Description

Do you want to build a career that is truly worthwhile? Working at the World Bank Group provides a unique opportunity for you to help our clients solve their greatest development challenges. The World Bank Group is one of the largest sources of funding and knowledge for developing countries; a unique global partnership of five institutions dedicated to ending extreme poverty, increasing shared prosperity and promoting sustainable development. With 189 member countries and more than 120 offices worldwide, we work with public and private sector partners, investing in groundbreaking projects and using data, research, and technology to develop solutions to the most urgent global challenges. For more information, visit www.worldbank.org.

The Pandemic Fund is the first of its kind multilateral financing platform dedicated to financing critical investments to strengthen pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response (PPR) capacities at national, regional, and global levels, with a focus on low- and middle-income countries. Established as a Financial Intermediary Fund (FIF) at the World Bank, the Pandemic Fund is a collaborative partnership among donor countries, co-investors (countries that are eligible to receive funding from the Pandemic Fund), multilateral development banks, the WHO, UNICEF, FAO, global health institutions, philanthropies, and civil society organizations.

In a short period of time, the Pandemic Fund has raised over US$2 billion in seed capital from 27 contributors, established a strong presence in the global health financing space, and moved forward quickly with awarding the first round of funding to projects that strengthen early warning and disease surveillance system, laboratories, and health workforce, within and across countries. The second round of funding is set to be awarded later this year.  Both rounds have generated enormous demand. To sustain this momentum and implement the Fund’s medium-term Strategic Plan approved in May 2024, the Pandemic Fund is working towards raising an additional $2 billion for the next two years, while developing a longer-term resource mobilization strategy.

The governing and administrative bodies of the Pandemic Fund are its (i) Governing Board, which is the Fund’s main decision-making body; (ii) Technical Advisory Panel (TAP), chaired by the WHO; (iii) Secretariat, hosted by the World Bank; and (iv) Trustee.  The Fund’s implementing entities support implementation of Pandemic Fund-financed projects and activities.

The structure of the Governing Board is based on the principles of equity and inclusivity. The Governing Bord comprises: a) voting members, organized into 21 constituencies, representing sovereign contributors, sovereign co-investors (the 146 countries and territories that are eligible to receive funds from the Pandemic Fund), non-sovereign contributors/philanthropies, and civil society organizations; b) non-voting members; and c) observers. The Board is currently Co-Chaired by the Health Minister of Rwanda and the former Finance Minister of Indonesia.

The Secretariat is organized into five workstreams: a) portfolio and program management; b) partnerships and resource mobilization; c) communications; d) health technical and TAP support; and e) Board operations/governance.

The Secretariat is looking for an experienced, energetic, resourceful, and qualified individual to join a dynamic, high-performing team of professionals in the role of Senior Board Operations Officer to lead the Board operations/governance team. The selected candidate will report to the Executive Head of the Secretariat and work with other members of the Secretariat and in close collaboration with the Pandemic Fund’s Governing Board and other concerned stakeholders to ensure the timely delivery of high-quality results.

Duties and Accountabilities

The Senior Board Operations Officer will lead a small team of professionals whose key responsibility is to support the smooth and efficient functioning of the Pandemic Fund Governing Board.  Duties and accountabilities will include, but not be limited to the following:

• Plan, schedule, prepare and organize Governing Board meetings and follow up, including preparing meeting agendas for maximum impact; coordinating the timely distribution of high-quality pre-reads and other documents ahead of Board meetings as well as presentations for Board meetings, to inform the Board’s discussions, deliberations, and decision making; compiling the Board’s comments on various papers and documents circulated and coordinating the revision of those documents, as needed; ensuring that meeting minutes are recorded and approved;
• Advise the Governing Board on matters related to governance and develop governance policies and procedures, including through performing rapid reviews, as needed, of the governance policies and procedures of other FIFs/multilateral funds or initiatives;
• Liaise effectively with Governing Board members, building cooperative relationships; provide Board member support, including onboarding of new members and Board constituency building;
• Support the Governing Board reset process, every two years;
• Support Committees and Working Groups constituted by the Governing Board;
• Maintain an organized repository of Board documents, including meeting minutes and other documents;
• Oversee the preparation of the Secretariat’s annual budget, for the Governing Board’s approval. 

Selection Criteria

• Master/s degree in International Governance, Law, Public Policy, Global Affairs, Economics, or other relevant discipline plus a minimum of 8 years of relevant work experience;
• Extensive experience working in the secretariats of similar FIFs/multilateral institutions/global health initiatives in roles that have involved supporting the governing bodies of those institutions on matters related to governance policies and procedures;
• An understanding of the international development landscape and the global health architecture;
• Demonstrated experience in engaging with senior representatives of governments, philanthropies and foundations, and civil society, and building and nurturing relationships;
• Demonstrated ability to think strategically, rapidly analyze and synthesize diverse information, and convey it in an easily digestible manner, both orally and in writing;
• Excellent written and oral communications skills in English and an ability to tailor communication style to meet audience needs and deliver information effectively;
• Excellent English language skills. Proficiency in an additional WBG official language, such as French or Spanish, would be an added advantage;
• Demonstrated ability and the necessary personal organization skills to take initiative, personal ownership and accountability to meet deadlines, work under pressure, and achieve agreed-upon results;
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively in teams in a multicultural environment;
• Demonstrated ability to work in a dynamic, fast-moving environment;
• A “can do” mindset, flexibility, reliability, and strong problem-solving skills. 

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 with a dedicated and committed workforce, 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.