Senior Program Officer
Apply NowCompany: The World Bank Group
Location: Washington, DC 20011
Description:
Senior Program Officer
Job #:
req31840
Organization:
World Bank
Sector:
Economics
Grade:
GG
Term Duration:
3 years 0 months
Recruitment Type:
International Recruitment
Location:
Washington, DC,United States
Required Language(s):
English
Preferred Language(s):
Closing Date:
2/26/2025 (MM/DD/YYYY) at 11:59pm UTC
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. Visit www.worldbank.org.
The Development Data Group (DECDG), located within the Development Economics Vice Presidency, strives to unlock the full value of development data for achieving the World Bank Group's mission to end extreme poverty and boost prosperity on a livable planet. Inspired by the World Development Report 2021: Data for Better Lives, DECDG envisions a world where data are actively transformed into decisions that improve lives and livelihoods of the poor and marginalized. Through leading global data public goods, innovative research, pioneering partnerships, and specialized technical expertise, DECDG leads effort to ensure that development data are of high quality, accessible, and widely used and reused for impact across the world.
The Director of DECDG also serves as the Chief Statistician of the World Bank Group, providing strategic vision for the institution's work and innovations in development data and statistics. The Chief Statistician's main functions are to: (i) lead and promote the adoption of standards and best practices for data and statistics across the World Bank; (ii) champion data innovations by advising Senior Leadership on the implementation of major data and statistics initiatives, identifying strategic priorities for World Bank data governance, and fostering collaboration among partners on data and statistics priorities; and (iii) represent the World Bank in global discussions and deliberative fora on data and statistics. A dedicated team within DECDG forms the Office of the Chief Statistician (DECCS) to support the effective execution of the role.
The Senior Program Officer will work under the supervision of the World Bank Chief Statistician (DECCS) management, providing technical and strategic inputs to enhance innovation, mainstream data applications across the organization, and strengthen coordination and partnerships for greater internal and external impact.
The Senior Program Officer is expected to provide advanced technical insights to inform strategies that foster innovation and ensure the safe and ethical application of data and statistical methods, both internally and externally. This will be achieved by providing technical support to DECCS leadership, facilitating outreach and coordination on the data proxy topics, contribute comments on Corporate and flagship Reports, peer review analytical and operational work as needed, and assisting technical teams in product design and delivery. It focuses on engaging with clients (internal and external) to build capacity, provide technical inputs and generate operational support for client engagement aimed at the theory of change in operations in line with quality guidelines of DECCS.
Key areas of responsibility include:
Data Governance & Data Strategy:
o Provide strategic and technical inputs to DECCS management for designing and implementing the overall work program, ensuring operational relevance in data production, governance, dissemination, and use, and in implementing the Data Bank agenda.
o Support coordination among World Bank teams working with development data to promote consistent governance, management practices, and rapid response to statistical challenges, crises, or emergencies.
o Co-Lead or contribute to innovative research on data integration methodologies and applications, prioritizing high-impact projects aligned with operational policies and global public goods.
o Collaborating with the World Bank Deputy Chief Statistician and operational teams to support the implementation of the World Bank's Development Data Quality Policy across the data lifecycle.
o Develop implementation pathways for ethics guidelines on data collection, analysis, and application to support client policymaking.
o Lead and contribute to the identification of relevant international experience and impact cases, contribute to the organization of peer learning activities, support the documentation of relevant lessons learned, and work with others in DECDG and across World Bank Teams as needed.
o As requested by the Manager for DECCS undertake other activities, as appropriate.
Capacity Building and Knowledge Sharing:
o Support the professionalization of data science and statistics at the World Bank to enhance organizational data capabilities.
o Design and deliver cohesive training materials and platforms to enhance staff expertise in data science, statistics, ethics, and data informed policy making specific to our client needs.
o Facilitate knowledge-sharing initiatives across World Bank verticals and external partners to strengthen institutional capabilities.
o Organize workshops and technical data events on data quality, statistical best practices, and ethical data-informed and AI applications for addressing Global Challenges.
o Coordinate the development and delivery of development data-related curricula and skills building initiatives via the Office of the World Bank Chief Statistician, in coordination with the Bank's new WB Data Science & Statistics Talent Board, and aligned with the World Bank's new Institute for Economic Development.
o Transform World Bank data science and statistics capacity building pedagogical content into free, sharable assets for broader use and adaptation, to support the further scaling up of data-focused skills development.
o Build and sustain systems and processes to scale data-related capacity building activities and knowledge products.
