Program Manager, Global Program Coordination Unit

World Bank Group•Washington, DC

5d•Onsite

About The Position

The World Bank Group (WBG) is seeking a Program Manager for the Global Program Implementation Unit (PIU) within the Global Health Directorate. This role is crucial for operationalizing the Knowledge Bank transformation, ensuring the integration of technical expertise into country strategies, lending operations, and partnerships. The PIU acts as an operational bridge, managing portfolios, pipelines, Health Compacts, and regional outreach. The Program Manager will lead the PIU's day-to-day operations, ensuring effective and accountable delivery across all functions, including Health Compacts, CPF Integration, Pipeline Co-Design and Review, and Portfolio Management. This position requires close coordination with global units, regional health teams, and Front Office on risk management, donor engagement, and strategic planning, as well as interfacing with IFC and MIGA counterparts to advance One WBG approaches to health.

Requirements

Advanced degree (Master's or PhD) in Public Health, Health Economics, Development Economics, Public Policy, Business Administration, or a closely related field.
A minimum of 12 years of progressively complex experience in global health, health systems strengthening, development finance, or related fields, with a strong operational and institutional track record.
Demonstrated experience managing large, complex, multi-workstream programs or institutional functions within the WBG, a multilateral development bank, or a comparable international organization.
Demonstrated experience overseeing or co-leading inclusive, participatory design processes involving multiple regional or country teams, including in the context of multi-phase or programmatic WBG financing.
Demonstrated track record of building and sustaining effective working relationships across organizational boundaries — including with regional operational teams, global thematic specialists, IFC/MIGA counterparts, and external partners — and of driving coordinated institutional action in complex environments.
Proven track record of leading and managing multidisciplinary teams in a cross-functional organizational environment.
Experience working across at least two different world regions, with a solid understanding of diverse health system contexts and country-level operational realities.
Strong familiarity with WBG health lending modalities and country engagement processes, including an understanding of project preparation and portfolio management, and of how IFC/MIGA instruments complement IBRD/IDA health operations.
Experience engaging with external partners — including bilateral donors, multilateral agencies, and other finance and technical health partners.
Deep understanding of global health policy, health system governance, and the WBG's operational model and Country Engagement framework.
Proven ability to design and manage operational systems, processes, and accountability frameworks across multiple workstreams.
Demonstrated expertise in portfolio management, results monitoring, and data-driven performance reporting.
Demonstrated ability to identify operational risks early and manage escalation processes effectively.
Strong analytical and synthesis skills — ability to integrate technical, operational, and political inputs from diverse stakeholders into clear, coherent outputs and recommendations.
Established credibility and trust across diverse institutional constituencies — including regional operational teams, global thematic specialists, and IFC/MIGA counterparts — with a demonstrated ability to bridge institutional boundaries, build consensus, and drive collective action without direct line authority.
Strong political acumen and interpersonal skills, with the ability to navigate complex internal dynamics — including competing priorities across units, regions, and institutions — with tact, discretion, and sound judgment.
Excellent people management skills and openness to feedback, new ideas, and the ability to guide and incentivize staff, inspire trust, and achieve results.
Excellent written and oral communication skills in English.

Nice To Haves

Experience with Health Compact design and implementation is an advantage.
Proficiency in French and/or Spanish would be an advantage.

Responsibilities

Formulate and drive the PIU’s operational strategy in alignment with the WBG Health Implementation Plan and operational priorities.
Represent the Global Health Directorate in internal corporate and operational planning processes.
Identify and manage institutional risks and operational bottlenecks, establishing formal escalation pathways.
Lead the day-to-day operations of the PIU, ensuring effective and accountable delivery across all its functions: Health Compacts, CPF Integration, Pipeline Co-Design and Review, and Portfolio Management.
Provide program-level coordination for the Health Compacts program, supporting design and implementation monitoring.
Work closely with regional health teams to support the integration of health priorities into CPFs and alignment of health investment priorities.
Lead an inclusive co-design process with WBG regional health teams to shape the health pipeline.
Oversee the PIU’s structured engagement with regional teams throughout the pipeline cycle.
Oversee the mandatory review process for all health-related IBRD lending operations.
Monitor the WBG health pipeline, flag preparation risks proactively to senior management, and ensure portfolio progression.
Establish and maintain operational protocols, workflows, and accountability systems for each PIU workstream.
Produce regular, high-quality portfolio performance reports for senior management and the Practice Board.
Lead, supervise and motivate the PIU team with a focus on client orientation, development outcomes and results.
Create a positive, inclusive and collaborative work environment with a strong emphasis on professional development, accountability, and continuous learning.
Model exemplary WBG leadership values and supervisory behaviors.
Develop and manage the PIU’s budget, ensuring strategic allocation of resources and compliance with WBG financial management rules.
Monitor budget execution and report on resource utilization.
Identify resource gaps and work with senior management to mobilize additional funding.