Operations Adviser

World Bank Group•Washington, DC

5d•Hybrid

About The Position

Working at the World Bank Group provides a unique opportunity for you to help our clients solve their greatest development challenges. The World Bank Group is one of the largest sources of funding and knowledge for developing countries; a unique global partnership of five institutions dedicated to ending extreme poverty, increasing shared prosperity, and promoting sustainable development. With 189 member countries and more than 120 offices worldwide, we work with public and private sector partners, investing in groundbreaking projects and using data, research, and technology to develop solutions to the most urgent global challenges. The South Asia Region (Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, and Sri Lanka) is at a pivotal stage of development. Rapid economic growth—driven by urbanization and demographic trends—has reduced poverty, but significant disparities persist. The region also faces increasing climate risks, environmental pollution, and structural challenges, including informality and low female labor force participation. Sustained, private sector-led growth—anchored in investments in infrastructure, logistics, energy, and connectivity—is critical to generating jobs needed to employ South Asia’s sizeable youth population. At the same time, the region needs to continue building human capital so that South Asia’s population is well equipped for the jobs of the future. SARDE is recruiting a high-performing, deeply experienced and energetic Operations Advisor who brings adaptability, flexibility and sound judgment in ensuring the highest level of operational quality management for the SAR portfolio and pipeline, taking on special assignments as they arise, acting for the SARDE Manager as needed and providing ad hoc support to the DSO. The Operations Advisor will report to the SARDE Manager, work closely with the SAR ROC Secretary/Economic Advisor and will mentor a team of 6 GF/GG and A2D staff responsible for various operational functions within SARDE. The position is based in Washington, DC with travel to the South Asia region to be anticipated twice per year.

Requirements

Post graduate degree (Master’s or PhD) in relevant field of discipline.
Typically, the successful candidate will have at least 12 to 15 years of relevant experience.
Prior substantive and sustained operational work experience in achieving results on the ground in more than one world region (including both pre-Bank experience and Bank experience).
Operational experience and hands on experience with Bank instruments and operational policies is critical.
Strong team player, willing to collaborate closely with colleagues and across boundaries; ability to operate effectively in a decentralized, matrix environment.
Excellent interpersonal, written, and oral communication skills; ability to listen carefully and provide sound advice in a constructive manner; ability and readiness to stand firm on difficult and sensitive issues; ability to convey ideas and positions clearly and tactfully to staff and managers at all levels.
Wide range of operational experience with external clients, preferably both as a member and leader of task teams, across a full range of Bank operational and analytical products.
Knowledge of the Bank's instruments (lending, AAA, Trust Funds, etc.), country engagement model, policies, procedures, and strategies, and capacity to apply them effectively in the preparation and implementation of Bank operations.
Knowledge of procurement, E&S, governance and financial management design and implementation issues.
Deep knowledge of portfolio management issues and demonstrated understanding of the Bank's risk management system and results agenda.
High performance in previous assignments; recognition by peers and managers for excellence and innovation in operational work.
High capacity to conceptualize, organize, manage and bring to closure high-quality work quickly and independently; proven capacity to integrate and synthesize across disciplines.
Demonstrated ability to mentor staff and lead a team without formal authority.
Demonstrated ability to embrace change with a positive and constructive mindset and to be a role-model for other staff throughout various institutional changes.

Nice To Haves

Candidates with field experience are encouraged to apply.
Experience with FMRF will be a plus.
Operational experience with IFC will be important to this role and considered a plus in the shortlisting process.
SAR meetings are often held in the morning EST (7 am onwards). SAR Ops Advisor will be expected to be available during these time frames as needed.
Previous experience in Knowledge and Learning will be a plus.

Responsibilities

Lead SARDE’s Quality and Operations Support Team, providing operational advice and resolution to CMUs, GPs and Task Teams on all complex operational matters in SAR with particular focus on policy/procedures alignment, meeting corporate targets and all aspects of OpsEE implementation.
Lead all aspects pertaining to innovative approaches to accelerating impact in operations including but not limited to D-Ready implementation, SCCI, SAR Disbursement Challenge, dashboard and data management systems for optimized delivery and portfolio management, use of AI in operational applications, regional risk mitigation activities and relationship management with corporate functions including IEG, INT, OPCS, Legal and others.
Lead all aspects of RVP clearance process for pipeline/portfolio package reviews including new operations (AOB or Full Board approvals), restructurings and waiver requests among others. Advise and guide team of SARDE “package reviewers” to ensure that all elements of quality control and compliance are reflected, including the new ADM, integration of corporate scorecard indicators (including MBJ), corporate priorities (Gender, PCM, CE, Paris alignment and climate commitments), Outcomes and Targets integration and monitoring among others.
Interface with SECPO and Board on all matters pertaining to SAR interventions at the Board including Board scheduling, SECPO comments, meetings with Board members and their advisors among others.
Collaborate closely with OPCS and task teams on all matters pertaining to instrument selection and design, FMRF, risk/ROC/OC reviews, comments on new policies/procedures and/or piloting of new initiatives among others.
Interfaces with IFC and MIGA to identify and accelerate opportunities for deeper One WBG engagement in SAR.
Coordinate with CMUs and GPs – establishing key relationships with Operations Managers, Practice Managers and RPD Representatives in particular - on key operational issues and updates to teams to ensure high-quality deliverables and full implementation of OpsEE, Knowledge Bank interfacing, new ADM, partnerships and others.
Lead SARDE work relating to the use of AI in process simplification including the upcoming roll out of the AI Board Package Review Tool and other similar solutions.
Prepare all materials for MDO DRM, internal DRM, quarterly updates etc including the management of SAR-specific initiatives for the full delivery of the MOU including Disbursement Challenges, Proactivity management etc.
Prepare and/or consolidate comments on corporate review products, non-SAR ROCs and OCs as well as corporate review products (IEG, GIA, OPCS etc) working closely with the SAR ROC Secretary.
Lead – in partnership with ROC Secretary/Economic Advisor – all work pertaining to SAR’s contribution to major corporate milestones including those such as: MBJ integration into portfolio and pipeline project documents (working closely with Outcomes team on detailed documentation), IDA Midterm Review (connecting with DFI team and ensuring that SAR inputs are collected on time and in a high level of quality reflecting alignment with IDA commitments), Outcomes Midterm Review (maintaining close watch on the status of SAR’s impact on quarterly Target maps) and others.
Oversee the work of various SARDE teams including those pertaining to regional risk list, operations with INT or IP challenges, work with Outcomes department, data and analytics team, team interacting with DFI on IDA, FFI, Windows and GFPP among others, TF team.
Lead operational learning efforts, including through leadership in the design and implementation of SAR specific learning events including SAR Ops Forum, SCCI events and others.
Represent the SAR DE Manager as needed at different fora including OPCS COS Board, WBG Strategy Working Group, INT and IEG meetings, Knowledge and Learning Department among others.
Support the SARDE Manager on the unit's management work, including acting assignments, support to the DSO and RVP Front Office on ad-hoc basis, onboarding of new staff, mentoring, and organization of meetings and retreats.