Lead Specialist

Lead Specialist

Job #:

req23941

Organization:

World Bank

Sector:

Strategy

Grade:

GH

Term Duration:

4 years 0 months

Recruitment Type:

International Recruitment

Location:

Washington, DC,United States

Required Language(s):

English

Preferred Language(s):

Closing Date:

8/31/2023 (MM/DD/YYYY) at 11:59pm UTC

Description

Working at the World Bank Group provides a unique opportunity for you to help our clients solve their greatest development challenges. The World Bank Group is one of the largest sources of funding and knowledge for developing countries; a unique global partnership of five institutions dedicated to ending extreme poverty, increasing shared prosperity and promoting sustainable development. With 189 member countries and more than 120 offices worldwide, we work with public and private sector partners, investing in groundbreaking projects and using data, research, and technology to develop solutions to the most urgent global challenges. For more information, www.worldbank.org

Background /General Description:

The Development Finance Vice-Presidency (DFi) is responsible for the management and monitoring of policies, procedures, and resources for the World Bank's development financing vehicles. DFi sets the policy framework for the World Bank Group's development finance by engaging in strategic resource mobilization, playing an intermediation role to help align the needs of recipients, WBG institutional priorities, and priorities of funding partners, through a variety of funding instruments. These include the International Development Association (IDA), the World Bank's fund for the poorest, the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD), and Trust Funds, including Financial Intermediary Funds (FIFs).

Given the nature and variety of this portfolio, DFi works closely with the President's office, Executive Directors, WBG senior management, corporate and operations units across the WBG, funding partners and government officials. As such, DFi is structured to provide the institution with a more holistic approach to financing, financial policy, and strategic fundraising across IDA, IBRD, and Bank/IFC trust funds and partnerships.

Within DFi, Development Finance Trust Funds and Partner Relations (DFTPR) Department is at the forefront of the Bank's engagement in Trust Funds, FIFs and Partnerships. The Department is responsible for managing and administering the Bank's US$50 billion portfolio of Trust Funds and FIFs, designing and establishing new, multi-donor partnership initiatives underpinned by Trust Funds and FIFs, and setting the policy and procedural framework for Trust Funds, FIFs and Partnerships in a manner they complement IDA and IBRD. DFTPR composes of two units, Trust Funds Policy and Partner Relations, and Financial Intermediary Funds, Digital and Analytics.

Duties and Accountabilities:

DFTPR is seeking a Lead Specialist to join its Trust Fund Policy and Partner Relations unit (TFPPR). The incumbent will report to the TFPPR Manager.

The Lead Specialist is expected to be responsible for the following tasks and duties:

• Lead the Trust Fund Policy and Client Services Cluster. The cluster is composed of eleven staff, two of which are based in Chennai. This involves coordinating the team's work, ensuring information flows within the team, and that back-up arrangements are in place for leave periods. The incumbent will also be formal supervisor for the team members, alongside the Manager who will be co-supervisor, and will participate in the annual performance evaluation process.

• Lead the definition and advise on the application of trust fund policies and procedures. An entire new set of TF policies and procedures has been recently issued following TF Reforms. Alongside the important finalization of efforts to improve the integration of TF resources with the Bank's planning processes, the priority has now shifted to advising teams on policy implementation and identifying areas in need of adjustment. Policies and procedures will also need to be reviewed and adjusted as needed in the context of the ongoing World Bank Evolution process, which includes a renewed focus on the need for concessional resources for IBRD countries and the importance of partnerships in helping the Bank achieve its mission. This requires strong collaboration with other central units (LEG, OPCS, BPS, WFA, ECR) and with DFCII. The role also entails taking direct leadership for flagship or high-risk issues, advising on content of training courses and internal and external outreach events, and participating in training of operational staff.

• Oversee team members in the client officers' role of advising and supporting the Bank's operational teams and staff on a range of TF policy issues throughout the Trust Fund lifecycle. This includes continuing to advise and support GPs and Regions in maintaining a focused portfolio of Umbrella 2.0 programs aligned on their key priorities through the SEFF process. The role also entails taking the lead for complex or high-visibility requests for financial partnerships and stirring the dialogue with partners towards the most appropriate instrument (TF, FIF, etc.)

