Job Details

Operations Officer

 Description

Eastern and Southern Africa (AFE) Region

Home to about 700 million of Africa’s people, Eastern and Southern Africa is a geographically, culturally, and economically diverse region of 26 countries stretching from the Red Sea in the North to the Cape of Good Hope in the South. Children under 18 make up almost half of the total population. The subregion boasts of some of the world’s richest human and natural resources and apart from South Africa, the countries are predominantly raw material exporters. The subregion harbors some of Africa’s protracted conflicts, rendering many of its countries fragile, while significant gaps in education, health, and skills development continue to keep people from reaching their full potential. This creates a huge development challenge, heavily impacts people's lives and livelihoods, and hinders regional integration and trade. But it also creates an opportunity to work closely with country leaders, civil society, development partners, and young people to chart a brighter course for the future. 
The World Bank’s Eastern and Southern Africa Region, comprised of approximately 1,260 staff, mostly based in 26 country offices, has been helping countries realize their considerable development potential by focusing on the following priorities- Creating Jobs and Transforming Economies, Building up the Digital Economy, Institutions more Efficient and Accountable, Investing in People, Supporting Climate Change Mitigation and Adaption, Addressing the Drivers of Fragility, Conflict, and Violence, and Building Partnerships and Working across the African Continent. We are scaling up our work on regional integration, taking a holistic view of the continent that covers both North and Sub-Saharan Africa.
Are you ready to make an impact? We are looking for dedicated professionals to join our innovative and diverse team to improve people’s lives and help countries.

COUNTRY MANAGEMENT UNIT (CMU) CONTEXT

The Ethiopia, Eritrea, South Sudan, and Sudan team (AECE3) provides a wide range of financial, knowledge, and convening services to help address our country’s most complex development issues. The CMU comprises a diversity of client countries and portfolios. The CMU manages two active country offices: in Addis Ababa (which serves Ethiopia, Eritrea, and Sudan), and in Juba, with over 160 AFE regional mapped staff and hundreds of consultants. The management team comprises the Country Director, the Operations Manager, the Sudan Country Manager, and Program Leaders (all based in Addis Ababa), as well as a South Sudan Country Manager based in Juba and a Senior Country Officer in Washington, DC.

COUNTRY CONTEXT

Ethiopia

 Home to an estimated 124 million people, Ethiopia is the second most populous nation in Africa and one of the fastest-growing economies in the region, with an estimated 6.4% growth rate in FY2021/22.  Ethiopia had previously enjoyed annual growth of nearly 10% per year over a 15-year period until 2019, driven by a state-led model involving large public investments in agriculture, enabling infrastructure, and manufacturing. Public investments averaged over 15% of GDP over that time and were financed by external debt and by domestic and diaspora savings. GDP growth slowed beginning in 2019 to around 6% per year due to multiple shocks, including COVID-19, a series of failed rains in the country’s lowlands, and conflict, particularly the severe fighting in the country’s North in 2020-2022.  With inflation running at over 30% for more than two years, a high risk of debt distress, limited reserves, and an overvalued local currency, Ethiopia faces significant macroeconomic challenges. The consistently high economic growth until 2019 resulted in overall positive poverty reduction trends in urban and rural areas. The share of the population living below the national poverty line decreased from 30% in 2011 to 24% in 2016, and human development indicators also improved. However, gains are modest when compared to other countries that saw fast growth, and inequality has increased in recent years.  The multiple shocks since 2019 have stalled progress on poverty reduction, negatively impacted human capital, and sharply increased food insecurity.  Over 20 million people are now estimated to need humanitarian assistance. The government has embarked on reforms to transition from a state-led model to a facilitating a more private-sector driven approach.   It launched a Home-Grown Economic Reform Agenda in 2019 and a HGER Agenda 2.0 in 2023-4, signaling that it will follow through with deep reforms to address macroeconomic distortions and drive growth.  The government has also formulated a 10-year Development Plan for 2029/30. The plan aims to foster efficiency and introduce competition in key growth-enabling sectors (including energy, logistics, and telecoms) and improve the business climate. The World Bank Group’s strategic focus is to assist Ethiopia in forging a more inclusive and sustainable growth path, supporting the objectives of the Home-Grown Economic Reform Agenda and the 10-Year Development Plan. The WBG’s wide-ranging engagement in Ethiopia’s reforms and development is underpinned by a national portfolio of 34 operations totaling US$14B in commitments together with 12 Ethiopia components of regional operations totaling US$2.6B in commitments. For more information, visit: https://www.worldbank.org/en/country/ethiopia

