Operations Officer | Sydney, Au

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.

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 offers many opportunities to test innovative approaches designed to maximize impacts in contexts characterized by remoteness, fragility, small size of human settlements and capacity constraints. 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. Building resilience to shocks, promoting gender equality, and encouraging regional/global integration are key cross-sector objectives.

A large and rapid increase in size of the PNG and Pacific Department's portfolio in a fragile and capacity-constrained environment means that managing the portfolio requires additional support to client countries. The Bank has been piloting several new approaches that address development projects implementation challenges in Fragile and Small States and has scaled up its work on supporting Capacity Building in client countries.

The World Bank in Pacific Islands: https://www.worldbank.org/en/country/pacificislands 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 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 team located in Sydney and in other field offices in Papua New Guinea and across the Pacific together with other World Bank offices in the region.

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 on 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 including the development of contract management and project filing procedures.Assist task teams with the review of technical reports and bidding documents.Advise implementation agencies on compliance with Bank Financial Management requirements including the preparation of Interim Financial Reports and the contracting and submission of project audits.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 and on risk mitigation measures incorporated into the project.Pilot innovative approaches to implementation and link implementing units to broader Bank knowledge in monitoring and evaluation, procurement and financial management.Supporting country teams with analyzing portfolio trends/issues impacting project implementation.Document periodically, in writing, key lessons learned during project implementation in the Pacific and innovative approaches which the Bank can extend to other low capacity countries.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, Implementation Status 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, including demonstrable experience in providing operational support to clients and preparing or contribution to operational documentation;Strong project management skills, including demonstrated teamwork and activity management skills, and experience working with multidisciplinary teams;Solid track record in developing and nurturing close working relationships with implementation units for development projects;Sound understanding of World Bank, Asian Development Bank or other International Financial Institution procurement, financial management and safeguards policies and procedures;Drive for results, curiosity, creativity and ability to think innovatively;Previous experience in the Pacific Islands or small islands states is required;High level of energy, initiative and flexibility in quickly adjusting to changing work program requirements as well as to the challenges of working independently in remote locations;Excellent oral and written communication skills in English, and ability to effectively communicate with and relate to clients and stakeholders;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 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.

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