanitation Partnership to support and inform WBG Water Global partners.
10. Other related tasks.

Selection Criteria
• A Master's degree (Ph.D. preferred) in a relevant field including education, economic development or related social sciences field, with at least 8 years of relevant experience in positions of increasing complexity and responsibility.
• Proven and deep expertise on water sector regulatory issues, with hands-on experience working with or for water sector regulator(s).
• Demonstrated track record developing and providing hands-on advice related to policies, institutions and regulations in the water sector.
• Extensive development experience providing policy advice in WBG client countries.
• Operational experience, ideally through extensive work with a multilateral development bank (MDB) or an international financial institution (IFI).
• Demonstrated experience working on private sector participation in the water sector.
• Demonstrated leadership and people management skills, including experience managing multi-location and virtual teams, and operating effectively with both formal and matrixed authority.
• Strong strategic orientation and ability to prioritize, streamline, and rationalize activities to maximize impact.
• Adaptability, flexibility, and ability to lead teams for success during periods of change.
• Extensive experience working across practices, disciplines, and sectors, and in building partnerships with governments, the private sector, civil society, donors, and research institutions to achieve development results.
• Knowledge and experience in one or more relevant thematic areas is desirable, though strong managerial, coordination, and influencing skills are paramount.
• Excellent communication and representational skills, including proven experience engaging with senior stakeholders, media, and external constituencies.

WBG Culture Attributes:

1. Sense of urgency: Anticipate and quickly respond to the needs of internal and external stakeholders.
2. Thoughtful risk-taking: Challenge the status quo and push boundaries to achieve greater impact.
3. Empowerment and accountability: Empower yourself and others to act and hold each other accountable for results.

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.