Regional Director - HD

Regional Director - HD

Job #:

req23274

Organization:

World Bank

Sector:

Human Development

Grade:

GI

Term Duration:

4 years 0 months

Recruitment Type:

International Recruitment

Location:

Washington, DC,United States

Required Language(s):

English and French

Preferred Language(s):

Closing Date:

7/18/2023 (MM/DD/YYYY) at 11:59pm UTC

Description

Do you want to build a career that is truly worthwhile? Working at the World Bank Group (WBG) provides a unique opportunity for you to help our clients solve their greatest development challenges. The WBG 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. Visit www.worldbank.org

Western and Central Africa (AFW) Region

Western and Central Africa is a region with diverse cultures, beliefs, languages, and lifestyles - marked by contrasts of stability and conflict, affluence, and poverty. Home to about half a billion people, it encompasses 22 countries stretching from the westernmost point of Africa across the equator and partly along the Atlantic Ocean to the Republic of Congo in the South. The sub-region is rich in resources and brimming with opportunities. It made impressive progress in regional cooperation and includes two monetary unions - the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU) and the Central African Economic and Monetary Community (CEMAC) which cover 13 countries between them.

Yet these vast opportunities are tempered by persistent gaps in education, health, and skills, which have Africa only reaching forty percent of its estimated potential according to the Human Capital Index (HCI). Moreover, conflict, food insecurity, population growth, and the disruptive forces of climate change threaten to curtail or even reverse the progress that has been made over the past decades. The COVID-19 pandemic has brought back to the forefront the risks posed by weak health systems and poor surveillance.

For more information, visit https://www.worldbank.org/en/region/afr/western-and-central-africa

Position Context

The Human Development Department (HD) in AFW is composed of 3 Global Practices:• Education• Health, Nutrition and Population, and • Social Protection and Jobs

HD has a very active operational and analytical agenda in the region. While the Practice Group has been extremely active in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic and other crises facing the region, there is also a significant medium-term agenda to improve human capital outcomes. This includes reducing learning poverty, boosting health systems, building pandemic preparedness and resilience, developing adaptive social projection systems, investing in women's empowerment, and increasing access to jobs These areas of focus are closely aligned with the four pillars of the Africa West and Central Priorities including: (i) A New Social Contract; (ii) More and Better Jobs; (iii) Stronger Human Capital; and (iv) More Climate Resilience. The AFW HD team has developed an AFW Education Strategy and has strategic work underway on Health Systems and Preparedness. HD closely collaborates with other PGs across these areas and works closely with East and Southern Africa (AFE) on implementing the Africa Human Capital Business Plan.

The Department has about 200 staff, with about 48% of them decentralized. The portfolio has enhanced significantly with over 123 projects under supervision with net commitments of $15b. About 30 ASAs are delivered each year. It comprises a wide range of countries, including FCV countries, providing an exciting opportunity for learning and growth through engagements that have an impact at scale, be it lending, ASA, and policy dialogue. The Regional Director has 16 direct reports including 6 practice managers, 6 program leaders, and an operations officer. The Africa HD Front office is also shared with the AFE Regional Director for HD to build a cross-Regional Africa HD team to facilitate knowledge sharing and collaboration.

Duties & accountabilities

The Regional Director will be accountable for modeling WBG leadership values and managerial behaviors and ensuring that the unit delivers on its commitments. Accountability means being answerable for making strategic choices, managing quality, risks, results, institutional initiatives, external and internal resources, and compliance with WBG policies and procedures.

Solutions and Results to Clients:

• Support the VPU and AFW SLT in setting the PGs' key strategic priorities to guide institution-wide work and in collaboration with CMUs, in establishing global and country goals to ensure alignment with the WBG Strategy and Country Partnership Frameworks including the AFW Strategic Priorities• Draw on thought leadership and implementation know-how within the PG to ensure high-impact evidence-based solutions building on the global experience assist the PG's management team to build and maintain a balanced portfolio of innovative, cost-effective, and demand-driven products and services that deliver impact at scale• Develop a portfolio of high-quality, impactful analytical work, to inform policy dialogue, technical assistance, and lending operations• Ensure quality control processes, the availability, and maintenance of portfolio, pipeline, staff, and budget information as well as portfolio and practice quality and performance metrics to inform WBG management• Represent the GP and PG on corporate strategic issues and ensure that operational policies, practices, and procedures align with quality service delivery to clients

People Talent Management

• Model exemplary WBG leadership values and managerial behavior and reinforces these qualities in the management team and staff• Contribute to and implement and monitor compliance with talent management, diversity, and inclusion plans• Update and implement the AFW HD workforce plan with a focus on attracting strong talent and increasing the global footprint.• Contribute to performance and talent management reviews for HD staff as part of the AFW SLT HD Talent Board and Leadership Team.• Empower and support Africa HD staff in line with AFW and corporate values. Create a supportive environment for staff with attention to work-life balance and mental health of staff.• Drive and encourage technical excellence within the GP by creating an environment of learning and innovation that attracts and develops the best talent reflective of the diversity of our clients• Coordinate and supports the PG management in developing and implementing appropriate strategies for global staffing, deployment, staff learning, and development as well as career progression and talent and performance management

Knowledge Management

• Engage with Managers, other Regional and Global Directors, and DEC to develop a knowledge and learning strategy and approach for the GP that integrates cross-cutting solutions and multi-sectoral links• Ensure timely flow, capture, codification, and dissemination of knowledge and expertise so that clients receive the highest quality support and knowledge • Support the coordination of innovative and cross-cutting research, as well as the dissemination of technical and experiential knowledge and learning• Encourage a culture of evidence-based, and client-tailored engagement for the highest development impact• Establish new and cutting-edge knowledge in the GP is reflected in staff learning and development

Resource Management

• Manage the department's budget (internal and external funds) to support the implementation of the (sector) Directorate strategy• Ensure the PG Management's accountability for delivering the agreed-upon work program through cost-effective use of resources (human and budget) within the agreed parameters and in compliance with internal WBG fiduciary and safeguard controls and policies, and ensures timely delivery and overall quality of the PG's outputs• Ensure implementation of an appropriate risk management framework to meet the unit's objectives

Selection Criteria

• Advanced degree in economics or related field, with a minimum of 15 years of experience in positions of growing complexity and responsibility• Recognized expert within WBG or among one or more of the following: academia, private sector actors and policymakers - and with a proven track record of applying practice know-how and effective policy dialogue to achieve development results• Experience and ability to engage with clients at the senior level and represent the Bank at high-level international fora• Demonstrated thought leadership through economic research and publication recognized by academic and policy community• Substantive experience working in client countries of different regions and familiarity with the WBG services including deep technical knowledge and experience on (sector) policy • Experienced people manager with a track record of managing diverse and decentralized teams.• Demonstrated in-depth experience working across practice and disciplinary boundaries, with different units of the WBG and with multiple partners both public and private in building collaborative alliances for results• Extensive experience managing complex and large work programs, budgets, portfolio monitoring and supervision with proven results• Proven ability to effectively implement complex change management initiatives

WBG Managerial Competencies

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.