Director, Strategy and Operations

Director, Strategy and Operations

Job #:

req20779

Organization:

World Bank

Sector:

Strategy

Grade:

GI

Term Duration:

4 years 0 months

Recruitment Type:

International Recruitment

Location:

Washington, DC,United States

Required Language(s):

English

Preferred Language(s):

Closing Date:

2/8/2023 (MM/DD/YYYY) at 11:59pm UTC

Description

INFRASTRUCTURE PRACTICE GROUP VICE PRESIDENCY OVERVIEW

The Infrastructure Practice Group (INF PG) is charged with developing sustainable solutions to help close infrastructure gaps in developing and emerging economies. The core values guiding our work include our passion for sustainable poverty reduction, our belief in putting the needs of the client at the center of all our activities, teamwork, respect for others and integrity.

INF PG comprises Energy and Extractives (EEX), Transport (TRA), Digital Development (DD), and Infrastructure Finance, Public Private Partnerships and Guarantees (IPG). The INF PG is responsible for providing technical and operational support to regional and corporate teams on WB infrastructure engagements at the country, regional and global levels. INF plays a critical role in supporting the implementation of WBG corporate commitments in the area of infrastructure, as well as in supporting regional INF teams in developing new technical and operational approaches to further enhance their contribution to the WBG's twin goals.

Given the importance of advancing the energy transition for the achievement of WBG commitments under the Climate Change Action Plan (CCAP), INF global teams are actively engaged in CCAP-related activities, including supporting the production of CCDRs and the Paris alignment of WB INF operations, among others. This applies to the EEX and TRA practices, but also increasingly to DD and IPG teams.

The INF PG is also responsible for responding to the high growth in regional demand for expanding access to digital technologies while managing associated risks. This has been reflected in a growing pipeline of Digital projects and ASAs led by INF DD teams across all regions. Delivering on this growing operational program in collaboration with other PGs is a key priority for the INF PG.

A third workstream of strategic importance for INF is the support to corporate commitments to enable and mobilize private capital (PCE and PCM) for development purposes. While regions are responsible for developing and delivering on the respective project pipelines, INF teams - mainly IPG but also the other INF GPs - are called to play a critical role in providing technical support to regional teams. This includes the systematic monitoring of PCM and PCE results, the development of instrument- and sector-specific PCE methodologies, the development of PCM project pipelines, and the structuring of PCE and PCM operations - including but not restricted to the structuring of Guarantee operations.

DUTIES AND ACCOUNTABILITIES

Reporting to the Practice Group Vice President (INFPGVP), the Director, Strategy and Operations (DSO) is responsible for providing strategic vision, coherence and direction for the Infrastructure PG, delivering the work program agreement and helping achieve a strong portfolio performance in both the operational and knowledge activities of the PG. The DSO works in close collaboration with Global Directors (GDs), Regional Directors (RDs), Practice Managers and Program Leaders on the PG side, and Regional DSOs on the regional side to develop and implement integrated solutions for clients, ensuring a high level of collaboration both within and across PGs and with OPCS. The DSO should also contribute to achieving close coordination with IFC and MIGA to deepen opportunities for WBG collaboration in the area of infrastructure, as well as with regard to the facilitation of PCE and PCM activities.

The Director, Strategy and Operations is accountable for performing the responsibilities, modeling the behaviors and maintaining the technical competencies listed below. Accountability means being answerable for managing quality, risks, results, institutional initiatives and compliance with Bank policies and procedures. The DSO will be expected to provide thought leadership, vision, and an enabling environment for staff to fulfill the Infrastructure PG mission with passion and professionalism.

RESPONSIBILITIES

The DSO supports the INF Practice Group Vice President in the management of the PG including the following accountabilities in the areas of business management, practice group strategy, operational strategy, people management, resource management, and knowledge management.

Business Management

• Assuring the smooth functioning of the PG, encompassing the delivery of a high impact ASA and lending program, and maintaining a high-quality portfolio without creating an additional layer between the VP and directors/managers.• Managing risks in the ASA and lending portfolio through an effective risk monitoring, management and mitigation system, in close collaboration with the INF Development Effectiveness team and the GP Global Directors.• Assuring support for infrastructure sector policy reforms that crowd in private sector investment and improve the efficiency of public investments, including through support for DPOs with INF-relevant prior actions.• Working upstream with INF RDs and with IFC and MIGA to help develop a pipeline of public-private projects that can be supported by the WBG, including through the use of IDA's PSW and the WB's Guarantee instrument.• Monitoring, updating, and reporting on the WBG's strategy to strengthen private capital mobilization and enabling (jointly with OPCS).• Managing key global and regional engagements and business meetings as delegated by the PGVP and following-up and implementing decisions taken. • Ensuring the mainstreaming of innovative and disruptive technology into the work of both INF and other PGs.• Acting as necessary for the INF PGVP and representing the PG inside and outside the Bank.• Coordinating with major development partners on strategy and policy matters as required.• Leading and participating in corporate and regional working groups and task forces as delegated by the PGVP, and in close collaboration with OPCS, as well as with the Offices of the MDO, MDD and WBG President.

