Operations Officer

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Job Description

Description

Do you want to build a career that is truly worthwhile? 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

Regional Context

The World Bank Group serves 30 client countries in the Latin America and the Caribbean Region (LCR). Clients range from large rapidly growing middle-income clients to IDA countries to small Caribbean states to one fragile state. Despite immense resources, dynamic societies, and an average annual per capita income of about $4,000, deep inequalities persist in most LCR countries, with nearly a quarter of the Region’s people living in poverty. The Bank’s strategy in LCR is focused on five pillars: (a) stimulating growth and improving competitiveness. (b) reducing poverty and inequality. (c) making governments and institutions work for people. (d) providing a platform for addressing global issues (climate change, gender, trade, disease, migration), and (e) reducing risk, whether from extreme weather events, climate change, crime and violence or other.

Country Unit and Position Context

Brazil’s economy continued to grow steadily in 2023 (real GDP grew 2.9 percent following a 3.0 percent growth in 2022), pushed mostly by a strong agriculture sector and private consumption. Growth, a stronger labor market, and an expanded social safety net are expected to have led to a reduction in poverty (reaching 21.5 percent in 2023). The positive outcomes in the labor market are broad. Compared to the pre-pandemic period (2019Q4), at the end of 2023, the labor force participation rates were almost at the same level, while unemployment rates were lower (7.4 percent compared to 11.1 percent), and average wages were about 3 percent higher in real terms. Notably, these trends are also observed for population groups that typically show worse outcomes, including women, the Afro-Brazilian population, and the youth. The flagship Bolsa Familia program expanded its coverage again in 2023, reaching 21.3 million families, while the average transfer increased by 62 percent compared to 2022. Changes in the program drive about two thirds of the projected change in poverty between 2022 and 2023. Projections suggest that real GDP growth will slow to 1.7 percent in 2024 and will bounce back only slightly in 2025-2026.
Changes in the social safety net and improving labor market outcomes for all led to a decline in inequality from 2021 to 2022, with the Gini coefficient reaching 0.52 – its lowest level since 2016. Despite this reduction, Brazil’s inequality is still among the highest in the region and the world. Further significant reductions in inequality are unlikely to materialize in a slowing economy. Moreover, perennial disparities across locations (with a 40 percent poverty rate in rural areas), across regions (with the most deprived state having a poverty rate close to six times that of the richest state), or across age groups (with children’s poverty rates close to 40 percent compared to 6 percent among those with 65 years old or more) have been hard to close.
Brazil also faces significant climate change impacts compounded by deforestation and land degradation. Climate change is altering temperature and rainfall patterns in the country, resulting in reduced water availability and extended droughts, and could push another 800,000 to 3 million Brazilians into extreme poverty as soon as 2030. Continued deforestation in the Amazon and Cerrado biomes remains a matter of urgency, as it has increased land-use emissions – the main source of greenhouse (GHG) emissions in Brazil. Strengthening resilience to climate change and protection of natural assets, especially the fragile ecosystems of the Amazon and Cerrado, is essential for environmentally sustainable economic growth.
The World Bank’s portfolio in Brazil currently encompasses 36 IBRD projects worth $5.24 billion and three trust funds totaling $120 million. The portfolio is diverse – spanning across 12 different sectors – and growing quickly, with a pipeline of approximately US$ 4 billion in preparation for FY25. The Water sectors currently has the largest number of projects under implementation (six projects), followed by Agriculture, Education, and Governance and Transport, each with four projects. The portfolio spans all five regions of the country and includes projects at federal (five), regional (one), state (22) and municipal (eight) levels.The World Bank also has a strong record of supporting and influencing Brazilian governments and institutions through impactful analytics and advisory services. Some of the most recent reports include a Human Capital Review, a Poverty Assessment, an Infrastructure Assessment, a Country Climate and Development Report (CCDR), an Amazon Economic Memorandum, and a set of policy notes produced to help inform the new administration after the last general election of late 2022. Finally, a new Country Partnership Framework (CPF) was recently approved by the Board in April 2024 and highlights the key priorities of the World Bank Group program in Brazil for 2024-2028.

Role & Responsibilities:

The Brazil CMU is looking for an energetic, high-performing candidate with substantial operational experience for an Operations Officer assignment in the Brasília Office. The candidate should be adaptable and flexible with the ability to take on strategic and operational assignments as the need arises.
S/he will report to the Operations Manager (OM) and will also support the Country Director (CD), the four Program Leaders (PLs), the various members of the CMU Operations Team (currently including a Senior Operations Officer, two Operations Analysts, and two Program Assistants), and all other relevant colleagues in the Brazil Leadership and Country Teams.

