HR Specialist, Recruitment, Nairobi

HR Specialist, Recruitment

Description

At the World Bank Group (WBG), you’ll join a diverse, global community working across cultures, disciplines, and borders to address the world’s most pressing development challenges. With 1.2 billion young people reaching working age in the decade ahead, the challenge of job creation has never been greater. Through partnerships across 145 countries and more than 182 offices worldwide, we work with governments, private sector, development partners and other stakeholders to invest in people, strengthen markets, and deliver scalable, data-driven solutions that generate more and better jobs and improve lives. For more information, visit www.worldbank.org

VPU Context:

In positioning the World Bank Group (WBG) as an employer of choice and leader within the development community and to better respond to the diversified needs of the organization’s shareholders and staff, World Bank Group Human Resources Vice Presidency realigned itself by building a One WBG Future-Ready Workplace composed of the following departments:

• IBRD/MIGA and IFC Client Services (HRDCS and CHR) Departments that incorporate an end-to-end staffing model and support the implementation of HR plans and processes for their respective client teams.
• One World Bank Group Talent Acquisition & Global Mobility (HRDTM) Department, a newly established department that supports the implementation of strategic recruitment and mobility related initiatives including program management, insightful and forward-looking analytics, process reengineering, while contributing to a positive experience for candidates and staff worldwide.
• One World Bank Group Employment Policy, Compensation and Systems (HRDPC) Department that provides an integrated approach to managing employment policy and staff rules, driving compensation and benefit programs, and supporting service solutions, systems and analytics.
• One World Bank Group Performance, Career and Learning (HRDTD) Department that brings together the entire talent management lifecycle to maximize and leverage innovative solutions and strategies for increasing the WBG’s organizational and individual performance and capabilities.

Unit Context

WBG Talent Acquisition and Global Mobility Department – part of an integrated Human Resources function – plays a vital part in shaping the WBG workforce of the future, leading strategic efforts to attract, recruit, and mobilize top-tier talent worldwide. Within the department, the Global Talent Acquisition team leads recruitment excellence, partnering closely with HR Teams and Hiring Managers to secure top-tier, diverse talent. The HR Specialist (Recruitment) will manage the end-to-end hiring process and develop strong talent pipelines for professional-level roles, ensuring the organization has the expertise and capabilities it needs to succeed. In addition, the role will play a key part in the implementation and launch of a new talent acquisition model, helping to shape and embed enhanced recruitment processes, candidate engagement strategies, and service delivery standards. The position will contribute to driving greater efficiency, consistency, and data-driven decision making across the recruitment lifecycle while supporting change management and stakeholder adoption.

The role will report to the Regional Talent Acquisition Lead.

Duties and accountabilities:

• Proactively manage full lifecycle recruitment process for assigned client group, collaborating with other Recruiters, HRBPs, Recruitment Service Teams, and Hiring Managers.
• Partner with hiring managers to define talent strategies, advise on labor market trends, competitive talent landscapes, and recruitment approaches for critical hiring needs.
• Leverage strategic global sourcing and screening techniques to meet client needs for skilled and diverse candidates.
• Build and maintain proactive talent pipelines in anticipation of hiring needs, leveraging talent mapping, market research, and Talent Insights.
• Manage and provide recruitment advice to clients within the region, using data and relationship-building skills to build credibility and influence decisions, gaining buy-in for a new recruitment model.
• Conduct compensation evaluations and candidate offer negotiations by applying market awareness, analytical reasoning, and clear communication skills.
• Demonstrate candidate care and focus, nurturing talent and managing candidates through the recruitment process.
• Effectively utilize recruitment systems and LinkedIn Recruiter to identify and track candidates, document decisions, maintain accurate data, and generate recruitment metrics, market insights, and reports to continuously improve recruitment outcomes.
• Actively contribute to team and department initiatives, provide backup as needed and volunteer for recruitment-related working groups, sharing best practices and knowledge.

Selection Criteria

• Master's degree with a minimum of 5 years of relevant international recruitment experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Demonstrated experience managing multiple recruitment assignments and delivering results in complex, fast-paced environments.
• Demonstrated ability to influence and build credibility with senior leaders, hiring managers, and cross-functional stakeholders in complex organizations.
• Proven ability to work effectively in diverse, multicultural and consensus-driven environments, exercising sound diplomacy, cultural sensitivity, tact, and discretion.
• Strategic, client-focused mindset with the ability to understand business needs and deliver pragmatic, structured recruitment solutions.
• Ability to gather, analyze, and translate data into actionable insights, recruitment strategies, and workforce plans that support organizational objectives.
• Sound judgment in assessment, selection, and compensation-related decisions, informed by market data and institutional policies.
• Proven ability to identify, source, and headhunt talent for specialized or hard-to-fill roles with in-depth understanding of global talent pools and labor market trends.
• Strong proficiency in LinkedIn Recruiter and ATS/CRM platforms, with the ability to leverage systems and talent insights to support effective sourcing and candidate relationship management.
• Proactive, agile, and results-oriented approach, with strong prioritization, multitasking, and collaboration skills, thriving in fast-paced and dynamic environments.
• Excellent command of written and spoken English and professional proficiency in a regional language is an advantage.

As the World Bank Group continues to evolve, we value candidates who:

• Demonstrate the ability to collaborate effectively across teams, disciplines, cultures, and institutional boundaries.
• Responsibly leverage digital and AI-enabled tools to enhance productivity, learning, and decision-making.
• Bring experience working in fragile, conflict-affected, and violent (FCV) contexts and are encouraged to highlight relevant experience in their application materials, where applicable.

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.