Practice Group Strategy:

• Leading regular PG Updates to the Board. • Ensuring the alignment of key strategic and cross-cutting issues and corporate priorities with the PG's overall work program, working closely with the responsible global, regional and country directors.• Coordinating the PG efforts to link outputs more strategically to INF's desired outcomes for better results. Providing strategic comments from a PG-wide perspective on SCDs, CPFs, CCDRS, PLRs and other high profile or high visibility operations and corporate documents and initiatives, at OC, ROC, MVP and OVP levels.• Providing input to the development of corporate strategy, especially on emerging issues for the global development community related to the infrastructure sectors.

Operational Strategy:

• Monitoring the overall work program and aggregate deliverables • Identifying cross-cutting issues and trends for the attention of the PGVP and Global Leadership Team (GLT), and ensuring that the GLT takes the necessary actions to resolve them.

People/ Talent Management:

• Supporting the INF VP in overseeing the strategic staffing and mobility exercises for the PGVP and ensuring their consistency and coherence, acting as the secretary for the INF talent council.• Supporting the INF PG-wide effort to have greater staff decentralization.• Supporting people and talent management as part of the INF PG GLT, especially on issues related to cross-practice consistency and coordination. • Managing the functioning of the front office.

Resource Management:

• Oversight of resource management, security and IT, and human resource management strategies for the PG. • Focal point for articulating and coordinating Global Engagement budget requests.• Strategic oversight and prioritization of PG Trust Fund mobilization efforts.

Knowledge Management:

• Oversight of internal and external communications strategies.

Selection Criteria

• Passion for the WBG mission.• Demonstrated leadership values and exemplification of WBG managerial and core competencies, as referenced below.• Broad knowledge and experience in the infrastructure sector and in delivering infrastructure solutions, including track record of leading successful sector reform efforts. • Experience in developing public-private solutions to help close infrastructure investment gaps.• Strong familiarity and proven ability to contribute to WBG efforts to deliver on PCM corporate commitments.• Personal leadership in shaping and leading new agendas, bringing thought leadership and analysis together with delivery capacity for maximum client impact.• Demonstrated in-depth experience working across practice and disciplinary boundaries, and with multiple stakeholders - both public and private - in building collaborative alliances for results.• Track record of managing complex and large work programs, budgets, portfolio monitoring and supervision, with proven results. • Proven ability to effectively implement complex change management initiatives.• Substantive operational experience in client countries, including ability to influence dialogue and policy on Infrastructure Programs• Strong written and oral communication skills. • Masters or PhD degree in a field relevant to Infrastructure and a minimum of 12-15 years of relevant experience in positions of increasing complexity and responsibility. Excellent understanding of economic and policy issues in the infrastructure sectors to support policy dialogue and implementation.

COMPETENCIES:

WBG Leadership Values & Managerial Behavior

• Leadership of Self: Role model the change and values for WBG; Demonstrate courage of convictions, ownership and self-mastery within the organization in accordance to our values.• People Leadership: Lead and inspire staff to perform and deliver for better results; Help others achieve their fullest potential through coaching and mentorship.• Collaborative Leadership: Be mutually accountable for entire WBG's corporate targets and success; Work across WBG and with clients and partners to achieve better results.• Client Solutions Leadership: Be the leading provider of development solutions for country clients; Provide leadership in both knowledge generation and knowledge sharing.• Decisive Leadership: Take informed risks and make decisions in a transparent manner resulting in transformative impact for clients; Commit to decisions once they have been made.• WBG 5 Managerial Competencies: Courage of your convictions; Leading Teams for impact; Influencing across boundaries; Fostering openness to new ideas; and Building talent for the future.

WBG CORE COMPETENCIES FOR ALL STAFF:

Client orientation; Drive for results; Teamwork of collaboration and inclusion; Knowledge, learning and communication; and Business judgment and analytical decision-making.

If the selected candidate is a current World Bank Group staff member with a Regular or Open-Ended appointment, s/he will retain his/her Regular or Open-Ended appointment. All others will be offered a 4 years term appointment.

The World Bank Group values diversity and encourages all qualified candidates who are nationals of World Bank Group member countries to apply, regardless of gender, gender identity, religion, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or disability. Sub-Saharan African nationals, Caribbean nationals, and female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.

World Bank Group Core Competencies

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.

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.