South Sudan

South Sudan became independent on July 9, 2011. However, outbreaks of civil war in 2013 and 2016, persistent subnational violence, and political contestation have undermined post-independence development gains and intensified existing humanitarian needs. More than a decade after independence, South Sudan remains impacted by fragility, economic stagnation, and instability. Poverty is ubiquitous, exacerbated by conflict, displacement, and external shocks.
The signing of the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan (R-ARCSS) in September 2018 and the formation of a Transitional Government of National Unity in February 2020 have contributed to recovery and peacebuilding. A series of encouraging reforms have been undertaken to support longer-term stability and development outcomes, and a two-year extension of the R-ARCSS to February 2025 to allow the government to meet key milestones in the peace agreement.  The Government recently announced the postponement of the December 2024 elections in favor of a two-year extension of the Transition Period citing the need to complete critical implementation tasks set out in the R-ARCSS. For information, visit: https://www.worldbank.org/en/country/southsudan

Sudan

The country experienced a major political transition in 2019, precipitated by a popular revolution that led to the dismissal of the previous regime of Omar Al-Bashir after 30 years in power. A transitional government (TGOS) was formed in August 2019, jointly comprised of military and civilian elements. The World Bank and the international community adopted a high-risk/high-reward approach as described in the FY21-22 Country Engagement Note (CEN), calling for the World Bank to “lean in” in recognition of the generational opportunity to contribute to stability and growth in the country. After three decades of isolation from the international community, in March 2021, Sudan was able to clear its arrears to IDA opening the door to full reengagement with the World Bank and reaching HIPC Decision Point in June 2021. Approximately $2 billion in grants were mobilized during IDA19, including $1.25 billion from the FCV Envelope Turnaround Allocation (TAA) and $50 million from the Crisis Response Window. However, escalating tensions between component parts of the government culminated in a military takeover in October 2021. A political deadlock prevailed between domestic stakeholders in the military and broader security apparatus, armed groups, political parties, and civil society until April 2023, when a failed political process saw an explosion of conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). For information, visit: https://www.worldbank.org/en/country/sudan

Eritrea

Eritrea’s recent growth performance has been marked by significant volatility in part due to its dependence on a predominantly rain-fed agriculture sector, accounting for about one-third of the economy (and which has a significant impact on distribution services, which account for around 20% of gross domestic product (GDP), and on a narrow mining sector which also accounts for 20% of the economy. For information, visit: https://www.worldbank.org/en/country/eritrea

UNIT CONTEXT:

The successful candidate is expected to play a significant role in supporting the CMU in delivering the overall work program. The Operations Officer will be based in Addis Ababa and will report to the Operations Manager and will be an integral member of the CMU operations team. 

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Portfolio monitoring: In coordination with the Senior Operations Officer, Operations Manager, and other team members, the Operations Officer will have responsibility for monitoring project portfolio and operational performance, quality and trends, including ensuring compliance with Bank policies and working with teams to develop and implement action plans to improve implementation and resolve portfolio problems.
• Communication and monitoring of country developments: In close coordination with ECR, SOO and the OM, the Operations Officer will develop and maintain regular country contacts with client counterparts in government, as well as with implementing entities, and stakeholders in general. The Operations Officer will support outreach communications and closely monitor political, social and economic developments; develop and maintain understanding of country socioeconomic and political context.
• Contributes to the review of operational documents such as Project Concept Notes (PCNs), Project Appraisal Documents (PADs), Implementation Status and Results Reports (ISRs) and Implementation Completion Reports (ICRs) for compliance with relevant Bank operational policies, procedures and templates.
• Coordinates with operational teams to review implementation readiness of projects under preparation, including advice on corporate commitments, results, monitoring and evaluation (M&E), and risk management.
• Assists and organizes portfolio reviews; prepares portfolio monitoring reports and follow-up on portfolio issues.
• Contributes to addressing obstacles in project preparation and execution and oversees the implementation of action plans.
• Carries out monitoring of high-risk projects in the active portfolio, identifies issues and trends, and seeks inputs from the sectoral teams as needed.
• Is the first point of contact for project teams requiring guidance on all operational procedures, including on project preparation an implementation, Advisory and Analytics products, trust funds, monitoring and evaluation aspects, etc.
• Participates as a member of Bank missions (preparation, appraisal, supervision), conducts discussions with client representatives on selected problems and issues identified by task managers, as required.
• Carries out Trust Funds (TF) Portfolio reviews and reviews new TF proposals to ensure alignment with the country program, and contributes to preparing new trust funds, as required. 
• The Operations Officer will contribute to the preparation and quality review of briefing notes (e.g., for Spring and Annual Meetings, Sr. Management country visits, etc.) and other internal complex reports; and draft and review operational correspondence and undertake task management responsibilities as necessary and assigned by the Operations Manager.
• Contributes and/or takes the lead on key country engagement products such as PLRs, CPFs.
• Perform other operational and analytical tasks as requested by the AECE3 Operations Manager based on CMU emerging needs.
  

