Associate Senior Product Owner

Job Posting Organization:
The World Bank Group is a prominent global partnership consisting of five institutions dedicated to addressing the most pressing development challenges faced by countries around the world. Established with the mission to end extreme poverty and promote shared prosperity, the organization operates in 189 member countries and has over 130 offices globally. The World Bank Group is recognized as one of the largest sources of funding and knowledge for developing nations, leveraging data, research, and technology to implement innovative solutions that tackle urgent global issues. The organization is committed to fostering sustainable development and enhancing the quality of life for people in developing countries.

Job Overview:
The Associate Senior Product Owner position at the World Bank Group is a pivotal role within the Information Technology Solutions (ITS) Vice Presidential Unit (VPU). This role is designed for an individual who will define and execute the comprehensive product strategy for AI-enabled Sector Agents, ensuring their seamless integration into the K360 platform. The successful candidate will be responsible for shaping the vision, roadmap, and governance of multi-agent AI systems within the Knowledge for Operations portfolio. This includes articulating the AI Sector strategy, embedding domain knowledge into AI systems, and ensuring compliance with WBG safeguards and operational constraints. The Associate Senior Product Owner will lead a team of Product Owners, driving alignment across the entire product portfolio while ensuring that the AI products deliver measurable value to operational teams and leadership. The role requires a deep understanding of operational needs across various Global Practices and Regions, and the ability to translate complex knowledge and AI use cases into actionable product features.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities of the Associate Senior Product Owner include owning the product vision and roadmap for knowledge and AI capabilities, ensuring alignment with the organization’s Knowledge Bank strategy and business priorities. The individual will act as the primary steward of sector knowledge quality, defining how data is sourced, vetted, structured, and made AI-ready. They will translate complex knowledge and AI use cases into clear product features and prioritized backlogs, working collaboratively with Product Managers, architects, and delivery teams. The Associate Senior Product Owner will monitor agent performance using analytics, define and validate high-value AI use cases, and partner with data, AI, and platform teams to ensure responsible AI practices. Additionally, they will lead continuous user discovery and testing, product marketing for AI solutions, and drive adoption and change management for AI features across K360 and sector communities. The role also involves engaging with business stakeholders to understand their needs and challenges, developing measurable product KPIs, and managing vendor engagements to support product delivery and compliance.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates for the Associate Senior Product Owner position must possess a Master’s degree in STEM fields (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) with at least 8 years of relevant experience, or a Bachelor’s degree with a minimum of 10 years of experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience. They should have demonstrated experience as a Product Manager in a SAFe environment, with a proven ability to define and execute an AI-driven product vision and roadmap. A strong understanding of AI product fundamentals, including RAG architectures and LLM capabilities, is essential. Candidates should also have experience working with multiple Agile Release Trains (ARTs), designing products that utilize RAG and multi-agent architectures, and familiarity with responsible AI frameworks. Strong presentation and collaboration skills, along with a passion for innovation and the ability to adapt to changing priorities, are also required.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a Master’s degree in a relevant STEM field, such as Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics. Alternatively, candidates may qualify with a Bachelor’s degree combined with significant relevant experience in the field. The emphasis is on having a strong technical foundation that supports the understanding and execution of AI-driven product strategies.

Experience:
The level of experience needed for the Associate Senior Product Owner position includes a minimum of 8 years of relevant experience for candidates with a Master’s degree, or at least 10 years for those with a Bachelor’s degree. Candidates should have a proven track record of successfully developing and launching technology products in large-scale environments, particularly in a SAFe environment. Experience in product management, particularly in AI-driven solutions, is crucial, as is the ability to collaborate effectively across teams and contribute to the team's work and output.

Languages:
Proficiency in English is mandatory for this position. While no additional languages are specified as preferred, the ability to communicate effectively in a multicultural environment is essential for collaboration and stakeholder engagement.

Additional Notes:
The position is a local recruitment opportunity with a term duration of 3 years. 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 that all individuals are treated fairly and without discrimination based on gender, gender identity, religion, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or disability. The role requires a sense of urgency, thoughtful risk-taking, and a commitment to empowerment and accountability.