Operations Officer-Operations Vacancy-Job Ref: ACSAWB/0628/2022111

Operations Officer-Operations Vacancy-Job Ref: ACSAWB/0628/2022111

Riyadh (Saudi Arabia)

JOB DESCRIPTION

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 Management Unit Context
The World Bank’s GCC Country Department is the principal liaison between the World Bank and the six Arab States of the Gulf Cooperation Council, namely Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. The GCC Country Department facilitates the provision of Reimbursable Advisory Services (RAS) from the Bank to the GCC countries, the GCC Secretariat General and GCC affiliated institutions. The GCC Country Department is managed through four offices: a Regional Office in Riyadh, KSA, a Country Office in Kuwait, a Country Office in Abu Dhabi UAE, and an HQ unit in the World Bank HQ in Washington, D.C.

Roles and Responsibilities
The Operations Officer reports to the Program Manager in Riyadh. S/he will be a key member of a growing Country Office (CO) that includes resident staff mapped to Global Practices (GPs), as well as staff working on RAS operations, resource management, IT, external affairs, and administration. S/he will be part of the GCC Operations Team that supports GCC operational work across the six countries, in addition to particular tasks in the CO that s/he is based in. Specific duties and accountabilities include:

Facilitates RAS Business and Program Development
Supports the Country Director and Program Manager in monitoring the implementation of Country Strategies, and the preparation of progress reports and completion reports.
Contributes to business development in support of the Program Manager, and in collaboration with Program Leaders, Resident Representatives and other GP staff across GCC countries.
Supports the CMU operations team in the preparation, negotiation, and agreement of new activities.

Supports Portfolio Implementation and Management
Leads and cooperates with the CMU operational team on portfolio management and quality issues to ensure high quality and results on the ground across GCC.
Participates in the design and implementation of all GP activities in an advisory capacity for portfolio assigned to him/her.

Provides reviews at early proposal, concept, and output stages of RAS operations
Serves as a direct liaison between GP staff and relevant counterparts on the client side.
With guidance from the Country Director and Program Manager, liaises with main counterparts in the CO, on project monitoring, legal agreement and Bank policies; and organizes training and workshops as needed.

Contributes to the provision of ongoing guidance, advice and support on local political, social economic and other relevant developments to the country team.
Facilitates the Saudi Program’s stand-alone agreements and bills with counterparts.
Contributes to the confirmation of Saudi TCP expenses with RM.
Leads certain tasks for the CMU, or participate as a member of task teams, as may be assigned by the Program Manager based on the incumbent’s areas of professional specialization and interest.

Monitors Program Delivery/Provides Quality Assurance
Implements monitoring system to formally track concept notes, aide memoires, completion summaries, and budget utilization.
Conducts daily/weekly/monthly monitoring of activities with GCC Operations Team.
Contributes to the quarterly report preparation to MOF.
Supports Country Office Budget, Procurement, Security, and HR functions
Provides review and support to CO budget processing with RM staff as needed.
Chairs/participates in procurement committees and recruitment panels for the CO.
Coordinates, implements and updates, as necessary, the Country Office Security and Safety program and Business Continuity Plan covering Bank Group personnel.
Fosters the development of capacity in the CO by, inter alia, by coordinating the knowledge and learning agenda for CO staff, helping to organize training activities and mentoring junior staff.

Supports the Program Manager in Country Office Management and Partnership Building
Attends and/or contributes to the Departmental Management Team (DMT) meetings and helps monitor the strategic directions of overall RAS program.
Supports the Program Manager in the management of the administrative, operational, and RM staff; participate in the review of office budgets and RAS billing, and ensure the smooth running of the office by engaging in daily trouble-shooting; draft and review all outgoing transmittals.

Leads the preparation of various management briefs requested throughout the year.
Supports the Program Manager in managing relations with clients, civil society, private sector entities, including by delivering representation and reach-out activities to key stakeholders, especially as they relate to the broader RAS strategic agenda for the Bank and project operational matters.
Selection Criteria

Masters, or higher degree in a relevant field/discipline (economics, public policy, business administration, finance, engineering, or similar field relevant to the Bank’s mission) and a minimum 5 years of operationally relevant experience.
Fluency in English and Arabic essential (verbal and written).
Proven ability to conceptualize, design and implement major projects; and demonstrated ability in all phases of project cycle.
Demonstrated ability to ensure the quality of portfolio performance management.
Demonstrated ability to promote client/beneficiary participation and commitment to ensuring effective implementation and longer-term sustainability of projects/programs.
Ability to operate effectively in a matrix management environment, both as a team leader and team member. Ability to deal sensitively in multi-cultural environments and build effective working relations with clients and colleagues.
Ability to coach, mentor and develop more junior staff.
Superior client orientation and inter-personal skills with proven ability to work cooperatively with multi-disciplinary country teams, all levels of staff and managers.
Demonstrated ability to undertake a diversity of tasks within a rapidly changing and demanding environment on short deadlines.
High level of integrity and discretion, sound business judgment, and diplomatic skills.
Strong spoken and written communications skills including the ability to speak and write persuasively and present ideas clearly and concisely.

Please click on the button below to Apply.