Practice Manager at World Bank Group

Duties and Responsibilities:

• The SAEW2 Practice Manager will lead the staff and client engagements to deliver results on water for people, food and the planet in the countries of the three CMUs. 
• The PM will collaborate across technical, geographic and institutional boundaries to help design and deliver development solutions to a diverse range of clients in the AFE Region, while supporting global knowledge flows sharing AFE practice with other countries and assuring lessons from outside the region are reflected in AFE support.
• The PM will be an active member of AFE Planet Management Team and the Water Practice Board.
• The PM will work closely with the other AFE Water Manager (SAEW3) for impactful leadership across AFE.
• The SAEW2 Practice Manager will collaborate across technical, geographic and institutional boundaries working with other GPs and the IFC and MIGA.
• The PM will be responsible for the following areas:

Solutions and Results to Clients:

• Leads the team to deliver the Region and Global Practice strategic priorities and, in collaboration with Division Directors/Managers, ensures alignment with the WBG Strategy and Country Partnership Frameworks;
• Engages and develops high level relationships with external clients to develop business and to identify and address early on any high-risk issues;
• Draws on thought leadership and implementation know-how to ensure high impact multi-sectoral solutions;
• Builds and maintains a balanced portfolio of innovative, cost-effective and demand-driven products and services;
• Works in partnership with other PMs, the Global Leads and thematic leaders in the Water GP and with other GPs s, IFC and MIGA, as well as public and private stakeholders, in order to find tailored and holistic solutions to complex development challenges;
• Accountable for delivering high-quality and timely results;
• Primary responsibility for ensuring the quality of the portfolio and implementation on the ground.

People/Talent Management:

• Models exemplary WBG leadership values and managerial behaviors and reinforces these qualities in own team and staff;
• Drives and inspires technical excellence within the team, Region and the Global Practice by creating an environment of learning and innovation that attracts and develops the best talent reflective of the diversity of our clients;
• Actively contributes to the Water GP Talent Board, which includes developing and implementing appropriate strategies for global staffing, deployment, talent and performance management for all staff in the Water GP .

Knowledge Management:

• Ensures that the Water is at the forefront of the development debate and contributes to the global dialogue in the area of expertise of the GP;
• 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:

• 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 SAEW2 outputs.

Selection Criteria

• Masters or PhD degree in engineering, economics, environment or field relevant to work of Water, and typically the successful candidate will have 12 years of experience in positions of increasing complexity and responsibility.
• Deep technical knowledge and experience in one or more of the following areas: water infrastructure particularly on water resource management and resilience; institutional reform of water and sanitation utilities for improved service delivery; irrigation and large hydraulic infrastructure; strong analytical work on linkages of water to the economy and growth outcomes.
• Recognized expert within WBG on water sector issues, and with track record of delivering services and institutional reform at scale in different aspects of the Water Practice through the delivery of large innovative projects/programs and by applying knowledge to operations.
• Understanding of the governance and sector reform issues related to water.
• Proven ability to influence sector dialogue and policy, built on sound analytical underpinnings and global knowledge, on water resource management and service delivery, as well as in the interface of water with other sectors and issues, such as agriculture, hydropower, environment, climate change, gender, PPPs, etc.
• Demonstrated experience in guiding teams to develop and support implementation of operations with high impacts and complexity, including leading collaboration with IFC and MIGA.
• Demonstrated in-depth experience working across practice and disciplinary boundaries, and with multiple stakeholders – public, private and civil society – in building collaborative alliances for results.
• Outstanding people management and resource management skills, with proven experience in working in situations of both formal and non-formal reporting authority.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English.