Manager

World Bank Group

33d

About The Position

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 and promoting shared prosperity. 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. The Operations Policy and Country Services (OPCS) of the World Bank plays a pivotal role in achieving the World Bank Group’s (WBG) mission. OPCS is at the center of the ‘operations complex’ and plays a critical role in supporting the Bank’s leadership on all issues related to Bank operations. OPCS develops and oversees operational policies and procedures for country engagement products, lending operations, advisory services and analytical support, financial management, procurement, environmental and social safeguards, as well as development outcome risk and results reporting. It also serves as a link between the operational units and the Board of Directors. OPCS provides advice and support to Bank management and staff as well as hands-on assistance to help teams apply the Bank’s policies, processes, and risk management tools for our country 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. Procurement Department (OPSPR) The World Bank’s Procurement Framework—approved in July 2015 and operational since July 2016—provides a modern, fit for purpose approach that promotes choice, quality, and value for public spending. It enables countries to tailor procurement arrangements to their development contexts while ensuring integrity and value for money in operations financed through Investment Project Financing (IPF). The Framework reflects extensive feedback from task teams and stakeholders and supports the Bank’s goal of strengthening procurement systems and practices globally. Over recent years, the Procurement Policy & Services (PR) anchor has led key modernization efforts, including: • Enhancing the procurement function to better serve internal and external clients; • Upholding the Bank’s fiduciary mandate to ensure that procurement of works, goods, non consulting services, and consultants is conducted in accordance with Bank policies and procedures; • Harmonizing procurement practices with development partners; and • Supporting procurement reform and capacity building initiatives across countries. We seek a strategic and innovative manager with deep operational and technical expertise in procurement who can guide OPSPR’s work program and drive continuous modernization of the Bank’s procurement function. The successful candidate will have a strong results orientation, excellent communication skills, proven leadership capabilities, and the ability to influence and collaborate effectively with senior management, the Board, IEG, and stakeholders across the WBG. This is a fast paced, multidisciplinary role that requires sound judgment, political acumen, and the ability to motivate and lead teams across boundaries—within OPSPR, OPCS, and with corporate partners such as ITS, ECR, LEG, and IEG.

Requirements

Master’s degree with a major in a relevant field (e.g., Procurement, Engineering, Law, Finance, Business, or Commerce.)
A minimum of 12 years of direct, hands-on experience as a procurement specialist or responsibilities with substantial content in the World Bank’s operational procurement. This includes proven, direct experience in a leadership role in applying and promoting the new features of the 2016 Procurement Framework (Rated criteria, complex PPSDs, sustainability, APAs, HEIS, BAFO, competitive dialogue, use of national procurement procedures, application of disruptive technologies to operational procurement) and fully incorporating the ESF into procurement to advance the Bank’s sustainability agenda through procurement.
Advanced technical qualifications and broad expertise in all aspects of operational procurement, including proven experience in designing, managing, and delivering large-scale and complex procurement activities across a broad range of sectors.
In-depth, practical experience of developing innovative, fit-for-purpose procurement strategies that engage and motivate well-qualified bidders to participate in IPF projects, identifying pioneering solutions, and supporting Borrowers to deliver them, with evidence of the achievement of real development results.
Pioneering knowledge of public procurement principles, systems, processes and planning, and approaches to international procurement with proven ability to independently provide well-researched analyses of complex procurement issues and problems.
Proven experience and a strong understanding of new trends in procurement (i.e., supply chain resilience, automation of procurement processes, promoting data-driven strategies and the application of data analytics to procurement to measure performance and empirically demonstrate results.
In-depth knowledge of Bank operations and demonstrated intellectual leadership and ability to integrate procurement-specific knowledge with broader operational policies and research objectives.
Demonstrated experience supporting procurement change and modernization programs with Borrowers to apply modern procurement techniques, broadening the use of rated criteria in works procurements, value engineering, supplier relationship management, and application of competitive dialogue approaches.
Experience of having worked on operations procurement in at least two Bank regions or a combination of regional and corporate assignments, including experience in procurement policy.
Excellent communication skills with the ability to persuasively communicate, both orally and in writing, complex procurement issues and positions to Bank management and senior government officials.
Excellent change management skills, able to present and engage in an effective, compelling, and persuasive manner while being open to debate, challenge, and adaption to achieve higher results.
High level of integrity and a sense of personal responsibility for achieving quality and timeliness in delivering the work program of the Department.
Strong leadership and organizational skills, including a proven track record of building and leading teams and creating a positive, enabling work environment.
Demonstrated ability to effectively mentor and guide staff and clients and design training and skills enhancement initiatives to ensure effective transfer of knowledge and skills and enhance the professionalism of the Department’s staff.
Ability to function effectively, deal sensitively in multicultural environments, and build effective relationships with clients and colleagues.
Familiarity with Bank’s Office suite: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook.
Oral and written mastery of English is required.

Nice To Haves

Direct experience in FCV countries and small states is strongly preferred, including experience in tailoring procurement arrangements to address emergency situations and situations of urgent need of assistance and of capacity constraints.
Specific expertise and experience in sustainable procurement, including environmental, gender-responsive procurement, climate change mitigation and economic sustainability.
Fluency in another of the Bank’s official languages is preferred.

Responsibilities

Strategic and Policy Leadership
Operate independently under the overall direction of the Director and Chief Procurement Officer (CPO).
Recommend amendments to Procurement Policy, Procurement Directive, and Procurement Guidelines for the CPO’s concurrence.
Recommend amendments to Procurement Procedures and Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers, as needed.
Recommend issuance and revision of all Procurement Guidance for the CPO’s decision.
Lead the modernization of procurement approaches and contribute to the development of innovative policies that advance the Bank’s operational effectiveness.
Operational Oversight and Quality Assurance
Manage and deliver departmental procurement functions, ensuring strong fiduciary and quality controls across operations.
Conduct pre reviews of OPRC cases, participate in OPRC meetings, and prepare relevant CRRR sections for the CPO’s decision.
Maintain and update the Bank’s Standard Procurement Documents (SPDs) and ensure accurate, up to date publication in all official languages.
Support the CPO in managing fiduciary aspects of operational procurement and liaise with regional procurement teams and APMs on the application of procurement policy.
Advisory and Technical Leadership
Serve as a recognized authority on operational procurement, advising Bank management and staff on procurement strategy and systemic policy issues across sectors.
Provide leadership in handling complex procurement reviews and tasks across all sectors and regions, ensuring consistent interpretation and application of policy.
Lead or participate in groundbreaking missions and contribute to innovative global, regional, and country level procurement solutions.
Ensure the effective use of procurement technology platforms, including STEP, for tracking client exchanges and fiduciary performance metrics.
Knowledge, and Capacity Building
Guide and mentor staff on best practice procurement approaches and contribute to the design of knowledge products, operational guidance, and training tools.
Design and deliver capacity building programs for Bank staff and Borrowers.
Market outreach and Partnerships
Provide strategic leadership in the design and execution of high-level market engagements, fostering long-term partnerships with private-sector stakeholders and business associations.
Drive institutional alignment through market and sector expertise, cross-regional coordination, and oversight of flagship operations.