Technical Advice and Outreach:
o Represent The World Bank and DECDG in relevant global forums and expert working groups and provide technical inputs.
o Support management in partnerships with governments, international agencies, NGOs, private sector, and technical partners to advance the World Bank's development data agenda.
o Advise on and coordinate technical inputs to analytical work and advisory services related to data skills building, and/or supervise the preparation of related analytical products and advisory services, and other relevant technical reports to clients in close collaboration with the CMUs, Program Leaders, relevant TTLs and sector experts within and outside the Bank.
o Partner with teams across the World Bank to co-develop and co-deliver fit-for-purpose development data-focused training aligned with Bank operations and priority capacity building initiatives, and to deliver on articulated demand to support implementation of the World Bank's Knowledge Compact for Action.
o Spearhead awareness-raising and partnership development to support key initiatives of the Office of the World Bank Chief Statistician.
o Support developing briefs, reports, memos, and website content to meet reporting requirements and donor engagement needs.
o Write and publish blog posts and other outreach/collateral to support key initiatives of the Office of the World Bank Chief Statistician.
Selection Criteria
Master's degree in Economics, Business, Law or a related field with at least 8 years of relevant experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Demonstrated domain expertise on development data and statistics curricular development and skills building activities, with country experience preferred.
Ability to conceptualize, design and implement major projects and to produce major/complex reports or studies.
Demonstrated pedagogical experience, with preference for data and statistics skills development.
Professional leadership and ability to manage a team of professionals in the execution of major projects.
Strong judgment, diplomatic acumen, and negotiating skills.
Ability to interact effectively with partners to build consensus on difficult issues.
Demonstrated proficiency to lead, manage, and consult others in the planning, development, and execution of strategies for complex projects.
Strong working knowledge of feedback monitoring and evaluation tools and the ability to leverage them for improvement.
Experience in building partnerships and delivering workshops in developing countries and working with World Bank operations.
Experience giving formal presentations on wide-ranging issues concerning this work and ability to convey ideas effectively to multiple audiences.
Ability to coach/mentor more junior staff.
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.
Job #:
req31840
Organization:
World Bank
Sector:
Economics
Grade:
GG
Term Duration:
3 years 0 months
Recruitment Type:
International Recruitment
Location:
Washington, DC,United States
Required Language(s):
English
Preferred Language(s):
Closing Date:
2/26/2025 (MM/DD/YYYY) at 11:59pm UTC
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. Visit www.worldbank.org.
The Development Data Group (DECDG), located within the Development Economics Vice Presidency, strives to unlock the full value of development data for achieving the World Bank Group's mission to end extreme poverty and boost prosperity on a livable planet. Inspired by the World Development Report 2021: Data for Better Lives, DECDG envisions a world where data are actively transformed into decisions that improve lives and livelihoods of the poor and marginalized. Through leading global data public goods, innovative research, pioneering partnerships, and specialized technical expertise, DECDG leads effort to ensure that development data are of high quality, accessible, and widely used and reused for impact across the world.
The Director of DECDG also serves as the Chief Statistician of the World Bank Group, providing strategic vision for the institution's work and innovations in development data and statistics. The Chief Statistician's main functions are to: (i) lead and promote the adoption of standards and best practices for data and statistics across the World Bank; (ii) champion data innovations by advising Senior Leadership on the implementation of major data and statistics initiatives, identifying strategic priorities for World Bank data governance, and fostering collaboration among partners on data and statistics priorities; and (iii) represent the World Bank in global discussions and deliberative fora on data and statistics. A dedicated team within DECDG forms the Office of the Chief Statistician (DECCS) to support the effective execution of the role.
The Senior Program Officer will work under the supervision of the World Bank Chief Statistician (DECCS) management, providing technical and strategic inputs to enhance innovation, mainstream data applications across the organization, and strengthen coordination and partnerships for greater internal and external impact.
The Senior Program Officer is expected to provide advanced technical insights to inform strategies that foster innovation and ensure the safe and ethical application of data and statistical methods, both internally and externally. This will be achieved by providing technical support to DECCS leadership, facilitating outreach and coordination on the data proxy topics, contribute comments on Corporate and flagship Reports, peer review analytical and operational work as needed, and assisting technical teams in product design and delivery. It focuses on engaging with clients (internal and external) to build capacity, provide technical inputs and generate operational support for client engagement aimed at the theory of change in operations in line with quality guidelines of DECCS.
