Bob is the Director of Standards, Procurement and Financial Management and Chief Financial Management Officer of the World Bank. He also directs the World Bank’s operational engagement with UN agencies.

Living in Kabul, Mr. Saum was Country Director for Afghanistan from 2012 to 2016, leading the sensitive public policy dialogue and an analytical work program which informed strategic allocation of $1 billion to the Government of Afghanistan in economic and fiscal management, accountability, education, health, infrastructure, gender and agriculture. Throughout his tenure he secured the safety of World Bank Group staff during a time of escalating security incidents, enabling continuous presence and support to government poverty reduction activities

He has previously directed the World Bank’s efforts to promote economic integration and cooperation among countries in South Asia and with neighboring regions, was Adviser to the Managing Director and has worked on public financial management issues in the East Asia Region. Bob joined the World Bank in 1998.

Previously, Bob lived in Pakistan, Nigeria, Zimbabwe, Kenya and East Jerusalem working for NGOs focused on relief and development activities. He is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and Certified Management Accountant (CMA), having started his career with Ernst & Young, in the US and London.

Bob holds a Master of International Management from the Thunderbird School of Global Management in Phoenix, Arizona and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a minor in political science from the University of Dayton.

He is also a Board member and chair of the Governance Committee of Domus Pacis Family Respite in Summit County, Colorado, which provides respite weeks to cancer patients and their families in the serene mountain settings.