infoDev/World Bank Y2K Positions

Aaron Hirsch (mailto:Ahirsch@WORLDBANK.ORG)
Mon, 27 Apr 1998 18:20:04 -0400 

Message-ID:  <852565F3.007A4DC7.00@WBLN0014.worldbank.org>
Date:         Mon, 27 Apr 1998 18:20:04 -0400
From: Aaron Hirsch <mailto:Ahirsch@WORLDBANK.ORG>
Subject:      infoDev/World Bank Y2K Positions
To: mailto:DEVEL-L@AMERICAN.EDU


(436.3 7-23-1997))  id 852565F3.007BA96D ; Mon, 27 Apr 1998 18:30:42 -0400
X-Lotus-FromDomain: WORLDBANK


The infoDev program of the World Bank seeks to fill two positions for its
Year 2000 initiative. The positions are for a two-year fixed-term period.
Detailed program and position descriptions are below. To apply, please
submit a resume in electronic format to mailto:infodev@worldbank.org or by fax:
202-522-3186 by May 8, 1998. Due to resource limitations, infoDev may not
be able to respond to all applicants. Final decisions will be made by June
15. Applicants who have not heard from infoDev by then should assume that
the position has been filled. Telephone inquiries are discouraged.


-------------------------  -----  -----  ---------------  ----------------
 The World Bank Group              JOB #   : 9805014
 Job Announcement              Closing Date: 5/8/98
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Position Title   : Coordinator, Y2K Initiative


Dept/Div         : IENIN                     Staffing Officer: Pradhan,
Rajesh
Supervisor's Name: Carlos Braga


NOTE: This assignment is for a two year fixed term period.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------


Language Preference: FRENCH (Desirable)  , SPANISH (Desirable).


Duties :


The Information for Development Program (infoDev) is administered by the
World Bank as a special program in the Energy, Mining and
Telecommunications Department (EMT) in the Finance, Private Sector and
Infrastructure Network.  infoDev promotes the use of information and
communication technologies (ICT) to meet social and economic development
goals.  The program provides grants that encourage innovative applications
of ICT in developing countries, as well as awareness raising initiatives
dealing with ICT for development. infoDev has identified five key areas in
which ICT can play a catalytic role:


· Creating market-friendly environment to accelerate global access to
  information and communication;
· Reducing poverty and exclusion in low-income countries and groups;
· Improving education and health;
· Promoting improved protection of the environment and natural resources;
  and,
· Increasing the efficiency, accountability, and transparency of
  governments.


The infoDev program has begun a major initiative of providing assistance to
developing countries in the context of the Year 2000 (Y2K) problem.  The
Y2K problem arises from the common practice of computer program designers
to store dates as two digits rather than four in computer software and in
the chips, which are at the core of modern information infrastructures.  A
representation of 00, however, may not be interpreted as the year 2000,
causing systems to fail or behave in unpredictable ways.  This is a
significant problem for business and government operations throughout the
world and if left untreated may seriously disrupt government and private
sector operations at all levels.


Principal Responsibilities


The Coordinator, Y2K Initiative, will be responsible for the implementation
of the Y2K initiative under infoDev.  This initiative is being funded with
resources from the Department for International Development from the UK.
It aims to equip developing country officials with awareness of the extent
of the problem, provide materials for planning and management of the
problem, and funds for carefully targeted remediation and testing
activities.  The program includes:


· Development of a ?toolkit? of materials on management of the Y2K problem.
This material will be used as the basis for workshops and seminars, and
disseminated in printed form and by Internet.
· Organization of awareness raising and planning seminars in developing
countries for senior level government officials.
· Technical assistance to selected developing countries for the drafting of
national plans, and for proposal development of infoDev grant applications.
· A program of grants for selected remediation and testing activities on a
highly leveraged basis.


Detailed Responsibilities


The Coordinator, Y2K Initiative, will be responsible for the overall
coordination of the infoDev Y2K initiative, reporting to the infoDev
Program Manager.  This includes:


· Management of the grant for development of the infoDev ?toolkit.?
· Facilitation of a dialogue between recognized Y2K experts and developing
country officials, leading to an evaluation of the preparedness of
developing countries and the selection of candidate countries for seminars.
· Coordination of the workshops and seminars in conjunction with World Bank
resident representatives.
· Implementation of the technical assistance activities.
· Implementation of remediation and testing grants, including:
- Calls for grant applications.
- Design of an application evaluation program.
- Coordination of task managers assigned to the grants.
- Revision of original materials and seminars on the basis of lessons
learned.
· Operate as task manager for grants in selected countries.




