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Practice Manager

The World Bank

Pretoria

On-site

USD 80,000 - 120,000

Full time

10 days ago

Job summary

A major international organization is seeking a Practice Manager for its Water Global Practice based in Pretoria. This role involves leading initiatives to improve water accessibility and management across Africa. Candidates should possess advanced degrees and substantial experience in water resource management, showcasing leadership and exceptional communication skills. The World Bank offers a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits, making it an attractive opportunity for professionals committed to global development.

Benefits

Comprehensive benefits

Qualifications

  • Typically 12+ years of experience in progressively responsible roles.
  • Deep technical expertise in water infrastructure, resource management, and institutional reform.
  • Excellent communication skills in English.

Responsibilities

  • Lead staff and client engagements to deliver results on water for people, food, and the planet.
  • Engage with external clients to develop business and address high-risk issues.
  • Ensure high-quality, timely results and manage portfolio quality.

Skills

Leadership
Communication
Water Resource Management
Project Management

Education

Masters or PhD in engineering, economics, environment, or related fields

Job description

Practice Manager Job #: req Organization: World Bank Sector: Water / Sanitation Grade: GH Term Duration: 4 years 0 months Recruitment Type: International Recruitment Location: Pretoria, South Africa Required Language(s): English Preferred Language(s): French, Portuguese Closing Date: 8/4 (MM/DD/YYYY) at 11:59 pm UTC

Description

Do you want to build a career that is truly worthwhile?

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 and promoting shared prosperity.

With member countries and more than 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 About the World Bank Group. Established in , the WBG is one of the world's largest sources of funding and knowledge for development solutions.

It is governed by -member countries and delivers services out of offices with nearly 15, staff located globally.

The WBG consists of five specialized institutions: the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD), the International Development Association (IDA), the International Finance Corporation (IFC), the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA), and the International Centre for the Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID).

With member countries, the World Bank Group is a unique global partnership fighting poverty worldwide through sustainable solutions.

Country Context Africa

AFE Region: Home to almost 60% of Africa's population, the Eastern and Southern Africa (AFE) region is geographically, culturally, and economically diverse and comprises 26 countries stretching from the Red Sea in the North to the Cape of Good Hope in the South.

AFE boasts some of the world's richest natural resources. Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) produces much of the world's mined cobalt, and Angola leads the region in the production of crude oil. For countries in Southern Africa, precious metals and minerals are the biggest exports, including gold and diamonds from South Africa and platinum from Zimbabwe. Many of these minerals will be in critical need to combat climate change and present a growth opportunity in a low-carbon future.

Signs of economic transformation are also emerging in ICT, infrastructure, and a vibrant private sector that is supported by a young and dynamic population. Despite the region's potential, economic growth remains low in many of the AFE countries. Key challenges include persistent inequality and limited access to productive employment, heavy debt burdens exacerbated by slow growth, low agricultural productivity, weak infrastructure, low human capital, and limited resilience to climate change and conflict. This creates a huge development challenge, impacts heavily on the lives and livelihoods of people, and hinders regional integration and trade. But it also creates an opportunity to work closely with country leaders, civil society, development partners, and young people to chart a brighter course for the future.

The World Bank's Eastern and Southern Africa Region, comprised of approximately 1, staff, has been helping countries realize their considerable development potential by focusing on the five dimensions of People, Prosperity, Planet, Infrastructure, and Digital to realize rapid economic transformation that unlocks the region's growth potential, addresses unemployment and underemployment, reduces poverty and inequality, manages debt and fiscal pressures, and builds resilience.

The Planet Vertical

The Planet Practice Vertical helps countries tackle their most complex challenges in the areas of Agriculture and Food; Climate Change, Environment; Environmental and Social Framework; Social Development; and Water.

Eastern and Southern Africa Planet Department: The Africa Eastern and Southern Africa Planet Department (AFEPD) provides a wide range of financial, knowledge, and convening services to help address Eastern and Southern Africa countries' most complex development issues.

The Planet agenda in Country Partnership Frameworks typically supports strategic priorities of economic growth, jobs creation, improved service delivery, enhanced inclusion, and building of resilience and sustainability, and cross-cutting themes such as climate mitigation and adaptation, women's empowerment, and institutional transformation.

