Regional Director, SD

Regional Director, SD

Job #:
req19661

Organization:
World Bank

Sector:
Social Development

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:
11/15/2022 (MM/DD/YYYY) at 11:59pm UTC

Description

South Asia Region (SAR)

The World Bank Group serves eight client countries in the South Asia Region, home to nearly 1.8 billion people. Clients range from large rapidly growing sophisticated middle-income countries to IDA countries to fragile and small island and landlocked states. Over the past few years, work has focused on the response to the COVID-19 crisis. In FY22, the region delivered $10.7 billion in financing for client countries and a wide range of ASAs and engagements with countries. The focus for the post-pandemic recovery lies on economic recovery and prudent fiscal and debt management; private sector expansion and job creation; climate resilience and improving human capital. The region will continue to support progress on structural reforms and invest in inclusion, gender equality, productive jobs, climate resilience and digital economy.

For more information on the South Asia Region (SAR): https://www.worldbank.org/en/region/sar

Unit Context

The South Asia Sustainable Development Practice Group (SAR SD) supports the WBG's twin goals by focusing on green, resilient, and inclusive growth. It consists of five global practices (GPs): Agriculture and Food; Environment, Natural Resources, and the Blue Economy; Urban Development, Climate Change and Disaster Prevention; Social Sustainability and Inclusion; and Water. The SD program in SAR includes the FY23 lending program for $2-3B in new commitments, an active project portfolio of 120 operations with $19.9 billion under implementation, and a dynamic program of 43 advisory services and analytics (ASA) across all SD sectors.

A particular focus of the SD program will be on building resilience against climate change, as the region has several of the 10 most vulnerable countries to global warming worldwide.

The Leadership Team includes the Regional Director, Practice Managers and Program Leaders.
Duties & accountabilities:

The Regional Director will be accountable for modeling WBG leadership values and managerial behavior, 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:• Collaborate with the GDs of other GPs, with the RDs, and with DEC and IFC;• Support the VPU management team in setting the PGs's key strategic priorities to guide institution-wide work and in collaboration with CDs, in establishing global and country goals to ensure alignment with the WBG Strategy and Country Partnership Framework;• Draw on thought leadership and implementation know-how within the GP and across Practices to ensure high impact evidence-based solutions• Assist the PG's management team to build and maintain a balanced portfolio of innovative, cost-effective, and demand-driven products and services• Implement quality control processes, including analytical work, technical assistance, and lending operations• Ensure 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 to 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• 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 GP 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 solution area considerations 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 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 GP Management 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 GP's outputs• Ensure implementation of an appropriate risk management framework to meet (sector) 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 on (sector) 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 • 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.