Manager: WBG Data, Information and AI Platforms & Tools en World Bank Group

Description

Working at the World Bank Group (WBG) provides a unique opportunity to help client countries 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 poverty on a livable planet. 
With 189 member countries and more than 120 offices worldwide, the World Bank Group works with public and private partners, invests in groundbreaking projects and uses data, research, and technology to develop solutions to pressing global, regional and local challenges. For more information, please visit http: http://www.worldbank.org.

The organization has undertaken an ambitious exercise to revise its mandate, products and structure to adjust to the multiple, intertwined crises affecting the world today (see Evolution Roadmap), in the move to becoming a better Bank.

Business Unit Overview

The mission of the Information and Technology Solutions (ITS) Vice Presidential Unit (VPU) is to leverage information and technology as a force multiplier to accelerate, deepen, and sustain development impact. The vision is to harness information and technology for a world free of poverty on a livable planet. For more information on ITS, check this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?reload=9&v=VTFGffa1Y7w. 

Department Context

The ITS Data Technology Office is the central entity within the World Bank Group’s Information and Technology Solutions (ITS) department responsible for enabling data, AI, information, and knowledge capabilities across the institution. It comprises four units focused on platforms & tools, product & service delivery, enablement and governance. The office plays a pivotal role in advancing the Group’s digital transformation, supporting business domains with trusted data, information and AI capabilities, and fostering a culture of responsible innovation.

Unit Context

The Platforms & Tools unit is responsible for building, integrating, and continuously modernizing the foundational technology infrastructure that powers data, AI, archives, and knowledge services across the World Bank Group. The unit leads the rationalization and simplification of legacy systems, and modernization towards platforms that are scalable, secure, interoperable, and designed for self-service and adoption. The unit plays a critical role in enabling enterprise-wide transformation by delivering data environments, digitization infrastructure, and open knowledge repositories that are AI-ready, secure and aligned with business needs.

Duties and Responsibilities

Purpose

Lead the strategic development, integration, and continuous improvement of shared platforms, tools and infrastructure that support data, AI, information and knowledge services. This role drives simplification, self-service enablement, and modernization to ensure scalable, secure, and business-aligned technology foundations, while fostering high-performing teams through effective people leadership, talent development, and inclusive management practices.

Responsibilities

1. Platform Strategy & Architecture

- Develop and maintain a unified architecture for data, AI, and information platforms that supports interoperability, scalability, and security.
- Align platform strategy with organizational priorities, business needs, and emerging technologies.
- Ensure platforms are designed to support both enterprise-grade solutions and citizen-led innovation.

2. Infrastructure Delivery & Operations

- Oversee engineering teams responsible for platform build, deployment, and operations, covering platforms for data, information, AI and knowledge, as well as archives.
- Ensure high availability, performance, and resilience of platforms through robust operational practices and monitoring.

3. Rationalization & Simplification

- Lead efforts to consolidate legacy systems, reduce duplication, and streamline platform offerings.
- Promote standardization of tools, environments, and integration patterns across the department.

4. Self-Service & Adoption Enablement

- Design platforms to support self-service capabilities for business users, including intuitive interfaces, automation, and documentation.
- Collaborate with enablement and delivery teams to drive adoption and usage across business areas.

5. Continuous Modernization

- Establish a roadmap for platform evolution.
- Monitor industry trends and emerging technologies to inform platform upgrades and innovation.

6. Cross-Functional Collaboration

- Work closely with product, governance, and strategy units to ensure platforms support service delivery, compliance, and strategic initiatives.
- Engage with business stakeholders to understand platform needs and opportunities for improvement.

7. People Management & Leadership

- Lead and develop a high-performing, inclusive team by setting clear roles and expectations, fostering continuous learning, and ensuring workforce capacity and engagement align with business needs.
- Model organizational values through coaching, feedback, and support that promote trust, psychological safety, and professional growth.

Selection Criteria

Skills Required
* Strategic thinking and continuous improvement mindset

* Understanding of a broad range of data, information and knowledge technology – from data and AI, through to unstructured documents and archives, and an ability to identify appropriate balance between standardization and customization to unique needs

* Enterprise architecture (TOGAF, cloud-native)

* Cloud/data engineering (Azure, AWS, GCP)

* DevOps, CI/CD, platform operations

* Systems integration and API management

* Self-service design and automation (e.g., low-code/no-code platforms)

Prior Experience

* 12 years, with at least 10 in leadership experience in technology management

* Leading platform strategy and operations in large organizations

* Modernizing legacy systems and driving adoption of cloud platforms

* Change leadership, people management and stakeholder engagement, building partnerships across IT and business units

* Vendor and contract management

Education & Certification

* Advanced degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Engineering, or related field

* Required certifications: Agile (e.g. SAFe), Cloud architecture (e.g. Azure Architect), TOGAF, ITIL

* Preferred: data management (e.g. DMBOK), project management (e.g. PMP), records/information governance

Within the first year, this leader will deliver the following:

* Consolidate the platforms and tools capability and team.

* Build trusted partnerships across ITS and business units, ensuring platform decisions are aligned with user needs, strategic priorities, and transformation goals.

* In collaboration with ITSTO establish a vision and strategy for a unified, modern platform foundation that supports scalable data, AI, and information services, reducing fragmentation and enabling enterprise-wide reuse and interoperability.

* Commence a rationalization effort that simplifies the technology landscape, consolidates legacy systems, and improves operational efficiency across data, information, AI, archives, and knowledge platforms.

* Set foundations for enabling self-service and citizen innovation.

* Continue embedding engineering excellence and DevSecOps practices into platform operations, improving resilience, security, and speed of delivery.

* Develop, manage, and grow a skilled, engaged delivery team by setting clear expectations, building capabilities, and fostering a culture of accountability and innovation to ensure sustainable, impactful delivery.

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.

The World Bank Group values diversity and encourages all qualified candidates who are nationals of World Bank Group member countries to apply, regardless of gender, gender identity, religion, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or disability.  Sub-Saharan African nationals, Caribbean nationals, and female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.