Lead Procurement Specialist

Overview

Lead Procurement Specialist

Job #: req34340 | Organization: World Bank | Sector: Procurement | Grade: GH | Term Duration: 4 years 0 months | Recruitment Type: International Recruitment | Location: Sydney, Australia | Required Language(s): English | Closing Date: 9/30/2025 (MM/DD/YYYY) at 11:59pm UTC

Description

Build a Career with Purpose at the World Bank Group Are you passionate about using your expertise to tackle complex development challenges and drive meaningful reform? The World Bank Group (WBG) is seeking a highly motivated and experienced Lead Procurement Specialist to join its East Asia and Pacific (EAP) Region, focusing on the Pacific Island Countries and Papua New Guinea (PNG).

The World Bank Group works with governments, the private sector, and civil society to create innovative, evidence-based solutions that promote sustainable development, shared prosperity, and the end of extreme poverty.

Pacific Islands Subregion Context

The World Bank's Pacific Island member countries include multiple small island states with population and development challenges such as geographic isolation, climate vulnerability, and limited institutional capacity. These countries face diverse development constraints and require tailored and innovative solutions.

Prosperity Global Practice | East Asia and Pacific Region

The Prosperity Global Practice promotes inclusive and sustainable economic growth, resilience, and good governance. It integrates procurement, public sector management, governance and anti-corruption, and financial management to help client countries build capable institutions and deliver impactful results.

EAP Procurement Team Overview

The East Asia and Pacific (EAP) procurement team comprises 38 staff and short-term consultants, operating through a decentralized structure in seven country offices. The team supports 244 active World Bank-financed operations across the region, with a total commitment of $3.38 billion.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

1. Under the guidance of the Accredited Practice Manager for East Asia and Pacific, provide strategic leadership across the two Pacific CMUs, steering procurement on operational, policy, and institutional matters while navigating complex geopolitical dynamics.
2. Focus on accelerating project preparation and delivery across a $3.38B portfolio of 90 active projects, advancing initiatives such as hands on expanded implementation support (HEIS, BFP), aggregation of demand, and the Procurement Change Program.
3. Manage key relationships with the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs (DFAT), New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT), Asian Development Bank (ADB), and other partners; strengthen capacity through support to procurement coordinators and national institutions.
4. Contribute to the Bank's broader operational and advisory agenda in MICs, IDA countries, small states, and FCV contexts; position procurement as a strategic enabler of faster, higher-quality development outcomes.
5. Collaborate with TTLs, Program Leaders, Practice Managers, government officials, counterparts in other international organizations, and Governance-Public Sector and -Financial Management specialists.
6. Provide leadership across the EAP portfolio ensuring fiduciary standards, quality control, and consistent policy application in complex, cross-sector procurement operations.
7. Advance regional procurement integration by increasing adoption of uniform approaches and facilitating cross-CMU resource and knowledge sharing—resulting in greater efficiency and harmonized practices.
8. Develop and promote innovations in Bank procurement policy; advise on systemic and operational issues.
9. Contribute to corporate initiatives (e.g., Better Bank, Procurement Change Program) and regional strategies by applying Procurement Framework flexibilities and leveraging AI-enabled tools.
10. Support client countries in achieving value for money, strengthening procurement systems, and advancing reform agendas to improve service delivery, integrity, and institutional capacity.
11. Contribute to the Prosperity agenda by integrating procurement reforms into broader governance and development efforts, collaborating with sector colleagues.
12. Lead procurement reviews of key Bank documents (e.g., PADs, DPFs, legal agreements, Board papers), ensuring consistency across the region.
13. Handle high-level procurement cases subject to APM and OPRC review, and participate in precedent-setting missions requiring innovative, practical solutions.
14. Promote the use of electronic systems (e.g., STEP) for tracking, monitoring fiduciary metrics, and managing portfolio performance.
15. Mentor colleagues, guide knowledge dissemination, and design training programs and capacity-building workshops for Bank staff and borrowers.
16. Promote a positive and inclusive team culture that reflects the World Bank's corporate values, strengthens collaboration, and recognizes contributions—leading to higher staff engagement and knowledge sharing.

Carrying out the responsibilities of the Lead Procurement Specialist will involve interaction with TTLs, Program Leaders, Practice Managers, government officials, counterparts in other international organizations, and Governance-Public Sector and -Financial Management specialists. This role is critical in building and maintaining relations with internal and external parties and engaging governments in advancing policy dialogue on public procurement reform.

Selection Criteria

1. Master's degree with a major in a relevant field (e.g., Engineering, Law, Procurement, Finance, Business, or Commerce).
2. A minimum of 12 years of experience as a procurement specialist or responsibilities with substantial content in the World Bank's Operational procurement, including leadership in applying and promoting features of the 2016 World Bank Procurement Framework and incorporating ESF into Procurement.
3. Proven experience applying and understanding new trends in Procurement (e.g., supply chain resilience, automation, data-driven strategies).
4. Pioneering knowledge of public procurement principles, systems, processes, and planning with ability to independently provide analyses of complex issues.
5. Experience working in at least two regions or a combination of regional and corporate assignments.
6. Excellent communication skills to defend complex issues to Bank management and government officials.
7. High integrity and responsibility for achieving quality and timeliness in delivering the work program.
8. Strong managerial and organizational skills with a track record of building and managing teams.
9. Ability to mentor staff and design training/skills enhancement initiatives.
10. Ability to work effectively in multicultural environments and build relationships with clients and colleagues.
11. Familiarity with Bank's Office suite: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook.
12. Oral and written mastery of English.
13. Advanced technical qualifications and broad expertise in all aspects of procurement, including large-scale and complex operations; FCV countries and small states preferred.
14. In-depth knowledge of Bank operations and ability to integrate procurement knowledge with broader policies and objectives.
15. Public Procurement Systems & Reform expertise, including sustainable procurement (green, gender-responsive procurement, data analytics, supply chain, etc.).
16. Proven track record of designing, managing, and delivering large-scale procurement operations and policy work.

WBG Culture Attributes

• Sense of Urgency – Anticipating and quickly reacting to the needs of internal and external stakeholders.
• Thoughtful Risk Taking – Taking informed risks to push boundaries for greater impact.
• Empowerment and Accountability – Engaging with others in an empowered and accountable manner for impactful results.

World Bank Group Core Competencies

The World Bank Group offers comprehensive benefits, including a retirement plan; medical, life and disability insurance; and paid leave, including parental leave, as well as reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities.

We are proud to be an equal opportunity and inclusive employer and do not discriminate based on gender, gender identity, religion, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or disability.

Learn more about working at the World Bank and IFC, including our values and inspiring stories.

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