Associate Product Owner, Data Platforms

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 has grown to include 189 member countries and operates more than 130 offices globally. The World Bank Group is recognized as one of the largest sources of funding and knowledge for developing nations, leveraging its resources to invest in innovative projects that utilize data, research, and technology to create sustainable solutions. The organization is committed to fostering a culture of responsible innovation and collaboration with both public and private sector partners to achieve its goals.

Job Overview:
The Associate Product Owner for Data Platforms at the World Bank Group plays a crucial role in the Information and Technology Solutions (ITS) Vice Presidential Unit, which is instrumental in delivering transformative technologies that support the organization's mission. This position is centered around the ITS Data Office (ITSDO), which is responsible for enabling data, AI, information, and knowledge capabilities across the institution. The role involves overseeing the development and maintenance of the Azure Databricks Enterprise Data Platform, which facilitates federated data product development across various business lines. The Associate Product Owner will be tasked with ensuring that the data platform is user-friendly and accessible, allowing data engineers and analysts to utilize it effectively in a self-service manner. This position requires a strong technical foundation, as the individual will serve as the technical anchor for the data platform, setting standards, enforcing governance, and controlling costs while enabling teams to deliver reliable solutions at scale. The role also emphasizes collaboration with agile teams, ensuring alignment with project goals, and fostering a culture of knowledge sharing and compliance within the organization.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities of the Associate Product Owner include:

• Platform Architecture & Engineering: Building and maintaining the Azure Databricks Enterprise Data Platform, developing solutions for self-service data consumption, and setting standards for data engineering teams.
• Cost Optimization & FinOps: Monitoring and optimizing costs associated with Databricks clusters and SQL Warehouses, implementing chargeback mechanisms, and enforcing cost-efficient engineering practices.
• Data Governance, Quality & Management: Defining data governance best practices, implementing data quality frameworks, and championing data management best practices across the organization.
• Collaboration with Agile Teams: Participating in agile ceremonies, collaborating with data scientists and analysts, and maintaining comprehensive documentation for data processes.
• Cloud Compute & Cloud security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">Security: Designing secure cloud networking for the platform and ensuring compliance with enterprise security standards.
• Production Operations & Reliability: Owning the operation of data platforms in production, building automation for resilient operations, and leading root-cause analysis for continuous improvement.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Providing technical leadership, engaging with data vendors, and supporting the development and deployment of AI/ML models.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates for the Associate Product Owner position should possess a Master's degree with at least 5 years of relevant experience or a Bachelor's degree with a minimum of 7 years of experience in a related field. A strong background in building data platforms and platform engineering is essential, along with proficiency in Azure Databricks, SQL Warehouses, and Lakehouse architecture. Candidates should also demonstrate a proven track record in cost optimization, data governance, and data quality management at an enterprise scale. Excellent communication, leadership, and vendor management skills are critical for success in this role.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a Master's degree in a relevant field, such as Computer Science, Information Technology, or a related discipline, along with significant professional experience. Alternatively, a Bachelor's degree combined with extensive experience in data platforms and engineering may be considered. Relevant certifications in Agile methodologies, Databricks, and cloud technologies are also highly desirable.

Experience:
The ideal candidate should have 5-10 years of experience in building and managing data platforms, with a strong emphasis on platform engineering. Experience with coding projects, hackathons, or contributions to open-source projects is a plus. Candidates should have demonstrated their ability to build scalable and production-ready systems, as well as experience in running production data platforms and leading cross-functional initiatives.

Languages:
The mandatory language for this position is English. Proficiency in additional languages may be considered an asset but is not required.

Additional Notes:
This position is a local recruitment opportunity with a term duration of 3 years. The World Bank Group offers a comprehensive benefits package, including a retirement plan, medical, life and disability insurance, and paid leave, including parental leave. The organization is committed to diversity and inclusion, ensuring equal opportunities for all candidates regardless of gender, identity, religion, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or disability. The work culture emphasizes urgency, thoughtful risk-taking, empowerment, and accountability.