The World Bank Group is one of the world's largest sources of development assistance and global expertise for developing countries. It consists of five institutions that specialize in different aspects of development: 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). For additional information, please visit http://www.worldbank.org
ETHICS AND INTERNAL JUSTICE SERVICES VPU
The World Bank’s Ethics and Internal Justice Services Vice Presidency (EIJ VPU) is a newly created Vice Presidency within the World Bank Group (WBG) that brings together, under a single umbrella, the WBG’s approach to values, ethics and the resolution of workplace conflict. The EIJ VPU’s vision is to foster a values-based workplace culture and help staff uphold the WBG’s ethical standards. EIJ provides an integrated, empathetic and efficient approach to resolving workplace conflict, allowing staff to focus with urgency on the WBG’s mission. EIJ’s work covers each of the five WBG institutions.
The Vice Presidency has recently been organized into the following four units:
1. Ethics Advice and Early Interventions, which consists of:
• Advisory, Training & Values (ATV) – responsible for the Core Values and the Code of Ethics and associated rules; manages all training and outreach on behalf of the VPU; provides advice and guidance on the Code, with specific focus on conflicts of interest; and manages the Bank’s Declarations of Interest program;
• The Anti-Harassment Coordinator (AHC) – addresses reports of harassment, and sexual harassment, exploitation and abuse; provides guidance to management on preventing and addressing such behaviors; and
• The Race Equity Office (REO) – acts as the focal point for the World Bank for addressing reports of workplace racism and racial discrimination, at both the individual and systemic levels.
2. Mediation and Formal Reviews, which consists of:
• Mediation Services (MEF) – offers a confidential conflict resolution process for staff to resolve workplace issues with the assistance of a neutral third-party. MEF also provides team building and team facilitation services;
• Peer Review Services (PRS) – provides an independent review by a panel of peers of managerial decisions, actions or inactions (not related to performance management) affecting a staff member;
• Performance Management Review (PMR) – provides an independent appellate review of performance management-related decisions; and
• Business Integrity Reviews (BIR) – conducts independent fact-finding investigations of allegations of staff misconduct.
3. Ombuds unit, which consists of:
• Ombuds Services – offers staff a confidential off the record, impartial and informal venue to discuss any workplace issues, and alerts management to systemic trends.
• Respectful Workplace Advisors – comprised of staff selected by their peers, RWAs act as a confidential sounding board for staff and a source of information about EIJ services.
4. The EIJ Front Office which consists of:
• Core Services – provides cohesive administrative support across the VPU; and
• EIJ Navigator – a centralized intake service to assist staff with their concerns by pairing them with the appropriate channel within the EIJ VPU to resolve their concerns efficiently and expediently.
THE DIRECTOR, MEDIATION AND FORMAL REVIEWS
The Bank is currently looking to recruit a seasoned professional, at Director Level, to assume responsibility for Mediation and Formal Reviews. The Director will have responsibility for the WBGs formal processes for resolving workplace conflicts, including, where possible, through mediation, but also through the staff investigations and the administrative review of employment decisions. They will be an integral part of the EIJ Leadership, creatively helping to shape the future of the VPU and deliver impact for staff. The Director will provide operational, strategic and managerial support to the EIJ VP, and will be expected to be flexible and collaborative while providing thought leadership, vision, and an enabling environment for staff to fulfill EIJ VPU’s mission with passion and professionalism. They will be expected to work closely across the EIJ VPU and with colleagues across the institution to help improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the EIJ VPU services.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The Director who heads the Mediation and Formal Reviews unit is expected to be an experienced and dynamic individual who is a recognized leader in the field of investigations and/or international administrative justice, combining technical expertise, leadership skills, and a strong ability to navigate the complexities of large, diverse multilateral organizations such as the WBG. They will have day to day leadership and oversight of the business and management of MEF, PRS, PMR and BIR and will be responsible for the overall integrity of the WBG’s formal conflict resolution processes. Their duties and responsibilities include:
• Leading the WBG’s strategy and approach to accountability, as it relates to staff misconduct and employment decisions/grievances, balancing the need for swift resolution with the requirement to adhere to principles of due process and administrative justice;
• Leading the WBG’s strategy and approach to mediation and alternative dispute resolution (ADR) and implementing concepts of restorative justice in the institutional context, through techniques such as team building and facilitation;
• Ensuring the consistent application and observance of WBG policies, rules and procedures; ensuring that formal investigative reports as well as PRS/PMR review reports are of the highest quality;
• Providing impactful and innovative content for training across the WBG; cooperating with other international organizations, and with research or academic institutions, to identify and promote best practices and to disseminate expertise, inside and outside the WBG, regarding the most current and topical approaches to addressing employment grievances, investigations and ADR;
• Developing a strong understanding of international best practice in this area and providing thought leadership across international financial institutions and multilaterals;
• Advising staff and institutional units by sharing expertise, spotting trends, and providing counsel on the management of employment decisions/grievances and staff misconduct-related issues; enhancing compliance and the culture of compliance across the WBG;
• Operating in close coordination, as appropriate, with other EIJ VPU units to resolve complex and sensitive issues; utilizing data analytics and monitoring techniques to prevent recurrence of inappropriate employment actions and misconduct; identifying and implementing lessons learned from BIR, PRS and PMR matters and working across institutional units to promote a culture of continuous improvement;
• Promoting a sustained “speak up” institutional culture, in which all individuals are encouraged to seek advice and raise concerns regarding ethical behaviors;
• Providing leadership, direction, coaching, and feedback to develop a high performing and talented team; ensuring adequate flow of information within and across teams;
• Managing the Mediation and Formal Reviews budget effectively and efficiently, ensuring that deployment of resources is consistent with Resource Management rules, policies and internal controls. This includes providing input to the EIJ VP on workforce planning, budgeting, organization and prioritization to ensure an efficient and effective use of EIJ resources including through the periodic review and optimization of the EIJ organizational structure;
• Coordinating closely the engagement of Mediation and Formal Reviews with other sub-units in the EIJ VPU, and more broadly with key stakeholders across the WBG, to ensure that the highest standard of services are provided to WBG staff;
• Representing Mediation and Formal Reviews and the EIJ VPU in internal and external fora, including high-level corporate committees; this includes acting for the EIJ VP when requested;
• Providing periodic reports to the EIJ VPU, the Office of the President and the WBG’s governance committees on issues and trends relating to Mediation and Formal Reviews;
• Advising the EIJ VP on setting the strategic direction and work program for the VPU, providing input into the overall strategy; providing leadership and input into EIJ VPU initiatives, communications, and outreach;
• Overseeing the effective implementation of EIJ VPU’s key strategic priorities;
• Supporting the EIJ VP in building credibility and reinforcing trust in the EIJ VPU as it implements its mandate.
REPORTING RELATIONSHIP:
The Director, Mediation and Formal Reviews reports to the EIJ Vice President. They shall be appointed for a period of four years and this appointment may be renewed by the EIJ Vice-President.
Washington, DC
Full Time