Extended Term Consultant, Accra, Ghana 262 views0 applications

Established in 1944, the WBG is one of the world’s largest sources of funding and knowledge for development solutions. In fiscal year 2018, the WBG committed $67 billion in loans, grants, equity investments and guarantees to its members and private businesses, of which $24 billion was concessional finance to its poorest members. It is governed by 188-member countries and delivers services out of 120 offices with nearly 15,000 staff located globally. The WBG consists of five specialized institutions: the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD), the International Development Association (IDA), the International Finance Corporation (IFC), the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA), and the International Centre for the Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID). The World Bank is organized into six client-facing Regional Vice-Presidencies, several corporate functions and thirteen Global Practices to bring best-in-class knowledge and solutions to regional and country clients.

Ghana attained lower middle-income (LMIC) status in 2010. The country’s economy is fast transforming from being predominantly agrarian. The services sector is now the main contributor to GDP at 46.3%. Industry has also overtaken the agricultural sector as the second largest contributor to GDP at 34% as of 2018. The agricultural sector’s contribution is 19.7%, representing a significant decline from 31.2% in 2005. Ghana has a weak human development index at 0.44 ranking 116 in the world. Twenty-four (24) percent of 15-year-old children do not survive to age of 60 which is the lowest quartile. The current life expectancy at birth is 67 years. The high proportion of under 14 years population results in a high dependency ratio of 72.2% – 66.2% for youth and 6% for the elderly. As of 2014, Ghana’s birth rate is 31.4 /1,000 population, a death rate of

• 37/1,000 population and an immigration rate of
• 13 migrant(s)/1,000 population (GSS, 2016, 2019). While the fertility rate in Ghana has been steadily decreasing, it remains relatively high between rates of
• 9-4.4 live births per woman aged between 14-49 as of 2017. A significant proportion, 34%, of children aged 5-14 years are engaged in some form of child labour. The general health sector performance is rated higher than that of developing countries but week for a middle-income country. Access to basic public health services, though still relatively low, has seen improvements. The World Bank provides technical advisory services to government in health financing and systems strengthening. It also has a lending operation through its Health Population and Nutrition (HNP) Global Practice to finance Maternal, Child Health and Nutrition Implementation Project. The Project Development Objectives is ‘to improve utilization of community-based health and nutrition services by women of reproductive age, especially pregnant women, and children under the age of 2 years’. In 2019 Ghana became eligible to receive financing from the Global Financing Facility (GFF). The GFF aims to accelerate efforts to end preventable maternal, newborn, child and adolescent deaths and improve the health and quality of life of women, adolescents and children. This is an excellent opportunity to align government priorities and leverage additional financing health sector development in Ghana. The WBG is seeking a Health Specialist/Economist with an Extended Term Contract to support the Ghana HNP portfolio.

Duties and Accountabilities: The E T Consultant will contribute to the overall objective by ensuring that the WBG supported HNP tasks in Ghana are well implemented and monitored. The E T Consultant is expected to carry out the following functions:

Provide technical assistance to the WBG and GFF supported HNP projects, both operational and analytical, including identifying opportunities for coherence, synergy, and added value. Prepare and submit recommendations on project implementation plans to strengthen the design, timeliness, alignment and targeting of delivered actions. Support the government in tracking the results achieved by the WBG supported HNP projects. Support the implementation of all activities related to the GFF Provide guidance to the WBG sectoral or multisectoral task teams in preparation and supervision of lending operations and technical assistance tasks. Help ensure close coordination and engagement with the Government of Ghana; a variety of international and local development partners; the WBG Country Management Unit and relevant task teams. Support policy dialogue with the Ministry of Health and other relevant sectors, and represent the WBG in national platforms, including various Health Sector Development Working Groups.

Selection Criteria

Doctorate degree or master’s degree with sound experience in health policy, public health, health economics, or related discipline. A minimum of 5 years of relevant professional experience. Ability to perform professional level analyses with specific reference to reproductive, maternal, adolescent and child health and nutrition issues in Ghana. Ability to work with a range of stakeholders including development partners and engage effectively with senior government officials. Ability to function well independently and handle multiple tasks, meet changing priorities and deliver high-quality analysis and work on-time.

Note: The selected candidate will be offered a one-year appointment, renewable for an additional one year, at the discretion of the World Bank Group, and subject to a lifetime maximum ET Appointment of two years. If an ET appointment ends before a full year, it is considered as a full year toward the lifetime maximum. Former and current ET staff who have completed all or any portion of their second-year ET appointment are not eligible for future ET appointments.

Poverty has no borders. Neither does excellence. This is why we continually search for qualified individuals with diverse backgrounds from around the globe. 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.