Program Manager, Mexico

Program Manager, MexicoOrganization: World BankSector: OperationsGrade: GHTerm: 4 years 0 monthsRecruitment Type: InternationalLocation: Mexico City, MexicoRequired Language(s): English, SpanishPreferred Language(s): English, SpanishClosing Date: (MM / DD / YYYY) at 11:59pm UTCThe 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.VPU Context: The World Bank Group serves 33 client countries in clients ranging from large rapidly growing sophisticated middle-income clients to IDA countries to small Caribbean states to one fragile state, and to varying degrees face three key challenges – low productivity and growth, low quality jobs and low resilience to shocks.The region is tackling these challenges with a strong WBG approach, underpinned by selectivity and complementarity between the public and private arms, and in strong partnership with relevant regional development partners.The challenge of low growth: After recovering lost output, the region is returning to pre-pandemic low growth and productivity scenario.After a solid post-pandemic rebound in economic activity (7.2% and 3.9% growth in ****, **** respectively), GDP growth returned to the pre-pandemic low growth around 2.2% in ****.With an average Gini coefficient of 0.52, LAC remains one of the most unequal regions in the world.The bottom 50% earn 27 times less than the top 10%.A child born today in the poorest 20% quintile in LAC will on average be 17 percentage points less productive than a child born in the richest 20%.Quality jobs: the need for better quality jobs is paramount, with 6.2% unemployment rates.These low levels mask a deeper issue of job quality.Labor earnings have only grown by 1% or less per year in most countries over the past decade, and some 19% of workers are earning incomes below the poverty line.Investing in foundational infrastructure critical to job creation, LAC needs to invest at least 3.1% of GDP annually, yet it only invests 2%, significantly lower than the world average of 5.4% of GDP.Infrastructure challenge: The region's underinvestment in physical infrastructure—transport, water, energy—holds back potential for better jobs.LAC needs to support selective transformative infrastructure projects (urban mobility, regional transport, connectivity).Human infrastructure: firms cite skills shortages (55% in LAC vs 45% in MIC regions) as a key barrier to growth and job creation.A child born in LAC is expected to reach only 56% of their productive potential.Three out of four 15-year olds fail basic math proficiency and cannot read adequately.The region is supporting clients to revamp education and health care sectors.Policy and regulation: The region needs to foster a predictable, business-enabling environment, ensuring macro stability, eliminating restrictive business regulations, and improving access to finance, especially long-term capital.Labor market regulations are among the most restrictive in OECD countries.Competition policy enforcement is needed to address high market concentration (the 50 largest firms in Mexico, Brazil, Colombia, Argentina, Chile have revenues > 30% of GDP).Capital mobilization: At 55% of GDP, domestic credit to the private sector remains much lower than EAP (178%).Private capital needs incentives to support public goods and key sector investments.Gross capital formation is only 19.8% of GDP.The Division: LC2 is responsible for overseeing the World Bank's program in Central America, Mexico, and Dominican Republic, including country strategy, policy dialogue, portfolio management, and country relations.The Division works with two IDA countries (Honduras, Nicaragua), two lower-middle income countries (El Salvador, Guatemala), and three upper-middle income countries (Dominican Republic, Costa Rica, Panama) with Mexico joining the CMU from FY27.Duties and Accountabilities: The Program Manager is accountable for performing responsibilities, modeling behaviors, and maintaining technical competencies.The Program Manager is responsible for IBRD program oversight, in close coordination with the IFC Director and under the guidance of the IBRD Division Director.ResponsibilitiesLead the Bank's program oversight and dialogue, coordinating with IFC and MIGA for a cohesive WBG approach to client dialogue and offerings.Develop, update, and implement the CPF and other strategic documents in collaboration with WBG teams.Takes accountability for the results outlined in the CPF for the client country in coordination with operational staff, sectoral technical staff, and the country management team.Support the development of high-quality work programs and sector strategies based on the CPF and other strategic documents, tailored to client demand and country contexts.Provide oversight on portfolio management and quality issues, working with clients to address implementation challenges and ensure high quality and results on the ground.Lead communication aspects on the results of the engagement.In partnership with HR, manage the country office team, including recruitment, evaluation, and career development of locally recruited staff.Inspire technical and behavioral excellence in the team, in conjunction with the appropriate practice manager where applicable.Ensure effective formulation of the Country Office budget proposal, input into CMU budget decisions, and manage the Country Office's financial resources efficiently and in full compliance with Bank policies.Provide ongoing representation of the Bank and outreach to key partners, building relationships with the on-the-ground donor community, bilateral agencies, regional and multilateral agencies.Foster strong relationships with the government in a complex, fragile, and changing environment, building and deepening the consultation process with state and local governments, the private sector, media, academia, and civil society groups.Cultivate an environment of openness that encourages innovation and rewards knowledge sharing and dissemination.Support task teams to apply global knowledge and consider the complex local political economy in the work program.QualificationsPhD or Master's degree in business, finance, economics, or a sector-specific field.Minimum 12 years of professional experience in positions of increasing complexity and responsibility in an international context, with a demonstrated track record in country program management, business consulting, investment banking, or operational experience in a sector relevant to the country.Portfolio management experience and proven competency in implementation support.Broad and deep understanding of the Evolution Roadmap and of the full range of the Bank's financial and advisory products, services and procedures, gained through solid operational experience.Experience leading teams on the preparation and implementation of various types of operations; providing high-quality practical advice on complex operational issues.Strong political, diplomatic, and partnership skills; ability to develop and sustain close and effective senior-level working relationships with government, private sector clients, and partners.Strong strategic orientation to link macro and sector strategies as well as lending and non-lending services within a consistent development framework.Ability to connect the dots across corporate strategies and portfolio management lessons learned to generate innovative ideas and replicable solutions.Broad strategic perspective and ability to translate strategy and resources into business opportunities.Proven track record in offering integrated solutions to clients in challenging contexts.Ability to influence and mobilize support across institutional boundaries.Strong written and verbal communication skills in both English and Spanish, with the ability to speak persuasively and present ideas clearly and concisely.Previous managerial experience is desirable.The World Bank Group offers comprehensive benefits, including a retirement plan; medical, life and disability insurance; paid leave, including parental leave, as well as reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities.#J-*****-Ljbffr