Senior Strategy Officer

Job #: req24434

Organization: World Bank

Sector: Health/Nutrition/Population

Grade: GG

Term Duration: 4 years 0 months

Recruitment Type: International Recruitment

Location: Washington, DC,United States

Required Language(s): English

Preferred Language(s): Closing Date: 10/16/2023 (MM/DD/YYYY) at 11:59pm UTC

Description

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. 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. For more information, visit www.worldbank.org.

The devastating human, economic, and social costs of COVID-19 highlighted the urgent need for coordinated action to build stronger health systems and mobilize additional resources for pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response (PPR) in IDA and IBRD countries.

Against this backdrop, the World Bank’s Board approved the establishment of the Pandemic Fund (www.worldbank.org/pandemicfund) on June 30, 2022, as a dedicated, multilateral funding mechanism to support critical investments to strengthen PPR capacities at national, regional, and global levels, with a focus on IDA and IBRD countries. The Pandemic Fund was formally established as a Financial Intermediary Fund in September 2022, with its Secretariat hosted by the Bank, and launched at the G20 Summit in November 2022.

The Pandemic Fund is a collaborative, multi-stakeholder partnership among donor governments, co-investors (countries that are eligible to receive funding), foundations, civil society organizations, and Implementing Entities (IEs), including the World Bank, IFC, other MDBs; UN agencies, including the WHO; and specialized global health initiatives, including CEPI, GAVI and the Global Fund.

In a short period of time, the Pandemic Fund has raised US$2 billion in seed capital from 25 contributors, established a strong presence in the global health financing space, and moved forward quickly with its first round of funding, which includes support to countries and regional bodies to strengthen early warning and disease surveillance system, laboratories, and human resources. As the Pandemic Fund commences the second year of its operations, it will draw on lessons learned from the first year and continue to leverage the strengths of its partners to help close critical PPR capacity gaps in LICs and MICs. Fulfilling the promise of the Pandemic Fund to help countries and the world become more resilient to future health threats will require continued efforts to strengthen all aspects of the partnership, with a strong focus on results, impact, and sustainability.

The governing and administrative bodies of the Pandemic Fund are its (i) Governing Board, (ii) Technical Advisory Panel (TAP), chaired by the WHO (iii) Secretariat hosted by the World Bank, and (iv) Trustee. The IEs support implementation of Pandemic Fund-financed projects and activities.

The Secretariat is looking for an energetic, resourceful, and qualified individual to join a dynamic, high-performing team of professionals in the role of a Senior Strategy Officer. The selected candidate will report to the Executive Head of the Secretariat and work with other members of the Secretariat and in close collaboration with the Pandemic Fund’s Governing Board and other concerned stakeholders to ensure the timely delivery of high-quality results. Duties and Accountabilities

The Senior Strategy Officer will contribute to the Secretariat’s role in supporting the smooth and efficient functioning of the Governing Board. Duties and accountabilities will include, but not be limited to the following:

•  Contribute to the development and implementation of the Pandemic Fund’s medium-term strategy for the Governing Board’s approval, and any updates, as needed.
•  Perform rapid reviews of the policies and practices of other multilateral initiatives to inform the development of the Pandemic Fund’s strategy, policies, operations etc.
•  Prepare papers, documents, and presentations at the request of the Governing Board, to inform the Governing Board’s discussions, deliberations, and decision making, including on strategy, policy, operations, funding allocation, budget, work program, etc.
•  Compile, organize and analyze the Governing Board’s comments on various papers and documents circulated, and update papers and documents, as needed.
•  Support Committees and Working Groups constituted by the Governing Board.
•  Contribute to preparing meeting agendas and minutes of Governing Board meetings.
•  Liaise effectively with Governing Board members, building cooperative relationships to support the various Board constituencies.

Selection Criteria

•  Master/s degree in International Governance, Public Policy, Global Affairs, Economics, or other relevant discipline plus a minimum of 8 years of relevant work experience;
•  Extensive experience in supporting the governing bodies and secretariats of other, similar multilateral initiatives/global health initiatives/Financial Intermediary Funds on strategic and operational matters;
•  Demonstrated experience in engaging with senior representatives of governments, philanthropies and foundations, and civil society, and building and nurturing relationships;
•  Demonstrated ability to think strategically, rapidly analyze and synthesize diverse information, and convey it in an easily digestible manner, both orally and in writing;
•  Excellent written and oral communications skills and an ability to tailor communication style to meet audience needs and deliver information effectively;
•  An understanding of international development issues and the global health landscape;
•  Excellent English language skills. Proficiency in an additional WBG official language, such as French or Spanish, would be an added advantage;
•  Demonstrated ability and the necessary personal organization skills to take initiative, personal ownership and accountability to meet deadlines, work under pressure, and achieve agreed-upon results;
•  Demonstrated ability to work effectively in teams in a multicultural environment;
•  Demonstrated ability to work in dynamic, fast-moving environments;
•  A “can do” mindset, flexibility, reliability, and strong problem-solving skills.

The World Bank Group is committed to achieving diversity in terms of gender, nationality, culture, and educational background. Individuals with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated in strict confidence.

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.