Selection Criteria

• Master’s degree in a relevant discipline (e.g. economics, management, business administration, social sciences, technical studies, or another field related to development) and at least 5 years of relevant experience.
• Thorough knowledge of Bank policies, procedures, guidelines, financial instruments, accountability instruments, results agenda.
• Good understanding of Bank’s corporate priorities and initiatives including climate change, gender, citizen engagement, private capital mobilization/enabling, etc.
• Proficient with the Bank’s operations-related information systems and tools, particularly Standard Reports, Power BI, Analysis for Office – AO, Operations Portal, Client Connection) and institutional databases (such as on climate change, gender, citizen engagement, etc.)
• Proficient in Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint), and full proficiency in data handling and visualizations.
• Proven ability to handle significant volume of data and conduct analyses using quantitative and qualitative inputs and to present findings using graphs/charts/tables.
• Experience in portfolio analysis.
• Demonstrated attention to detail, and follow-through.
• Good writing skills and ability to create good presentations.
• Demonstrated ability to carry out substantive research and analysis on a wide range of operational issues, to identify issues, and to propose solutions.
• Proven ability to work both independently and in diverse teams.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.

COMPETENCIES

Integrative skills

• Demonstrates understanding of working across WBG, practices and sectors.
• Demonstrates strong integrative thinking and ability to support project teams in developing an integrated point of view around development challenges.
• Demonstrates ability to seek out, collate and synthesize inputs from across sectoral and
  thematic boundaries.

 Policy Dialogue Skills

• Identifies and assesses policy issues and communicates findings/ points of view verbally and through reports and papers.
• Plays an active role in the dialogue with government and/or other stakeholders as part of Bank teams.
  Knowledge and Experience in the Development Arena
• Demonstrates full familiarity with the World Bank Group’s organizational structure, complementarities among different Bank Group agencies, with an ability to apply this knowledge.
• Understands policy making process and the role of own sector of expertise in that process.
• Demonstrates familiarity with Bank’s development initiatives and policies and practices related to lending and non-lending operations.
• Finds relevant information/data and examines similar policy questions in multiple regions.
• Contributes to the development of offers/ relevant tools for clients.

Communication & Influencing Skills

• Tailor communication style to meet audience needs and delivers information effectively in support of team or workgroup.
• Has strong analytical writing ability.
• Bank Instruments, Policies, and Procedures, and Ability to Proactively Apply Them
• Knowledge of key strategic, analytical, and financing instruments.
• Familiarity with Bank policies, procedures, and systems (including financial management, and procurement).
• Good knowledge of Bank operational policies and procedures.
• Ability to review strategy, sectoral/ASA, and project documents for compliance with relevant Bank operational templates, policies, and procedures.
• Advanced knowledge and practical skills in using key relevant WBG data systems and tools such as the
• Operations Workspace, data reports, etc.
  

Strategy Formulation and Policy and Program Design

• Solid knowledge and experience of country cross-cutting and/or macro issues relevant to World Bank Group’s work
• Ability to distill programming options from country engagement issues and priorities
• Ability to translate understanding of key corporate and development partner initiatives related to country engagement into formulating options for Bank engagement, including key country engagement products
  

Project Design, Implementation, and Management

• Experience with project preparation and management concepts and processes
• Ability to support project teams, partners, and clients in project preparation and implementation (including liaising with experts on planning, budgeting, project financing, procurement, disbursement, legal issues, and safeguards)
• Ability to identify key risks in achieving expected project outcomes, proposing tailored mitigation measures with attention to good practices
• Ability to carry out data collection and background analysis on relevant project design and implementation issues, including good practices and lessons learned
• Ability to contribute to the development of action plans to resolve preparation and implementation bottlenecks and monitor the execution of such plans
• Ability to draft sections of key documents, keep project records in the Bank systems, and draft meeting minutes
  

Portfolio Management and Results Monitoring

• Ability to independently monitor and analyze portfolio data (including trust funds), prepares materials for portfolio reviews/ deep dives, including areas of project risk assessment, ratings and mitigation measures, and results monitoring, and identify cross-cutting issues and key trends
• Ability to: (i) identify key portfolio risks in achieving expected project outcomes, proposing tailored mitigation measures with attention to good practices; (ii) carry out data collection and background analysis on relevant project design and implementation issues, including good practices and lessons learned; and (iii) contribute to the development of action plans to resolve preparation and implementation bottlenecks and monitor the execution of such plans.
• Ability to contribute to portfolio reporting focusing on the Region’s/CMU performance indicators, interacting with task team leaders and other departments on emerging issues while flagging issues to CMU management.

World Bank Group Core Competencies: https://thedocs.worldbank.org/en/doc/521791568041235683-0220012019/original/WBGCoreCompetenciesFinal.pdf

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

OTHER ARRANGEMENTS:
This is a local hire position, with a term appointment for 3 years, with a possibility of renewal depending on need and performance.  The appointee will be based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Note: If the selected candidate is a current Bank Group staff member with a term, Regular or Open-Ended appointment, s/he will retain his/her term, Regular or Open-Ended appointment.  All others will be offered a 3 -year renewable term appointment.

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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