Practice Manager

Do you want to build a career that is truly worthwhile? 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. The World Bank Group comprises 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 Center for the Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID). IBRD and IDA are together referred to as The World Bank.  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. 

The Digital Development (DD) Global Practice plays a critical role in enabling the achievements of the Twin goals and the Sustainable Development Goals. Digital technologies are transforming firms, governments and people’s lives; and with the digital economy growing at a rate significantly higher than that of the global economy, it offers emerging economies a unique opportunity to leapfrog traditional paths for development through digital solutions.

Collaborating across technical, geographic and institutional boundaries, the DD team helps design and deliver digitally-enhanced solutions aimed at harnessing the full potential of digital transformation. This requires decisive policy action to mobilize private investment, promote competition in digital markets and support the rollout of infrastructure in commercially unviable areas. It also entails working with client countries to develop digital platforms, strengthen data protection against privacy and cybersecurity risks, and leverage the potential of digital technologies to enhance environmental sustainability.

The DD Global Practice has been led by a Director supported by several Practice Managers and Program Managers (PMs) with specific regional responsibilities and global responsibilities. This Practice Manager will manage the delivery of DD’s programs in the Middle East & North Africa (MNA) region.

The MNA region needs to close its digital usage gap (e.g. gap between 4G coverage and Broadband subscriptions) to develop productive use of internet across socio-economic sectors. MNA’s large young population is the region’s biggest asset. However, it has yet to be fully engaged to catalyze the digital transformation agenda. Strategic priorities include: (i) digital services and data infrastructure to improve data usage in the region; (ii) broadband connectivity to facilitate universal quality broadband access; and (iii) ICT industry and Digital Jobs to support new digital-enabled business models.

This position will be based in Washington DC. Duty stations other than Washington DC but located in MNA region or Paris, France can be considered on a case by case basis.

Duties and Accountabilities:

The PM will collaborate across technical, geographic and institutional boundaries to help design and deliver development solutions to a diverse range of clients, while supporting global knowledge flows to share knowledge and practical development experience with other countries, assuring that lessons from outside the region are reflected in Bank-supported programs in MNA.

The PM is a member of the MNA Regional Leadership Team. The PM is also a member of the DD GP Management Team which sets the GP’s strategic global directions and sits in the DD GP Talent Board overseeing the strategic staffing, career development and deployment of DD staff across the Bank.

More specifically, the PM is responsible for the following areas:

Solutions and Results to Clients:

• Leads her/his team to deliver on the GP’s key strategic priorities and specific activities, including by (i) leading business development efforts, (ii) assuring the quality of the lending, ASA and RAS pipeline and portfolio in the region, (iii) working closely with the CMUs, the regional director, Program leaders, and (iv) ensuring alignment with the WBG Regional Strategy and Country Partnership Frameworks.
• Draws on global thought leadership and implements know-how to ensure high impact solutions; provides focused, evidence-based and just-in-time analytical insights to clients with a view to inform better decision making.
• Builds and maintains a balanced portfolio of innovative, cost-effective and demand-driven products and services.
• Works in partnership with other GPs, IFC, MIGA to find tailored solutions to complex development challenges.
• Accountable for delivering high-quality and timely results.

People/Talent Management:

• Models exemplary WBG leadership values and supervisory behaviors and reinforces these qualities in own team and staff.
• Drives and inspires technical excellence within the team and the GP by creating an environment of learning and innovation that attracts and develops the best talent reflective of the diversity of our clients.
• Supports the GP’s Leadership Team in developing and implementing appropriate strategies for global staffing, deployment, talent and performance management.
• Supervises DD staff and agrees on respective responsibilities and work programs.
• Mentors Washington and field-based staff, being responsive to staff requests, and ensuring they remain well connected with the rest of the team.
• Attracts new talent to match the growth and changing nature of the agenda.

Knowledge Management and Partnerships:

• Responds to global, regional and national challenges and opportunities in the broader DD area. Ensures that the GP is at the forefront of the development debate and contributes to the global dialogue on DD.
• Contributes to international fora on DD matters, in coordination with the DD Director and other PMs.
• Develops close partnerships with donor agencies, international organizations and other development partners as well as private sector and technology leaders as well as academic institutions active in the DD area.
• Strengthens the analytical base of the unit’s work and fosters partnership with leading global institutions and experts, ensures timely flow and capture of knowledge and expertise so that clients receive the highest quality support and knowledge they need, when and where they need it.
• Promotes innovative and cross-cutting research, as well as the dissemination of technical and experiential knowledge and learning.
• Instills a culture of evidence-based, yet client-tailored engagement for highest development impact.

Resource Management:

• Establishes funding priorities and manages within available budget constraints.
• Provides leadership in fundraising efforts.
• 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 GP’s outputs.

Selection Criteria:

• Masters or PhD degree in economics, public policy, private sector development, technology, telecom engineering, or another relevant field.
• At least 12 years of relevant experience in positions of increasing complexity and responsibility. Experience working for telecoms operators, digital consultancies or telecoms regulators would be a particular advantage.
• Experience in at least two regions, or a combination of regional and corporate assignments.
• Excellent operational skills covering policy lending (IPF/P4R/DPF), ASA and RAS, and ability to lead complex policy dialogue.
• Excellent leadership and supervisory skills with established track record managing multi-location and virtual teams.
• Strong operational and development experience and track record, including in more than one region.
• Technical knowledge and experience in one or more of the DD areas described above is desirable, though solid managerial and influencing skills are at a premium for this position.
• Demonstrated in-depth experience and track record of results and successfully working across practices, disciplinary and institutional boundaries.
• Ability to influence dialogue and policy on DD and its use in other sectors without direct control or authority.
• Strong sense of strategy, including ability to prioritize and exit activities and engagements; track record in streamlining and rationalizing product offerings.
• Good partnership experience, including involving multiple stakeholders – both public and private – in building collaborative alliances for results.
• Experience in applying practice know-how and effective policy dialogue to achieve development results.
• Strong written and oral communication skills in English (required) and Arabic or French (desired) with proven experience in dealing with the media, external stakeholder and expert groups.