Operations Officer

World Bank Group•Washington, DC

19h•Onsite

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. Visit www.worldbank.org. Regional Context The Middle East and North Africa, Afghanistan, and Pakistan Region serves twenty two countries across different income groups, of which fourteen are active/potentially active IBRD/IDA borrowers, with a total of 251 projects and over $51 bn in total commitment. Eight are users of the Region's non-lending services, mostly on a reimbursable basis. The mission of the region is to foster sustainable growth with a focus on job creation and poverty reduction, economic and social inclusion, and good governance. The region attaches importance to creating a supportive work environment based on the values of teamwork, transparency, trust, and client service, underlined by professional excellence. The region also places high value on diversity. With an expanded regional strategy, the World Bank aims to help the region weather the current crises, move from stabilization to transformation, unlock its vast economic potential of youth and women, develop its human capital to adapt to global megatrends, and foster innovation (https://www.worldbank.org/en/region/mena). VPU Context: PROSPERITY VICE PRESIDENCY The Prosperity Vice Presidency is one of the World Bank Group’s five verticals, with a mandate that emphasizes “Growth, Finance, and Institutions for all.” Our approach leverages data-driven analysis and combines expertise from both the public and private sectors, together with International Finance Corporation (IFC). The Prosperity Vice Presidency supports clients in advancing evidence-based structural reforms to establish the foundations for inclusive and sustainable growth in the thematic areas of macro-fiscal policy; financial sector resilience, access, and deepening; private sector development, trade, and competitiveness; and governance and public sector reform, including statistical capacity. Unit Context: The MENAAP Finance, Competitiveness and Investment (FCI) Global Practice combines expertise in the financial sector with expertise in private sector development to foster private sector led growth and help create markets in client countries. FCI’s core lines of business are: (a) Financial Stability & Integrity; (b) Financial Inclusion, Infrastructure & Access; (c) Long-Term Finance; (d) Crisis & and Disaster Risk Finance; (e) Markets, Competition and Technology; and (g) Investment Climate, SME and Enterprise Development. For more information, please visit https://www.worldbank.org/en/about/unit/fci The MENAAP EMAF2 portfolio comprises 17 lending operations with a total net commitment of $1,3 billion. In addition, the unit manages diverse Advisory Services and Analytics engagements, including an extensive multi-million-dollar Reimbursable Advisory Services (RAS) program that supports technical assistance and analytical work, all underpinned by a strong multifaceted policy dialogue. Within this program, it has established broad range of partnerships in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, and UAE. These engagements aim to support the countries in implementing reforms to improve and enhance their investment climate. FCI supported reforms cover such areas as investment policy and promotion, business regulation reforms, support for entrepreneurship and SME development, competition, and financial sector development. DUTIES AND ACCOUNTABILITIES The EMAF2 unit is seeking an experienced, high-performing, energetic, adaptable, and flexible team member with demonstrated operational experience across broad range of WBG products and services, ability to manage a large workload, and dedication to teamwork. The Operations Officer will have a wide range of evolving responsibilities aligned with the strategic priorities of EMAF2. The anticipated scope of duties and responsibilities includes the following: Operational Support • Lead and deliver end-to-end operational support to the Practice Manager (PM) and task teams across the project cycle for lending and ASA operations, with the special focus on RAS programs. This includes advising on project management, corporate requirements, operational processing, and risk management. • Lead and coordinate the preparation and review of core operational documents (e.g., PADs, ISRs, Aide-Mémoires, ICRs, decision notes) to ensure quality, due diligence, and timely clearances, while engaging substantively in key operational meetings and missions. • Provide strategic guidance on operational policies and procedures, liaising with corporate focal points (e.g., Paris Alignment, Gender, PCM) and proactively updating teams on evolving guidance. • Coordinate delivery management by advising on and tracking timelines and milestones, identifying operational and system-related bottlenecks, and proposing mitigation measures during project preparation and implementation. • Steer operational support for RAS programs by managing budgeting, financial monitoring, and end-to-end processing across the full lifecycle—from initiation and amendments to completion—while addressing the complexity of RAS procedures. Portfolio Management • Monitor and manage the unit’s portfolio and pipeline, serving as the primary focal point for MENAAP DE, CMUs, the Prosperity Regional Director’s Office, OPCS, and other corporate units on portfolio quality and delivery issues. • Support the PM and task teams in implementing the work program by identifying risks and outliers and proposing practical solutions to maintain delivery momentum. • Coordinate responses to portfolio data requests and ensure consistency in internal and external reporting. Strategic Budgeting, Monitoring, and Management • Monitor and manage the unit’s budget in collaboration with the PM and RM, including resource planning, inputs to the WPA exercise and contingency release, expenditure forecasting, and staff cost recovery monitoring. • Coordinate and engage with central units (e.g., LEG, BPS, WFA) on external fund issues to ensure appropriate financial oversight and compliance. • Oversee financial management and reporting for the Jordan MDTF, whose Secretariat is housed in FCI, including budget tracking, prioritization analysis, and trust fund lifecycle management (extensions and closures) in accordance with Administrative Agreements. Knowledge Management • Support the unit’s communications and outreach efforts, including drafting content for the FCI monthly newsletter and coordinating with the MENAAP Prosperity communications team. • Share operational knowledge and contribute to operational capacity building of the unit’s staff. • Undertake and deliver on ad hoc tasks assigned by the PM and task teams to support the unit’s business needs. Selection Criteria • Master’s degree in a relevant discipline (e.g., economics, management, business administration, technical studies, or another development-related field). • Minimum of 5 years of full-time professional experience delivering lending and ASA operations, including RAS, as well as budget management, monitoring, and evaluation of complex programs. • Strong knowledge of World Bank operational policies and experience across the project cycle for a broad range of lending and ASA operations, including RAS programs. • Experience supporting institutional capacity building among government or non-state partners. • Strong interpersonal, facilitation, and communication skills, with excellent English proficiency (written and spoken). • Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively with multidisciplinary teams and work independently with limited supervision. • Willingness to travel, including to FCV countries. The COS core competencies can be found at the following link: COS Competencies. This internal requisition is open to WBG and IMF staff only (including short-term and extended term consultants/ temporaries). External candidates are requested not to apply. In case an external candidate applies, their application will not be considered. 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.

