Operations Officer – GF

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.

 

Gender Global Theme 

Gender equality is an urgent imperative. The world is experiencing an unprecedented set of crises wit disproportionately negative impacts on women, girls, sexual and gender minorities, and marginalized groups. Climate change, fragility, forced displacement, and pandemics threaten hard-won gains in women’s human capital. At stake is the fundamental human right of gender equality of all people, a matter of fairness and justice. It is a foundation for a peaceful and prosperous world and essential for development. Achieving gender equality is, however, uniquely challenging, and complex. 

The new 2024-2030 World Bank Group Gender Strategy puts forward the bold ambition to accelerate gender equality for a sustainable, resilient, and inclusive future in alignment with the World Bank Evolution Roadmap. The Strategy responds to the global urgency, fundamentality, and complexity of achieving gender equality. Building on implementation of the 2016-2023 WBG Gender Strategy, the new Strategy proposes to engage with greater ambition – approaching gender equality for all as essential for global development – and to engage differently. https://www.worldbank.org/en/topic/gender.

 

Unit Context

The Gender Group inspires and drives results across the World Bank for impact to accelerate gender equality. First, the Gender Group is connecting and partnering with global, regional and country teams, and contributing solutions for impact in client countries. Second, the Gender Group sets global knowledge priorities; generates, shares, synthesizes, and tailors global knowledge and evidence about what works to advance gender equality; and leads on gender data to inform policy action. Third, the Gender Group builds momentum and partnerships for global action. Currently, the Gender Group is leading the collaborative effort to develop and operationalize the new WBG Strategy 2024-2030.

 

Duties and Accountabilities:

The Operations Officer will provide support in the following areas:
 

Operational Support: 

• As part of the Gender Group’s Operations Team, serve as Regional Liaison i.e., the Gender Group’s primary interface on upstream operational support with regional GP and CMU teams;
• Coordinate closely with relevant counterparts in the regions to provide upstream advice and assistance to task teams to strengthen capacity in identifying entry points to advance gender equality and support integration of operational designs that ensure gender equality objectives. Help resolve obstacles, building credibility with colleagues;
• Support implementation of the new WBG Gender Strategy, including reviewing and assessing progress towards results and targets.
• Develop strong networks with service partners. Participate in review meetings as requested and provide support to teams, as needed;
• Contribute to the global knowledge base to support country programs, as well as inform Corporate, Policy and Operational reform processes; 
• Contribute to learning events and knowledge dissemination programs, including their delivery; 
• Remain current and up to date on all operational policies and practices and be able to explain them in the context of the Gender Tag.

 

Strategic and technical support: 
 

• Provide operational review of all relevant project documents for the Gender Tag, including making contributions and taking responsibility for operational tasks assigned.
• Working closely with Gender Group Economists, play an active role in the planning and implementation of dissemination strategies to promote uptake of evidence-based recommendations in project design including through customized training. 
• Liaise with topic experts to collect and share international experiences and advise on how best to adapt learning to the needs of operational teams.
• Develop results stories on transformative operations and opportunities to bring tested development solutions to scale.
• Ability to translate understanding of key corporate and development partner initiatives related to country engagement (e.g. SDGs, etc.) into formulating options for Bank engagement.
•Contribute to corporate briefs for senior management and other stakeholders as needed.

 

Selection Criteria

• Experience with corporate commitments (e.g.,Climate, Gender) in project approach;

• Track-record in reviewing operational documents for compliance with World Bank policies and procedures, as well as advising task teams on operational matters. Experience in leading the preparation of briefs, analytical products, and other materials;

• Experience in World Bank operations as demonstrated through TTL-ship and/or being a core team member for operations. Experience monitoring and reporting on a portfolio of projects/programs/initiatives;

• Experience contributing to or leading the design and delivery of learning and knowledge strategies (based on sound pedagogy); 

• Able to support findings/policy recommendations with credible analysis and tools. Proven ability to conceptualize, design, and implement major tasks;

• Demonstrated knowledge of project preparation and management concepts and processes.

• Ability to support project teams, partners, and clients in project preparation and implementation;

• Ability to draft sections of key documents, keep project records in the Bank systems, draft meeting minutes, and manage project day-to-day activities; 

• Advanced knowledge and practical skills in using key relevant WBG data systems and tools such as the Ops Portal, data reports, etc.;

• Knowledge of key strategic, analytical, and financing instruments; 

• Strong integrative thinking and ability to support project teams in developing of an integrated point of view around development challenges related to Gender gaps; and 

• Full familiarity with the Bank Group’s organizational structure, and good knowledge of WBG Clients (MICs, LICs, FCS, etc.) and requirements.

 

Qualification:

• Master’s degree in a relevant discipline (e.g. gender, economics, management, business administration, social sciences, technical studies, or another field related to development);

• 5 years of relevant professional experience, preferably in the World Bank’s operational policies and practices;

• Sound knowledge of key strategic, analytical, and financing instruments, policies, procedures, and systems;

• Commitment to teamwork, knowledge-sharing, and ability to influence across organizational boundaries;

• Proven sense of initiative, results orientation, and leadership/coaching qualities;

• Outstanding analytical and critical thinking skills; demonstrated ability to synthetize complex information and make concrete strategic and tactical recommendations;

• Excellent people skills, openness to feedback, new ideas, and ability to guide, and motivate others. Aptitude and experience in mentoring junior staff on analytical and operational issues. Guides research efforts and translates technical knowledge into practical applications;

• Make Smart Decisions: Applies critical thinking and seeks inputs and experience from others to recommend a course of action consistent with the WBG’s strategy. Evaluates risk and anticipates the short- and long-term implications of decisions. Commits to a decision and takes action once a decision has been reached;

• Experience in managing diverse and sometimes competing interests and perspectives to arrive at consensus;

• Proven track record of supporting Managers and teams in a timely and flexible manner to help them deliver a large work program;

• Proven track record of multi-tasking, managing competing demands and effectively time-manage tasks, with short turn-around times;

• Has ability to communicate and defend, orally and in writing, challenges and positions to colleagues and management. Evidence of sharing and conveying complex technical issues, in accessible format (written, spoken). Strong written and verbal communications skills in English;

• Evidence of strong interpersonal skills, judgement.
 

COS Competencies: Country and Operations Services (COS): Professional Competencies

 

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.

Learn more about working at the World Bank and IFC, including our values and inspiring stories.

 

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