Senior Fisheries Specialist

Description

At the World Bank, a member of the World Bank Group (WBG), you'll join a diverse, global community working across cultures, disciplines, and borders to address the world's most pressing development challenges. With 1.2 billion young people reaching working age in the decade ahead, the challenge of job creation has never been greater. Through partnerships across 145 countries and more than 182 offices worldwide, we work with governments, private sector, development partners and other stakeholders to invest in people, strengthen markets, and deliver scalable, data-driven solutions that generate more and better jobs and improve lives. For more information, visit https://www.worldbank.org/en/who-we-are/ibrd.

The South Asia Region comprises six countries (Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal and Sri Lanka) that range in size from India (with a population of over 1 billion) to Maldives (with 0.3 million people). The region has experienced a long period of robust economic growth, averaging 6% a year over the past 20 years. It was the second-fastest growing region in the world in the aftermath of the global crisis. This strong growth has translated into declining poverty and impressive improvements in human development. The percentage of people living below the poverty line fell in South Asia from 56% to 16% between 1981 and 2013. Still, the region remains home to a third of the world's poorest, with 216 million people living below $1.9/day. See https://www.worldbank.org/en/region/sar.

Position Overview

This position is based in Colombo, Sri Lanka and focuses on fisheries management and value chain development. The candidate is expected to work across several countries in the South Asia Region.

The Senior Fisheries Specialist will report to the ENV Practice Manager for the South Asia Region (SAR).

Internationally recruited staff are remunerated on an international pay scale and are expected to move to assignments in different regions approximately every five years. The Senior Environmental Specialist will report to Environment Manager for South Asia/SSAE1.

Duties and Responsibilities

Working in close collaboration with other colleagues from ENV and other units, the Senior Fisheries Specialist's responsibilities will be to serve as the focal point for fisheries programming and dialogue across SAR, contributing to the design and implementation of the operational and analytical work program for Agri-Connect, tourism and private capital mobilization activities. They will work according to an annual work plan, adjusted periodically as necessary.

The Senior Fisheries Specialist's responsibilities will include the following:

Investment Programs and Capital Mobilization

• Lead/contribute to preparation and implementation of investment programs involving fisheries dimensions supported with grant or IBRD/IDA resources led by ENV, other departments and/or across the WBG.
• Work with IFC, FCI and external finance organizations to mobilize commercial capital for fisheries value chain interventions, fisheries management, habitat protection/management.

Policy, Strategy and Client Engagement

• Advise on policy, regulatory and institutional issues to improve management of, revenues from, and job creation associated with fisheries, coastal/aquatic/marine ecosystem management, and tourism.
• Lead/contribute to development and implementation of South Asia Agriconnect and tourism strategies as it relates to fisheries. This includes issues related to capture fisheries, aquaculture, and non-consumptive uses (including for nature-based tourism), habitat conservation and management and associated private capital mobilization. Provide inputs on country and sectoral briefs, policy notes, strategy documents, etc.
• Establish close working relationships with key clients, and develop and deliver technical assistance, knowledge and financing solutions that align with their development priorities related to fisheries, natural resources and blue economy.
• Proactively liaise with WBG units, development partners and other stakeholders and seek opportunities to strengthen alignment across lending and technical assistance activities.

Technical Leadership and Work Program Support

• Provide strategic and technical leadership of analytical and advisory activities related to fisheries and blue economy topics. Serve as a technical focal point for issues related to aquatic and coastal ecosystems and value chains. Contribute to policy dialogue and resource mobilization on related topics.
• Support the Practice Manager in ensuring portfolio/pipeline quality, and overall work program implementation.
• Work closely with the CMU, including participating in CMU Sri Lanka Leadership Team meetings, coordinating closely with other ENV staff.
• Work closely with local and junior staff, providing mentoring and coaching support.
• Support the Unit's work program across SAR as needed and as will be agreed as part of the work program.

CRITICAL NOTE

This internal requisition is open to WBG and IMF staff only (including short-term and extended term consultants/temporaries). External candidates are requested not to apply. In case an external candidate applies, their application will not be considered.

Selection Criteria

• An Advanced degree (Master's or PhD) in fisheries management, science, economics, or policy is required.
• At least 8 years of full-time relevant professional practical experience in projects and policy dialogue related to fisheries management is required.
• Acknowledged technical and thought leadership on management and conservation of fisheries stocks and habitats, fisheries value chain development and financing is required.
• Demonstrated experience working with commercial capital mobilization.
• Proven track record of leading preparation and implementation support for IPF is required. Preference for experience with PforR and DPO lending operations.
• Demonstrated ability to lead high-quality policy-relevant analytical tasks linked to country development priorities and economic impacts and translate analytics into policy and operationally relevant actions.
• Demonstrated experience in leading strategic engagement and policy dialogue with multidisciplinary/cross-WBG teams, and senior-level government, private sector, NGOs, international organizations, and/or development partners.
• Strong results orientation, with ability to follow up multiple work-streams simultaneously working under tight timelines.
• Ability to communicate ideas clearly and confidently, articulate issues and recommend solutions.
• Excellent interpersonal and team leadership skills and ability to easily interact with people of diverse backgrounds and seniority inside and outside the World Bank, including clients and partners.
• Excellent writing and communication skills in English.
• Experience working in developing countries required.

Valued Candidate Attributes

As the World Bank Group continues to evolve, we value candidates who:

• Demonstrate the ability to collaborate effectively across teams, disciplines, cultures, and institutional boundaries.
• Responsibly leverage digital and AI-enabled tools to enhance productivity, learning, and decision-making.
• Bring experience working in fragile, conflict-affected, and violent (FCV) contexts and are encouraged to highlight relevant experience in their application materials, where applicable.

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

Benefits

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.

Equal Opportunity Statement

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.

Deadline: 10/26/2026 at 11:59pm UTC.