Senior Program Officer

Job #:
req37449

Organization:
World Bank Group

Sector:
Knowledge Management

Grade:
GG

Term Duration:
3 years 0 months

Recruitment Type:
International Recruitment

Location:
Washington, DC,United States

Required Language(s):
English

Closing Date:
7/21/2026 (MM/DD/YYYY) at 11:59pm UTC

Description

The WBG Academy is seeking a skilled professional with background in knowledge, learning, change management, communication and capacity building to help build out the vision laid out in the Knowledge Compact. The ideal candidate will have strong program administration skills, experience with coordinating in-person, hybrid, and e-learning events, experience in capacity building, knowledge of the World Bank Group learning and knowledge management tools and technologies, knowledge of the WBG policies and procedures, user research, and digital product development. Strong communication skills and a proven track-record of successful cross-team collaboration are essential. This role is flexible and will evolve as the team expands, requiring adaptability and strategic foresight to shape the position and contribute to the department's growth.

Duties and Responsibilities:
1. Position Overview
The Senior Program Officer will support the design, delivery, and scaling of World Bank Group (WBG) Academy programs, ensuring that knowledge and learning are embedded within operations to support implementation and contribute to development outcomes.
The role will manage a portfolio of Academy programs, while expanding the Academy approach across WBG instruments (e.g., operations, regional programs, knowledge centers) and strengthening the institutionalization of capacity development as a core service.
The position reports to the Head of the World Bank Group Academy.

2. Strategic Context
The WBG Academy's strategic ambition is to shift capacity development from stand-alone training to a core operational capability that supports implementation, institutional change, and development outcomes.
In this context, the role helps translate the Academy model into scalable practice across WBG instruments, ensuring that learning is embedded in operations, aligned with business priorities, and designed to generate measurable contribution to reform and results.
The position supports how teams design, implement, and assess results-oriented learning engagements-linking technical expertise, practitioner learning, partnerships, and evidence to support more effective delivery and scalable solutions across the institution.
Success in this role will be measured by the Program Manager's ability to deliver high-quality Academy programs effectively, expand the integration of the Academy approach across WBG operations, strengthen the capacity of teams to design and implement results-oriented programs, generate evidence of program contribution to operational and institutional outcomes, and build partnerships and knowledge networks that support scalable solutions.

3. Key Responsibilities
A. Program Management and Delivery
• Manage a portfolio of WBG Academy programs (Impact Programs and Practitioner Programs), ensuring timely, high-quality delivery.
• Oversee program planning, implementation, and monitoring, ensuring alignment with agreed objectives and results frameworks.
• Ensure application of the Academy Approach, including results definition, structured learning journeys, peer learning and outcome tracking.
• Coordinate multi-year, programmatic engagements where relevant, including alignment with operational cycles.

B. Expanding the Academy Approach Across WBG Instruments
• Support the integration of the Academy approach into WBG operations (including lending and advisory work), Regional and multi-country programs, Knowledge centers and institutional platforms
• Facilitate the embedding of learning components within operations, ensuring learning supports implementation rather than functioning as a parallel activity.

C. Support to Technical Teams and TTLs
• Work closely with technical teams to co-design Academy programs aligned with operational objectives, structure learning journeys and practitioner engagement, define clear results pathways using the Academy results framework
• Ensure teams have access to relevant expertise from WBG Academy centers of expertise and other global/regional networks.
• Build capacity of task teams to design and deliver Academy programs, including coaching and on-the-job support, facilitations skills and overall client engagement training.

D. Results Management and Analytics
• Support teams in defining results at the outset and tracking progress using the Academy approach results framework
• Monitor program performance and generate insights to inform adaptation and decision-making.
• Contribute to the development of comparable evidence on the contribution of knowledge and learning to operational outcomes.

E. Corporate Alignment and Process Integration
• Liaise with corporate units (e.g., OPCS, ITS, HR, and others) to align Academy programs with corporate processes, policies, and systems and ensure integration with operational guidelines and digital platforms
• Support the positioning of the Academy within WBG corporate architecture (analytics, financing, capacity development).

F. Partnerships and External Engagement
• Engage with external partners (governments, academic institutions, development partners, private sector stakeholders) to co-create and deliver Academy programs, mobilize expertise and global knowledge and promote a results-oriented approach to capacity development
• Support the development of partnerships aligned with scaling solutions and building practitioner networks.

G. Knowledge Management and Continuous Improvement
• Capture lessons learned and contribute to refining the Academy playbook and methodologies.
• Support cross-program learning and dissemination of good practices.
• Contribute to institutional knowledge and thought leadership on capacity development for impact.

Selection Criteria

A. Experience
• 8 - 12 years of relevant professional experience in program/project management, operations, or capacity development.
• Demonstrated experience managing complex program or project portfolios.
• Operational experience in the World Bank Group or similar institutions is required; field experience strongly preferred. Experience in FCV contexts an asset.
• Experience working with both public and private sector clients.

B. Technical and Functional Skills
• Strong program management skills, including planning, coordination, and delivery.
• Experience in designing or supporting capacity development or learning programs is highly desirable.
• Strong analytical skills, with ability to translate program data into actionable insights.
• Ability to work across sectors and integrate knowledge into operational contexts.

C. Behavioral Competencies
• Excellent Team member, communication and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Ability to work across organizational boundaries and influence diverse teams.
• Strong client orientation and results focus.
• Proven ability to work in multi-cultural, matrixed environments.
• Familiarity with WBG operational processes, instruments, and corporate systems.
• Understanding of results frameworks and monitoring approaches.

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.