Senior Social Protection Specialist-Senior Economist

About this role

The role is for a Senior Social Protection Specialist within the World Bank's Social Policy Global Practice in Nigeria, based in Abuja. The position involves leading and supporting policy dialogue and a range of operational, analytical, and advisory tasks related to Nigeria's social protection and labour agenda. It requires coordinating with government ministries, development partners, and other stakeholders, and may include team leadership, cross‑functional collaboration, and missions to provide implementation support and guidance. The employer focuses on poverty reduction through inclusive, sustainable development and works with multiple World Bank Group entities and partners. The role emphasizes technical expertise in social protection, adaptive and shock‑responsive systems, and human capital investments, with a strong emphasis on delivering results and maintaining client relationships.

What you would do

• Lead or co‑lead social policy tasks in Nigeria.
• Contribute to and lead policy dialogue with federal and state level institutions and project units.
• Support current and future social policy operations and analytical work in various roles.
• Collaborate across Health, Education and other units to promote human capital investments.
• Participate in missions to provide implementation support and guidance.
• Develop reports and evaluations on World Bank operations as relevant.
• Strengthen client and donor engagement through coordination with NGOs and government counterparts.
• Coordinate with financial management, procurement, environmental and social teams on project delivery.
• Prepare analytical pieces and technical reports on ongoing and pipeline projects.
• Engage with stakeholders including UN agencies and NGOs to strengthen social protection systems.

What they are asking for

• Graduate degree (master’s level) in economics, social policy or related field.
• At least eight years of relevant experience in social protection and labour or related sectors.
• Experience with social assistance operations and adaptive, shock-responsive social protection.
• Experience in large-scale development operations (lending or analytical).
• Experience with World Bank operations is an advantage.
• Strong analytical, technical, and operational skills for supporting government systems.
• Ability to develop advisory material and policy notes; evidence-based problem solving.
• Ability to lead teams and manage diverse stakeholder interests.
• Excellent interpersonal and intercultural communication skills; ability to work with minimal supervision.
• Willingness to travel to remote areas in Nigeria.

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