ABOUT THE COMPANY:

non profit

JOB SUMMARY

Description

Do you want to build a career that is truly worthwhile? Working at the World Bank provides a unique opportunity for you to help our clients solve their greatest development challenges. The World Bank 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.

VPU Context:

The South Asia Region comprises eight countries (Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka) that range in size from India (with a population of over 1 billion) to Maldives (with 0.3 million people).

The region has experienced a long period of robust economic growth, averaging 6% a year over the past 20 years. It was the second-fastest growing region in the world in the aftermath of the global crisis.

This strong growth has translated into declining poverty and impressive improvements in human development. The percentage of people living below the poverty line fell in South Asia from 56% to 16% between 1981 and 2013. Still, the region remains home to a third of the world’s poorest, with 216 million people living below $1.9/day.

The South Asia Region:https://www.worldbank.org/en/region/sar

Country Management Unit Context:

The World Bank (WB) country program for Bhutan provides financial support as well as advisory services and analytical work across a broad range of sectors, with a heavy concentration in Macro-Fiscal, Financial, Agriculture, Infrastructure and Digital Development, Human Development, Climate Change, Biodiversity and Disaster Risk Management, and Governance related interventions.

World Bank assistance is channeled through government agencies for agreed development priorities.

The country partnership framework covers FY21-25 and is well aligned with the priorities set in the Government’s 12th Five Year Plan. A more ambitious 13th Five Year Plan calls for a significantly bigger engagement program.

Until FY24, Bhutan had a relatively small but well performing portfolio with 4 IDA Financed projects under implementation with commitments of close to $87.5 million and 5 TF financed projects with commitments valued at about $26.64 million.

Owing to the priorities of the 13th FYP to be supported by the CPF, the FY25 Portfolio has commitments slightly over $600 million.

Context:

The Bhutan Country Team (CT) is composed of WB staff drawn from the Thimphu Office and offices around the world.

The Country Director (CD) is the head of the CT, and CT members have various professional affiliations within the WB organizational structure. The Country Management Unit (CMU) is responsible for the overall country relationship with the Government, decisions relating to the lending strategy and portfolio management.

Technical staff are mapped to the Global Practices (GPs) and are responsible for the technical dialogue related to advisory services, analytical studies, and individual projects (pipeline and under implementation).

The CMU portfolio management team comprises a Resident Representative (RR), an Operations Officer, a Financial Management Specialist and administrative support staff based in Thimphu; the Operations Officer works under the guidance of the RR.

The CMU and the Department of Macro-Fiscal and Development Finance (Ministry of Finance) jointly conduct tripartite portfolio reviews every six months with the Bank’s technical staff, the line-ministry officials, and the implementing agencies.

These reviews focus on selected projects and address cross cutting portfolio implementation challenges. In addition to the semi-annual reviews, the CMU portfolio team engages with the Global Practice (GP) technical teams at the individual project level throughout the year, and in particular during regularly scheduled missions, in order to focus on implementation issues, disbursement ratio and achievement of agreed results.

Duties and accountabilities:

As part of the Country Management Unit (CMU), the Senior Operations Officer will:

A.

Support the Resident Representative in portfolio management for Bhutan.

This includes meeting with project teams to discuss project status and strategy; commenting on operational documents such as the Project Concept Notes (PCNs), Project Appraisal Documents (PADs), Implementation Status and Results Reports (ISRs) and Implementation Completion Report (ICR); generating the monthly portfolio report to highlight implementation challenges and disbursement ratio; coordinating with the Program Leaders and the Country Program Coordinator in reviewing implementation readiness of projects under preparation, including advice on project design, results-M&E, risk management; reviewing operational packages; monitoring the timely transmission of Aide-Memoires and  management letters, letters on closing date extensions, project cancellation and restructuring; working with Government to address generic portfolio issues; and organizing the semi-annual Bhutan Portfolio Performance Review (CPPR) in close cooperation with the Country Team and the Royal Government of Bhutan.

B.

Maintain daily contact and relationship with senior government counterparts; ensure that the country team follows the government’s internal procedures and processes for World Bank programs; and assist the country team in resolving difficult operational issues.

C.

Contribute to donor coordination by developing and maintaining contacts with key stakeholders and development partners, and interfacing with donors on harmonization of policies and procedures.

D. Support the Country Director and the Resident Representative in the interactions with Government and stakeholders and contribute substantially to the development, implementation and monitoring of the Country Partnership Framework, Systematic Country Diagnostic, and other related reports.

The Senior Operations Officer will develop and maintain close working relations with the local GP coordinators, Washington-based Country Anchor Unit, the CMU staff in Thimphu, GP colleagues outside Bhutan, CMU operations, Development Effectiveness, Legal and Development Finance (DFi) staff.

This job is for someone who is very strong in operational work, likes new challenges, has strong inter-personal skills, and thrives in a rapidly changing environment.

Selection Criteria

1.

Minimum of Master’s Degree in a relevant discipline and 8 years of relevant experience.

2.

Good understanding and experience in: (i) Bank operations, policy, and processes with a demonstrated ability to enhance quality as a part of project preparation and supervision; and (ii) cross-sectoral operational issues, procurement, financial management, environment, social, and monitoring & evaluation aspects of projects.  Or similar experience in an international organization.

3. Demonstrated familiarity with government policies, processes and procedures related to World Bank assistance; good understanding of internal workings and government structures; and extensive contacts within the government.

4.

Demonstrated ability to juggle numerous competing demands and priorities, respond quickly to country and management requests, and set priorities for self and others.

Strong record of problem solving and innovation, and the ability to adapt to new challenges and to meet tight deadlines.

5. Excellent coordination and inter-personal skills, and a demonstrated ability to work cooperatively with clients, development partners and teams. Ability to balance flexibility, patience, and good listening skills together with firmness and clarity of message, while operating in a culturally sensitive environment.

6.

Excellent written and verbal communications skills in English and Dzongkha.

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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