Program Manager, 2030 Water Resources Group (WRG)

Description

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Do you want to build a career that is truly worthwhile? The World Bank Group is a unique global partnership of five institutions driven by a bold vision to create a world free of poverty on a livable planet. As one of the largest sources of funding and knowledge for developing countries, we help solve the world’s greatest development challenges. When you join the World Bank Group, you become part of a dynamic, diverse organization with 189 member countries and more than 120 offices worldwide. We work with public and private sector partners, invest in groundbreaking projects, and use data, research, and technology to bring tangible and transformative change around the globe. For more information, visit www.worldbank.org.

The WBG Planet Vice Presidency is leading WBG’s efforts to make the planet livable, as a necessary condition for job creation and poverty elimination. It is responsible for getting the right public and private sector solutions to our operational teams and to our clients, and to produce scalable impact.  Its mandate is to deliver knowledge for impact and business to enable and support the WBG to achieve its goals in support of our mission and specifically: providing guidance on creating more and better jobs, focusing on agribusiness, tourism (nature-based tourism), infrastructure (water) and health (sanitation, nutrition); supporting foundational infrastructure and human capital, policy environment, and private sector mobilization; and supporting and accelerating specific targets and commitments such as Mission AgriConnect, Mission Water, Climate Change Action Plan. The VPU’s objectives in driving outcomes include replicating and scaling effective solutions, enhancing thought leadership and innovation, and delivering timely knowledge to client teams. 

World Bank Group Water Department

Water for People, Food, and Planet. The World Bank Group’s (WBG) Water team works with regions to implement the Water Strategy Implementation Plan (https://documents.worldbank.org/en/publication/documents-reports/documentdetail/099122425094016453).  The key purpose of the plan is to improve water security for 400 million people by 2030 through scalable solutions geared toward key client segments, namely, national and sub-national governments, private sector operators, investors, and financial institutions.  Read more about the World Bank’s Water Department at:  https://www.worldbank.org/en/topic/water

2030 Water Resources Group

The 2030 Water Resources Group (WRG) is a global multi-donor trust fund, established to advance global water security through public-private collaboration.  WRG works with governments, corporations, and civil society to address water risks affecting food, cities, and ecosystems. By offering strategic insights, fostering collaboration, and securing financing, we help scale solutions that deliver lasting impact (www.2030wrg.org).  WRG is hosted by the World Bank Group’s Water Department.

WRG’s work is structured along three themes, namely: (1) Water for Planet, to address water pollution and water use for catchment protection and restoration, (2) Water for Cities, to support resilient city regional water systems, balancing the demand and supply of water, and (3) Water for Food, in particular through climate-resilient irrigation.  

The WRG Governing Council recently approved the 2026-2030 Strategic Plan to increase the impact of WRG’s work.  The strategy pivots WRG’s work to greater alignment with the World Bank Group’s Water Strategy Implementation Plan to enhance impact.  

Program Manager, WRG

The Program Manager, WRG will report to the WBG Director, Water who is accountable to the WBG Vice President, Planet. 

The Program Manager leads the WRG Secretariate which is overseen by: 

• A Governing Council of WRG members from across public, private and civil society stakeholders – particularly its co-chairs (currently, the Vice-President Planet of the World Bank Group and the Executive Chairman of The Coca-Cola Company).  The Governing Council meets annually to discuss progress and approve the strategic objectives of the WRG for the coming year.
• A Steering Board of senior business, government, and civil society leaders who oversee and support the progress with the WRG Secretariat.  The Steering Board is co-chaired by the WBG Director, Water and the World Economic Forum, MD.

