Joining SEP: For Partner Staff

	How to establish a SEP Partnership
	How participants and assignments are identified and selected
	The Secondment Program

The SEP Office establishes and maintains all staff exchange partnerships. Potential partners must demonstrate how the partnership will meet the World Bank Group's and their own:

• business strategy
• partnership strategy
• skill development needs

In this context, considerations may include:

• whether an organization is working in global development
• whether the partnership will contribute to the overall capacity building objectives of the Bank Group
• whether the exchange will benefit the partner organization
• whether mutual objectives, benefits and measurable outcomes are clear

The organization indicating a formal request of becoming a partner of the World Bank Group's SEP should meet the above conditions. A review of the formal request, along with the Terms of Reference, will then be conducted by the SEP Office and appropriate Sector Board or Management Group.

The Terms of Reference should include (a) the context and background of the assignment, (b) duration and location, (c) detailed description and expectations of the work program, (d) clear description of the mutual benefits to be gained by the partner organization, the WBG and the staff member and (e) measurable outcomes for the three parties to the partnerships.

To see if your organization is already participating, check the SEP Membership Directory.

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After there is an agreement to establish a partnership and designate an assignment, participants are sought. There are several ways for selecting a SEP participant.

For Incoming SEP Participants, these include:

Individuals are nominated by their organizations. They should have strong performance records and will use the SEP as part of a defined career plan within their institutions.

• The SEP Office solicits potential hiring units for the nominated candidates, or
• A working relationship is already established between a partner and a World Bank Group unit. The partner and the hiring unit may review together the nominees and keep the SEP Office informed.

Using the Terms of Reference, nominees are interviewed and selected by the hiring unit.

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• The Secondment Program is an alternative in cases where a partnership or an assignment does not fully meet the SEP requirements. Secondments are typically a shorter assignment or assignments that are of interest to participating unit but which might not fully meet the overall corporate objectives of the Bank.
• Contrary to the SEP, Secondment appointments may lead to a more permanent employment at the WBG, subject to the written authorization of the sending organization.
• The Partnership Programs office handles the administrative process, but negotiations with the partner are handled by the hiring unit or the country office.

Criteria

• The full-time appointment of an official of a member country, regional agency, development bank, international organization, or private enterprise to the Bank Group, to receive or use experience and contribute to the Bank's work program.
• The secondee must be a full-time employee of the sending organization and continue to receive salary and benefits from them.
• The Partnership Programs Office does not subsidize these secondments.
• Appointments over six months will be subject to a background check by the Bank to verify employment, education, credit and criminal history. Background checks will not, however, preclude the commencement of an assignment. Security clearances may also be provided by the sending organization.

Financial arrangements

The sending organization continues to pay the individual's salary and benefits. The Bank unit may reimburse the organization for all or part of the expenses or pay the individual a stipend for housing and/or related expenses. It is expected that the Bank will cover operational travel and related expenses.

Process

• After all documentation is received from the hiring unit, the Partnership Programs office will send a Memorandum of Agreement to the sending organization for signature.
• Once the MoA is returned, the Letter of Appointment offering a Special Assignment appointment (and G-iv visa letter if appropriate) will be sent to the individual by the Partnership Programs office.
• Non-US candidates located outside the US should not travel until they receive their Letter of Appointment and are in valid visa status to work at the World Bank. Those already in the US will need to travel outside the US to obtain their visas at a US Consulate; to apply while in the US will take considerably longer.
• The secondee must attend the 4-day orientation program for new staff.
• The hiring manager will be asked to identify a sponsor to assist the secondee in making the transition to the Bank's work and culture.

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