Senior Program Officer

Job #:

req35169

Organization:

World Bank

Sector:

Infrastructure

Grade:

GG

Term Duration: 4 years 0 months

Recruitment Type:

Local Recruitment

Location:

Tokyo,Japan

Required Language(s):

English. Japanese

Preferred Language(s):

English, Japanese

Closing Date:

1/7/2026 (MM/DD/YYYY) at 11:59pm UTC

Description

Do you want to build a career that is truly worthwhile? Working at the World Bank provides a unique opportunity for you to help our clients solve their greatest development challenges.  The World Bank consists of two entities – the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) and the International Development Association (IDA).  It is a global development cooperative owned by 189 member countries.  As the largest development bank in the world, the World Bank provides loans, guarantees, risk management products, and advisory services to middle-income and creditworthy low-income countries, and coordinates responses to regional and global challenges.  For more information, please visit

Infrastructure Vice Presidency

Globally, one billion people live more than 2 kilometers from all-weather roads, 685 million people lack electricity, and nearly 4 billion people lack internet access.  Access to basic infrastructure services is critical for creating economic opportunities for the poor.  The Infrastructure (INF) Vice Presidency within the World Bank is charged with developing sustainable solutions to help close infrastructure gaps in developing and emerging economies.  It currently consists of four global departments: Energy & Extractives (EEX); Transport (TRA); Urban, DRM, Resilience, and Land (URL), and Global Infrastructure Finance Department.  It oversees the Bank's work across energy and transport sectors, urban development, as well as efforts to promote energy transition, low-carbon transportation, livable cities, disaster risk resilience, land management, and quality infrastructure services through public-private partnerships.  Infrastructure represents around $110 billion of the Bank's portfolio.  For more information:

The Cities, Subnational Finance and Disaster Management - Global Department covers a range of issues including: (i) supporting the development of green, inclusive, resilient and productive cities, including harnessing urbanization to contribute to growth and poverty reduction, and strengthening local governments' capacity to plan, finance and deliver services and infrastructure investments; (ii) promoting efficient, well-coordinated spatial and territorial development processes including strengthening rural-urban linkages and developing lagging regions; (iii) strengthening disaster risk management policies, institutions and regulations and mainstreaming resilience across development sectors including risk assessment and mapping, risk reduction, disaster preparedness and risk financing; (iv) post-conflict reconstruction and recovery; (v) strengthening land tenure, management and information systems; (vi) supporting the development of national and sub-national spatial data infrastructure and supporting the development of geospatial information, and (vii) promoting tourism as a major global economic sector, accounting for over 10% of global GDP and supporting hundreds of millions of jobs worldwide.

Tokyo Development Learning Center (TDLC)

 

The Tokyo Development Learning Center (TDLC) program is a partnership of the Government of Japan and the Infrastructure Global Department – Cities, Subnational Finance and Disaster Management of the World Bank based in Tokyo, Japan. TDLC serves as a leading global knowledge hub with a mission to identify Japanese and global best practices, generate new insights, and share actionable solutions to maximize the impact of World Bank–financed urban development projects in developing countries and emerging economies. TDLC supports an active portfolio and growing lending and analytical activities relating to housing, urban infrastructure, municipal finance, urban transport, urban planning and land governance, urban resilience, climate and disaster resilience.

TDLC is expected to host a series of Practitioner Programs of the new Livable Cities Academy.

 

Please note this position is financed by a Trust Fund and renewal is contingent upon availability of funding, in addition to other factors, including but not limited to business needs, staff performance and skills fit.

Job Duties and Responsibilities:

 

The Senior Program Officer will report to the Manager of the global unit with the day-to-day guidance and supervision of the TDLC Program Manager. The scope of work and key responsibilities will include:

• Lead the design, delivery, and monitoring of TDLC's Practitioner Programs, ensuring alignment with the standards and requirements of the WBG Knowledge Academy and consistency between knowledge products (case studies, tools, guidance notes) and country-level operations. 

• Develop detailed work plans, budgets, and implementation strategies for assigned programs. Oversee daily program management, ensuring timely execution of activities, efficient resource use, and compliance with donor and World Bank requirements.

• Serve as the technical anchor and liaison for the Ministry of the Environment, Japan (MOEJ) Technical Assistance Program on Solid Waste Management (SWM) Investment in Africa, implemented with UN-Habitat.

• Identify Japanese and global best practices and support their application to operational projects. Foster collaboration between practitioners, policymakers, academia, and World Bank operational teams. 

• Strengthen partnerships with technical agencies, research institutions, and cities in Japan and globally. Represent TDLC in internal and external forums, contributing to dialogue on urban development challenges and solutions.

• Monitor and document program progress, outputs, and development outcomes, ensuring alignment with donor expectations and World Bank operational requirements. Prepare high-quality reports, briefs, presentations, and communications materials.

• Maintain program data and ensure knowledge generated is captured, disseminated, and integrated into TDLC platforms.

• Carry out any additional responsibilities or tasks as may be requested by the TDLC Program Manager and/or the Manager, in support of program objectives, operational needs, or strategic priorities.

Selection Criteria

• Master's degree in international development, public policy, urban development, knowledge management, environmental engineering, or a related field.
• Minimum of 8 years of relevant experience in managing knowledge, learning and capacity programs, and international development projects (experience with World Bank or international organizations (public or private sector) is preferred).
• Experience designing and facilitating learning and capacity-building programs (virtual and in person).
• Strong organizational skills, with proven capacity to plan, prioritize, and deliver multiple assignments under tight deadlines.
• Proven experience managing teams, mentoring and supporting staff, and coordinating multidisciplinary workstreams.
• Strong partnership and stakeholder-engagement skills.
• Strong and demonstrated ability to build and maintain effective relationships with Japanese ministries, city officials, and private sector partners.
• Excellent communication skills and fluency in both English and Japanese (written and oral).
• Knowledge of Japan's development innovations and institutions is an asset.
• Technical knowledge of urban development, disaster risk management, and land governance is a plus.
• Strong client orientation and service delivery focus, with the ability to adapt flexibly to participant and stakeholder needs.
• Proven ability to function effectively in a multicultural team environment and to coordinate across different levels of staff and management

For information about WBG Core Competencies, please visit:

Poverty has no borders. Neither does excellence.  We continually search for qualified individuals with diverse backgrounds from around the globe.  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.

**This internal requisition is open to WBG and IMF staff only (including short-term and extended term consultants/ temporaries). External candidates are requested not to apply. In case an external candidate applies, their application will not be considered.** 

WBG Culture Attributes:

1. Sense of urgency: Anticipate and quickly respond to the needs of internal and external stakeholders.
2. Thoughtful risk-taking: Challenge the status quo and push boundaries to achieve greater impact.
3. Empowerment and accountability: Empower yourself and others to act and hold each other accountable for 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 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.

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