Operations Adviser

Operations Adviser

Job #:
req19325

Organization:
World Bank

Sector:
Operations

Grade:
GH

Term Duration:
4 years 0 months

Recruitment Type:
International Recruitment

Location:
Washington, DC,United States

Required Language(s):
English

Preferred Language(s):

Closing Date:
10/21/2022 (MM/DD/YYYY) at 11:59pm UTC

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. Visit www.worldbank.org.

OPCS VPU Context

Operations Policy and Country Services (OPCS) play a pivotal role in achieving the WBG's mission. OPCS is at the center of the 'operations complex' and plays a critical role in supporting the MDO and President of the WBG on all issues related to operations. OPCS develops and oversees WB operational policies and procedures for country strategies, lending operations, advisory services and analytical support, financial management, procurement, and environmental and social safeguards. This includes advising and providing hands-on assistance on the WB policies, processes, risk management related to operations (e.g. use of financing instruments; on procurement, financial management, and safeguards matters; and on results management).

OPCS play a central role in the design and launch of the World Bank's COVID-19 response, is part of the implementation team and responsible for reporting to Senior management and the Board on progress. Corporate functions carried out by OPCS include coordinating exchanges with the Board, managing interactions with the WB oversight units, and representing the WB in several global partnerships.

OPCS's 190+ staff are organized in four departments:
• Operations Policy Department (OPSPO) consolidates the corporate support and oversight of country strategies and all financing instruments as well as operational learning and managing the Operations Help Desk and the Operations Committee;
• Operations Standards, Procurement, Financial Management (OPSPF) is responsible for safeguards, procurement, and financial management, and
• Operations Strategy, Risk, and Results (OPSRR) focuses on Bank strategy; risk management in operations, strengthening results and effectiveness throughout the institution, including the Corporate Scorecard; support to the country directors' and management communities; and portfolio monitoring and oversight.
• Operations Standards, Environment and Social (OPSES) is responsible for Environmental and Social Standards and Safeguard Policies, including support to operations, learning and training, knowledge management, reporting, interface with the Inspection Panel, and management of the Grievance Redress Service (GRS).

Roles & Responsibility:

The successful candidate will become a member of the Investment Lending Unit within the Operations Policy Department and will report to the Manager of the Investment Lending Unit. As the selected candidate will be advising project teams and representing OPCS at corporate level meetings, we are seeking an experienced Task team leader who has worked on projects in all parts of the project cycle, including preparation, supervision, and closure. The candidate must have sufficient experience, presentation skills, and gravitas to represent the department in key meetings, such as ROCs, OCs, or meetings with EDs.

The successful candidate's work program will comprise individual assignments as well as tasks jointly delivered by the Investment Lending unit. S/he will work on research, analytical, and operational work. More specifically, the selected candidate will be responsible for:
• Provide OPCS advice and guidance to RVPs, Regional Directors/Practice Managers, Country Directors/Managers and Task Team Leaders on the preparation of PforR operations. Work directly with teams, and support the Operation Help desk on policy queries.
• Leading the team within OPSIL which reviews PforR operations. The Advisor assigns PforR packages for review, and oversees consistency and quality of reviews. The Advisor and the PforR team also work directly with project teams to help improve project design and quality.
• Represent OPCS at key meetings such as ROC meetings or meetings with senior management and executive directors.
• Conduct or contribute to research and outreach on issues related to the work of the Unit, including preparation of economic research papers, good practice notes and publications on emerging corporate issues, and on OPSIL products. The Board has requested regular updates on the PforR, so the Advisor will need to have experience in leading significant analytical work.
• Contribute to corporate issues that involve OPCS, including the agendas for simplification, modernization, risk management, outcome-orientation and aid effectiveness, FCV, and private capital facilitation.
• Contribute to and/or lead the development of new instruments or new approaches.
• Provide support to operational teams, particularly on the identification of the appropriate instruments.
• Support departmental responses to corporate requests-including from the Board and Senior Management-in areas related to the Department.
• Contribute to the integration of Bank operations into the Operational Portal, including working with ITS to incorporate needed changes.
• Work with other units at the Bank, including Regions, GPs, and Corporate units to identify areas of improvement in Bank Operations
• Conduct training on operational issues, and develop and update training materials as needed.

Selection Criteria
• Master's degree in a relevant field/discipline and at least 12 years of relevant experience, including a minimum of 5 years of operational experience as a TTL of investment lending projects in at least one GP or Region of the Bank; preference for candidates with experience in more than one region.
• Candidate must be an experienced TTL in investment lending, and have led Investment projects through all phases of the project cycle (PCN through closure). The candidate will have supervised projects through an entire project cycle, including carrying out MTRs, and completing ICRs. Experience with IPFs with Performance Based Conditions (IPF-PBCs) will also be helpful, as the ability to discuss instrument choice will be important. Experience as TTL of at least one PforR also required.
• Experience in two regions, a corporate assignment or similar experience that builds global expertise and client facing skills.
• Research and writing skills, as demonstrated by published research papers or significant Bank analytical work.
• Recognized by peers and/or managers for providing high quality, pragmatic advice to teams on the appropriate use of Bank policies, procedures and instruments and financing mechanisms.
• Leadership skills, with experience in managing teams.
• Recognized by peers and/or managers for ability to identify and pro-actively solve operational issues and problems.
• Strong presentation skills, with the ability to present complex ideas in a straightforward way.
• Demonstrates in-depth knowledge and understanding of Bank operations including project management tools and methodologies, as well as of Bank instruments and processes related to project preparation and implementation, and processes related to restructuring and waivers/exceptions.
• Maintains client relationships in the face of conflicting demands and provides evidence-based advice and solutions based on sound diagnosis and knowledge.
• Leads in the sharing of best practice, trends, knowledge and lessons learned across units and with clients and partners, articulating ideas verbally and in writing in a clear and compelling way across audiences of varied levels.
• Gathers inputs, assesses risk, considers impact and articulates benefits of decisions for internal and external stakeholders over the long term.

REQUIRED PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCIES:
• General Economic Knowledge and Analytical Skills - Possesses a demonstrated track record of working with economic and sectoral data and analytical tools and models to conduct economic analyses and produce user-friendly written outputs.
• Knowledge and Experience in Development Arena - Demonstrates complete understanding of policy making process and the role of own sector of expertise in that process and its interrelations with other sectorsIntegrative Skills - Demonstrates ability to lead work on integrating divergent views in a coherent project/program/ strategy, including across sectors and WBG.

Bank Instruments, Policies, Procedures, and Systems knowledge- knowledge - Expert knowledge of key strategic, analytical, and financing instruments (loans, credits, guarantees, risk management products, and advisory services)

COS Competencies: https://tinyurl.com/y34lnxvu

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.

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.

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