Operations Analyst

Operations Analyst

Job #:

req24184

Organization:

World Bank

Sector:

Operations

Grade:

GE

Term Duration:

4 years 0 months

Recruitment Type:

Local Recruitment

Location:

Washington, DC,United States

Required Language(s):

English, Arabic

Preferred Language(s):

Closing Date:

9/22/2023 (MM/DD/YYYY) at 11:59pm UTC

Description

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.

Equitable Growth, Finance and Institutions

The Equitable Growth, Finance and Institutions (EFI) Practice Group provides support to low- and middle-income countries to build the economic and institutional foundations for inclusive and sustainable growth and, thereby, make progress towards achieving the World Bank Group's twin goals of reducing poverty and boosting shared prosperity! The EFI Practice Group includes the WBG Global Practices of Finance Competitiveness and Innovation (FCI); Governance (GOV), Macroeconomics Trade and Investment (MTI); and Poverty and Equity (POV).

Position Context

The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) Region includes twenty-one countries of which three are IDA countries (Djibouti, Syria, and Yemen) while eight are high-income non-borrowing countries among the oil-exporters, particularly in the Gulf. The remaining countries are IBRD borrowing eligible. The region faces challenges, not least ongoing political turmoil and ongoing conflicts, high youth unemployment, severe water scarcity, high energy subsidy, and human and social development outcomes that have been below those achieved by countries at similar levels of income. These challenges have been recently compounded by the health, social and economic impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic and the fall out of the war in Ukraine. The social contract in the countries of the region is often described as broken and unsustainable.

The WBG's engagement in governance in MENA Region is anchored in an ambitious strategy with a focus on four pillars - "the 4 R's" - Renewing the social contract; Regional cooperation; Resilience to migration shocks; and Reconstruction and recovery. In parallel with the focus on immediate needs, we are helping countries develop new models for sustainable and inclusive growth in a dynamic and increasingly knowledge-based global economy. In 2019, we expanded the focus of the MENA regional strategy to include improving human capital outcomes, leveraging digital technologies, and opening-up business environments for the private sector to compete in a free and fair market. For more information, please go to: https://www.worldbank.org/en/region/mena/

The Governance Unit (EMNGU) is implementing the regional strategy through fiduciary assurance of the Banks portfolio and the following key work streams: Justice Sector Reform, GovTech, Economic Governance, SOE reform, public sector performance, and strengthening development impact and risk mitigation through understanding the political economy. Themes such as climate change; transparency, accountability, and participation (TAP); anti-corruption; and gender are mainstreamed throughout the work streams.

Note: This internal requisition is open to WBG and IMF staff only (including short-term and extended term consultants/ temporaries). External candidates are requested not to apply. In case an external candidate applies, their application will not be considered.

Duties and Accountabilities

The Operations Analyst will report to the EMNGU Practice Manager and will be responsible for the following tasks and duties:

• Operational Support
  • Provide on-demand operational support to teams on lending, active portfolio, and ASAs and ensure adherence to regional and global quality requirements.
  • Assist teams in a time-sensitive and constructive manner in resolving operational issues including issues related to the operations portal.
  • Support the preparation and review of project documents, such as Concept Notes, Implementation Status and Results Reports, Project Appraisal Documents, Restructuring Papers, aide memoires, ASA reporting documentation, and provide timely feedback to project teams.
  • Provide direct project support on selected projects as agreed with the Practice Manager and prepare timely draft responses to requests from counterparts on behalf of Task Team Leaders.
  • Participate in selected preparation and implementation support visits as needed, provide guidance on Bank procedures/processes, and contribute to mission documents (e.g., aide memoires, management letters).
  • Support TTLs in coordinating across task team members, including across GPs (e.g., Governance, Environmental and Social, and CMUs).
  • Support on-demand research and data collection and contribute to drafting of reports, proposals, and briefs.
  • Represent the unit in MNADE quality practitioners group.
  • Contribute to the design and implementation of regional, sub-regional events (online events and/or in-person events).
• Portfolio Management
  • Monitoring of progress on deliverables by providing actionable information to the Practice Manager and unit Operations Support Team for decision making.
  • Prepare tables and regular operational updates on the status of the portfolio. Contribute to active portfolio monitoring, identifying risks and issues.
  • Respond to requests for portfolio data for the Unit, working with colleagues to gather the necessary information and articulate a response; take the lead on responses for ad-hoc information requests from internal and external parties and review and provide inputs on corporate requests and documents, and ensure consistency in messaging across briefs and updates.
  • Serve as a liaison with MNADE on portfolio issues.
  • Support budget monitoring and reporting, including assisting with tracking expenditures using BPS reports.
  • Help task teams in estimating future expenditures to enable forward planning within the budget envelope, prepare budget reports in coordination with BPS, and compare against plans to identify areas of over- and under-spending.
  • Prepare presentations and infographics as needed
• Quality Assurance
  • Serve as a resource person on issues related to the Unit's portfolio advising teams on timelines, Bank guidelines and policies.
  • Review operational and technical documents for compliance with operational guidelines (e.g. on Implementation Status Reports, Implementation Completion and Results Reports, Project Restructuring Papers, aide memoires/management letters, ASA reports), and prepare feedback to teams.
  • Join regional and global deliverables/portfolio meetings, as needed.
• Fiduciary
  • Regularly monitor FM compliance and issue monthly exceptions report using FM system and standard report.
  • Help FM team solving FM system related issues in coordination with FM help desk.
  • Service as MNA FM champion for FM system and provide coaching sessions for new FMs.
• Unit Resources
  • Regularly monitor the unit budget performance and compliance.
  • Run a monthly budget status reports include (PM targets, commitment, SOE,TRS, TF) using reports and SAP.
  • Monitor and follow up TTLs budget performance and burn rate.
  • Work closely with the PM and BPS colleagues on budget issues, monitoring and action plans.
  • Service as the budget contact person in the unit and work closely with PBS on budget matters.

Selection Criteria

• Master's Degree in administration, economics or equivalent , with at least 2 years of relevant experience, preferably in Governance sector operations.
• Knowledge of Bank operations, policies and procedures and thorough understanding of the different project cycles for lending, non-lending operations, and country products.
• Basic understanding of Bank policies and practices related to operations.
• Basic understanding of instruments (IPF, PforR, ASA, RAS).
• Strong hands-on experience in Bank operations, including participation in preparation and implementation missions.
• Good knowledge of Fiduciary Assurance/Financial Management.
• Some experience in the preparation of Bank analytical work a plus.
• Solid experience in contract management, budget, and TF/ASA/RAS administration.
• Good knowledge in in WPA and budget preparation and monitoring.
• Familiarity with Bank quality standards and of corporate priorities.
• Strong team player with the ability to work independently and effectively both remotely and face-to-face.
• Ability to treat sensitive and confidential information with a high level of discretion and care.
• Ability to take personal responsibility and accountability for timely response to client queries and act as liaison with different stakeholders/ external partners.
• Proven ability to work both independently and in diverse teams.
• Excellent knowledge of Microsoft, Excel, PowerBI and PPT and World Bank software applications: Outlook, administration portal, operations portal/workspace, business intelligence, client connection, FM system, RM reports etc.
• Excellent interpersonal, written, and oral communication skills, ability to listen carefully and provide sound advice in a constructive manner; ability and readiness to stand firm on difficult and sensitive issues, ability to convey ideas and positions clearly and tactfully to staff and managers at all levels.
• Attention to details.
• Excellent and effective command of English and Arabic both verbally and in writing is required.

COS Competencies: https://tinyurl.com/y34lnxvu

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.

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