Requirements

Master’s degree in a relevant discipline (e.g., economics, management, business administration, technical studies, or another development-related field).
Minimum of 5 years of full-time professional experience delivering lending and ASA operations, including RAS, as well as budget management, monitoring, and evaluation of complex programs.
Strong knowledge of World Bank operational policies and experience across the project cycle for a broad range of lending and ASA operations, including RAS programs.
Experience supporting institutional capacity building among government or non-state partners.
Strong interpersonal, facilitation, and communication skills, with excellent English proficiency (written and spoken).
Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively with multidisciplinary teams and work independently with limited supervision.
Willingness to travel, including to FCV countries.

Responsibilities

Lead and deliver end-to-end operational support to the Practice Manager (PM) and task teams across the project cycle for lending and ASA operations, with the special focus on RAS programs. This includes advising on project management, corporate requirements, operational processing, and risk management.
Lead and coordinate the preparation and review of core operational documents (e.g., PADs, ISRs, Aide-Mémoires, ICRs, decision notes) to ensure quality, due diligence, and timely clearances, while engaging substantively in key operational meetings and missions.
Provide strategic guidance on operational policies and procedures, liaising with corporate focal points (e.g., Paris Alignment, Gender, PCM) and proactively updating teams on evolving guidance.
Coordinate delivery management by advising on and tracking timelines and milestones, identifying operational and system-related bottlenecks, and proposing mitigation measures during project preparation and implementation.
Steer operational support for RAS programs by managing budgeting, financial monitoring, and end-to-end processing across the full lifecycle—from initiation and amendments to completion—while addressing the complexity of RAS procedures.
Monitor and manage the unit’s portfolio and pipeline, serving as the primary focal point for MENAAP DE, CMUs, the Prosperity Regional Director’s Office, OPCS, and other corporate units on portfolio quality and delivery issues.
Support the PM and task teams in implementing the work program by identifying risks and outliers and proposing practical solutions to maintain delivery momentum.
Coordinate responses to portfolio data requests and ensure consistency in internal and external reporting.
Monitor and manage the unit’s budget in collaboration with the PM and RM, including resource planning, inputs to the WPA exercise and contingency release, expenditure forecasting, and staff cost recovery monitoring.
Coordinate and engage with central units (e.g., LEG, BPS, WFA) on external fund issues to ensure appropriate financial oversight and compliance.
Oversee financial management and reporting for the Jordan MDTF, whose Secretariat is housed in FCI, including budget tracking, prioritization analysis, and trust fund lifecycle management (extensions and closures) in accordance with Administrative Agreements.
Support the unit’s communications and outreach efforts, including drafting content for the FCI monthly newsletter and coordinating with the MENAAP Prosperity communications team.
Share operational knowledge and contribute to operational capacity building of the unit’s staff.
Undertake and deliver on ad hoc tasks assigned by the PM and task teams to support the unit’s business needs.