Manager, Water, Solutions & Impact

World Bank Group•Washington, DC

About The Position

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 on a livable planet, 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, visit www.worldbank.org. Background The WBG Planet Vice Presidency is leading WBG’s efforts to make the planet livable, as a necessary condition for job creation and poverty elimination. It is responsible for getting the right public and private sector solutions to our operational teams and to our clients, and to produce scalable impact. Its mandate is to deliver knowledge for impact and business to enable and support the WBG to achieve its goals in support of our mission and specifically: providing guidance on creating more and better jobs, focusing on agribusiness, tourism (nature-based tourism), infrastructure (water) and health (sanitation, nutrition); supporting foundational infrastructure and human capital, policy environment, and private sector mobilization; and supporting and accelerating specific targets and commitments such as Mission AgriConnect, Mission Water, Climate Change Action Plan. The VPU’s objectives in driving outcomes include replicating and scaling effective solutions, enhancing thought leadership and innovation, and delivering timely knowledge to client teams. WBG Water Department Water for People, Food, and Planet. The Planet’s Water team works with regions to implement the WBG’s Water Strategy Implementation Plan to improve water security for 400 million people by 2030 through scalable solutions geared toward key client segments, namely, national and sub-national governments, private sector operators, investors, and financial institutions. It aims to do so through (i) country-led Water Compacts for efficient deployment of WBG resources to countries committed to policy and regulatory actions; (ii) coordinated public and private sector interventions to mobilize capital investments, and (iii) multiphase programmatic approaches to replicate and scale what works. In addition, the WBG will expand collaboration with other public and private sector partners, including MDBs and philanthropies, to form a “Mission Water” to fast-track global water security and reach many more people in developing countries. Given the scale of the challenge, such knowledge and financing partnerships that leverage each other are urgently needed to create impact at scale. The Department is comprised of 65 staff. WBG Manager [Water Dept]: WBG Manager, Solutions and Impact, Water will report to the WBG Director, Water who is accountable to the WBG Vice President, Planet.

Requirements

In addition to meeting all Bank-wide Grade GH level position criteria (i.e., work in at least two world regions or a combination of regional and corporate assignments is required; field experience is preferred)
A Master’s degree (Ph.D. preferred) in a relevant field including education, economic development or related social sciences field, with at least 12 years of relevant experience in positions of increasing complexity and responsibility.
Proven operational and development experience, including policy and investment lending, with a strong record of delivering complex operations and policy dialogue across multiple regions and institutional settings (e.g., IBRD, IFC, MIGA).
Demonstrated leadership and people management skills, including experience managing multi-location and virtual teams, and operating effectively with both formal and matrixed authority.
Strong strategic orientation and ability to prioritize, streamline, and rationalize activities to maximize impact.
Adaptability, flexibility, and ability to lead teams for success during periods of change.
Extensive experience working across practices, disciplines, and sectors, and in building partnerships with governments, the private sector, civil society, donors, and research institutions to achieve development results.
Excellent communication and representational skills, including proven experience engaging with senior stakeholders, media, and external constituencies.

Nice To Haves

Knowledge and experience in one or more relevant thematic areas is desirable, though strong managerial, coordination, and influencing skills are paramount.

Responsibilities

Replicates/ scales high-impact projects & innovations across all WBG products relevant for Water.
Leads standardization and roll out of Scalable Solutions for Water for People, Food and the Planet
Shares best practices via Communities of Practice; and
Provides operational support to WBG Regions for accelerated implementation of the WBG Water Strategy.
Leads M& E team and supports teams to report on the WBG Scorecard
Oversight of WBG Water Portfolio and focal point of WBG Water SWAT Team;
Models exemplary WBG leadership values and managerial behaviors and reinforces these qualities in own team and staff
Leads, drives and inspires technical excellence within the team and the Department by creating an environment of learning and innovation that attracts and develops the best talent reflective of the diversity of our clients
Closely supports and advises staff on their performance, skills development and career planning
Mobilize and lead Solutions and Impact teams to capture, scale, and replicate innovations. Monitor the impact of solutions.
Promotes innovative and cross-cutting research, as well as the dissemination of technical and experiential knowledge and learning .
Help clients scale proven solutions, design, and its implementation
Support country teams to apply global knowledge and adapt them to local contexts, incorporating complexities of local political economy.
In consultation with relevant stakeholders within the WBG, decides on the best use of internal and external resources for maximum client and developmental impact
Is accountable 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 controls and policies, and ensures timely delivery and overall quality of the unit outputs

Benefits

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.

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