Associate Senior Product Owner - Operations Procurement

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. Founded in 1944, the organization has grown to include 189 member countries and operates more than 120 offices worldwide. The World Bank is one of the largest sources of funding and knowledge for developing countries, dedicated to solving the world’s greatest development challenges through collaboration with public and private sector partners, investment in groundbreaking projects, and leveraging data, research, and technology to drive transformative change globally.

Job Overview:
The Associate Senior Product Owner is a pivotal role within the World Bank Group, focusing on the Financing product line. This position is responsible for co-creating and managing the product vision and roadmap, ensuring that they align with the World Bank Group's priorities and the operational modernization agenda. The role requires a deep understanding of client needs and the ability to translate these into viable product requirements and features. The Associate Senior Product Owner will lead cross-functional teams to deliver innovative, high-quality products while monitoring product performance and identifying opportunities for improvement. This position is integral to the digital enablement of the Bank's business processes, enhancing service delivery and knowledge management through technology solutions.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities of the Associate Senior Product Owner include engaging with business stakeholders to understand their needs and challenges, translating these into product requirements, and creating a product vision and roadmap. The role involves managing the product backlog, leading product execution, and ensuring alignment with stakeholders on product direction. Regular status updates to clients, risk identification, and addressing changes in requirements are essential tasks. The Associate Senior Product Owner will also plan and execute updates and future releases, prepare estimates, oversee product development stages, and lead user acceptance testing. Additionally, the role requires active engagement with experience design and service delivery teams to incorporate user feedback and industry trends into the product, as well as developing measurable product KPIs aligned with business goals.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a Master’s degree in computer science or a related STEM field with at least 8 years of relevant experience, or a Bachelor’s degree with a minimum of 10 years of relevant experience. An equivalent combination of education and experience is also acceptable. Demonstrated expertise in product ownership for complex products, stakeholder engagement, product performance management, and data-driven decision-making is required. Candidates should have experience in emerging technologies, systems thinking, and change management methodologies. Strong executive communication and presentation skills are essential, along with the ability to coordinate cross-team delivery within Agile/SAFe environments. Knowledge of World Bank financing operations and operational modernization initiatives is preferred.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a Master’s degree in computer science or a related STEM field, or a Bachelor’s degree with significant relevant experience. Certifications in areas such as SAFe Product Manager/Product Owner, Design Thinking, and AI are preferred and would enhance a candidate's qualifications.

Experience:
The position requires a significant level of experience, specifically 8 years of relevant experience for candidates with a Master’s degree, or a minimum of 10 years for those with a Bachelor’s degree. Experience in large, complex organizations or international development settings is highly valued, particularly in delivering solutions within a global delivery model. Proven expertise in product ownership, stakeholder engagement, and product development lifecycle is essential.

Languages:
The mandatory language for this position is English. While no additional languages are specified as preferred, proficiency in other languages may be beneficial in a global organization like the World Bank Group.

Additional Notes:
This position is a local recruitment role with a term duration of 2 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 opportunity for all candidates regardless of gender, religion, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or disability. The role is full-time and involves working within a dynamic and diverse organizational culture.