Senior Program Officer & Deputy Program Manager

Job Type: Location Type: On-site

 

Senior Program Officer & Deputy Program Manager

Job #:
req35185

Organization:
World Bank

Sector:
Disaster Risk Management

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 www.worldbank.org.

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: https://www.worldbank.org/en/topic/infrastructure.

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 support the leadership and strategic management of the TDLC program. The role will ensure high-quality program delivery, deepen links to World Bank operations, strengthen knowledge partnerships, and support the transition to Practitioner Programs. In addition, the Officer will serve as Deputy Program Manager of the TDLC, and act on behalf of the Program Manager as required.

The 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:
• Strategic Program Management: Support the Program Manager in setting annual work plans and strategic priorities, coordinating implementation across TDLC’s main program streams, monitor program performance, and acting for the Program Manager as needed.
• Operational Leadership and Livable Cities Academy Support: Provide guidance and support to the TDLN teams to design and implementation of TDLC knowledge products and Practitioner Programs under the Livable Cities Academy, ensuring actionable learning and effective knowledge capture, and high-quality delivery in a timely manner and within budget.
• Financial Management and Reporting: Support program budgeting, resource allocation, fiduciary compliance, and reporting to ensure sound financial management and accountability across TDLC operations.
• Partner Engagement and Representation: Strengthen and deepen the strategic partnerships with Government of Japan counterparts, Japanese municipalities, knowledge institutions, and global partners, and representing TDLC in key dialogues and missions.
• Donor Liaison & Coordination: Serve as a key liaison with Japan’s Ministry of Finance (MOF), Government of Japan agencies, and institutional partners, ensuring effective coordination, compliance, and preparation of the annual steering committee meetings.
• Other tasks: 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, 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: https://bit.ly/2kbIA7O

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.

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.