• Oversee team members in Development Partner engagement. The team plays a bridging role between development partners and operational teams to solve problems and strengthen the partnership. It maintains an ongoing dialogue on trust fund matters with key donors such as the European Commission. It organizes a bi-annual TF Forum and other ad-hoc partner events.

• Prepare or oversee the preparation of notes, briefings, and other communication products for Management, communication with ED offices and informing Development Partners, and undertake additional duties and tasks as specified by the Manager.

Selection Criteria

• PhD or master's degree in relevant field/discipline (typically the successful candidate will have about 10 to 12 years of experience in positions of increasing complexity and responsibility).

• Thorough understanding of ongoing Trust Fund Reforms and how these are expected to add value to work of Bank operational units, and demonstrated command of Bank Trust Fund policies, procedures and practices. Proven understanding of donors' perspectives and experience with donor relations. Experience managing trust fund programs; familiarity with Financial Intermediary Funds will be a plus.

• Direct experience with Bank operations across GP and/or CMU side of the matrix to understand the different needs and operational practices of different internal clients. Strong familiarity with Bank operational policies, financing instruments and knowledge products.

• Sound understanding of the WBG strategic context, including the role of the Bank in the international aid architecture, knowledge of key Bank financing instruments, and how they complement each other (IDA, IBRD, Trust Funds, and FIFs).

• Strong analytical and integrative skills to tackle multidisciplinary issues and a proven ability to effectively lead programs with a strategic vision and strong operational focus.

• Outstanding oral and written communication skills are essential, in addition to superlative interpersonal, diplomatic and partnership skills. These are required for building and maintaining collaborative relationships across organizational boundaries, including experience in working across departments/VPUs and WBG institutions and with donors.

• Ability to lead corporate level dialogue on a broad range of issues related to trust funds. Strong oral and written communication skills to present ideas clearly, concisely and persuasively, and communicate and defend difficult issues and positions to senior Bank management, donors, shareholders and other external partners.

• Superior level of resourcefulness, ability to work with considerable autonomy as well as willingness to work under pressure and through the whole spectrum of activities from the strategic level to the resolution of specific technical-level issues.

Core Competencies:

Deliver Results for clients:

• Creates opportunities that are aligned with the mission to increase impact and leads initiatives to take advantage of these opportunities.

• Proactively guides clients to see the possibilities in new approaches and solutions.

• Takes full accountability for managing risk and ensuring outcomes consistent with WBG strategy.

Collaborate Within Teams and Across Boundaries:

• Clearly articulates and models expectations of collaborative behavior, recognizes collaboration and contributions of others.

• Provides safe environment for exchange of ideas where people feel free to express dissenting opinions, handling conflicts as opportunities and problems to be solved.

• Prioritizes WBG corporate goals over individual or team goals when in conflict.

Lead and Innovate:

• Fosters open discussions with broad audiences to set vision and establish buy-in for innovation that can enhance WBG effectiveness.

• Inspires others to develop new solutions that have a development impact and advocates for changes and application of new methods to enhance results.

• Develops partnerships and relationships that enable the WBG to achieve results through innovation.

Create, Apply and Share Knowledge:

• Leverages external knowledge and partnerships to strengthen solutions for internal and/or external clients.

• Is known across WBG and externally in their subject area and is routinely sought out by WBG colleagues to advise, peer review, or contribute to knowledge products of others.

• Encourages a learning culture by seeking out and being open to feedback, as well as effectively mentoring others, on how to improve contribution and impact through continuous learning and knowledge acquisition.

• Builds networks of experts and clients to share knowledge and experience for the purpose of strengthening internal and/or external client solutions as well as WBG's role as convener and facilitator of knowledge.

Make Smart Decisions:

• Makes timely decisions, which anticipate, evaluate and plan for the impact across organizational boundaries and stakeholder groups.

• Demonstrates the confidence to make bold decisions quickly, balancing speed and thoroughness even in the face of ambiguous circumstances.

• Takes accountability for decisions that involve higher levels of risk, works effectively with stakeholders to minimize risks involved.

DFI Vision Statement for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI):

"Our vision is to be a diverse, equitable and inclusive team, where all staff are respected and supported, in effectively serving DFI clients in pursuit of WBG goals."

**This internal requisition is open to WBG staff only (including short-term and extended term consultants/ temporaries). External candidates will not be considered.**

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.