Role & Responsibilities:

The Operations Officer will work on all relevant aspects of the work program to ensure strategic focus, integration, and consistency across and within the portfolio and pipeline. The Operations Officer is expected to have a thorough understanding of the Brazilian country context, public administration, and its political economy. This also requires strong analytical skills, both quantitative and qualitative to analyze strategic issues, operations, and conduct research as needed and develop proposals. The Operations Officer is also expected to work very closely with clients across sectors, deepening the engagement, responding to client requests, and supporting problem-solving.
More specifically, the Operations Officer will be a core member of the Operation Team led by the OM and will be expected to engage in a variety of tasks based on evolving business needs, include the following and others as relevant:

Country Strategy and Planning

Support the implementation of the CPF and strategic and thematic issues in relation with the broader country developments and global challenges
Contribute to the preparation and delivery of other country engagement products as needed,
Participate as a key team member of important strategic activities, including the operations management strategy,
Prepare briefings notes for management and review and contribute to other reports,
Assist in country program management, including business planning and work program preparation, monitoring of work program and budget implementation,
Contribute to monthly reviews, progress reporting, and responses to corporate and regional requests, and
Participate in the client dialogue with the Brazilian government, actively deepening the dialogue on the Bank’s strategic and operational work in Brazil to enhance business development.
Coordinate with colleagues in IFC and MIGA for all relevant tasks that warrant a World Bank Group approach.

Support to Pipeline. Portfolio management and program Implementation

Contribute to operational work for Brazil, under the leadership of the OM and in close coordination with the rest of the team, in particular analyze and monitor portfolio, pipeline and operational performance, quality and trends, and support task teams,
Serve as a liaison, coordination, and integration point for the extended country teams on operational questions; provide guidance and advice on operational priorities and strategies as needed; help foster teamwork and cross-sectoral cooperation on program preparation and implementation and contribute to country team meetings and activities,
Ensure full compliance with corporate priorities, such as global challenges and corporate commitments, including climate change, gender, citizen engagement, and private capital mobilization/enabling.
Work closely with clients, especially in the relevant units of the Ministries of Finance and Planning and with counterparts at subnational level, on portfolio issues and pipeline planning and respond to client requests,
Actively participate in missions, as relevant, to provide guidance to the teams on implementation enhancement and to facilitate internal processes.
Contribute to annual CPPRs (Country Performance and Portfolio Reviews)
Help mentor more junior colleagues within the operations team for Brazil, and
Advise and support the OM on other strategic and operational issues.

Knowledge Program Monitoring

Monitor closely LC5 knowledge program delivery by working with the Operations Team, PLs, TTLs and other relevant colleagues to ensure the quality, timeliness and impact of tasks and take corrective action as needed.
Work with PLs and TTLs in addressing any delays in processing completion and delivery of products; and take corrective action, as needed,
Prepare and participate in review meetings and advise teams on consistency of tasks with country programs, operational processing, quality assurance and providing advice to the CD and OM on strategic, operational and country-sensitive issues.

Trust Fund Monitoring

Ensure adequate processing and quality of new TFs proposals,
Monitor closely LC5 Trust Fund program implementation by working with OM, Operations Team, and PLs in ensuring quality and timeliness of tasks; and take corrective action as needed, and
Participate in review meetings and advise teams on consistency of TF activities with country programs, operational processing, and quality assurance.

CMU Support.

Support the CD and OM by preparing notes, briefings, talking points, and other communication products for internal or external clients, exercising mature judgment,
Assist business planning and work program preparation, monitoring of work program and budget implementation, reviews, and progress reporting,
Prepare and participate in high-level visits to the country, including support to South-South exchanges,
Support the CMU in responding to corporate responsibilities and global challenges and support corporate and regional activities as needed,
Support the CMU internally in office management activities and externally in stakeholder engagement.

Selection Criteria

Advanced degree (master’s or Ph.D.) in a relevant field (Economics, Business, Finance, Law, Political Science, International Relations, or similar field relevant to the World Bank’s mission.)
Minimum of 5 years of relevant operational experience with the World Bank or comparable institution, ideally in an operational or advisory role to management. Experience with both public and private institutions would be considered a plus.
In-depth understanding of Brazil’s country context, political economy and client needs.
Excellent analytical skills, both quantitative and qualitative,
Proven ability to think strategically, and to apply this to the design and implementation of strategies, projects and analytical and advisory work.
Ability to focus on the big picture, but also with strong attention to detail,
Thorough understanding of operational policies, processes, and procedures, with strong knowledge of World Bank projects (or projects in comparable institutions), analytical and advisory work, and trust fund operations,
Experience in Brazil, ideally at both federal and subnational levels.
Excellent client and stakeholder engagement skills, with strong monitoring and performance management skills,
Outstanding inter-personal, integrative, and problem-solving skills with proven ability to work effectively in a team and with stakeholders and clients,
Demonstrated leadership skills, proactivity, and capacity to innovate,
Strong drive for results, with a track record of strong delivery in quality and time,
Ability to prioritize, undertake diverse and complex tasks within a rapidly changing and demanding environment under tight deadlines.
Political sensitivity and mature judgment, ability to navigate difficult conversations with diplomacy,
Full commitment to working in a highly collaborative manner in a diverse work environment to ensure the highest standards of teamwork, and
Strong communication skills in English and Portuguese (speaking, reading, and writing).