Lead Procurement Specialist – GH  

Description

Do you want to build a career that is truly worthwhile? 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, 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

OPCS Vice Presidency Context

Operations Policy and Country Services (OPCS) plays a pivotal role in achieving the WBG’s mission, to end extreme poverty and boost prosperity on a livable planet. OPCS is at the center of operations and delivery and serves as the back office for operations for the WB’s Managing Director, Operations (MDOPS). The VPU helps foster links between Global Practices and the Regions, while assisting frontline staff in delivering results to clients through sound operations policy and strong country support. OPCS develops and oversees the WB’s operational policies for country strategies, lending operations, advisory services and analytical support, financial management, procurement, and environmental and social safeguards. This includes advising and providing hands-on assistance on the WB’s policies, processes, and risk management related to operations (e.g. use of financing instruments; on procurement, financial management, and safeguards matters; and on results management). OPCS is also responsible for modernizing operational instruments (lending and non-lending) to help the WB become more responsive to a country’s needs. Several corporate functions carried out by OPCS include coordinating exchanges with the Board (in particular, the Committee on Development Effectiveness), managing interactions with the WB’s oversight units, and representing the WB in several global partnerships.

OPCS is organized into the Front Office and Four Departments:

• The Front Office (OPSFO) focuses on supporting the OPCS Vice President (VP) in the management of the operations complex and the delivery of key corporate policy commitments and reforms.
• Operations Standards, Procurement, Financial Management (OPSPF) is responsible for safeguards, procurement, financial management and anti-corruption policies and support to operations;
• Operations Policy (OPSPO) consolidates the corporate support and oversight of country strategies and all financing and advisory instruments as well as managing the Operations Committee and the Operations Help Desk;
• Operations Strategy, Risk, Results and Learning (OPSRL) focuses on WB strategy; risk management in operations, strengthening results and effectiveness throughout the institution, including the Corporate Scorecard; support to the country directors’ and management communities; and operational learning; and
• Operations Standards, Environment and Social (OPSES) is responsible for the Environmental and Social Framework (ESF) and Safeguard Policies, including support to operations, learning and training, knowledge management, reporting, interface with the Inspection Panel, and management of the Grievance Redress Service (GRS).

Department Context

The Operations Standards, Procurement, and Financial Management (OPSPF) department anchors two well-established fiduciary assurance functions for operations, financial management and procurement, which also play a key role in supporting governance and PFM reforms in Borrower countries and the MDBs’ harmonization agenda. These networks comprise approximately 400 staff working mostly in the Regions and reporting to regional Practice Managers (PMs). OPSPF Chief Financial Management Officer and Chief Procurement Officer, who lead their respective fiduciary functions, meet regularly with the PMs in the Bank’s regions, as well as with the Regional Directors in the Prosperity Vice-Presidency, to whom they report, to ensure consistent interpretation of relevant policies and discuss emerging issues.

Procurement Context

The World Bank’s Procurement Framework, approved in July 2015 is in operation since July 2016. It promotes tailored procurement approaches that emphasize choice, quality, and value for public spending, while enabling adaptation to country contexts. Procurement in IPF operations supports Borrowers to achieve value for money with integrity in delivering sustainable development. The Procurement Framework reflects the extensive feedback received from task teams and other stakeholders involved in IPF procurements financed by the World Bank. It is designed to support a modern, fit for purpose procurement approach. Over the past several years, the Procurement Policy & Services (PR) anchor has been responsible for a) the modernization process of the procurement function in support of internal and external clients; b) mainstreaming the fiduciary mandate of assuring that the procurement of works, goods and non-consulting services and the selection of consultants are carried out in accordance with Bank procurement policies and procedures and the Procurement and Consultant Guidelines; c) ensuring that Bank policies and practices are harmonized with those of other development partners; and d) contributing to capacity building efforts and procurement reform initiatives.

Duties and Accountabilities

1. Modernization of Bank Procurement Policy with a Focus on Sustainable Procurement in Operations:

• Apply intellectual leadership, compelling vision, and effective strategy to enhance the Department’s contributions to sustainable procurement practices, responding to the Net Zero agenda, social issues, and innovation.
• Lead the development of and provide key inputs to Board Papers, Procurement Guidance, Good Practice, and Reference materials related to operational procurement and continuous enhancements of the Bank’s Procurement Framework.
• Ensure the Bank’s Procurement Framework evolves to support the Bank’s ongoing change program and changes in the Bank’s external and internal operating environments.

2. Program Design and Leadership:

• Support the Chief Procurement Officer (CPO) and other senior staff within OPSPR in providing strategic, leading-edge thinking and advice on the delivery of the Department’s overall work program.
• Facilitate the development and delivery of critical aspects of the Bank’s ambitious program of procurement change and strategic policy enhancement.
• Provide oversight and leadership of OPSPR’s procurement work program, including developing and implementing monitoring and control tools to ensure the program is delivered on time, within budget, and to the required quality.

3. Strategic Engagement and Communications:

• Lead internal relationships with other Bank Vice-Presidential Units (VPUs), Board, units, and directorates, working collaboratively with senior policy, operations, and technical colleagues across the Bank.
• Deliver engaging presentations and/or training on sustainable procurement and other innovative topics.
• Support the CPO in leading relationships with external parties, including key industries, suppliers, consultants, contractors, trade bodies, and NGOs.

4. Risk and Reputational Management:

• Support the CPO in responding to emerging challenges and crises, leading OPSPR’s response and developing effective mitigation measures.
• Provide thought leadership on sustainable procurement and ad hoc advice to Bank-financed procurement activity to overcome issues, mitigate risks, or minimize reputational damage.
• Provide technical support to the CPO on complex procurements and optimizing sectoral procurement strategies.

5. Application of Innovative Technologies to Procurement:

• Partner with the Bank’s Information and Technology Solution (ITS) Vice-Presidency to develop and implement a roadmap for the future application of innovative information technologies in operations procurement.

Selection Criteria

• Master’s degree in a relevant discipline (e.g., Procurement, Engineering, Law, Finance, Business, or Commerce) with a minimum of 12 years of experience in procurement.
• Demonstrated leadership expertise in procurement policy, practice, management, and systems.
• Detailed knowledge of the Bank’s related policies and guidance, including the Environmental and Social Framework.
• State-of-the-art knowledge of public procurement principles, policies, systems, processes, strategies, and planning.
• Experience in at least two of the Bank’s seven regions.
• Excellent communication skills.
• High level of integrity and a sense of personal responsibility.
• Strong managerial and organizational skills.
• Demonstrated ability to mentor and guide staff and clients.
• Ability to function effectively in multicultural environments.
• Familiarity with Bank’s Office suite.
• Oral and written mastery of English; fluency in French or Spanish preferred.
• Advanced technical qualifications and broad expertise in procurement.
• Experience in a senior procurement policy position in a multilateral development bank preferred.
• Experience in developing and applying innovative procurement policies.

If the selected candidate is a current World Bank Group staff member with a Regular or Open-Ended appointment, s/he will retain his/her Regular or Open-Ended appointment. All others will be offered a four-year term appointment.

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 the World Bank and IFC, including our values and inspiring stories.

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