Lead Specialist Job #: req34839 Organization: World Bank Sector: Operations Grade: GH Term Duration:ย 4 years 0 months Recruitment Type: International Recruitment Location: Washington, DC,United States Required Language(s): English Preferred Language(s): Closing Date: 11/21/2025 (MM/DD/YYYY) at 11:59pm UTC
Description
Do you want to build a career that is truly worthwhile? Working at the World Bank Group provides a unique opportunity for you to help our clients solve their greatest development challenges. 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, increasing shared prosperity and promoting sustainable development. 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 Outcome Delivery Unit within the World Bank Groupโs Department for Outcomes (SMDOC) plays a central role in ensuring that the institution delivers measurable, meaningful, and timely development outcomes. The Unit brings together behavioral insights, data analytics, and advanced technologies to enable real-time monitoring, adaptive learning, and predictive management of results across the WBG.
The team leads institutional stocktakes for senior leadership, manages the corporate target system, and supports the Presidentโs and Managing Directorsโ accountability processes. It also serves as a convener for cross-sectoral and external engagement -including partnerships with other multilateral development banks (MDBs), academia, and global initiatives such as the High-Level Jobs Council- to advance the global outcomes agenda.
SMDOD is at the frontier of integrating AI, large language models (LLMs), and predictive analytics into development practice, reshaping how the WBG measures, manages, and communicates results.
Duties and Responsibilities
As Lead Specialist, Outcome Delivery, you will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of outcome-focused development at the World Bank Group. You will serve as a senior advisor to the Unit Manager and institutional leadership, ensuring the delivery of cutting-edge, data-driven insights that inform corporate and operational decision-making.
1. Strategic Advisory & Thought Leadership
โข Serve as a trusted advisor to the Unit Manager and SMDOC leadership, providing strategic guidance on institutional priorities, stocktakes, and accountability mechanisms.
โข Shape and communicate the WBGโs narrative on outcomes, leading thought pieces, research, and flagship publications that influence global practice on results management.
โข Represent the Unit in strategic engagements with MDBs, development partners, and global knowledge platforms.
2. Data, Technology & Predictive Analytics
โข Lead the integration of AI, machine learning, natural language processing, and LLMs into outcome tracking and analytics systems.
โข Oversee the design of predictive models and real-time dashboards that anticipate performance risks and opportunities, enabling proactive course correction.
โข Promote innovative uses of big data and frontier technologies for measuring climate co-benefits, jobs, resilience, and inclusion outcomes.
โข Collaborate with the WBG Technology and Data teams to ensure cutting-edge analytical infrastructure and interoperability across platforms.
3. Stocktaking & Institutional Accountability
โข Direct the preparation of institutional stocktakes for Senior Management and the Board, synthesizing insights from across Regions and Global Practices.
โข Translate data into actionable intelligence, ensuring evidence-based resource allocation and performance management.
โข Oversee contributions to the Presidentโs DRMs, quarterly operational updates, and other leadership briefings on corporate targets.
4. Capacity Building & Internal Learning
โข Mentor and coach staff, strengthening internal capacity in AI-driven analytics, predictive modeling, and outcome measurement.
โข Lead workshops and training sessions to embed the โOutcome Reflexโ: the behavioral and institutional habit of learning and adapting in time.
โข Champion the culture of evidence-based decision-making across the WBG.
5. External Engagement & Partnerships
โข Build and sustain partnerships with MDBs, UN agencies, academia, and technology leaders to co-develop new methodologies for outcome measurement.
โข Support the Unitโs external representation in events, conferences, and knowledge exchanges, positioning SMDOC as a global thought leader on outcomes and AI for development.
โข Coordinate with external advisory groups such as the High-Level Jobs Council to align policy, measurement, and implementation.
Selection Criteria
โข ย Advanced degree (Masterโs or PhD) in Business Administration, Data Science, Statistics, Economics, Public Policy, Development Studies, or a related field.
โข ย Strong quantitative and data visualization mindset.
โข ย Minimum 10โ15 years of relevant experience in development operations, outcome measurement, results-based management, or strategic analytics.
โข ย Demonstrated expertise in AI, large language models, and machine learning applications for real-time monitoring, text analysis, and predictive forecasting.
โข ย Deep understanding of quantitative and qualitative methods, econometric modeling, and data visualization for strategic insight.
โข ย Proven experience in leading or advising high-level stocktakes, delivery units, or performance management teams in complex institutional settings.
โข ย Exceptional communication and leadership skills, with the ability to translate analytics into actionable strategies for senior decision-makers.
โข ย Strong track record in multiple organizations in research, thought leadership, and global representation on outcome-based development.
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 theย World Bankย andย IFC, including our values and inspiring stories.