Key responsibilities: 

The Program Manager will be responsible for the following functions:

Leading the WRG Secretariate

• Implement the 2026 to 2030 Strategic Plan, in active consultation with World Bank Group management and Steering Board, and approval by the Governing Council. 
• Develop, manage and monitor annual Operational Plans to implement the Strategic Plan including the Global Program and Country Programs. 
• Supervise the production of high-caliber analytical products and ensure that they are rigorously quality-assured following regular WBG procedures.
• Align WRG activities with the WBG WSIP to ensure greatest water security impact.
• Participate actively as a member of the WBG Water Leadership team (comprising all regional Practice Managers and Global Leads) and closely coordinate with all relevant groups in the World Bank and IFC
• Strengthen WRG visibility, thought leadership, and impact communications globally. Engage with and maintain close ties with civil society, academia, and private sector partners at C-Suite levels. Build out different partnership formats and/or levels to be able to tap into a wider set of corporate and other relevant partnerships.

People/Talent Management:

• Lead and manage the WRG Secretariat and technical staff, consisting of full-time staff and consultants
• Models exemplary WBG leadership values and managerial behaviors and reinforces these qualities in own team and staff 
• Leads, drives and inspires technical excellence within the team and the Department by creating an environment of learning and innovation that attracts and develops the best talent reflective of the diversity of our clients
• Closely supports and advises staff on their performance, skills development and career planning.

Resource Management:

• Fundraise and bring in new partners, including funding partners at the global and local levels, to ensure the financial sustainability of an expanded program and effective budget management.
• Develop a strategy to leverage opportunities for resource mobilization at the country level, including tapping into World Bank Group and external Trust Funds.
• In consultation with relevant stakeholders within the WBG, decides on the best use of internal and external resources for maximum client and developmental impact, within the mandate of the WRG Charter.
• 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 unit outputs.

Selection Criteria

• Meet all WBG-wide Grade GH level position criteria (i.e., work in at least two world regions or a combination of regional and corporate assignments is required; field experience is preferred).
• Master's or doctoral degree in Water Resources, Environment, Economics, Business strategy, Administration or other relevant disciplines.
• At least 12 years of international and country-level work experience in program management, financing/business development, or water and other environmental issues, with significant experience working across organizations and sectors.
• Clear understanding of the technical and policy drivers of the water sector and the political economy of reform.
• Well-established networks among key individuals and organizations associated with the water, climate, and environment agenda, ideally across public, private, and civil society sector activities
• Proven ability to work with C-suite business leaders and leading experts in academia, Director-level staff in the World Bank Group or equivalent in other international organizations, senior-most government officials (at the Minister or Principal Secretary level), non-governmental organizations, as well as with representatives from grassroots organizations.
• Outstanding verbal and written communication skills in English; proficiency in other languages desirable.
• Demonstrated leadership and people management skills, including experience managing multi-location and virtual teams, and operating effectively with both formal and matrixed authority.
• Strong strategic orientation and ability to prioritize, streamline, and rationalize activities to maximize impact.
• Adaptability, flexibility, and ability to lead teams for success during periods of change.
• Extensive experience working across practices, disciplines, and sectors, and in building partnerships with governments, the private sector, civil society, donors, and research institutions to achieve development results.

Water Competencies

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 4-year term appointment.

The World Bank Group values diversity and encourages all qualified candidates who are nationals of World Bank Group member countries to apply, regardless of gender, gender identity, religion, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or disability.  Sub-Saharan African nationals, Caribbean nationals, and female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.

WBG Culture Attributes:

1. Sense of Urgency – Anticipating and quickly reacting to the needs of internal and external stakeholders.
2. Thoughtful Risk Taking – Taking informed and thoughtful risks and making courageous decisions to push boundaries for greater impact.
3. Empowerment and Accountability – Engaging with others in an empowered and accountable manner for impactful results.

Note: If the selected candidate is a current World Bank Group Staff Member with a Regular or Open-Ended appointment, they will retain their Regular or Open-Ended appointment. If the selected candidate is a current World Bank Group Staff Member with a Term appointment that expires later than the end date of this appointment, they will retain the duration of their current Term appointment.

WBG Culture Attributes:

1. Sense of urgency: Anticipate and quickly respond to the needs of internal and external stakeholders.
2. Thoughtful risk-taking: Challenge the status quo and push boundaries to achieve greater impact.
3. Empowerment and accountability: Empower yourself and others to act and hold each other accountable for results.

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.