Job Details

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

Eastern and Southern Africa (AFE) Region

Home to almost 60% of Africa’s population, the Eastern and Southern Africa (AFE) region is geographically, culturally, and economically diverse and comprises 26 countries stretching from the Red Sea in the North to the Cape of Good Hope in the South. 
AFE boasts some of the world’s richest natural resources. The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) produces much of the world’s mined cobalt, and Angola leads the region in the production of crude oil. For countries in Southern Africa, precious metals and minerals are the biggest exports, including gold and diamonds from South Africa and platinum from Zimbabwe. Many of these minerals will be in critical need to combat climate change and present a growth opportunity in a low-carbon future.

Economic activity in the Eastern and Southern Africa (AFE) subregion is set to pick up from 1.7% in 2023 to 2.2% in 2024 and further accelerate to 3.9% in 2025–26. Angola and South Africa continue dragging down the subregion’s economic performance. Excluding Angola and South Africa, the AFE subregion is expected to grow by 2.6% in 2024 and 5.3% in 2025–26. The East African Community was the best performer in the subregion, with a growth rate of 4.7% in 2024 and an expected rate of 5.7% in 2025–26. Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Uganda were the largest contributors to the East African Community’s growth performance.

AFE Region: https://www.worldbank.org/en/region/afr/eastern-and-southern-africa

Country Context 

The AECC2 country management unit (CMU) covers 4 countries (Angola, Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo, and Sao Tome and Principe) 3 of which are International Development Association (IDA) countries, with higher rates of poverty. AECC2 delivers a strong program of Advisory Services and Analytics (ASA) and lending services across all the countries with a focus on key structural reforms.

A vast country with a long coastline and central plateau, Angola thrusts inland across Southern Africa to border Namibia, Botswana, Zambia, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Its principal cities, including its capital, Luanda, look west over the South Atlantic to Brazil, another Portuguese-speaking nation (like itself). It has a population of more than 33.08 million (2022). A general population census is currently being conducted to gather updated information on the population size.

Angola’s economic fortunes have been tied to global oil demand, which brought volatile growth and left the country with high levels of poverty and inequality. Reforms over the past five years have improved macroeconomic management and public sector governance. Macroeconomic stability has been enhanced through a more flexible exchange rate regime, central bank autonomy, sound monetary policy, and fiscal consolidation.

More information on Angola: https://www.worldbank.org/en/country/angola

Roles & Responsibilities

The key accountabilities of the Operations Officer are as follows:

Portfolio management

•In close collaboration with the Senior Operations officer (SOO), Operations Analyst (OA), Task Team Leaders (TTLs), and the rest of the Country Office Operations Team, the Operations Officer, will play a critical role in the oversight of the portfolio review and monitoring both at the design and implementation phases.
•He/She will liaise on regular basis - and in coordination with the SOO, OA and TTLs - with implementing entities, project implementation units, development partners and beneficiaries to collect data and relevant information to improve implementation and the quality of the portfolio.
•He/She will provide operational data support to the SOO, OA, TTLs and relevant practices, in connection with the implementation of individual operations and the overall portfolio management and implementation, including in-country support to operational missions (including reviewing MALs, agenda, coordinating with local counterparts, identifying synergies between teams, etc).
•He/She will contribute to the development and implementation of corporate /regional policies, strategies, and practices related to various operational and institutional matters (e.g. results, risks management, quality assurance system, fiduciary policies/practices, harmonization, and alignment).
•He/She will be responsible for supporting the Country Manager, CMU management team and Senior Operations Officer on quality assurance for PCN/DM/ROC Reviews, Board Packages, Trust Funds proposals.
•He/She will be responsible for the management and upkeep of the tasks assigned by the Senior Operations Officer, with a particular focus on the Global Practice assigned to him/her, including effectively carrying out reviews of ISRs, Aide Memoires, Mission Announcement Letters, Briefing Books for the CMU to sing off and clear. 
•In collaboration with the SOO, OA, CM, ECR and other concerned colleagues, he/she will be expected to champion dissemination, adaptation and use of knowledge and best practices across the Country Team, staff in Country Offices and visiting missions.
•He/She will identify and address cross-cutting and country generic portfolio issues and supporting the Country Teams in the design, implementation and supervision arrangements for the portfolio and the pipeline.
•He/She will assist Country Manager in the overall portfolio management of the country/CMU programs, including preparation of annual work-program, regular reports (dashboard, implementation graphs, operational notes, etc), together with the SOO in light of the Bank's role and responsibilities.

Country Office Management

The Operations Officer in liaison with the Executive Assistant and Senior Operations Officer, plays a central role in overall Front Office tasks, especially regarding all aspects of day-to- day operation o of the Country Office.

Selection Criteria

• Master's degree in a relevant discipline (e.g. economics, finance, business administration, social sciences, or another field related to development) and at least five years of relevant experience. For internal applicants: In-depth knowledge of policies, processes, and practices related to the Bank's lending and non-lending product lines, portfolio management, monitoring and evaluation, as well as other relevant operational policies and processes.
• A consistent record in timely delivery of outputs with high quality.
• Outstanding planning and organizational skills and ability to handle multiple tasks under tight deadlines; ability to adapt to shifting priorities and work pressure.
• Proven strong analytical and problem-solving skills; ability to identify problems and propose creative solutions.
• Excellent client orientation.
• Experience with strategy formulation, project management and/or monitoring & evaluation. Ability to ensure the systematization of information, prioritization of messages, strategic figures/graphics to inform decisions
• Dedicated team player with proven ability to work collaboratively across offices in several countries.
• Excellent communication skills in English and Portuguese, written and spoken (writing sample may be requested from the short-listed candidates).

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

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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