Country Manager, IBRD, Colombia

Program Manager, Colombia Job #: req34961 Organization: World Bank Sector: Operations Grade: GH Term Duration: 4 years 0 months Recruitment Type: International Recruitment Location: Bogota, Colombia Required Language(s): English, Spanish Preferred Language(s): Closing Date: 12/5/2025 (MM/DD/YYYY) at 11:59pm UTC Description 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 change around the globe. For more information, visit VPU Context The World Bank Group serves 33 client countries. Latin America and the Caribbean Region (LCR). Clients range 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 value added of public and private arms, and in strong partnership with relevant regional development partners. A. 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 2021 and 2022 respectively), GDP growth returned to the pre‑pandemic low growth around 2.2% in 2023 and 2024, with a medium‑term outlook of 2.5%. With an average Gini co‑efficient of 0.52, LAC remains also one of the most unequal regions in the world. It is a region where the bottom 50% earn 27 times less than the top 10%. It also represents stark differences in opportunity, 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%. B. The challenge of 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. Reflecting stagnating living standards, labor earnings have only grown by 1% or less per year in most countries over the past decade, and some 19% of workers in the region 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 in infrastructure investments per year, yet it only invests 2%, which is significantly lower than the world average of 5.4% of GDP. This underinvestment in physical infrastructure, including key infrastructure sectors such as resilient transport, water, energy, etc., is holding back potential for better jobs. The region supports clients through selective transformative infrastructure projects (e.g., urban mobility, regional transport and connectivity). On the human infrastructure front, firms in the region continue to cite skills shortages (55% of firms 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 its productive potential. Three out of four 15‑year olds fail basic math proficiency and cannot read adequately. The LAC region also needs to foster a predictable, business‑enabling policy and regulatory environment. This includes ensuring macro stability, eliminating restrictive business regulations in product and factor markets, and improving access to finance, especially long‑term capital. Labor market regulations in LAC are on par with the most restrictive regimes among OECD countries. Enforcement of competition policy must be bolstered due to high levels of market concentration in LAC markets: the 50 largest firms in Mexico, Brazil, Colombia, Argentina, Chile have revenues greater than 30% of GDP. Domestic credit to the private sector remains lower than elsewhere (55% of GDP vs 178% in EAP). Private capital needs to be appropriately incentivized to support the provision of public goods and investments in key sectors, especially those with the highest potential to enable and/or create better quality jobs. At only 19.8% of GDP, gross capital formation is the lowest among all regions (EAP 38%, South Asia 30%). Private capital mobilization in the region is held back by shallow capital markets, lack of long‑term finance, high cost of capital, regulatory and institutional barriers (including PPP frameworks). The WBG will support investments in productive clusters (energy/mining, value‑added manufacturing, agribusiness, tourism, etc.) across the public‑private spectrum. C. The challenge of vulnerability to shocks Building resilience of the countries to shocks, including natural disasters, through contingent financing and other innovative risk‑management platforms at the country and regional level is critical given the high exposure to climate‑related disasters and natural hazards. The Central America and the Caribbean have recurrent hurricanes that impact GDP significantly higher than the regional average of 1.7%. Several countries experience deep, long droughts, increasingly intense storms, and floods that disrupt economic activities and livelihoods, affecting the most vulnerable populations. Unit Context The LC6 Country Management Unit (CMU) now includes Colombia and Venezuela as part of the Andean Countries Division. LC6 oversees Bank operations in Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru. The unit has a decentralized office in Lima, where the Division Director is located, along with country offices in Bogota, Quito, La Paz, and Santiago. The Peru Country Office employs approximately 60 staff members, while Colombia’s office has 45 staff dedicated to the IBRD program. Offices in Bolivia, Ecuador, and Chile each have about 20 staff, with Bolivia and Chile successfully pioneering the One WBG offices model since 2024. The CMU oversees a wide range of Bank activities, including a large lending program (34 projects under implementation with commitments of close to $7 billion) and a strong yearly delivery of over $2 billion, accounting for about one quarter of the Region’s annual new lending. The program also includes a robust analytical and advisory engagement, comprised of about 20 ASAs, including a large RAS program in Chile. Country Partnership Strategies were recently completed or updated in all five countries. Duties and Accountabilities The Program Manager is accountable for performing the responsibilities, modeling the behaviors, and maintaining the technical competencies, as a member of the Regional Management Team. Accountability means being answerable for managing quality, risks, results, institutional initiatives and compliance with Bank policies and procedures. The Program Manager is responsible for the IBRD program oversight, in close coordination and in alignment with the WBG approach in the country, in close coordination with the IFC Director and under the guidance of the IBRD Division Director. S/he will perform activities in the following areas: Strategy and Business Management Leads the Bank’s program oversight and dialogue, in close coordination with IFC and MIGA for a cohesive WBG approach to client dialogue and offerings. Develops, updates, and implements the CPF and other strategic documents in close coordination with teams across WBG. 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. Supports the development of high‑quality work programs and sector strategies based on the CPF and other strategic documents and attuned to client demand and country contexts. Provides oversight on portfolio management and quality issues, working with clients and advising the country teams to address implementation issues, and working to ensure high quality and results on the ground. Leads on the communication aspects of the engagement results. People/Talent Management In partnership with HR, manages the country office team, including recruitment, evaluation, and career development of locally recruited staff. Inspires technical and behavioral excellence in the team (in conjunction with the appropriate practice manager, where applicable). Resource Management Ensures effective formulation of the Country Office budget proposal, input into CMU budget decisions, and manages the Country Office’s financial resources effectively, efficiently and in full compliance with Bank policies, processes and procedures. Relationship Management Provides ongoing representation of the Bank and outreach to key partners. Leads coordination and collaboration in the field with development partners in key engagement areas and keeps the Country Team abreast of that dialogue. Manages relations with the on‑the‑ground donor community—bilateral agencies, regional and other multilateral agencies—to strengthen country‑led development processes. Fosters strong relationship with the government within a complex, fragile and changing environment. Builds and deepens the process of consultation with state and local governments, the private sector, media, academia, and civil society groups, with the aim of growing capacity and participation of all levels of society in the development process. Knowledge Management Cultivates an environment of openness that encourages innovation and rewards knowledge sharing and dissemination. Ensures the implementation of Access to Information policy. Supports task teams to apply global knowledge and consider the complex local political economy in the work program. Disseminates best practices and lessons learned. Manages learning and knowledge flows. Selection Criteria PhD or master’s degree in a relevant field, including business, finance, economics, or an area of expertise specific to a sector or industry. Minimum of 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 in leading teams on the preparation and implementation of various types of operations, providing high‑quality practical advice to management and teams on complex operational issues. Strong political, diplomatic, and partnership skills; ability to develop and sustain close and effective senior‑level working relationships with the 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, and to anchor and integrate the overall economic and sector policy dialogue. 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. WBG Culture Attributes Sense of urgency: Anticipate and quickly respond to the needs of internal and external stakeholders. Thoughtful risk‑taking: Challenge the status quo and push boundaries to achieve greater impact. Empowerment and accountability: Empower yourself and others to act and hold each other accountable for results. 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 at IFC, including our values and inspiring stories. #J-18808-Ljbffr