Health Specialist Job #: req34022 Organization: World Bank Sector: Health/Nutrition/Population Grade: GF Term Duration:ย 4 years 0 months Recruitment Type: International Recruitment Location: Washington, DC,United States Required Language(s): English Preferred Language(s): French Closing Date: 8/28/2025 (MM/DD/YYYY) at 11:59pm UTC
Description
Do you want to build a career that is truly worthwhile? Working at the World Bank Group provides a unique opportunity for you to help our clients solve their greatest development challenges. The World Bank Group is one of the largest sources of funding and knowledge for developing countries; a unique global partnership of five institutions dedicated to ending extreme poverty, increasing shared prosperity and promoting sustainable development. With 189 member countries and more than 120 offices worldwide, we work with public and private sector partners, investing in groundbreaking projects and using data, research, and technology to develop solutions to the most urgent global challenges. For more information, visit www.worldbank.org.
Background/General description
The Pandemic Fund is a collaborative, multi-stakeholder partnership among donor countries, co-investors (countries that are eligible to receive funding from the Pandemic Fund), multilateral development banks (MDBs), other international organizations, philanthropies, foundations and civil society organizations. The Fund finances critical investments to strengthen pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response capacities at national, regional, and global levels, with a focus on low- and middle-income countries.ย
The Pandemic Fund is governed by its Governing Board, supported by a Secretariat that is hosted by the World Bank. The World Bank also serves as the Fundโs Trustee. The Pandemic Fund channels resources to eligible countries/regional bodies through a group of accredited Implementing Entities, including MDBs and other international organizations.ย
The Secretariat is staffed by a dynamic, high-performing team based at the World Bankโs headquarters in Washington, DC. Its work is organized into five workstreams: Governance and Board operations; Grant Operations, Portfolio Management and M&E; Partnerships;ย Communications; and support to the Technical Advisory Panel.ย ย
The Grant Operations, Portfolio Management and M&E team is responsible for designing, developing and rolling out new funding rounds/calls for proposals for the Boardโs approval, in consultation with the Board and its Committees, as well as other partners and stakeholders; supporting the Board in its oversight function of the large and growing portfolio of Pandemic Fund-supported projects, currently 47 projects spanning 75 countries across six geographical regions, including through regular monitoring of projects under implementation, portfolio analysis and reporting; and implementation of relevant Board-approved operational policies and procedures.ย ย
The Secretariat is looking for an energetic, resourceful, and qualified Health Specialist with experience working on global health issues to join the Grant Operations, Portfolio Management and M&E team. The selected candidate will work with Secretariat leadership and other members of the team and in close collaboration with internal and external stakeholders to ensure the timely delivery of high- quality results.ย
Duties and Accountabilities
โข Support the design, development and rollout of the Pandemic Fundโs funding rounds/calls for proposals, including preparation of necessary documents for the Boardโs approval; fielding queries from applicants and running the helpdesk during the application process; screening of proposals once submitted; analysis of recommended proposals; and development of allocation scenarios, as needed, for the Boardโs funding allocation decision.
โข Support the development and maintenance of the online Applications Portal and Project Reporting Portal.
โข Support the implementation of the Pandemic Fundโs Post-Approval Change Policy, by analyzing and assessing project change requests from applicants, as they come in, and advising the Secretariat leadership on next steps.ย
โข Support the implementation of the Pandemic Fundโs Emergency Financing Procedures, as needed.ย
โข Coordinate with Implementing Entities and project counterparts to launch new projects and monitor projects under implementation.
โข Support M&E and learning functions, including through portfolio analysis, preparation of annual portfolio progress reports, regular meetings with Implementing Entities and project partners, and knowledge exchange webinars.ย
โข Contribute to reviews and evaluations of the Pandemic Fund and oversee external consultants, as needed.
โข Provide inputs to support updates to the Operations Manual and Results Framework, as needed.ย ย
โข Foster strong relationships with project teams, Board members, and other partners/stakeholders.ย ย
โข Carry out any other duties, as needed.
Selection Criteria
โข Masterโs degree in public health, or a relevant discipline (Economics, Public policy, International Development, Business Management, or related social sciences field), and a minimum of five (5) years of relevant operational experience working at the intersection of global health and finance at the WBG, or similar experience from other multilateral organizations and/or multi-stakeholder partnership funds.
โข Demonstrated understanding of the global health financing landscape, complementarities among different institutions engaged in this space, and an ability to apply this knowledge to work effectively both within the Bank and across organizational boundaries.
โข Familiarity with WBG operational policies and procedures. Knowledge of the policies and procedures of one or more of the other Implementing Entities would be an added advantage.ย
โข Strong analytical skills, a strategic mindset, and capacity to see the big picture while maintaining a pulse on details.ย
โข Strong integrative thinking and ability to support teams, internally and externally, in developing an integrated point of view around challenges, as they arise. Ability to seek out, collate and synthesize inputs from across sectoral, thematic, and organizational boundaries.
โข Excellent oral and written communications skills. Ability to tailor communication style to meet audience needs and deliver information effectively.
โข Commitment to teamwork and demonstrated willingness to provide help and support to others in a dynamic environment.
โข Strong personal organization skills and a demonstrated ability to take initiative, personal ownership, and accountability to meet deadlines, work under pressure, and achieve agreed-upon results.ย ย
โข Strong interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to work with internal and external partners at all levels, in a multicultural and multinational environment.
โข A โcan doโ mindset, flexibility, reliability, and strong problem-solving skills.ย
WBG Culture Attributes:
1. Sense of Urgency โ Anticipating and quickly reacting to the needs of internal and external stakeholders.
2. Thoughtful Risk Taking โ Taking informed and thoughtful risks and making courageous decisions to push boundaries for greater impact.
3. Empowerment and Accountability โ Engaging with others in an empowered and accountable manner for impactful 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.
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.
Learn more about working at theย World Bankย andย IFC, including our values and inspiring stories.