Job: Financial Sector Specialist

Location: Phnom Penh, CambodiaDeadline: Tuesday, 23 July 2013

Description

Background / General description:

The East Asia and Pacific (EAP) region is one of the most vibrant economic regions in the world. The region has made more progress in terms of growth and poverty reduction than any region around the world in the last fifteen years, with some countries poised to become middle-income and others preparing to join the small group of high-income countries. Such rapid transformation is leading to the largest shift in rural-to-urban population in human history. The global economic crisis now threatens these gains and countries across the region are forced to address the consequences for macroeconomic stability, rising unemployment and income inequalities, and the reemergence of poverty. The crisis has also led a number of countries to rethink their development strategies away from a largely export-driven basis towards one of higher value added services and innovation. The broadening and deepening of financial systems and the emergence of a dynamic private sector across the EAP region has facilitated rapid economic change. However, the reform process is still incomplete and in many countries there is still a legacy of heavy state ownership in the economies.

The East Asia and Pacific Financial and Private Sector Development Department (EASFP) is responsible for the World Bank's work in financial and private sector development within the region. The Department works to help the countries of the region achieve sustained growth and poverty reduction through developing sound and well-functioning financial systems, improving the investment climate, and promoting more dynamic private sectors. The Department is highly decentralized with about half of the staff working from country offices. EASFP currently has an active program, including lending and technical assistance with sector issues ranging from bank restructuring, financial sector supervisory capacity building, regulatory reform, and capital markets development, to corporate governance, and the promotion of innovation.

In Cambodia, EASFP is building a work program that consists of a number of activities, including technical assistance on the financial sector legal and regulatory framework, financial crisis management, accounting and auditing for banks, and financial and private sector development monitoring and dialogue. The work program is growing rapidly and requires the addition of a dynamic team member in Phnom Penh.

Note: If the selected candidate is a current Bank Group staff member with a Regular or Open-Ended appointment, s/he will retain his/her Regular or Open-Ended appointment. All others will be offered a 2 year term appointment.

Duties and Accountabilities:

• Actively engage as part of the financial and private sector development (FPD) team responsible for the preparation, appraisal, and supervision of lending operations and economic and sector work, and country strategies.
• Assist and lead project management, as well as project development, and provide support for technical assistance projects.
• Contribute as full member of visiting missions (visits by Washington and regional World Bank missions, as well as technical assistance providers and consultants) to World Bank activities including following up on data needs, and post missions activities.
• Monitor market developments, update standard financial and private sector data, and undertake research and analysis of the financial and private sectors in client countries.
• Draft inputs to studies, reports, and presentations based on independent research and analysis.
• Provide support for financial sector Donor Co-ordination, including organizing donor meetings.
• Provide operational input to Country Teams and, as requested by the Country Sector Coordinator or the Country Manager, advise client governments on financial and private sector policy issues.

Selection Criteria:

• Advanced degree in business, economics, financial economics, or related discipline.
• Minimum of 5 years relevant experience in Cambodia, including in conducting research and analysis of financial and private sector issues.
• Solid understanding of financial sector development and/or private sector development issues.
• Ability to interpret and present statistical information.
• Ability to work flexibly on a range of assignments, and adjust to and prioritize a variety of complex evolving tasks.
• Proven ability to work in a multi-disciplinary environment, with excellent teamwork and diplomatic skills.
• Proven ability to work effectively with government officials in Cambodia, and/or with representatives of bilateral international agencies, and/or representatives of the civil society and in teams with colleagues.
• Practical experience in supporting teams, including in arranging meetings and conferences.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Fluency in the Khmer language and good proficiency in English language.
• Ability to travel domestic and overseas

More Info and Application