PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS IS A COUNTRY OFFICE POSITION IN INDIA SUBJECT TO LOCAL RECRUITMENT UNDER THE INDIA COMPENSATION PLAN. IF A STAFF MEMBER HOLDING AN HQ/INTERNATIONAL POSITION IS SELECTED INTO THIS POSITION, THEN THE STAFF MEMBER WOULD CONVERT TO A LOCAL APPOINTMENT (I.E., A LOCAL SALARY AND NO EXPATRIATE BENEFITS).
THE WORLD BANK GROUP IS COMMITTED TO ACHIEVING DIVERSITY IN TERMS OF GENDER, NATIONALITY, CULTURE AND EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND. INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES ARE EQUALLY ENCOURAGED TO APPLY. ALL APPLICATIONS WILL BE TREATED IN THE STRICTEST CONFIDENCE.
The World Bank has a large and diverse development partnership with India, comprising a program of lending to government for development purposes and a program of analytical, advisory and knowledge support. The overarching objective of the Bank's work in India is to invest in people through better health and education, empowering communities to participate in their own development, improving the effectiveness of government, and promoting private sector-led growth to achieve the country’s development goals.
The history of the partnership goes back more than 60 years and India is the Bank’s largest client. The lending program is currently in the range of USD 8-9billion per year, with an average of 20 lending projects, US$20-25m of trust fund grants, and 25 advisory products under preparation in a year, in addition to 70 projects under varying stages of implementation / supervision. The Delhi office has about 275 staff members and a large number of short term consultants. The Bank transacts with about 400 vendors in a year which generate transactions exceeding over a billion Indian rupees a year.
The World Bank is seeking to recruit a Senior Resource Management Officer (SRMO), who will be based in the Bank’s Delhi Office, to manage the resource management/accounting, benefits/international staff support, general services (travel, logistics, visiting missions support, library and communications, facilities management), and security coordination functions to support the Bank’s India country program. The incumbent supervises over 40 administration and resource management staff and 9 major service contracts.
- Under the direction of the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO), this position serves as the resource management and administrative adviser to the India Country Director and Operations Advisor on all matters relating to General Administration, Accounting, Resource Management, Facilities Management and Security Coordination functions of the India country program.
- The incumbent is responsible for ensuring the quality and effectiveness of the Resource Management (RM), Administration, and Security services to all staff and managers in the Delhi office, while ensuring client satisfaction.
- The incumbent is the focal point for administrative and RM/accounting/administration policies and practices and will ensure alignment with the country and regional program strategies and priorities.
- In leading and supervising staff and contractors, the SRMO ensures appropriate skills mix, staff training, mentoring and coaching, and timely feedback and performance evaluation.
- The SRMO supervises and coordinates the country office activities in RM, General Administration, and IT areas with the relevant units at HQ, e.g., General Services, Accounting, Human Resources, Health Services, Central Security, Information Solutions, and Legal.
- In performing the duties and responsibilities listed below, the SRMO will report to the CAO and on a day to day basis will report to the Country Director and/or Operations Adviser in the Delhi office.
Note: If the selected candidate is a current Bank Group staff member with a Regular or Open-Ended appointment, s/he will retain his/her Regular or Open-Ended appointment. All others will be offered a 2 year renewable term appointment.
I Resource Planning and Budgeting
- Administer the Bank, Regional and Country Office Resource Management policies and procedures, including providing guidance, advice and interpretation and recommending solutions to Managers and the Country Leadership Team, and oversee the Accounting function in the Delhi Office.
- Provide leadership in financial management/ administration of the Bank and TF resources allocated to the Country Management Unit (CMU).
- Plan, prepare, analyze and monitor the CMU’s budget and work program in coordination with the HQ based support unit.
- Review office expenses monthly to ensure accuracy, and compliance with the budget. Oversee preparation and submission of review results for discussion with the Country Director.
- Coordinate the implementation of Trust Fund and HR policies and practices with the respective leads in the office to ensure synergies with RM, Administration and IT services.
II Financial Accounting, Reporting, Fiduciary and Internal Controls
- Within the SAP framework, lead the design, implementation and monitoring of an adequate system of internal controls over financial transactions and business operations, and contribute to risk management for the Delhi Office.
- Lead initiatives to improve processes and approaches within the SAP framework.
- Provide expert advice and support to the Country Director on fiduciary responsibility.
- Review, approve and monitor administrative transactions for the Delhi Office on behalf of the Country Director.
- Define the objectives and scope of major/highly complex and diversified reviews and plans, organizes, directs and supervises them.
- Ensure that audit, quality assurance review and COSO recommendations are implemented.
- Coordinate submission of control reports, respond to findings and recommend resolution or action plans.
- Coordinate Administrative and RM support to trust funds activities to ensure compliance with Bank and TF policies.
III General Services/Facilities Management/Benefits/Security Coordination and Office Management
- Take overall responsibility for workflow and for ensuring an efficient, smooth, transparent and consistent internal administration environment in the office.
- Assist and advise staff regarding country office administrative policies and procedures and ensure compliance in the office.
- Oversee all maintenance and support services.
- Oversee administration of Bank properties/assets.
- Oversee the facilities management function of the Delhi Office.
- Provide expert guidance on outsourced services, initiate review and evaluation of services; and ensure efficient and effective delivery of services.
- Provide expert guidance to ensure consistency, equity and transparency in the Bank administrative procurement and in asset management and disposal activities, in compliance with Bank policies and procedures.
- Liaise with counterparts of other international agencies on matters related to general administration, finance and security.
- Coordinate the security function, including supervising the Country Security Advisor based in Delhi, and oversee the business continuity requirements including developing security plans and compliance procedures.
*Essential Specialized Skills/Knowledge Competencies*
- In-depth knowledge and understanding of business planning, financial and administrative management;
- Ability to conduct independent research and analysis, identifying issues, reaching conclusions, making recommendations and persuading superiors and colleagues on outcomes;
- Good understanding of generally accepted accounting principles and proper accounting controls over accounting process and financial reporting operations, as well as familiarity with generally accepted auditing standards and COSO philosophy; and
- Ability to conceptualize, design and implement major projects and ability to lead as a key interlocutor in handling and facilitating client or inter-unit relationships.
*General Competencies*
- General management experience with strong people management and problem solving skills
- Strong communication skills in English, with ability to prepare, present, and discuss findings in written and oral form. Fluency in Hindi is also required. Strong negotiation and persuasion skills. Strong listening skills
- Ability to deal sensitively in multi-cultural environments and build effective working relations with clients and colleagues.
- Strong analytical capabilities and proven skill to deal with RM and Administration issues innovatively, within the Bank policy framework, and to create effective internal control environment.
- A very high standard of team-work and collaborative skills is essential.
- Ability to lead a team of professionals in the execution of major RM projects.
- Ability to operate effectively in a matrix management environment, both as a team leader/supervisor and team member;
- Ability to coach, mentor and develop more junior staff;
*Minimum Education and Experience*
- Minimum Education: MBA/MA/MS degree in a related field (e.g., Finance, Accounting, Business, Economics, etc.); or relevant Bachelor’s Degree plus an internationally recognized professional accounting qualification (e.g. CPA, CA, ACCA) or Completion of the RM Board-sponsored Supplementary Education Criteria (SEC) Program.
- Minimum Relevant Experience: 12 years (Preferably 8 years of supervisory and management experience) in Administration and/or Finance, in a large international private or public sector setting.