The AFE Planet Department

is led by the Regional Practice Director and consists of four global practices (GPs): Agriculture and Food, Environment, Social Development, and Water, and leads on the Climate Change agenda. The department has a robust engagement in the region, including, in the last fiscal year, delivery of $1.6B in new lending, a portfolio of $17 billion in financing in 96 projects, and annual disbursement of over 21% of that financing. Knowledge programs are extensive and provided through a mix of Advisory Services and Analytics (ASA), including Reimbursable Advisory Services. The department also innovates in the use of financial instruments and partnerships, leveraging the One World Bank Group working in close partnership with IFC and MIGA.

Water Global Practice: Water touches every aspect of development and links with nearly every Sustainable Development Goal (SDG). It drives economic growth, supports healthy ecosystems, and is essential and fundamental for life itself. Water availability and management impact whether poor girls are educated, whether cities are healthy places to live, and whether growing industries or poor villages can withstand the impacts of floods or droughts.

For more information :

en/topic/waterAFE Water: The Water Unit, SAEW2, is one of the two Water Units in the AFE Planet Department.

SAEW2 delivers the

Water program in three selected Country Management Units (CMUs): AECC2 (Democratic Republic of Congo, Angola, Burundi, Sao Tome Principe); AECE3 (Ethiopia, Sudan, South Sudan, Eritrea); and AECS1 (South Africa, Lesotho, Botswana, Eswatini, Namibia).

The program focuses on the following strategic priorities:

  • Water for People: Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene access gaps are increasing in the region. Over the last 20 years, 63 million more people in AFE lack water, and millions lack sanitation, alongside significant operational inefficiencies and increasing city water shortages.
  • Water for Food: Sub-Saharan Africa has the highest malnutrition rate (22%) and the highest population growth rate, agriculture is about 50% of all jobs, yet only 5% of cultivated land is irrigated, despite land and water resources.
  • Water for the Planet: The region has high dependence on Transboundary Waters—covering around 64% of the land area (highest of any region in the world), declining natural water storage due to degradation of watersheds and water towers, lowering capacity to buffer shocks, and 60% of installed hydropower over 20 years old, with US$ 2 billion investment needs for dam safety and rehabilitation.

The SAEW2 portfolio includes 11 active projects totaling US$2.74 billion, co-leads 5 projects, and has a pipeline over $ million, with 9 active Analytical and Advisory Services (ASAs). The two water units are jointly preparing two regional water MPAs/initiatives to accelerate WASH and resilient irrigation in the region. The Unit has 24 staff, with 67% based in country offices and 33% in Washington DC. Staff actively contribute to global Water GP products (CIWA, GWSP, etc.).

Roles and Responsibilities

The SAEW2 Practice Manager will lead staff and client engagements to deliver results on water for people, food, and the planet in the three CMUs. The PM will collaborate across boundaries to design and deliver development solutions, support global knowledge sharing, and be an active member of the AFE Planet Management Team and Water Practice Board. The PM will work closely with the other AFE Water Manager (SAEW3) for impactful leadership across AFE. Responsibilities include:

  • Leading the team to deliver regional and global strategic priorities aligned with WBG strategies and country frameworks.
  • Engaging with external clients to develop business and address high-risk issues early.
  • Drawing on thought leadership to ensure high-impact, multi-sectoral solutions.
  • Building a balanced portfolio of innovative, demand-driven products and services.
  • Partnering with other PMs, global leads, and stakeholders to craft tailored solutions.
  • Ensuring high-quality, timely results and portfolio quality.

People / Talent Management

  • Modeling exemplary leadership values, fostering an environment of learning and innovation, and developing diverse talent.
  • Contributing to the Water GP Talent Board for staffing, deployment, and performance management.

Knowledge Management

  • Ensuring Water is at the forefront of development debates and contributes to global dialogue.
  • Facilitating knowledge flow and promoting research and dissemination of technical knowledge.

Resource Management

  • Deciding on resource allocation for maximum impact, managing costs, and ensuring quality and timely delivery.

Selection Criteria

  • Masters or PhD in engineering, economics, environment, or relevant fields related to Water.
  • Typically 12+ years of experience in progressively responsible roles.
  • Deep technical expertise in water infrastructure, resource management, resilience, institutional reform, and linkages to the economy.
  • Recognition as a sector expert with a track record of large-scale projects and institutional reforms.
  • Understanding governance and sector reform issues, ability to influence policy, and experience working across disciplines and stakeholders.
  • Excellent communication skills in English.

WBG Culture Attributes

Sense of Urgency, Thoughtful Risk Taking, Empowerment and Accountability.

The World Bank Group offers comprehensive benefits, including retirement, insurance, paid leave, and accommodations for disabilities.

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