Lead Procurement Specialist

Lead Procurement Specialist

Description

At the World Bank, a member of the World Bank Group (WBG), you’ll join a diverse, global community working across cultures, disciplines, and borders to address the world’s most pressing development challenges. With 1.2 billion young people reaching working age in the decade ahead, the challenge of job creation has never been greater. Through partnerships across 145 countries and more than 182 offices worldwide, we work with governments, private sector, development partners and other stakeholders to invest in people, strengthen markets, and deliver scalable, data-driven solutions that generate more and better jobs and improve lives. For more information, visit https://www.worldbank.org/en/who-we-are/ibrd

The South Asia Region (Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, and Sri Lanka) is at a crucial stage of development. Rapid economic growth, driven by urbanization and demographic dividend, has brought down poverty rates, but severe forms of exclusion and disparities based on ethnicity, caste, and gender remain. Rapid growth has also come with congestion and pollution in cities. South Asia is more than other regions affected by changes in temperature and extreme weather events. Additional challenges are that South Asia is underperforming in exports, has large informal sectors and low female labor force participation rates. All these challenges must be addressed to ensure rapid growth in coming decades. Private sector led growth, focused on investments in infrastructure, energy, logistics and cities are essential to generate the jobs needed to employ South Asia’s sizeable youth population. At the same time, the region needs to continue building human capital so that South Asia’s population is well equipped for the jobs of the future. 

The World Bank in South Asia:  https://www.worldbank.org/en/region/sar

The South Asia Region (Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, and Sri Lanka) is at a crucial stage of development. Rapid economic growth, driven by urbanization and demographic dividend, has brought down poverty rates, but severe forms of exclusion and disparities based on ethnicity, caste, and gender remain. Rapid growth has also come with congestion and pollution in cities. South Asia is more than other regions affected by changes in temperature and extreme weather events. Additional challenges are that South Asia is underperforming in exports, has large informal sectors and low female labor force participation rates. All these challenges must be addressed to ensure rapid growth in coming decades. Private sector led growth, focused on investments in infrastructure, energy, logistics and cities are essential to generate the jobs needed to employ South Asia’s sizeable youth population. At the same time, the region needs to continue building human capital so that South Asia’s population is well equipped for the jobs of the future. 

The World Bank in South Asia:  https://www.worldbank.org/en/region/sar

Duties and accountabilities: 

The Lead Procurement Specialist will provide technical leadership, ensure high-quality procurement services, and advance policy dialogue on procurement reform and modernization in India. He/she will diagnose procurement and implementation constraints, identify root causes, assess risks and alternatives, and develop practical, fit-for-purpose solutions that balance fiduciary requirements with timely delivery. He/she will support CMU and Regional Management in implementing the D-Ready agenda, Procurement Change Program, and related corporate transformation initiatives to improve project readiness, implementation performance, operational efficiency, portfolio quality, and client outcomes. He/she will also lead the adoption of new business processes, operating models, digital tools, and performance management approaches in India portfolio, and promote innovation, modernization, and digital transformation by identifying opportunities to improve processes, strengthen decision-making, enhance portfolio management, and generate measurable operational efficiencies.

• Lead and support procurement modernization dialogue primarily in India, participating in operational, analytical, and advisory activities across SAR and the Prosperity Vertical, with a strong focus on public procurement systems, legal and regulatory frameworks, institutional strengthening, and capacity building.

• Lead and provide the full range of procurement services to the India portfolio; work with institutions to improve service delivery, value for money (VFM), integrity, and public expenditure management through efficient procurement and contract management.

• Contribute to departmental, regional, and institutional efforts to develop and review procurement policies, practices, analytical tools, and operational approaches to meet evolving client needs.

• Act independently under the guidance of the Practice Manager to organize, deliver, review, and clear complex procurement operations, ensuring fiduciary compliance, quality control, and consistent policy interpretation; lead advisory work that cuts across sectors and work units.

• Lead and contribute to procurement reform initiatives, including system assessments, institutional design, reform monitoring, professionalization of procurement functions, and close collaboration with Governance sector colleagues and client governments.

• Review procurement inputs for core Bank documents (PADs, Legal Agreements, QERs, DPFs, Board Papers); handle delegated cases subject to Practice Manager and OPRC review; ensure consistency of regional procurement approaches and proper clearance.

• Participate in precedent-setting missions, drive innovation in procurement practice, ensure effective use of digital tools (including STEP and data analytics), mentor and guide staff, support knowledge dissemination and training, and maintain strong engagement with TTLs, Practice Managers, governments, multilateral and bilateral partners, academia, civil society, and research institutions.

• Support the Practice Manager and perform delegated responsibilities as needed.

Note: This internal requisition is open to WBG staff only (including short-term and extended-term consultants/temporaries). External candidates are requested not to apply. In case an external candidate applies, their application will not be considered.

Selection Criteria

• Advanced degree (MA/MSc/MBA or equivalent) in a relevant field such as engineering, procurement, law, finance, business, or commerce, with a minimum of 12 years of relevant experience and a sustained record of high-quality results in public procurement management, including multi-country and regional experience.

• Practical experience working in at least two regions, or a combination of regional and corporate assignments, is required. Field experience is preferred; relevant pre-Bank field experience with an international development institution will also be considered.

• Extensive hands-on experience advising governments on procurement reforms, including implementation and operation of e-procurement systems, complemented by strong knowledge of procurement data analytics and practical applications of AI in procurement.

• In-depth knowledge of World Bank procurement policies and practices across a range of sectors and lending operations, including PforR and all phases of the project cycle. Knowledge and practical application of CCM/PCM and PCE is required; experience with PPPs will be considered an advantage.

• Proven experience conducting procurement capacity assessments for IPF and PforR operations and supporting clients in the design and implementation of development-impact projects and programs. Experience with MAPS assessments, implementation of resulting recommendations, procurement innovation, and elements of the Change Program are required and experience of reimbursable and advisory services will be considered an advantage.

• Strong professional integrity, accountability, client-service orientation, leadership, communication, negotiation, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to work effectively in multicultural and matrix environments and build strong client and colleague relationships. Excellent command of English and willingness to travel frequently are required; Task Team Leader experience and recent authorship of blogs, articles, or analytical reports will be considered advantages.

As the World Bank Group continues to evolve, we value candidates who:

• Demonstrate the ability to collaborate effectively across teams, disciplines, cultures, and institutional boundaries.
• Responsibly leverage digital and AI-enabled tools to enhance productivity, learning, and decision-making.
• Bring experience working in fragile, conflict-affected, and violent (FCV) contexts and are encouraged to highlight relevant experience in their application materials, where applicable.

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.