Operations Officer
Job #: req30087
Organization: World Bank
Sector: Operations
Grade: GF
Term Duration: 4 years 0 months
Recruitment Type: Local Recruitment
Location: Sydney, Australia
Required Language(s): English
Preferred Language(s):
Closing Date: 11/14/2024 (MM/DD/YYYY) at 11:59pm UTC
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.
Country and Position Context
The World Bank's Pacific department (EACNF) covers twelve countries (Fiji, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), Palau, Papua New Guinea, Nauru, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu) and is home to more fragile states than any other region outside of Africa. Over the past few years, we have substantially scaled-up our program in the Pacific. Lending volumes have more than doubled with 91 active operations and US$2.7b committed currently. The program focuses on four main thematic areas: (i) promoting sound economic management, (ii) strengthening human development outcomes, (iii) improving service delivery and fostering sustainable growth; and (iv) responding to climate change risks, especially through adaptation.
Duties and Accountabilities
An experienced and dynamic development professional is being sought to join the PNG and Pacific CMU Team as an Operations Officer to work closely with client countries to enhance implementation support, support capacity building efforts and contribute to the department's quality assurance functions and strategy documents. The selected candidate will be based in the Bank's Sydney office and will coordinate closely with country teams located in Sydney and in other field offices in Papua New Guinea and across the Pacific.
Working closely with the Operations Manager, s/he will play a lead role in supporting Task Teams in the development and supervision of investment operations, and in assisting teams in building long-term, close relationships with stakeholders through sector policy dialogue, strategic communications, and outreach activities. Furthermore, s/he will lead efforts in knowledge management to ensure best practices and lessons learned are reflected in the unit's operations.
More specifically, the Operations Officer will have the following principal duties and accountabilities:
Project implementation support: In close consultation with the Task Team Leader and appropriate team members of each project:
Assist implementing agencies on project management and implementation. Assist implementing agencies in the preparation of procurement plans, bidding documents and providing overall advice on compliance with World Bank procurement policies. Assist task teams with the review of technical reports and bidding documents. Advise implementation agencies on compliance with Bank Financial Management requirements. Assist implementation agencies with monitoring and evaluation. Assist the implementing agency in the preparation of documentation required to support project restructuring/completion/evaluation/additional financing. Monitor and report on remedial actions which task teams have developed to address project problems. Pilot innovative approaches to implementation and link implementing units to broader Bank knowledge. Support country teams with analyzing portfolio trends/issues impacting project implementation. Document periodically, in writing, key lessons learned during project implementation in the Pacific. Play a role in mentoring country office staff to build skills in providing implementation support to clients. Contribute to the review of operational documents including Board packages, Implementation Completion Reports, and Advisory Services and Analytics (ASA) products. Contribute to the preparation of Bank strategy products, briefs, and trust fund progress reports. Contribute to the Pacific Department's Capacity Building Initiative including delivery of training to clients and staff.
Selection Criteria
Master's degree in economics, international development or a related field; At least five years of combined experience in development; Strong project management skills; Solid track record in developing and nurturing close working relationships; Sound understanding of World Bank or other International Financial Institution policies; Drive for results and ability to think innovatively; Previous experience in the Pacific Islands or small island states is required; Excellent oral and written communication skills in English; Legal right to work in Australia.
This locally recruited position will be based in the Sydney Office. The Operations Officer will be expected to travel to any of the countries covered by the PNG and Pacific CMU. The successful candidate would be expected to be able to travel frequently and up to 90 days during the fiscal year.
The World Bank Group is committed to achieving diversity in race, gender, nationality, culture, and educational background. Individuals with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. Women and SSA/CR candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated in the strictest confidence.#J-18808-Ljbffr