Lead Financial Management Specialist

Lead Financial Management Specialist

Job #: req36026 Organization: World Bank Sector: Operations Grade: GH Term Duration: 4 years 0 months Recruitment Type: International Recruitment Location: Washington, DC,United States Required Language(s): English Closing Date: 3/27/2026 (MM/DD/YYYY) at 11:59pm UTC

Description

Do you want to build a career that is truly worthwhile? 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.

Operations Policy and Country Services (OPCS) plays a pivotal role in achieving the WBG’s mission. OPCS helps foster links between the knowledge verticals and the Regions, while assisting frontline staff in delivering results to clients through sound operations policy and strong country support. OPCS develops and oversees implementation of the World Bank’s operational policies, procedures and guidance for country strategies, lending operations, advisory services and analytical support, financial management, procurement, and environmental and social safeguards. OPCS is also responsible for modernizing operational instruments (lending and non-lending) to help the World Bank become more responsive, and efficient in meeting country needs.
Financial Management Team in OPCS (OPSFM):
OPSFM, based in OPCS, is led by the Chief Financial Management Officer. The department provides strategic leadership on Financial Management (FM) in operations covering guidance, procedures, and institutional systems. OPSFM provides operational training to FM staff in regions. It also leads to the interpretation of relevant policy and guidance for application in different contexts. Additionally, OPSFM serves as the interface with operations for Group Internal Audit (GIA), and Integrity Vice Presidency (INT). OPSFM is responsible for anti-corruption and United Nations (UN) engagement Program. Working in OPCS helps World Bank professionals gain broad exposure to strategic operations issues across all regions and develop a deeper understanding of the business of the Bank.
Duties and Accountability:
OPSFM is seeking to recruit an experienced, high-performing Lead Financial Management Specialist, to provide intellectual leadership and operational knowledge for a range of issues related to FM in operations. This is an assignment for experienced and highly motivated staff with deep operational experience in the areas of integrated risk management, financial management (FM) aspects of lending instruments, and use of technology and innovation for modernization of FM.
The selected candidate will be based at HQ (Washington DC), reporting to the OPSFM Manager, and will work closely with the broader OPCS team and with other relevant stakeholders both within (Governance Global Practice (GGP), Regions, Controllers, GIA, and INT) and outside the Bank (e.g., development partners, accountability and oversight institutions).
The Lead Financial Management Specialist is expected to take a leading role in the following tasks, with minimal supervision:
1. Policy and Systems
• Strategy: provide intellectual leadership, operational vision and follow-through on the Bank’s FM framework and related strategic directions in the context of operational efficiency and effectiveness and organizational changes.
• Policy: Provide inputs to Board Papers, Policy, Directive, Guidance, Good Practice and Reference materials that relate to lending instruments, advisory services and analytical support, country engagement and advise on the approval of policy waiver requests.
• Systems: Contribute to the FM aspects of OPCS information system agenda. Lead the design, development and implementation of technology-based solutions to support efficiency and effectiveness for FM in operations.
• Training and Staff Learning: Lead the design and delivery of training on FM related topics as needed. Contribute to the maintenance and update of the FM e-learning as needed.
• Lead and substantially contribute to the implementation and change management for Bank’s Block Chain-based platform - FundsChain.
2. Financial Management Oversight and Risk
• Corporate reviews: Lead corporate reviews for large, complex, and operationally significant operations. This includes engagement with task teams and representing the department in relevant meetings.
• Financial Management Risk: Lead department’s inputs to the corporate risk list review and to Board engagements.
3. Coordinating with Internal and External Partners
• Build and manage relationships with internal partners like GGP, Controllers, INT, GIA, etc.,
• Build and manage relationships with external partners like IPSASB, US GAO, INTOSAI etc.,
To deliver on the above tasks, the Lead Financial Management Specialist is expected to:
• Utilize data analysis, prepare technical notes and presentations, contribute to the expansion and improvement of the systematization of tools across the institution, explore use of innovative technologies and opportunities to support the modernization of FM in operations for improved portfolio performance.
• Utilize dashboards, Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and other data visualization tools to monitor FM quality, compliance, risk and performance and propose corrective measures to ensure quality of implementation of Bank's operations in all aspects related to FM.
• Identify and advise on best practices in financial management at the global level, providing contributions for modernizing the FM in operations.
• Provide technical and strategic advice to internal clients and development partners on FM issues including the efficient use of resources and managing internal controls and assurance function.
• Lead on knowledge management and dissemination in FM practices, in close collaboration with experts across the Verticals, Regions and other internal partners.
• Facilitate and promote cross-cutting collaboration with development partners in financial management, including capacity building initiatives, use of country systems and convergence of project FM arrangements.
• Contribute to the preparation of the OPSFM’s business plan and annual work program.
• Represent OPSFM in senior level meetings and working groups as assigned.
• Mentor staff both participating in peer support opportunities and mentor more junior colleagues.

Selection Criteria

• Membership of an internationally recognized Professional Accountancy Organization
(PAO) or relevant professional public sector financial management experience;
• Master’s degree in a relevant field (e.g., accounting, finance, or public policy); and
• At least twelve years of relevant professional experience that demonstrates global expertise and client facing skills. .
• Demonstrated ability to use technology for analytical and strategic work including familiarity with Block Chain.
• Strong interpersonal skills with proven ability to work independently with a variety of internal and external stakeholders, the ability to integrate divergent views and communicate complex information in a succinct and impactful manner.
• Demonstrated ability to provide intellectual and operational vision to follow- through.
• Strong grasp of the Bank’s policy and procedure framework and experience of formulation / update of policy and guidance.
• Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of project design, management and oversight tools and methodologies, integrated risk management in operational FM across different lending instruments, including stakeholder communications.
• Proven ability to find pragmatic, innovative solutions for FM in operations including support to portfolio performance.
• Solid change management experience.
• Experience in mentoring less experienced staff.

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.