Operations Officer presso World Bank Group

Operations Officer

Description

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. For more information, visit www.worldbank.org.

 Operations Policy and Country Services (OPCS) plays a pivotal role in achieving the WBG’s vision and mission, to create a world free of poverty on a livable planet. OPCS is at the center of operations and delivery and serves as the back office for the WB’s Managing Director for Operations (MDO). The VPU helps foster links between the Verticals and the Regions, while assisting frontline staff in delivering results to clients through sound operations policy and procedures. OPCS develops and oversees the WB’s operational policies and procedures for country strategies, lending operations, advisory services and analytical support, financial management, procurement, and environmental and social standards. OPCS is also responsible for modernizing operations instruments (lending and non-lending) to help the WB become more responsive to country needs.

The Operations and Strategy Unit (OPSOS) within the OPCS plays a central role in the VPU and in providing support to the MDO and the Operational Complex on operational matters including lending projections, pipeline management, corporate policy commitments monitoring, portfolio management, sector and theme taxonomy and operational data integrity and analytics. In addition, the team is responsible for corporate results agenda, risks to development outcomes in Operations, and corporate results and risks data insights as inputs to WBG thematic and regional strategies. Furthermore, the Unit leads the coordination effort across WBG for the preparation Management’s comments on IEG evaluations as well as assessments from external agencies on World Bank’s development effectiveness and transparency. 

 OPSOS is seeking to recruit a self-motivated Operations Officer with excellent data analysis skills, strong knowledge of pipeline management, portfolio reporting, and great communication and collaboration skills. This position will involve frequent interactions with Regional DE Units, SECPO, DFI, other OPCS Departments, Outcomes Unit, and the Front Office of Verticals. The successful candidate should demonstrate the capacity to perform well in a fast-paced and high-pressure environment and show attention to detail, accuracy, and rigor.

Note: 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.

Duties and Accountabilities

The successful applicant will co-lead one of the unit’s work program pillars. S/he must be knowledgeable of World Bank operations, proficient in data analysis and the World Bank’s data management systems to identify trends, anticipate issues and craft strategic narratives that inform and support Management’s decision-making. S/he should be able to quickly grasp key corporate and operational issues in various areas, multi-task in a fast-paced work environment and work effectively across departmental and/or WBG institutional boundaries. S/he should be a great team player, who will also provide mentoring and training to junior staff and perform quality checks on the unit’s various outputs. Tasks include but are not limited to the following:

• Contribute to OPCS’ role in supporting WB Operations by identifying and bringing to Management attention key operational issues through data analytics, research on operational topics and partnerships with Regions, Verticals and other relevant corporate units.
• Oversee production of reporting deliverables to help manage the financing program and portfolio, including presentations such as Delivery Review Meetings, Operations Updates to the Board, WB Operations Weekly Update to the MDO, Annual Report, and others as needed.
• Perform regular analyses of IDA resources, PBA and Windows and provide insight to Management on meaningful trends to support strategic decision making.
• Co-lead corporate IBRD and IDA lending and disbursement projections exercises across the seven regions, provide inputs and advise Management (VP, Director and Manager) on the impact of country strategic engagement on the projections.
• Co-lead the Quarterly WB Operations Update to the Board.
• Oversee the preparation of the annual and mid-year MOUs, ensuring data consistency and accuracy. Maintain coherence in definitions and calculations to align with organizational standards and other dashboards.
• Lead data quality control and reconciliation processes with sharp attention to details.
• Oversee responses to ad-hoc data requests from Senior Management and others.
• Liaise regularly with OPCS departments on key initiatives including collaboration on Operations Efficiency and Effectiveness Initiative, progress on IDA21 and IBRD Capital Package Implementation, and Advisory Services and Analytics (ASA), among others.
• Collaborate with Regions, Global Practices, and corporate units and coordinate their contribution to various OPSOS tasks as needed.

Selection Criteria

• Master’s in a relevant discipline (e.g. economics, finance, business administration, social sciences, or other field related to development) and at least five years of relevant professional experience, with proven track record in operating at GF level.
• Experience working in at least one Region or Global Practice.
• In-depth knowledge of World Bank products and services and project cycle.
• Skilled in handling and analyzing large datasets and ability to work quickly in Excel and PowerPoint; experience with statistical packages desirable.
• Full proficiency in and ease of working with the Bank’s data systems and tools including Standard Reports, SAP, Power BI, Analysis in Excel, and the Operations Workspace. The selected candidate will be expected to be up to date with these systems and mentor other members of the team on their use.
• Keen attention to detail, uncompromising on quality. Double-checks own work and work of others for accuracy and consistency.
• Effective oral and written communication skills, including strong ability to translate technical content into plain language.
• Strong understanding of IDA allocations, both PBA and windows will be an advantage.
• Experience in preparing large presentations for Senior Management is desirable. 
• Strong interpersonal skills, collaborating and working across boundaries.
• Proven ability to handle multiple tasks independently, work under pressure with short deadlines, and be a problem solver.
• High levels of energy and adaptability to meet changing work program requirements in a dynamic and fast-paced work environment.

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.