Key areas of responsibility include:
Data Governance & Data Strategy:
o Provide strategic and technical inputs to DECCS management for designing and implementing the overall work program, ensuring operational relevance in data production, governance, dissemination, and use, and in implementing the Data Bank agenda.
o Support coordination among World Bank teams working with development data to promote consistent governance, management practices, and rapid response to statistical challenges, crises, or emergencies.
o Co-Lead or contribute to innovative research on data integration methodologies and applications, prioritizing high-impact projects aligned with operational policies and global public goods.
o Collaborating with the World Bank Deputy Chief Statistician and operational teams to support the implementation of the World Bank's Development Data Quality Policy across the data lifecycle.
o Develop implementation pathways for ethics guidelines on data collection, analysis, and application to support client policymaking.
o Lead and contribute to the identification of relevant international experience and impact cases, contribute to the organization of peer learning activities, support the documentation of relevant lessons learned, and work with others in DECDG and across World Bank Teams as needed.
o As requested by the Manager for DECCS undertake other activities, as appropriate.
Capacity Building and Knowledge Sharing:
o Support the professionalization of data science and statistics at the World Bank to enhance organizational data capabilities.
o Design and deliver cohesive training materials and platforms to enhance staff expertise in data science, statistics, ethics, and data informed policy making specific to our client needs.
o Facilitate knowledge-sharing initiatives across World Bank verticals and external partners to strengthen institutional capabilities.
o Organize workshops and technical data events on data quality, statistical best practices, and ethical data-informed and AI applications for addressing Global Challenges.
o Coordinate the development and delivery of development data-related curricula and skills building initiatives via the Office of the World Bank Chief Statistician, in coordination with the Bank's new WB Data Science & Statistics Talent Board, and aligned with the World Bank's new Institute for Economic Development.
o Transform World Bank data science and statistics capacity building pedagogical content into free, sharable assets for broader use and adaptation, to support the further scaling up of data-focused skills development.
o Build and sustain systems and processes to scale data-related capacity building activities and knowledge products.
Technical Advice and Outreach:
o Represent The World Bank and DECDG in relevant global forums and expert working groups and provide technical inputs.
o Support management in partnerships with governments, international agencies, NGOs, private sector, and technical partners to advance the World Bank's development data agenda.
o Advise on and coordinate technical inputs to analytical work and advisory services related to data skills building, and/or supervise the preparation of related analytical products and advisory services, and other relevant technical reports to clients in close collaboration with the CMUs, Program Leaders, relevant TTLs and sector experts within and outside the Bank.
o Partner with teams across the World Bank to co-develop and co-deliver fit-for-purpose development data-focused training aligned with Bank operations and priority capacity building initiatives, and to deliver on articulated demand to support implementation of the World Bank's Knowledge Compact for Action.
o Spearhead awareness-raising and partnership development to support key initiatives of the Office of the World Bank Chief Statistician.
o Support developing briefs, reports, memos, and website content to meet reporting requirements and donor engagement needs.
o Write and publish blog posts and other outreach/collateral to support key initiatives of the Office of the World Bank Chief Statistician.
Selection Criteria
Master's degree in Economics, Business, Law or a related field with at least 8 years of relevant experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Demonstrated domain expertise on development data and statistics curricular development and skills building activities, with country experience preferred.
Ability to conceptualize, design and implement major projects and to produce major/complex reports or studies.
Demonstrated pedagogical experience, with preference for data and statistics skills development.
Professional leadership and ability to manage a team of professionals in the execution of major projects.
Strong judgment, diplomatic acumen, and negotiating skills.
Ability to interact effectively with partners to build consensus on difficult issues.
Demonstrated proficiency to lead, manage, and consult others in the planning, development, and execution of strategies for complex projects.
Strong working knowledge of feedback monitoring and evaluation tools and the ability to leverage them for improvement.
Experience in building partnerships and delivering workshops in developing countries and working with World Bank operations.
Experience giving formal presentations on wide-ranging issues concerning this work and ability to convey ideas effectively to multiple audiences.
Ability to coach/mentor more junior staff.
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.