Senior Operations Officer

Job title:

Senior Operations Officer

Company

World Bank

Job description

Senior Operations Officer Job #: req31218
Organization: World Bank
Sector:
Grade: GG
Term Duration: 2 years 0 months
Recruitment Type: International Recruitment
Location: Washington, DC,United States
Required Language(s): English
Preferred Language(s): French, Spanish
Closing Date: 1/31/2025 (MM/DD/YYYY) at 11:59pm UTCDescriptionThe Global Environment Facility (GEF) is a multilateral financial mechanism created in 1991 to provide grant and concessional funds to recipient countries for projects and programs that address biodiversity loss, climate change mitigation and adaptation, degradation of international waters, land and forests, ozone depletion, elimination or reduction of persistent organic pollutants and mercury, all within the framework of sustainable development.The GEF unites 186 countries in partnership with international institutions, civil society organizations (CSOs), and the private sector to address global environmental issues while supporting national sustainable development initiatives. An independently operating financial organization, GEF is the designated financial mechanism for five multilateral environmental conventions: The Convention on Biological Diversity, the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants, the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), UN Convention to Combat Desertification, and Minamata Convention on Mercury. GEF was also recently designated to serve as part of the financial mechanism of the international legally binding instrument under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ).Since 1991, the GEF has achieved a strong track record with developing countries and countries with economies in transition, providing $24.7 billion in grants for over 5,700 projects in over 170 countries.The GEF Secretariat is a Vice-Presidential Unit (VPU) within the World Bank for administrative purposes and has approximately 100 professional, administrative and client support staff.The GEF Operations and Policy Unit is responsible for a number of critical corporate functions within the GEF Secretariat (GEFSEC), including: i) development, implementation and follow up on the policy agenda of the GEF Family of Funds; ii) results monitoring and reporting and preparation of key GEF reports; iii) portfolio quality assurance; and iv) the project and program review function to ensure GEF funding proposals adhere to GEF policies and guidelines.Duties and AccountabilitiesGEF is seeking to recruit a seasoned and self-motivated Senior Operations Officer with strong operational and policy experience to develop and implement reforms to the GEF’s business processes and operations.The Senior Operations Officer will be responsible for leading the Policy and Strategy work stream and is primarily responsible for providing leadership in managing: (a) the production and delivery of high-quality policy analysis; (b) the development and updating of GEF policy and guidelines, particularly (but not exclusively) with respect to GEF project cycle management; and (c) prepare other policies and strategies related to the GEF’s role in protecting the global environment. It is a key work stream involving a high level of interaction and collaboration with other GEF divisions, GEF implementing agencies, Council members and donors.The ideal candidate would have a mix of policy experience in complex operating environments, operational experience in a field relevant to the GEF mandate, as well as exposure to members of the GEF Partnership, in positions with a GEF implementing agency, a government agency or an international organization. The candidate would require a deep appreciation and a significant understanding of the complexity of the GEF partnership arrangement as well as strong interpersonal skills, political acumen and the capacity to work effectively, transparently on sensitive issues across the GEF partnership.This position will provide an opportunity to develop leadership and gain broad exposure to strategic and operational issues and the opportunity to develop a deeper understanding of the business and functioning of the GEF Partnership. The selected candidate will report to the Operations and Policy Manager and will have the opportunity to work closely with experts in different policy and operational fields in the GEFSEC team.Specific Duties Include the Following:

