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. For more information, visit www.worldbank.org

As part of the South Asia Region (SAR), the Pakistan Country Management Unit (CMU) is responsible for overseeing the World Bank's program in Pakistan. CMU is led by the Country Director for Pakistan, supported by the Operations Manager (OM) and the Operations team in Islamabad and the Country Program Coordinator (CPC) and team in Washington DC.  In addition, there are four Program Leaders in the CMU who provide direction and support to all of the Global Practices (GPs).  Within the office, much of the logistics (fleet management, conference and workshops, catering and cafeteria management, visiting mission support, support to international staff) is grouped under the Business Facilitation Center (BFC).  The Senior Operations Officer will be part of the CMU team based at the World Bank office in Islamabad.  

The World Bank's Pakistan CMU, based in the Islamabad Country Office, is responsible for overseeing a program providing US$1-2 billion per year to the Government of Pakistan, and mobilizing a modest amount of grant resources. This program includes financing a wide range of operations and direct Advisory Services and Analytics (ASA) for sensitive policy advice, small and large infrastructure operations, and services in a wide range of areas (health, social protection, education, finance, energy, digital, mobility, water and sanitation, solid waste management, urban, agriculture, disaster risk management, environment, domestic revenue mobilization, public financial management, trade, poverty reduction, governance, etc.).  The Office has about 120 staff.  The Country Management Unit within this manages the overall portfolio and strategy of the program.   

The Pakistan CMU is looking for an experienced, high-performing, energetic senior member of its Core Operations Team who will report to the Operations Manager (OM), and will work with the Country Director, Program Leaders, colleagues of the Pakistan Country Team and World Bank clients in Pakistan.   The Senior Operations Officer’s responsibilities will include:

Operations Support 

As one of the Senior Operations Officers in one of the largest and diverse portfolios in the Bank, provide regular updates, advice and support to the Operations Manager and the Program Leaders and the Country Director, as needed, for smooth delivery and implementation of the CMUs work. Provide input/analysis/advice and recommendations on issues brought to the CMUs attention either for information or action. Work with the Country Director, Operations Manager and PLs in the preparation of Work Program Agreements (WPAs), and budget requests. As needed, act as Operations Manager; 

• Develop and maintain contacts and relationships with government counterparts, and keep abreast of country/provincial developments as well as internal institutional developments, to support the CMU’s operational and strategic country engagement with task teams. This includes being a Focal Point for the CMU on the Federal and/or another province’s lending pipeline (including trust funds) and portfolio performance as well as the INF PG’s ASA work;

• Lead CMUs operational and ASA support to Bank teams in the designated focal areas, identify and implement actions CMU can take to support them and the client to support efficient and high quality delivery of results in the portfolio and of new operations and Advisory Services and Analytics. This includes discussing client needs and feedback, project implementation status (including monitoring of key performance indicators, disbursements); guiding deliverable/portfolio milestones (including lending, signing, effectiveness, ASA deadlines), guiding and advising on restructurings and Implementation Completion and Results reports, providing input/analysis, advising on WB policies and procedures for operations and analytical work supported by all WB financing instruments as well as government procedures; providing expertise to Program Leaders and Task Team Leaders on best practices. This support will involve mission travel.

• Coordinate with Program Leaders in reviewing implementation readiness of projects under preparation, including advice on project design, results, M&E, risk management.

• Lead CMU monitoring of fiduciary and ESF / Bank safeguards policy performance and risk in the portfolio, including liaising with WB fiduciary and environmental and social risk management colleagues.

• Lead and/or support preparation and conduct of reviews of portfolio performance and quality, disbursement, pipeline development with the government as well as WB operations units (including regional development effectiveness unit, Global Practice units, country team).  

• Work with operational teams and ASA teams also through the review of operational documents on behalf of the CMU (including quality assurance, client responsiveness, corporate commitments, CPF alignment, risk management) during the project cycle, including Concept Notes, Project Appraisal Documents, Program Documents, Implementation Status Reports, Management Letters, Aide Memoires, ASA Deliverables and Implementation Completion Reports.  Advise the Country Director, Operations Manager and Program Leaders on findings of these reviews, as needed.

• Develop and maintain close working partnerships with operational and ASA teams, Washington-based Regional staff, GP colleagues, operational services and quality staff to facilitate team work, responsiveness and staying up to date on latest policies, procedures and best practices. 

• Develop new and innovative approaches to CMU operational support and workflow, including through use digital technologies, templates, tools and agile approaches.

• Prepare analytics, briefs, reports, memos, talking points, and other background materials for the CD and OM, and as needed for senior management.

• Provide mentorship, advice and support to other CMU Core Operations and other CMU team members, as needed, on their work with Bank teams and clients. 

Strategic Directions, Corporate Commitments and Digital Innovation

• Contribute to development of and support strategic dialogue, including preparation and/or implementation of Country Partnership Framework and the interim progress report.
• Contribute to the roll out of the upcoming new Country Partnership Framework through special initiatives of the CMU that cut across several sectors/GPs. This may include leadership or participation in operational teams or ASA programs, developing external partnerships with government counterparts and development partners. 

Office Administrative Procurement, Business Facilitation and related functions

• Support continuous development of the World Bank Group Campus to exemplify corporate commitments on green development, an inclusive and respectful workplace, a healthy workplace, and digital innovation. Support team building activities for the Country Office in Islamabad.

• Lead the Administrative Procurement Review Committee and related functions.

• Provide guidance to the Business Facilitation Center team, including strategic direction.

• Provide support to manage and guide STCs and contractor staff as needed.

Donors/Development Partners Coordination

• Contribute to donor coordination by developing and maintaining contacts with key stakeholders and supporting the CD and OM in developing these contacts. Support the engagement with other donors in developing partnership strategies and business opportunities including financing and analytical work.  Ensure that there is interfacing with donors on harmonization of policies and procedures. Coordinate any other consultations / meetings / forums etc. with donors and clients as needed. 

• Play a program manager role to oversee new and some existing TFs managed by SACPK as required, including the Multi-Donor Trust Fund – liaising with donors, preparing agreed financial and progress reports, reviewing grant funding requests, and advising task teams on grants/child TFs management.

• Provide inputs to briefing to the regional management on the CMU’s engagement with donors and development partners in Pakistan. 

Selection Criteria

• Master’s degree in a relevant discipline, and minimum 8 years of relevant operational experience.

• WB portfolio/pipeline management experience - sound experience in supporting portfolio and pipeline management based on solid understanding of World Bank’s policies and procedures for operations and advisory services and analytics, and familiarity with its various financial/knowledge instruments. 

• Task leader experience in delivering operations especially in FCV context, and/or knowledge and strategy products (e.g. analytics, country partnership framework/country partnership progress and learning reviews), as well as operational experience are desirable.

• Solid experience of liaising/coordinating with donors, development partners, and other stakeholders.

• TF accredited with a strong background in setting up and managing TFs especially recipient executed TFs.

• Demonstrated strategic and analytical capabilities to interpret data and diverse information and lead to clear and concise recommendations.

• Strong spoken and written communications skills in English, including the ability to speak and write persuasively and present ideas clearly and concisely. 

• Demonstrated ability to work in and lead teams, as a constructive and contributing tam member or as an effective tam leader as the situation may require. Outstanding inter-personal skills with proven ability to work cooperatively with a multi-disciplinary team.

• Strong drive for results by undertaking a diverse range of tasks in a rapidly changing and demanding environment with short deadlines. 

• Client orientation, high degree of motivation, and agility to effectively and efficiently deliver results are strongly desired.COS 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.

This vacancy is archived.

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