The Staff Association, which has emerged as the Bank’s own “civil society” has circulated Managing Director Graeme Wheeler’s strong and sensitive statement to the Bank Board’s Personnel Committee. Beyond highlighting the huge emotional cost the Wolfowitz Situation imposed on Bank staff, it hints at a few short-term changes that must be made in important personnel and policy processes. These are: the reporting relationship of the Bank’s Institutional Integrity Department, and the selection process for the next Vice President, Human Resources. Both are thought to have been captured by Wolfowitz cronies. Continue reading →

As the world has moved on to speculating about Paul Wolfowitz’s successor, a special article in the Economist points to the challenges ahead for the Bank and the development business more generally.

The protracted and very public end, the backroom ‘no-fault divorce’ deal struck between PW’s lawyer and three rogue EDs, and the exchange of amicable, if somewhat hollow, statements are intended to get people back to work and the Bank’s stakeholders focused on “what next?” and the business of fighting poverty. 

How quickly that happens, or whether it happens at all, depends on the United States. Continue reading →

Now that June 30th has been fixed as Paul Wolfowitz’s last day at the World Bank, it’s time to talk bluntly about his successor. 

Fortunately, the White House’s initial ludicrous proposal was rebuffed that PW must stay until an (American) successor is in place.  There are perfectly competent people on hand to do the work of the Bank as a thoughtful succession process, driven by the Board and with significant global public input, is followed.  The press nonetheless is speculating about successors, but let’s be careful:  That’s how Paul Wolfowitz picked his entourage and senior staff. 

It’s time to look at the qualifications needed for this important job, at this important time. Continue reading →