Senior Operations Officer

World Bank Group•Washington, DC

2d•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 world's largest sources of funding and knowledge for developing countries. The World Bank works in more than 100 developing economies to improve living standards and fight poverty. The World Bank uses financial resources and extensive experience to help our client countries to reduce poverty, increase economic growth, and improve the quality of life. The World Bank is owned by 189 member countries whose views and interests are represented by a Board of Governors and a Washington DC-based Board of Directors. More than 190 countries participate in at least one of the five World Bank Group institutions, each of which specializes in different aspects of development: the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD), the International Development Association (IDA) (IBRD and IDA together also referred to as the "World Bank" or the "Bank"), the International Finance Corporation (IFC), the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA), and the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID). For more information, visit www.worldbank.org Regional Context Western and Central Africa is a vast region with diverse cultures, beliefs, languages, and lifestyles. Stretching from the westernmost point of Africa, across the equator, and partly along the Atlantic Ocean till the Republic of Congo in the South, it encompasses 22 countries that spread across semi-arid areas in the Sahel, large coastal areas on the Atlantic Ocean and along the Gulf of Guinea and tropical forest covering many countries from Guinea to the Republic of Congo, through Côte d’Ivoire, Cameroon and Gabon. Home to about half a billion people, the sub-region has seen its population multiplied by 4 in the last 50 years. The population is mostly concentrated in the coastal areas, while landlocked countries generally experience lower density. The region has experienced accelerated urbanization, with cities hosting 48% of the population. With 12% of its population being under the age of 15, Western and Central Africa has one of the youngest populations in the world. https://www.worldbank.org/en/region/afr/western-and-central-africa.

Requirements

Advanced degree (Minimum Masters.) in a relevant discipline and at least 8 years of relevant operational experience.
At least 8 years of work experience in operations, quality support, portfolio monitoring and trust funds administration and management; donor funded programs, project implementation experience is a plus.
Ability to solve complex operational problems, and willingness to reach out to others to help find practical solutions to challenging operational issues.
Excellent interpersonal skills including an ability to work and direct other team members and lead a team in trust fund management.
Experience across GP and/or Regional side of the matrix to understand the different needs and operational practices of different internal clients.
Excellent oral and written communications skills in English, including the excellent ability to write reports and briefing notes, and with demonstrated ability to think strategically and synthesize complex issues.
High degree of initiative, flexibility and ability to work independently with good track record of being a team player.
Effective interpersonal and communication skills with the capacity to interact in a multi-cultural environment.
Understanding of development issues and challenges and experience of working in international development.

Nice To Haves

French language skills will be an added value.

Responsibilities

Provide operational support/guidance and quality assurance on cross-cutting dimensions to task teams and the SAWDR Regional Practice Director.
Support the Practice Managers (PMs) to help track overall project preparation and pipeline management, as well as providing implementation support.
Maintain up-to-date information on the Planet pipeline, portfolio, and ASA program for all AFW countries in close collaboration with the RVPs office, CMUs, and Practice Units.
Provide strategic operational support and policy guidance to Planet operational staff in connection with the preparation, appraisal, implementation, and evaluation of operational products.
Advise Regional management and staff on complex operational issues, including strategic, technical, and institutional aspects and facilitate resolution of cross-GP problems.
Support risk management and resolution of implementation issues, in collaboration with the PMs and CMUs.
Provide advice to PMs and GP staff on operational policies, instruments, and procedures.
Lead portfolio reviews and flag implementation problems for attention by Bank management and work with PMs and task teams to resolve key issues.
Lead the response to Bank Management and Corporate Requests for preparation of notes, briefings, and other communication products for Management - working directly with Planet and GPs front offices to coordinate input and solve problems that may arise.
Support the RPD in overall management of the Front office.
Respond to ad-hoc information and guidance requests from internal and external stakeholders at the operational level.
Undertake additional duties and tasks as specified the Regional Practice Director.
Provide back up to team members in the Front Office.