Program Coordinator

E T Consultant – Program Coordinator Description 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 changes around the globe. For more information, visit www.worldbank.org. VPU Context: The Development Economics Vice Presidency (DEC) is the World Bank’s central reservoir of fresh insights into the most pressing challenges of development. It is led by the Chief Economist and Senior Vice President of the World Bank Group, who advises the President and senior managers, serves as the community leader for the WBG’s economists, and helps to keep the institution in the forefront of thinking about development policy. DEC constitutes one of the world’s largest teams of economists focused on policy solutions for developing economies. Unit Context: The Africa Chief Economist’s office is seeking to recruit a program coordinator who will join the team and contribute to the activities and priorities of the Office. In particular, the role will provide program coordination for the Think Africa Partnership Multi-Partner Fund and other related capacity building activities supported by the CE Office. The Think Africa Partnership (TAP) works to enhance knowledge uptake in economic policy among African governments. It does so by supporting the work of African scholars, policy institutes, and government chief economists, including via the CEoG initiative. TAP prioritizes activities that promote collaborative research, peer-based capacity support, and policy dialogue. The Partnership is an African-centered initiative to better equip African researchers, institutions, and senior government economic advisors with the tools, knowledge, and network to better address development challenges with home-owned solutions. The Chief Economists of Government Initiative (CEoG) is a unique peer network of more than 40 presidential economic advisors spread across sub-Saharan Africa. Under the program, the team work closely with these advisors to support their work and enhance the quality of economic policy advice they deliver to their countries and principals. The program includes organizing networking activities, workshops and an annual forum, as well as providing on-demand analytical and data support to the advisors and their teams. CEoG is the flagship capacity building program of the Africa Chief Economist’s Office, and forms part of the Think Africa Partnership. The World Bank is seeking to hire an Extended Term Consultant (ETC) to play a key role in coordinating and delivering capacity building activities and program management of TAP. This position is ideal for a dynamic and self-motivated individual who seeks to continue to build their programmatic experience alongside tackling the practical challenges of promoting evidence-informed policy making and economic transformation through innovative capacity building programs. The E T Consultant will work as part of the program management unit, reporting to the Program Manager and Chief Economist to oversee the Think Africa Partnership. Duties and accountabilities: The successful candidate will be expected to carry out a full range of operational, programmatic, and administrative functions associated with the Think Africa Partnership. The responsibilities will include, but not limited to: Program Coordination and Trust Fund Management • Support the overall management and strategic implementation of the Think Africa Partnership (TAP) Multi-Donor Trust Fund, ensuring alignment with program objectives, donor commitments, and World Bank operational requirements. • Coordinate TAP governance processes, including the preparation and delivery of Steering Committee meetings, development of annual and multi-year workplans, budgets, results frameworks, progress reports, and related documentation for donors and stakeholders. • Support trust fund administration and lifecycle management, including trust fund extensions, amendments to Administrative Agreements, and coordination with relevant World Bank units, including Legal (LEGAM), Development Finance (DFI), and operational teams. • Coordinate fundraising and resource mobilization efforts, including development of donor proposals, engagement with partners, preparation of strategic funding documents, and management of donor relations to support the sustainability and growth of TAP activities. • Coordinate the preparation of strategic planning documents, partnership strategies, and multi-year implementation plans to guide TAP programming and institutional development. • Coordinate independent reviews, evaluations, and assessments of TAP activities, including drafting Terms of Reference, managing consultants, reviewing deliverables, and facilitating dissemination and uptake of findings. Results Management, Monitoring and Reporting • Lead the preparation of annual program reports and donor reporting requirements, including coordination of inputs from implementing partners, drafting narrative sections, consolidating results reporting, and ensuring compliance with trust fund reporting obligations. • Coordinate monitoring, evaluation, and learning activities across TAP, including management and revision of Results Frameworks, assessment of performance indicators, incorporation of evaluation findings, and alignment of monitoring systems with evolving program priorities. • Support evidence generation and knowledge management activities by synthesizing lessons learned, documenting program