The World Bank Sr. IT Team Leader (Regional IT Lead)

Background / General
description:

The Europe and Central Asia (ECA) region comprises of 30 extremely diverse clients, with a population of nearly 500 million people. Four of our clients are IDA only and another 5 are IDA blend countries.  The remaining 21 are IBRD eligible. Although 10 of our clients have joined the EU and 7 of these have graduated, most continue to remain active recipients of knowledge and/or lending services. CASs/CPSs reflect this strong diversity with substantial variation in lending prospects, but strong demand for Bank technical services is present across the board. For the most part, countries in the ECA region have recovered to the GDP levels prevailing prior to the 2008/09 crisis, yet growth is slower than before the crisis.  In 2011, the region had a real growth rate of 5.3 percent, and is projected to grow at 3 percent in 2012. The crisis left ECA countries with historically high levels of unemployment, which are still worsening, particularly in the Balkans. Furthermore, the rapidly unfolding sovereign debt problems in Western Europe are posing challenges to the sustainability of the relatively tepid recovery.  The ECA region is implementing a regional strategy that is focused on addressing three critical challenges to growth and development---improving competitiveness, reforming the social sectors to achieve inclusive growth, and making growth more sustainable through climate action. Governance and gender issues cut across these three strategic pillars. The financial and economic crisis led to a substantial increase in Bank lending and knowledge activities in all ECA countries, including in several EU members states (e.g., Latvia, Romania, and Poland). The crisis helped serve as a powerful reminder of the relevance of the Bank both as an attractive source of funding and a reliable provider of timely and quality advice. Unit Context ECAIT is a support services unit in the Europe and Central Asia (ECA) Region providing Information Technology\Information Management (IT\IM) support to regional country offices based in 24 countries and our headquarters in Washington, DC.  The Unit's objective is to complement and coordinate Institutional IT\IM services in the ECA Region and to provide additional value added services specific to the ECA Region’s business strategy.  Typical services include, office technology support, training, country office global network maintenance, IT business continuity management and knowledge management services. The Regional IT Lead will coordinate Information Technology and Information Management services and strategy for the ECA Region in our 25 country offices and headquarters.  S/he will oversee the ECAIT unit under the Office of the Chief Administrative Officer (ECACA), and will report to the manager of ECACA with a matrixed relationship to the Operations and Knowledge unit of IMT (OKIMT).

Note: If the selected candidate is a current Bank Group staff member with a Regular or Open-Ended appointment, s/he will retain his/her Regular or Open-Ended appointment. All others will be offered a 2 year term appointment.

Duties and Accountabilities:

Management of ECAIT Team
• The Regional IT Lead supervises and provides technical oversight for a team of approximately 11 professional and technical staff in Washington, and co-supervises about 30 IT staff based in ECA country offices.  The team delivers a wide range of information technology services to regional staff both in Washington and the 25 country office.  Services include office technology support, videoconference support, training, country office IT infrastructure and network maintenance, intranet development and support, and knowledge management services. 
• Appraise, coach and mentor staff by developing and implementing individual staff development plans.  Provide leadership and direction for less experienced team members in projects related to systems area of responsibility.  Organize the recruitment of new IT staff in Washington and the country offices.
• Plan and direct large, high-visibility or cross-unit projects, including the implementation of project plans and time and cost estimates.  Track, monitor, and communicate to client managers and their teams the team’s progress against the project plan and status details.
• Oversee the budget for the ECAIT unit, including staff salaries, supply and equipment purchases, consultant expenses, travel, training, IT services, and indirects.  Coordinate with the Knowledge and Learning Committee on requesting funding allocations for training and knowledge programs conducted by the IT team.
• On behalf of the ECA region negotiate contract and consultant services to address IT/IM needs.  Evaluate proposals and monitor the delivery of these services.
Expert Advice to ECA Management and Staff
• Provide advice on IT related solutions to country, sector, and operational management units.  Meet with and provide reports and recommendations for the regional management.  Advise region on benefits and disadvantages of IT decisions. 
• Maintain awareness of advances in technology, services, and processes within area of responsibility.  Identify major opportunities to improve delivery of services within the VPU.  Plan and develop projects to capitalize on these opportunities.  Investigate, recommend, and implement new systems, services, or products to meet client needs.
• Partner with the ECA Knowledge and Learning office in developing the ECA intranet platform and strategy for the region.  Supervise the activities of ECAIT web team in providing services to the ECA clients in HQ and country offices. 
• Serve as focal point for Information Management in the Region, promoting good practices for classification and filing, supporting the Access to Information policy, and advancing information management initiatives in the region.
• Advise ECA staff on information security, information management, and IT procurement policies, and liaise with the World Bank's Information Management and Technology Group (IMT), Corporate Procurement (GSD), Office of Information Security (OIS), and Web Program Office (WPO) to ensure regional compliance.
Manage IT services for ECA Region
• Ensure quality IT support across ECA HQ and offices by developing new services and assessing the performance of the extended team and our service partners.  Regularly engage clients in providing feedback on their needs and satisfaction with services.
• Analyze IT services and products, and provide recommendations to the regions to enhance efficiency and cost-savings. 
• Coordinate with ECA management on the development and implementation of consistent IT policies in the region, including policies for the provisioning of computers, devices, and other services.
Implementation of Institutional IT/IM Initiatives
• Represent the ECA Region in committees and task forces to develop institutional strategies that support knowledge, information, and technology initiatives, providing inputs that reflect the needs of ECA clients.
• Direct the implementation and maintenance of standard equipment, applications, and systems addressing client needs, and ensure the support and assistance in their use.

To see full Job Description please visit www.worldbank.org/careers .

Interested candidates are invited to apply to vacancy #130510 on www.worldbank.org/careers.   

 This vacancy closes on 7 Mar 2013.  Only online applications submitted through our careers site will be admitted. The World Bank Group is committed to achieving diversity in terms of gender, nationality, culture and educational background.  Individuals with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply.  All applications will be treated in the strictest confidence