• Produce high-quality analysis, operational policies and strategies specific to the GEF partnership;
• Provide effective intellectual and strategic guidance on key issues concerning GEF strategy, institutional policy and operations;
• Coordinate and lead the preparation of key GEF institutional operational policies and strategies, establishing and leading consultation processes as needed and ensuring effective communication and dissemination of policy with GEF stakeholders;
• Proactively respond to emerging policy or strategic issues affecting the GEF partnership and coordinate the development of a corporate response;
• Assist the GEF leadership team and other work streams in preparing policies and strategies for replenishments and other high-level donor engagements;
• Represent the GEF with the Council, donors, agencies and recipient countries on policy and strategic issues;
• Support the GEF’s portfolio management and monitoring by providing portfolio and results analysis to support policy development and implementation;
• Conduct project reviews to assure alignment with quality standards and compliance with GEF policies and guidelines, including policy interpretation and troubleshooting with GEF partners;
• Contribute to problem resolution with task teams, including related to risk in operations.
• Provide guidance to teams to ensure project quality at entry and through the project life cycle;
• Draft talking points and briefing notes for Management in preparation of high-level discussions on policy and operational issues;
• Lead ad-hoc research projects and deep dives on policy and operational issues and summarize the findings and lessons into final products such as technical briefings and presentations;
• Support the Manager and Director with corporate demands and quality control of deliverables.

Selection Criteria

• Master’s in a relevant discipline (e.g. business administration, economics, environmental or social sciences, or other field related to the environment and development) and at least eight years of relevant professional experience;
• Strong operational experience and established track record of excellence in significant policy and operational work; project management experience would be an advantage;
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English;
• Proven experience drafting high quality policy documents, operational guidelines and/or briefing material in English;
• Deep knowledge and understanding of the GEF and how it operates;
• Experience working with international, multilateral partnerships dealing with the environment or a in similar field;
• Demonstrated maturity and sound judgment, attention to detail, and ability to convey complex messages succinctly and diplomatically;
• Demonstrated experience engaging with mid-to-high level representatives in GEF partner countries and organizations on policy or operational issues;
• Proven ability to handle multiple tasks independently, work under pressure with short deadlines, and be a problem solver;
• High levels of energy and flexibility in adjusting to changing work program requirements in a dynamic and fast paced work environment;
• Proven track record in providing guidance and mentoring more junior staff, delegating and managing teams working simultaneously on multiple deliverables; and
• Good familiarity and ease of working with the management information systems and dashboards.

Core CompetenciesAchieves results and identifies mission-driven solutions for the client

• Develops and implements solutions that show understanding of how clients and/or own work achieves results that are financially, environmentally and socially sustainable
• Shares new insights based on in-depth understanding of the client and recommends solutions for current and future needs of clients
• Holds self and team accountable for risk management and outcomes.

Initiates collaboration across boundaries and broadly across WBG, and brings differing ideas into the forefront

• Collaborates across organizational boundaries, internally and externally with a sense of mutuality and respect
• Consistently engages others in open dialogue, brings out any conflicting viewpoints and incorporates viewpoints into solutions, giving credit where credit is due. Leverages expertise of all team members to ensure successful outcomes
• Makes choices and sets priorities with a WBG corporate perspective in mind

Develops innovative solutions with others

• Encourages and works with others to identify, incubate and implement relevant solutions
• Identifies opportunities in changing circumstances and energizes others to continuously improve, using intentional strategies to boost morale, team spirit, and productivity in context of WBG’s values and mission
• Helps others to understand problems, client needs and the underlying context

Creates, applies and shares knowledge from across and outside WBG to strengthen internal and/or external client solutions

• Ensures systematic sharing of good practice and learning from lessons from across WBG, clients, and partners
• Is known across WBG in their subject area and is sought out by WBG colleagues to advise, peer review, or contribute to knowledge products of others
• Seeks mentoring opportunities with more experienced staff to deepen or strengthen their professional knowledge and mentors junior staff
• Builds networks across the WBG and as part of external professional groups/networks

Recommends and takes decisive action

• Applies critical thinking and seeks inputs and experience from others to recommend a course of action consistent with the WBG’s strategy
• Evaluates risk and anticipates the short- and long-term implications of decisions
• Commits to a decision and takes action once a decision has been reached

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 and , including our values and inspiring stories.

Expected salary

Location

Washington DC

Job date

Fri, 17 Jan 2025 03:07:01 GMT

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