World Bank Group
Senior Industry Specialist - Water
World Bank Group, Washington, District of Columbia, us, 20022
Senior Industry Specialist – Water
Job #:
req35256 Organization:
IFC Sector:
Water/Sanitation Grade:
GG Term Duration:
3 years 0 months Recruitment Type:
International Recruitment Location:
Washington, DC, United States Required Language:
English Preferred Languages:
Spanish, Portuguese, French Closing Date:
1/18/2026 at 11:59pm UTC
Build a career with impact. Working at the World Bank Group (WBG) provides a unique opportunity to help countries solve their greatest development challenges. As the IFC is a member of the WBG, it is the largest global development institution focused on the private sector in emerging markets. This role is based in Washington, DC, has a global focus, and will require international travel.
Duties and Accountabilities
Work with IFC Investment teams to analyze potential investments (equity or debt) in the water sector and support the Water Strategy of the World Bank Group, providing initial Go/No‑go views on prospects, including new technology areas.
Lead sector and technical due diligence and prepare detailed reports to be presented to the Investment Committee, reviewing client project management, costs, contingencies, staffing, market, regulatory views, contracts, concession agreements, and other technical documents.
Provide technical and business input at all stages of the project cycle—from business development and screening through appraisal, processing, and portfolio supervision—to support sound, impactful, and well‑performing investments.
Support investment teams in project screening, appraisals, and portfolio supervision, including site visits as necessary to assess technical, business, and operational performance.
Conduct business development trips, represent IFC and the WBG at conferences, develop senior‑level relationships, and identify new clients and emerging market opportunities.
Provide advisory services to water utility clients (e.g., Non‑Revenue Water reduction, sludge management, climate adaptation) and design, evaluate, and implement advisory engagements.
Liaise with clients, consultants, and co‑investors; prepare terms of reference and supervise consulting studies.
Lead the development of technical content for IFC and WB knowledge platforms, benchmark costs, and develop high‑level tools for preparing estimates.
Selection Criteria
A Master’s degree and at least 20 years of relevant experience with a water utility and/or in the water engineering and/or construction sector.
A professional qualification relevant to the water sector such as a Professional Engineer.
Extensive experience working with, or being part of, water utility senior management (C‑Suite) with a proven track record of operational improvements.
Experience managing and leading small technical teams.
Extensive delivery of water projects in emerging markets.
Experience drafting terms of reference for consultants and managing consultant work.
Sound business judgment to identify the strengths and weaknesses of projects.
Strong analytical, verbal, and written communication skills.
Experience in emerging markets and willingness and ability to travel extensively internationally.
Excellent communication skills in oral and written English.
Good IT skills and proficiency in the Microsoft Office suite.
Desired Criteria
Familiarity with recent developments and technologies in the water and sanitation sector.
Understanding of construction, operations, PPPs, and performance‑based contracting.
Ability to evaluate capital and operational cost parameters for different technologies.
Knowledge of industry benchmarks and best practices for evaluating operational efficiencies.
Proficiency in additional languages (including, but not limited to, Spanish, Portuguese, and French) is an advantage.
A postgraduate degree in a water‑related field and/or business is an advantage.
WBG Culture Attributes
Sense of urgency: anticipate and quickly respond to the needs of stakeholders.
Thoughtful risk‑taking: challenge the status quo and push boundaries to achieve greater impact.
Empowerment and accountability: empower yourself and others to act and hold each other accountable for results.
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.
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.
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req35256 Organization:
IFC Sector:
Water/Sanitation Grade:
GG Term Duration:
3 years 0 months Recruitment Type:
International Recruitment Location:
Washington, DC, United States Required Language:
English Preferred Languages:
Spanish, Portuguese, French Closing Date:
1/18/2026 at 11:59pm UTC
Build a career with impact. Working at the World Bank Group (WBG) provides a unique opportunity to help countries solve their greatest development challenges. As the IFC is a member of the WBG, it is the largest global development institution focused on the private sector in emerging markets. This role is based in Washington, DC, has a global focus, and will require international travel.
Duties and Accountabilities
Work with IFC Investment teams to analyze potential investments (equity or debt) in the water sector and support the Water Strategy of the World Bank Group, providing initial Go/No‑go views on prospects, including new technology areas.
Lead sector and technical due diligence and prepare detailed reports to be presented to the Investment Committee, reviewing client project management, costs, contingencies, staffing, market, regulatory views, contracts, concession agreements, and other technical documents.
Provide technical and business input at all stages of the project cycle—from business development and screening through appraisal, processing, and portfolio supervision—to support sound, impactful, and well‑performing investments.
Support investment teams in project screening, appraisals, and portfolio supervision, including site visits as necessary to assess technical, business, and operational performance.
Conduct business development trips, represent IFC and the WBG at conferences, develop senior‑level relationships, and identify new clients and emerging market opportunities.
Provide advisory services to water utility clients (e.g., Non‑Revenue Water reduction, sludge management, climate adaptation) and design, evaluate, and implement advisory engagements.
Liaise with clients, consultants, and co‑investors; prepare terms of reference and supervise consulting studies.
Lead the development of technical content for IFC and WB knowledge platforms, benchmark costs, and develop high‑level tools for preparing estimates.
Selection Criteria
A Master’s degree and at least 20 years of relevant experience with a water utility and/or in the water engineering and/or construction sector.
A professional qualification relevant to the water sector such as a Professional Engineer.
Extensive experience working with, or being part of, water utility senior management (C‑Suite) with a proven track record of operational improvements.
Experience managing and leading small technical teams.
Extensive delivery of water projects in emerging markets.
Experience drafting terms of reference for consultants and managing consultant work.
Sound business judgment to identify the strengths and weaknesses of projects.
Strong analytical, verbal, and written communication skills.
Experience in emerging markets and willingness and ability to travel extensively internationally.
Excellent communication skills in oral and written English.
Good IT skills and proficiency in the Microsoft Office suite.
Desired Criteria
Familiarity with recent developments and technologies in the water and sanitation sector.
Understanding of construction, operations, PPPs, and performance‑based contracting.
Ability to evaluate capital and operational cost parameters for different technologies.
Knowledge of industry benchmarks and best practices for evaluating operational efficiencies.
Proficiency in additional languages (including, but not limited to, Spanish, Portuguese, and French) is an advantage.
A postgraduate degree in a water‑related field and/or business is an advantage.
WBG Culture Attributes
Sense of urgency: anticipate and quickly respond to the needs of stakeholders.
Thoughtful risk‑taking: challenge the status quo and push boundaries to achieve greater impact.
Empowerment and accountability: empower yourself and others to act and hold each other accountable for results.
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.
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.
#J-18808-Ljbffr