Director Job #: req33876 Organization: World Bank Sector: Operations Grade: GI Term Duration:ย 4 years 0 months Recruitment Type: International Recruitment Location: Washington, DC,United States Required Language(s): English Preferred Language(s): French, Spanish Closing Date: 8/6/2025 (MM/DD/YYYY) at 11:59pm UTC
Description
Do you want to build a career that is truly worthwhile? The World Bank Group is a unique global partnership of five institutions driven by a bold vision to create a world free of poverty on a livable planet. As one of the largest sources of funding and knowledge for developing countries, we help solve the worldโs greatest development challenges. When you join the World Bank Group, you become part of a dynamic, diverse organization with 189 member countries and more than 120 offices worldwide. We work with public and private sector partners, invest in groundbreaking projects, and use data, research, and technology to bring tangible and transformative change around the globe. For more information, visit www.worldbank.org.
The Operations Policy and Country Services (OPCS) of the World Bank plays a pivotal role in achieving the World Bank Groupโs (WBG) mission. OPCS is at the center of the โoperations complexโ and plays a critical role in supporting the Bankโs leadership on all issues related to Bank operations. OPCS develops and oversees operational policies and their modernization, including the VPUโs readiness to support the WBG ambition on scale, speed and impact. OPCS provides advice and support to the Managing Director of Operations to ensure delivery of strategically aligned, innovative, impactful financing and analytical work while managing risks. It also helps teams, including through hands-on assistance, to apply the Bankโs policies, processes, and risk management tools for our clients. Working in OPCS helps World Bank professionals gain broad exposure to strategic operations issues and develop a deeper understanding of the business of the Bank. (link: https://worldbankgroup.sharepoint.com/sites/opcs)
Duties and Responsibilities:
The Director will lead the new Operations Efficiency, Effectiveness and Impact (OPSEE) department that focuses on overhauling and modernizing Bank operational project cycles, processes, documentation and deployment of new technology and AI. This includes modernizing project cycles and documentation, strengthening operational results, efficiency, effectiveness and impact and leading design and implementation of a revitalized operational staff and client capacity learning program. The department is comprised of two units, each led by a manager: (i) the Center for Excellence in Bank Operations, and (ii) Learning and Engagement.
The Director will be accountable for modeling WBG leadership values and managerial behavior and ensuring that the department delivers on its commitments. Accountability means making strategic choices, managing quality, results from operations, institutional initiatives, external and internal resources, and compliance with WBG policies and procedures.
Position Top Priorities:
โข Play a key collaborative role in carrying out the operational efficiency and effectiveness agenda with a focus on speed, quality and scale for development impact.
โข Modernize operations delivery, implementation and management approaches deploying innovation, new technology and AI approaches.
โข Monitor and report through analytics, simplification, AI and innovation.
โข Establish a center of operations excellence to provide timely support, replication of successful and high impact approaches and evidence-based solutions to operational teams and corporate initiatives for high impact.
โข Deliver the departmentโs mandate in strong collaborative manner working across the WBG, including other departments in OPCS, the regions, vertical and on joint initiatives with IFC and MIGA.
โข Serve as the main conduit between IBRD/IDA teams and IEG.
โข Facilitate staff learning on operations instruments, policies and procedures.
โข Overhaul client capacity building in the context of preparation and implementation of IBRD/IDA operations for speed and impact.
โข Support outreach to the Country and Operations Services (COS) community.
โข Support management in setting strategic priorities and aligning global and country goals.
โข Implement quality control processes and maintain portfolio IBRD/IDA information.
โข Represent the VPU on corporate strategic issues to ensure that operational policies, practices and procedures align with quality service delivery to clients.
People Talent Management:
โข Model exemplary WBG leadership values and managerial behavior and reinforce these qualities in the management team and staff.
โข Implement and monitor compliance with talent management, diversity, and inclusion plans.
โข Develop and implement appropriate strategies for global staffing, learning, and career progression.
โข Drive and encourage excellence by creating an environment of learning and innovation that attracts and develops the best talent reflective of the diversity of our clients.
Knowledge Management:
โข Engage and collaborate with managers and staff across the WBG on relevant issues in operations.
โข Ensure timely flow and dissemination of knowledge in operations to provide high-quality support to clients.
โข Encourage a culture of evidence-based engagement for high development impact.
Resource Management:
โข Manage the department's budget to support the implementation of the Directorate strategy.
โข Ensure accountability for delivering the 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 output.
โข Implement an appropriate risk management framework.
Selection Criteria
โข PhD or Masterโs degree in relevant field and substantial professional experience (typically the successful candidate will have at least 15 years of experience in positions of increasing complexity and responsibility).
โข Prior work experience and track record in achieving high impact results on the ground in more than one world region (including both pre-Bank and Bank experience).
โข A high professional reputation, integrity, and extensive experience, including thorough knowledge of WBG, financial institutions or professional services firm and their policies, programs, products, and procedures as well as exposure to lending, economic and sector work, and country strategy documents applicable to the candidateโs professional background.
โข Strong strategic orientation in order to link strategies with results within a consistent development framework, proven skills in translating strategies into pragmatic implementation plans.
โข Track record and demonstrable results from deploying new technologies and AI in financial/professional services industry.
โข Exceptional problem solving and client orientation skills; highly developed mentoring and advisory skills and the ability to ensure effective transfer of knowledge and skills, and also nurture management talent over time.
โข Outstanding operational and people management skills, including the ability to build a diverse team, appraise effectively their ability and potential, give candid performance feedback, and provide support for learning and professional development.
โข Proven ability to effectively implement complex change management initiatives.
โข Demonstrated in-depth experience working across boundaries, and with multiple stakeholders โ both public and private -- in building collaborative alliances for results.
โข A sharp analytical and strategic mind, ability to speak truth to power, excellent political judgment and diplomatic skills, proven ability to work across teams and issues, strong leadership record, and high initiative, energy, and drive for results.
โข Outstanding written, presentation, and oral communications skills.
โข Demonstrated leadership values and exemplification of the WBGโs managerial and core competencies, as referenced in the links below.
WBG Five Managerial Competencies
COS Generic Competencies
WBG Culture Attributes:
1. Sense of Urgency โ Anticipating and quickly reacting to the needs of internal and external stakeholders.
2. Thoughtful Risk Taking โ Taking informed and thoughtful risks and making courageous decisions to push boundaries for greater impact.
3. Empowerment and Accountability โ Engaging with others in an empowered and accountable manner for impactful results.
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 theย World Bankย andย IFC, including our values and inspiring stories.