Division Director – Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay

Job Posting Organization:
The World Bank Group is a unique global partnership of five institutions established with the mission to create a world free of poverty on a livable planet. It is one of the largest sources of funding and knowledge for developing countries, helping to solve the world’s greatest development challenges. The organization has 189 member countries and operates more than 120 offices worldwide, working with public and private sector partners to invest in groundbreaking projects and utilize data, research, and technology to bring about tangible and transformative change globally. For more information, visit www.worldbank.org.

Job Overview:
The Division Director position is a senior leadership role within the World Bank Group, specifically focused on operations in Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay. The successful candidate will be responsible for leading the implementation of the Country Partnership Frameworks (CPF) and ensuring that the unit delivers on its commitments. This role requires extensive communication and coordination among virtual teams across the three countries, as well as the ability to engage with senior-level clients and represent the Bank at high-level international forums. The Division Director will oversee a large team in Buenos Aires, manage complex political economies, and ensure that the operational strategies align with the needs of the countries served. The position also involves addressing key challenges such as low productivity, job quality, and vulnerability to economic shocks, while fostering a business-enabling environment and promoting private sector-led growth.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Division Director will be accountable for modeling World Bank Group leadership values and managerial behavior. Key responsibilities include serving as the Bank’s focal point for communications with country authorities, developing and leading the implementation of the CPF, coordinating the Bank’s dialogue and strategy in the region, providing guidance on political and economic developments, overseeing portfolio management, managing day-to-day operations of country offices, and leading and motivating the country team. The role also involves ensuring effective resource management, managing relationships with internal and external stakeholders, and embracing good corporate citizenship by contributing to corporate policies and strategies. Additionally, the Division Director will act as Head of security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">Security for the Duty Station, responsible for the safety of staff and Bank property.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a PhD or Master’s degree in economics or a related field, with a minimum of 15 years of experience in progressively complex and responsible positions. They should be recognized experts within the World Bank Group or among academia, private sector actors, and policymakers, with a proven track record of applying practice know-how and effective policy dialogue to achieve development results. The ability to engage with clients at a senior level and represent the Bank at high-level international forums is essential. Candidates should demonstrate thought leadership through economic research and publications recognized by the academic and policy community, as well as substantive experience working in client countries and familiarity with World Bank Group services.

Educational Background:
A PhD or Master’s degree in economics or a related field is required for this position. This educational background is crucial for understanding the complex economic challenges faced by the countries in the region and for developing effective strategies to address them.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 15 years of experience in roles of increasing complexity and responsibility. Candidates should have extensive experience managing large work programs, budgets, and portfolio monitoring, with proven results in achieving development outcomes. Experience working across practice and disciplinary boundaries, as well as with multiple partners in both public and private sectors, is also essential.

Languages:
Fluency in oral and written Spanish is required for this position, as it is critical for effective communication with stakeholders in Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay. Proficiency in English is also mandatory, given the international nature of the organization and the need to engage with global partners. Additional languages may be considered an asset but are not mandatory.

Additional Notes:
This position is an international recruitment opportunity with a term duration of 4 years. The selected candidate is expected to relocate to Buenos Aires around January 202

• The World Bank Group offers comprehensive benefits, including a retirement plan, medical, life and disability insurance, and paid leave, including parental leave. The organization is committed to being an equal opportunity and inclusive employer, ensuring a diverse workforce and a workplace free from discrimination based on gender, gender identity, religion, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or disability.