Senior Compensation and Benefits Officer

Background / General description:

The World Bank Group (WBG) is one of the premier development organizations in the world. It plays a critical role in assisting countries achieve their development goals, including the alleviation of poverty, and promoting the increase in shared prosperity. To fulfill this role, the WBG needs to attract, develop, and retain staff of the highest technical and professional caliber.

In maintaining the Bank Group's competitive advantage as a provider of global expertise, the Human Resources function needs to develop and maintain an attractive value proposition with progressive policies and practices for staff. In turn, these should enable the Bank Group to promote diversity and mobility, exercise flexibility, enhance productivity to respond to a changing business environment, and support greater decentralization of the Bank Group’s business.

The Bank Group’s compensation and benefit policies and programs account for a majority of the administrative budget. As such, they require the review and approval of the Bank Group's senior management team and Board of Executive Directors. The various programs impact roughly 60,000 lives, including active staff members, retirees, and their families.
The Human Resources Development Compensation and Benefits Unit (HRDCB) is a Center of Expertise in Human Resources. Its role is to design, develop, implement, and administer compensation and benefits policies and programs for staff in Washington, D.C. and over 141 countries.

The Senior Compensation and Benefits Officer reports directly to the Manager, Compensation and Benefits, and contributes in the review, design, and development of the Bank Group’s compensation policies and programs. S/he oversees the implementation of compensation programs in one or several client groups and provides the same type of support and analysis for the Bank Group's benefits policies and programs.

The successful candidate will help ensure the Bank Group's benefits and compensation policies are interpreted and administered according to the policy’s intent.

This position will work closely with the Compensation and Benefits team members, HR Operations, Budget and Finance, and the regionally-based Resource Management Teams. Some international travel may be required.

Duties and Accountabilities:

The following describes typical duties and responsibilities associated with the position:

COMPENSATION

Participates in the development of long-term, comprehensive, and competitive compensation strategies aligned with the overall Bank Group Human Resources strategy.

Develops innovative approaches and improvements for the Bank Group’s compensation policies and systems, including salary scale setting and merit increase determination, performance awards, scarce skills premium, ad hoc salary reviews and increases, job evaluation and grading, compensation practices related to special circumstances, such as contingent staff, special measures, etc.

Oversees the implementation of compensation policies and programs for a portfolio of WBG country offices or global practices, in one or several geographic regions.

Manages the annual compensation review exercise for assigned client or practices group, including the formulation of salary increase recommendations to the Board.

BENEFITS

Designs, develops, and reviews comprehensive WBG-wide benefit programs to ensure the attraction, retention, and motivation of all staff in headquarters and country offices, with particular attention to those on mobility assignments.

Oversees the implementation of benefit policies and programs for a portfolio of WBG country offices or global practices in one or several geographic regions.

STAKEHOLDER RELATIONS

Develops and implements comprehensive communication strategies to engage stakeholder understanding and appreciation of the value of compensation and benefit programs offered by the WBG.

Interacts regularly with relevant stakeholders including: staff, management, representative bodies (i.e. Staff Association, 1818 Society), Board of Executive Directors and advisers, and external parties as needed.

Understands the linkages with other HR functional areas and collaborates with HR colleagues to meet overall HR objectives and strategies.

Interfaces with vendors, consultants, fund custodians, and others as needed.

Represents the WBG at various community and or business meetings; promotes existing and new programs and or policies when needed.
Policy Analysis and Evaluation

Leads and/or conducts periodic evaluations for the Bank’s compensation and benefits policies and programs.

Leads and/or conducts policy analysis exercises related to compensation and benefits policies and practices. Develops metrics and establishes means of verification to guarantee business continuity and quality assurance.

Drafts policy documents and serves as an authoritative source for Bank managers and outside inquiries regarding the WBG's compensation and benefits policies covering Washington-appointed and Country-appointed staff, and those on mobility assignments.

Leads and collaborates on research and analysis exercises related to policy review, development, and updates, i.e. surveying comparator organizations for best practices

KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT

Leads and/or collaborates in the gathering of relevant data and information for developing and deploying knowledge and learning objects for various audiences within the Bank.

Participates in the upload and maintenance of knowledge and learning objects.

Leads and/or collaborates in process mapping and optimization exercises. Establishes metrics, quality assurance measures, and means of verification.

Reviews knowledge and learning objects to meet needs of various audiences, drawing on his/her own expertise in compensation and benefits.

Coaches and mentors less experienced or more junior staff.

Selection Criteria:

EXPERIENCE

At least 8-10 years of relevant experience in the field of international compensation and benefits, including:

o Program development and administration
o Policy analysis and evaluation
o International plan design for expatriates
o Knowledge management
o Consulting experience a plus

KNOWLEDGE

Master’s Degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Management, Policy Analysis, or related field.

Compensation and/or Benefits certification a plus.

SKILLS

Demonstrated verbal and written communication skills to draft project proposals, write board papers, prepare announcements, and deliver presentations to management and staff.

Strong computer literacy including MS Office Suite and statistical packages, such as STATA or SPSS.

Proven knowledge management skills for gathering and disseminating learning and knowledge objects.

Strong interpersonal skills to manage vendor agreements and relationships with external consultants, promote agreement and collaboration among implementers and administrators, and manage staff expectations and concerns.

ABILITIES

Inspires high standards of personal integrity and accountability.

Creates, drives, supports, and facilitates constructive consultations with various levels of management and other sectors of the Bank Group.

Responds effectively to the most sensitive inquiries and complaints.

Fosters a cooperative work environment and is able to work effectively with a wide range of constituencies in a highly diverse organization.

Results-driven.

Process oriented.

Self-Starter.

Interested candidates are invited to apply to vacancy # 140171 on www.worldbank.org/careers.    This vacancy closes on 14 March 2014.  Only online applications submitted through our careers site will be admitted. 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.