World Bank Regional Vice President, Latin America and Caribbean

World Bank Regional Vice President, Latin America and Caribbean Job #: req32897 Organization: World Bank Sector: Operations Grade: GJ Term Duration: 4 years 0 months Recruitment Type: International Recruitment Location: Washington, DC,United States Required Language(s): English & Spanish Preferred Language(s): Closing Date: 5/9/2025 (MM/DD/YYYY) at 11:59pm UTC

 Description

The World Bank Group (WBG)

The World Bank Group (WBG) is one of the world's largest sources of development assistance and global expertise for developing countries. It consists of five institutions that specialize in different aspects of development: the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD), the International Development Association (IDA), the International Finance Corporation (IFC), the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA), and the International Centre for the Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID). 

With a mission to end extreme poverty and boost shared prosperity on a livable planet, the World Bank Group works across its membership to help countries create more and better jobs, drive impactful and sustainable development, fight poverty, and improve quality of life. For each of its client countries, the WBG works with public and private partners, investing in groundbreaking projects and using data, research, and technology to develop solutions to pressing global, regional and local challenges. The diverse staff based globally deliver programs in countries, liaise with government, civil society and private sector, and work to increase understanding of development issues. For additional information, please visit http://www.worldbank.org.

Latin America and Caribbean Region 

Latin America and the Caribbean is a diverse region that is at the forefront of reforms, innovation and technology deployment while also still striving for higher and sustained growth from the Covid 19 crisis and dealing with global and regional challenges. The WBG works with governments, the private sector, development partners and civil society and serves 30 client countries in the region, which range from large rapidly growing sophisticated middle-income clients to IDA countries to small Caribbean states to countries facing fragility and violence. The countries in the region share common key challenges, including low economic growth, inflationary pressures, social development and employment issues, environmental sustainability, and the need for digitalization. To effectively address these challenges and achieve sustainable development, the region is focused on three high level areas of strategic engagement. These are:

- Higher productivity and creation of jobs,
- Inclusivity and equalizing opportunities,
- Building resilience and quality solutions through investment in good development projects and programs. 

 For more information, please visit: https://www.worldbank.org/en/region/lac/overview

Key Responsibilities 

The World Bank Group is seeking a highly experienced and dynamic leader to fill the position of Regional Vice President (RVP) for the Latin America and Caribbean Region. To build a strong regional program for improved development outcomes, the RVP at a regional level will lead policy dialogue, oversee strategy formulation and a portfolio of ongoing projects, spearhead business development, strengthen operational delivery, forge strategic partnerships, and guide people and budget management.  More specifically the RVP will be responsible for the following areas: 

Strategy
• Set and execute the WBG Operational Strategy for the LCR Region; develop and communicate the region’s vision and strategy throughout the ranks;
• Position the WBG as partner of choice with tailored financial, knowledge and convening services to meet the region’s diverse needs; 
• Promote tailored solutions to maximize impact for a diverse portfolio of countries with differing needs – middle income, low income and those vulnerable to risk including fragile and conflict affected countries;
• Oversee strategic approaches that build sustainable futures, e.g., reconstruction and building resilience to mitigate future impact of natural hazards, “second generation” development issues (e.g. global shocks, inequality, competitiveness), “new frontiers” (e.g. digital technologies, AI, inclusion), and regional platforms for dialogue and cooperation for issues that go beyond borders —climate change, migration, low levels of participation in global value chains.

Knowledge
• Strengthen the Region’s knowledge and facilitate cross-country learning by drawing on the WBG’s knowledge and advisory services and leveraging high-level knowledge exchanges to support diverse regional needs and contribute to the WBG’s knowledge base;
• Support LCR countries to contribute to global and regional public goods (increasing climate co-benefits, advancing disaster management, addressing gender gap, increasing citizen engagement, creating jobs).

Delivery
• Deliver high-quality lending, advisory, and knowledge services to our clients, including high impact on MIC clients; 
• Maintain and strengthen the performance of LCR's lending portfolio and client satisfaction with WBG’s advisory service and analytics work; and,
• Lead and model the Region’s efforts to further grow its pipeline by focusing on new program development of highest impact, and where possible, on leveraging private financing for development, innovative tools, and cohesive WBG approaches;
• Implement measures to speed up delivery of new operations and implementation of approved projects using replication and scalability and innovations from across the WBG.

Relationships
• Build and maintain excellent professional relationships with WBG Senior Management, President and Board of Directors, and with counterparts and managers in other Regions, verticals, IFC and MIGA;
• Engage and lead dialogue with country counterparts at high levels, including in a number of politically and economically sensitive countries. Anticipate risks and manage crises early and effectively; and,
• Maintain strong partnerships with governments, development partners, civil society, media, the private sector, and other stakeholders. Exercise courageous and transformative leadership in dialogue.

People and Budget Resources
• Lead and motivate the Regional Leadership team (Strategy and Operations Director, Country and Division Directors, Chief Economist, Regional Practice Directors) for high impact and results on the ground with focus on collaboration between the Region/Country Management units, verticals, IFC and MIGA;
• Plan and direct the region’s decentralization and staffing strategy; 
• Manage human resources for high performance, staff engagement and empowerment; develop and diversify talent; and,
• Set priorities and allocate budgets in line with institutional priorities, regional strategy, and a view to maximizing the impact and value-added of the WBG’s activities.

The Regional Vice President for LCR reports to the Managing Director for Operations and is a member of the World Bank’s senior leadership. 

Selection Criteria

The successful candidate will be recognized and respected widely and be an intellectual leader in development world with ability to get things done, reputation and track record as a problem-solver, and accomplishments relevant to the World Bank Group’s development agenda.  In addition to a minimum of a master’s degree and 15 to 20 years of relevant work experience, with a minimum of 5 years in executive capacity, the ideal candidate will also possess as many of the following professional and personal characteristics as possible:

• Prior work experience in achieving results in multiple countries, in particular in the developing country context;
• Deep knowledge of and passion for development;
• Proven ability to establish and maintain substantive high-level dialogue with sophisticated counterparts and flexibility to adjust to fluid political environments;
• Demonstrated in-depth experience working with multiple stakeholders – both public and private – in building collaborative alliances for results;
• A developed and well-maintained active network of relationships outside the organization that can be leveraged and that will be complemented by one built internally;
• Demonstrated ability to operate and function at the highest levels in a matrixed, highly collaborative, multicultural and diverse global environment, and the ability to handle large and diverse portfolios of responsibilities,
• Demonstrated ability in attracting, leading and developing high caliber teams of senior professionals, and a proven management track record in an internationally recognized organization and demonstrated ability in fostering a cohesive and integrated culture among staff at all levels;
• Reputation as an inspiring leader, with a clear commitment to the highest personal and professional standards; and powerful communication skills indicative of a collaborative, supportive and inclusive management style;
• Proven ability to effectively implement complex change management initiatives;
• A strong work ethics and unquestionable integrity;
• In order to be effective in this position it is essential for the selected candidate to be fluent in Spanish.

WORLD BANK LEADERSHIP VALUES AND MANAGERIAL BEHAVIORS: See Managerial Competencies and WBG Values

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.