Operations Officer

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. 

The WBG serves 30 client countries in the Latin America and the Caribbean Region (LCR). Clients range from large rapidly growing sophisticated 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 tackling global issues (climate change, trade, disease, migration), and (e) reducing risk, whether from extreme weather events, climate change, crime and violence or other.  

The LC1 Country Management Unit (CMU) is comprised of Mexico, Colombia and Venezuela. The Country Director (CD) is based in a decentralized office in Mexico City, supported by the Operations Manager, also based in Mexico City  and an office in Bogota, Colombia, headed by a Country manager. The Mexico country office has more than forty staff, covering all aspects of strategy and operations. The CMU oversees a wide range of Bank activities, including a large number of financial services and a strong program of innovative knowledge, reimbursable and convening activities and actively seeks to expand its program in Mexico. The Operations Manager oversees strategic and operational work by the Bank in the CMU, including strategy development and implementation, pipeline, and portfolio management as well as analytical and advisory work Currently, the World Bank is closely monitoring developments in Venezuela, but does not having an active engagement with the country. Given the setup of the CMU, extensive communication and coordination among virtual teams working in Bogota and Headquarters is required. 

The LC1 CMU is looking for an energetic, high-performing candidate with substantial operational experience for an Operations Officer assignment in the Mexico 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 and will support the Country Director (CD), Program Leaders (PLs), the CMU Operations Team, as well as work with colleagues in the Front Office and other Units. The Operations Officer will be based in Mexico City.

The World Bank Group is committed to achieving diversity in terms of race, gender, nationality, culture, and educational background. Individuals with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply

Responsibilities:

LC1 is seeking an Operations Officer based in Mexico to be part of its Operations Team, reporting to the Operations Manager. The Operations Officer will work in close collaboration with the CD, OM, PLs and other members of the CMU management and country teams on all 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 Mexican 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 support problem-solving

More specifically:

Country Strategy and Planning:

• Support the design and implementation of the Country Partnership Framework process and assess strategic, and thematic issues in relationship with the broader country developments and Country Partnership Framework and global challenges,
• Contribute to the preparation and delivery of the Completion Report of the current Country Partnership Strategy for Mexico,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, WPA budget allocation, monitoring of work program and budget implementation,Contribute to quarterly reviews, progress reporting, and responses to corporate and regional requests, andParticipate in the client dialogue with the Mexican government, actively deepening the dialogue on the Bank’s strategic and operational work in Mexico to enhance business development.

Support to Pipeline. Portfolio management and program Implementation:

• Conduct the operational work for Mexico, under the leadership of the OM, 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 such as climate change, gender and citizen engagement and act as focal point for operational teams.Work closely with clients, especially in the Secretary of Finance, on portfolio issues and pipeline planning and respond to client requests,Actively participate in missions related to the ongoing program (financial and knowledge services) providing guidance to the teams on implementation enhancement and facilitating internal processes.Help coordinate the operations team for Mexico, andAdvise and support the OM on other strategic and operational issues.

Knowledge Program Monitoring:

• Monitor closely LC1 knowledge program delivery by working with OM, PLs, TTLs and teams in ensuring 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,Provide guidance and monitor the consistency and quality assurance process for the Reimbursable Advisory Services (RAS) program, by working with PLs and teams, andPrepare and participate in review meetings and advise team 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 for discussion at the DMT meetings,Monitor closely LC1 Trust Fund program implementation by working with OM and PLs in ensuring quality and timeliness of tasks; and take corrective action as needed, andParticipate in review meetings and advise team on consistency of TF activities with country programs, operational processing, and quality assurance.

CMU Support.

• Support the CD and OM by preparing notes, briefings, and other communication products for internal or external clients, exercising mature judgment,Assist business planning and work program preparation, WPA budget allocation, monitoring of work program and budget implementation, quarterly reviews, and progress reporting in collaboration with the OM and RM,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 (masters/Ph.D.) in a relevant field (Economics or other Social Sciences, Business Studies, Finance, Law, Political Science, International Relations, or similar filed relevant to the 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, ideally with both public and private experience.In-depth understanding of Mexico’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, with attention to detail,Thorough understanding of operational policies, processes, and procedures, with strong knowledge of World Bank projects, analytical and advisory work, and trust fund operations,Experience in Mexico and across the region, ideally across regions,Excellent client and stakeholder engagement skills, with strong business development 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, entrepreneurship, 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, andStrong communication skills in English and Spanish (speaking, reading, and writing).

Source:  https://worldbankgroup.csod.com/ats/careersite/JobDetails.aspx?id=26861&site=1