Job Description
WBG Explorer
Job #:
req37467
Organization:
World Bank
Sector:
Water/Sanitation
Grade:
UC
Term Duration: 2 years 0 months
Recruitment Type:
Local Recruitment
Location:
Panama City,Panama
Required Language(s):
English
Preferred Language(s):
Closing Date:
8/17/2026 (MM/DD/YYYY) at 11:59pm UTC
Established in 1944, the World Bank Group (WBG) is a leading source of financing and knowledge for developing countries. Through five institutions—IBRD and IDA (the World Bank), IFC, MIGA, and ICSID—the WBG partners with the public and private sectors to advance sustainable development. Its mission is to end extreme poverty and boost shared prosperity on a livable planet by supporting inclusive growth, investing in people, building resilient infrastructure, strengthening institutions, and addressing key global challenges, including jobs creation and mobilizing private financing to scale impact.
Water Forward is the WBG’s water initiative to turn water from a source of risk into a driver of jobs, growth, and resilience by scaling action on water security. It convenes governments, development partners, the private sector, and philanthropies to align financing, policy reform, and delivery support. A key instrument is the country-led Water Compact, which sets time-bound priorities for reforms and investments to strengthen institutions, improve service performance and financial sustainability, and accelerate implementation of bankable programs, with the aim of improving water security at scale by 2030.
The Water Global Practice (Water GP) supports governments at regional, national, and sub-national levels by integrating knowledge, financing, policy dialogue, and partnerships to address water security, irrigation, water supply and sanitation, water resources, and hydropower. The Water GP manages a portfolio of about US$ 21.3 billion, plus US$ 7.1 billion of water operations managed by other practices. The Water GP unit in Latin America is strengthening field-based capacity in Central America and Mexico to support a growing portfolio on water security, sustainable irrigation, and safely managed water services and sanitation, including sector reforms and strengthened institutions.
The World Bank’s Central America and Mexico Water Program helps countries strengthen water resources management, water supply and sanitation, and irrigation through investment financing, technical assistance, and policy and analytical work. The portfolio in Central America and Mexico since currently comprises over US$260 million across four lending operations in Honduras and El Salvador — collectively aimed at improving water services delivery, reducing non-revenue water, scaling up climate-resilient water storage infrastructure, and strengthening sector governance and utility sustainability. These efforts are complemented by a regional analytical and advisory services supporting sector reforms across Central America. In Mexico, the engagement addresses critical water security and irrigation needs, improving the reliability of bulk water supply systems for one of Latin America's most water-stressed regions. Going forward, the engagement will support Water Forward by advancing country-led reforms and investments to unlock more productive irrigation and utility turnaround to build water security and climate resilience in this region.
Duties and Responsibilities
The Water Analyst will support the World Bank’s lending and knowledge program in Mexico and Central America, with a focus on regional initiatives and country engagements on water security, water resources management, sustainable irrigation, efficient water supply and sanitation delivery, and climate resilience. The role will help advance the WBG’s Water Forward Initiative through operational and analytical support to task teams and clients.
Key duties include:
• Support task teams to prepare and roll out country Water Forward Action Plans, including coordinating and consolidating inputs and exchanges; conducting desk reviews and synthesizing strategies, policies, plans, and data; preparing brief notes, summaries, and presentations; supporting document quality review; and maintaining internal repositories (SharePoint/Teams/shared folders) and concise progress updates.
• Provide planning, coordination, and implementation support for ongoing and pipeline water projects and sector dialogue, including day-to-day follow-up with clients and partners.
• Support regional engagements by liaising with regional agencies, organizing joint knowledge activities, and assisting in the development and roll-out of regional programs.
• Contribute to knowledge products through data collection/processing, research and analysis, and preparation of inputs to reports and presentations.
• Participate in missions and support coordination with IFC, MIGA, Country Management Units, and other sectors to ensure timely follow-up on agreed actions.
• Assist with mobilizing and implementing trust-funded activities (including procurement/contracting) and support trust fund budget monitoring.
• Plan and organize workshops, study tours, and other learning and knowledge events.
• Draft terms of reference for consultants, support selection and contracting processes, and help manage consultants and related budgets.
• Provide additional operational and administrative support to task team leaders (TTLs) as needed.
Selection Criteria
• Bachelor’s degree required; a degree in a field relevant to water resources management and/or water supply and sanitation (e.g., civil or environmental engineering, water resources/environmental management, or related fields) is an advantage.
• Demonstrated interest in development work and making an impact, with a self-driven approach, sense of urgency, innovation, and strong intellectual curiosity. Strong analytical, writing, and editing skills, with the ability to convey complex ideas clearly and creatively.
• Ability to prioritize, work under pressure, and manage multiple tasks within tight deadlines.
• Strong teamwork orientation, good interpersonal skills, and a positive attitude.
• International mobility without restrictions
• Proficiency in English.
• Knowledge or experience in water security, water in agriculture, drought and flood management, and/or climate change is an advantage.
• Experience supporting the coordination, planning, or implementation of multidisciplinary activities or projects related to water management, water supply and sanitation, drought and flood management, and/or climate resilience is an advantage.
• Field experience in the Central America and Mexico is an advantage.
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.
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 the World Bank and IFC including our values and inspiring stories.