Selection Criteria :


a) Graduate degree in a related discipline and a minimum of ten years of
relevant experience.


b) Demonstrated strong skills in the management of complex programs with
several separate activities.


c) Expertise in the field of Y2K problems.


d) Strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to work well with a matrix
organization in a team environment, and to liaise effectively with Bank
staff, donors, and developing country officials.


e) Ability to communicate effectively both in writing and orally, to judge
priorities, and to organize work for timely delivery of output.


f) Experience with World Bank operations and processes (including grant
programs).


g) Knowledge of French or Spanish is desirable, but not essential.








-------------------------  -----  -----  ---------------  -----------------
The World Bank Group           JOB #   : 9805016
    Job Announcement       Closing Date: 5/8/98
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Position Title   : Program Officer, Y2K Initiative


Dept/Div         : IENIN                     Staffing Officer: Pradhan,
Rajesh
Supervisor's Name: Carlos Braga


NOTE: This assignment is for a two year fixed term period.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------


Language Preference: FRENCH (Desirable)  , SPANISH (Desirable).


Duties :


The Information for Development Program (infoDev) is administered by the
World Bank as a special program in the Energy, Mining and
Telecommunications Department (EMT) in the Finance, Private Sector and
Infrastructure Network.  infoDev promotes the use of information and
communication technologies (ICT) to meet social and economic development
goals.  The program provides grants that encourage innovative applications
of ICT in developing countries, as well as awareness raising initiatives
dealing with ICT for development. infoDev has identified five key areas in
which ICT can play a catalytic role:


· Creating market-friendly environment to accelerate global access to
  information and communication;
· Reducing poverty and exclusion in low-income countries and groups;
· Improving education and health;
· Promoting improved protection of the environment and natural resources;
  and,
· Increasing the efficiency, accountability, and transparency of
  governments.


The infoDev program has begun a major initiative of providing assistance
to developing countries in the context of the Year 2000 (Y2K) problem.  The
Y2K problem arises from the common practice of computer program designers
to store dates as two digits rather than four in computer software and in
the chips, which are at the core of modern information infrastructures.  A
representation of 00, however, may not be interpreted as the year 2000,
causing systems to fail or behave in unpredictable ways.  This is a
significant problem for business and government operations throughout the
world and if left untreated may seriously disrupt government and private
sector operations at all levels.


Principal Responsibilities


The Program Officer, Y2K Initiative, will assist the Coordinator, Y2K
Initiative, in management of the Y2K activities for infoDev. The Y2K
initiative is being funded with resources from the Department for
International Development from the UK.  It aims to equip developing country
officials with awareness of the extent of the problem, provide materials
for planning and management of the problem, and funds for carefully
targeted remediation and testing activities.  The program includes:


· Development of a ?toolkit? of materials on management of the Y2K problem.
This material will be used as the basis for workshops and seminars, and
disseminated in printed form and by Internet.
· Organization of awareness raising and planning seminars in developing
countries for senior level government officials.
· Technical assistance to selected developing countries for the drafting of
national plans, and for proposal development of infoDev grant applications.
· A program of grants for selected remediation activities on a highly
leveraged basis.


Detailed Responsibilities


The Program Officer will be responsible for the day to day operation of the
infoDev Y2K program, reporting to the Coordinator, Y2K Initiative.  This
includes:


· Monitoring of the performance of the grantee preparing the infoDev
?toolkit.?
· Provide back-up support for use of the infoDev toolkit, including
management of the Y2K help desk on the infoDev website.
· Assist in organizing dialogue between recognized Y2K experts and
developing country officials.
· Provide Bank office support to organizers of the workshops and seminars,
including coordination with World Bank resident missions in countries where
workshops will be held.
· Logistic support for technical assistance and grant programs for Y2K
activities, including:
- Processing of requests for technical assistance support.
- Dissemination of calls for grant applications for remedial work and
testing.
- Evaluation of proposals and coordination of peer-reviewers.
- Coordination of a grant monitoring program through use of task managers.
- Revision of background materials and seminars and preparation of reports
on lessons learned.




Selection Criteria :


a) Undergraduate degree in a related discipline with at least five years of
relevant experience.


b) Experience in computer technology in the field of Y2K problems, and the
management of web pages.


c) Strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to work well with a matrix
organization in a team environment, and to liaise effectively with Bank
staff, donors, and developing country officials.


d) Ability to communicate effectively both in writing and orally, to judge
priorities, and to organize work for timely delivery of output.


e) Experience with World Bank operations and processes (including grant
programs).


f) Knowledge of French or Spanish is desirable, but not essential.