achievements, and identifying opportunities to strengthen program effectiveness and impact. Partnership Development and Capacity Building • Coordinate activities across the Think Africa Partnership portfolio, including capacity building programs, technical assistance, peer-learning initiatives, workshops, conferences, research activities, and policy dialogue platforms. • Support implementation of the Chief Economists of Government (CEoG) Initiative, including organization of annual forums, roundtables, donor engagement activities, and other events that strengthen peer learning and policy collaboration among senior government economic advisors. • Coordinate and strengthen partnerships with African research institutions, policy organizations, government counterparts, and development partners, including management of collaborative activities, grants, consultant contracts, and partnership agreements. • Support the design and implementation of new partnership initiatives and programs, ensuring alignment with TAP strategic objectives and donor priorities. • Coordinate engagement with TAP’s broader network of stakeholders, including government institutions, regional organizations, research centers, donors, and international development partners. Donor Relations and External Engagement • Maintain regular engagement with donor representatives and external stakeholders, including organizing consultations, field visits, events and strategic discussions to strengthen partnerships and enhance visibility of TAP activities. • Support high-level engagements involving the Office of the Chief Economist, including preparation of briefing materials, talking points, speeches, run-of-show documents, and coordination with government counterparts, and donors. Communications and Knowledge Dissemination • Coordinate TAP communications and outreach activities, including preparation of newsletters, brochures, web content, social media materials, and other communication products that promote program visibility and stakeholder engagement. • Support dissemination of flagship knowledge products, publications, analytical outputs, and research findings produced under TAP and the Office of the Chief Economist. • Ensure consistency of program messaging, branding, and communications across TAP activities and partner engagements. Program Operations and Administrative Support • Coordinate schedules of activities related to the unit’s work program, monitor and communicate updates to relevant staff, partners, and stakeholders. • Coordinate meetings and engagements with internal and external clients, donors, consultants, and implementing partners. • Maintain program documentation, records, contact databases, and electronic filing systems. • Draft, edit, and quality assure correspondence, reports, presentations, concept notes, Terms of Reference, and other operational and programmatic materials. • Support procurement, consultant management, grant administration, and related operational processes in accordance with World Bank policies and procedures. Selection Criteria •Master’s degree in economics, International Development or other relevant discipline. •At least 5 years of full-time relevant professional experience with a record of working in the field of international development, policy making, or other backgrounds related to the role and the activities of the unit, ideally with experience in an African country. •Experience working with multi-partner funds, trust funds, or other similar programs would be advantageous. •Team oriented with proven ability to carry out complex tasks and adapt to new challenges. •Capacity to work under pressure and to meet strict deadlines. •Ability to work with and support task teams and key stakeholders on capacity building in Africa. •Demonstrated experience in international development; demonstrated high-level ability to communicate with internal and external partners in international development, including at the most senior levels of government. •Professional experience within government or working closely with senior government counterparts. •Ability to work in both French and English is highly desirable. Other language skills such as Portuguese and Spanish would be advantageous. •Program coordination or project management experience in areas relating to capacity building such as organizing trainings, workshops, events, and related communications. •Program coordination experience relating to results frameworks, donor reporting and other evaluation methods would be advantageous. •Excellent written and verbal communication skills, ability to prepare research analysis, policy briefings, data analysis and professional correspondence for both internal and external audiences. •Excellent teamwork and collaboration skills, able to adapt to different working styles and environments. •Excellent organizational skills, ability to prioritize assignments when working on multiple assignments. •Proven ability to deliver high-quality work under pressure and tight deadlines, with minimal supervision. 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 As per WBG policy, an Extended Term (ET) appointment is subject to a lifetime maximum of three (3) years. Former and current ET staff who have completed or are in the process of completing their third-year ET appointment are not eligible for future ET appointments. 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.