Uniquely Human: The Centrality of Humanism in the Future Workforce

tk2My nephew Reuben was born on December 9, 2017. Reuben is a member of generation Alpha, a cohort that is younger than smartphones, cryptocurrency, and synthetic human cells. Reuben was born in Australia only a few short months after Sophia became the first robot citizen of Saudi Arabia. Reuben will take his first steps in a pair of self-tying shoes to walk into a world of self-driving (maybe even flying!?) cars, digital assistants, and augmented reality.

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How much does it cost to create a job?

women-apparel-factoryCreating more and better jobs is central to our work at the World Bank and a shared goal for virtually all countries —developed and developing alike. But oftentimes the policy debate turns to the cost and effectiveness of programs and projects in creating jobs.

As an example, I recently found myself in the middle of a discussion regarding a development project aimed at creating employment:  one of the reviewers objected given that the cost per job created was too high. “More than $20,000 per job,” he said, comparing it to much lower numbers (between $500 and $3,000 per job) usually associated with active labor market programs such as training, job search assistance, wage subsidies, or public works. Continue reading

eC2: Study of Health Financing in the Democratic Republic of Congo

Deadline: 19-Mar-2018 at 11:59:59 PM (Eastern Time – Washington D.C.) medical-appointment-doctor-healthcare-clinic-health-hospital-medicine[7]

Objective:  A la demande du Ministère de la Santé Publique et en coordination avec le Ministère des Finances, une étude sur le financement de la santé en RDC sera menée pour appuyer la mise en œuvre de la stratégie de financement. Cette étude vise à présenter les principaux défis et opportunités de la RDC en matière de mobilisation des ressources, de mise en commun et dachat de services pour la santé, dans une perspective de maximisation de lefficience et dune plus grande équité dans le financement, afin datteindre la couverture de santé universelle. Les résultats de cette étude devront apporter des éléments permettant dappuyer la prise de décision pour la réforme du système de financement de la santé, compte tenu des défis et opportunités identifiés et des perspectives à court et moyen termes.
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eC2: Understanding and Benchmarking Trucking Sector Performance

Deadline: 19-Mar-2018 at 11:59:59 PM (Eastern Time – Washington D.C.) general-transport-mosaic-main

Objective:  The purpose of this assignment is to address the challenge of meaningfully comparing trucking sector performance at the national level: operational (and, by extension, economic/financial) and environmental performance across countries, including low-income, middle-income, high-income, and fragile states, and in so doing define (a) what constitutes “strong” relative to “poor” trucking sector performance in properly segmented trucking markets; (b) what factors influence performance, and through what mechanisms; (c) what kinds of prioritized interventions can shape performance; and (d) how trucking sector performance, and the nature of trucking sector operations, are likely to evolve in the face of potentially disruptive global trends, such as an impending shortage of truck drivers, an eventual transition to electric and/or autonomous commercial vehicles, big data-enabled integration of logistics service provision, more stringent environmental regulations, and more innovative ways for the public and private sectors to partner in the planning, funding, delivery, and regulation of logistics service provision in truck-based supply chains.

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eC2: FEASIBILITY STUDY FOR LAKE TANGANYIKA PORT ACCESS AND SAFETY OF NAVIGATION IMPROVEMENTS UNDER VARYING LAKE LEVELS

Deadline:  15-Mar-2018 at 11:59:59 PM (Eastern Time – Washington D.C.) Website_LakeTanganyika-Locn

Objective:  The main objectives of this assignment are to: (i) Undertake the necessary data collection and charting including bathymetric, geotechnical and hydrodynamic studies, in the defined ports and entrance channels, (ii) Conduct a feasibility study to identify the optimal dredging level for the participating Lake Tanganyika ports and key shipping routes in light of, infrastructure condition, current and future traffic projections, and lake level fluctuations resulting from natural variability and future climatic changes. (iii) Identify the most appropriate dredging and disposal methodology. In addition, should the level of pollution in the material to be dredged represent a significant risk, the consultants should propose appropriate mitigation measures; and (iv) Prepare bid documents, review the draft SESIA and prepare an outline Environmental and Social Impact Assessment and Environmental and Social Management Plan for the dredging, and prepare a contracting strategy agreed with stakeholders for the dredging work to be undertaken.
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eC2: PREPARE A STRATEGIC ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT OF THE LAKE TANGANYIKA TRANSPORT AND SUSTAINABILITY PROGRAM

Deadline:  15-Mar-2018 at 11:59:59 PM (Eastern Time – Washington D.C.) untitled

Objective:  The assignment is intended to be undertaken by a very experienced and high-quality firm (or a consortia), familiar with undertaking assessments of this type, both in the region and internationally. The Consultant will be expected to provide approximately 10-person months of key staff inputs. The estimate of the key person requirements is only indicative and could be construed as skill mix requirements for these services. The contract for this assignment will be a lump sum contract, administered by the World Bank.

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In Senegal, a call to invest in people and the planet

SenegalFor three days this month, the West African nation of Senegal was in the spotlight of global efforts to combat climate change and improve education in a rapidly changing world.

French President Emmanuel Macron and Senegal’s President Macky Sall co-hosted a conference in Dakar to replenish the Global Partnership for Education (GPE) – a funding platform to help low-income countries increase the number of children who are both in school and learning.

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eC2: Improvement of seven solid waste disposal sites in Bosnia and Herzegovina Prefeasibility, Preliminary design and Preliminary environmental and social analysis

Deadline:    19-Mar-2018 at 11:59:59 PM (Eastern Time – Washington D.C.) solid waste

Objective:  The scope of this assignment includes study of seven (7) waste disposal sites in various locations in Bosnia and Herzegovina and provide recommendations on closure, rehabilitation, and upgrade to reduce/ minimize the environmental impact and/or establishment of new landfill capacity. The Consultant should be alert to the difference in the environmental characteristics of the study area in each case and their physical, biological, cultural property and socio-economic conditions.

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Can cryptocurrencies and blockchain help fight corruption?

business-3085138_0Blockchain and cryptocurrencies similar to Bitcoin could transform the way we make payments and do business. They also hold great promise as a method of fighting corruption.

Technological advances have made it possible to dramatically increase the accountability and transparency of public financing to reduce corruption.

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eC2: India, Uttar Pradesh Health Sector Study

Deadline:  07-Mar-2018 at 11:59:59 PM (Eastern Time – Washington D.C.) medical-appointment-doctor-healthcare-clinic-health-hospital-medicine[7]

Objective:  The purpose of the study is to conduct an in-depth qualitative and quantitative assessment of the Uttar Pradesh’s (UP) Health System and identify key gaps and challenges in provisioning, financing and consumption of health services in the state. The report is also expected to provide clear description of the state of the health system in UP, identify challenges faced by the public and private providers and recommend potential areas of private sector participation

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