Senior Operations Officer

Job #:
req36804

Organization:
World Bank

Sector:
Operations

Grade:
GG

Term Duration:
4 years 0 months

Recruitment Type:
International Recruitment

Location:
Washington, DC,United States

Required Language(s):
English

Preferred Language(s):
French

Closing Date:
6/10/2026 (MM/DD/YYYY) at 11:59pm UTC

Regional Context

Western and Central Africa is a vast region with diverse cultures, beliefs,languages, and lifestyles. Stretching from the westernmost point of Africa,across the equator, and partly along the Atlantic Ocean till the Republic ofCongo in the South, it encompasses 22 countries that spread across semi-aridareas in the Sahel, large coastal areas on the Atlantic Ocean and along theGulf of Guinea and tropical forest covering many countries from Guinea to theRepublic of Congo, through Côte d'Ivoire, Cameroon and Gabon.

Home to about half a billion people, the sub-region has seen its populationmultiplied by 4 in the last 50 years. The population is mostly concentrated inthe coastal areas, while landlocked countries generally experience lowerdensity. The region has experienced accelerated urbanization, with citieshosting 48% of the population. With 12% of its population being under the ageof 15, Western and Central Africa has one of the youngest populations in theworld. https://www.worldbank.org/en/region/afr/western-and-central-africa.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Based in Washington, D.C., the Senior Operations Officer will be expected to support the programs across the four GPs in the department. The incumbent will have the following principal duties and accountabilities:

The Senior Operations Officer will be expected to provide operational support/guidance and quality assurance on cross-cutting dimensions to task teams and the SAWDR Regional Practice Director. The Senior Operations Officer will also support the Practice Managers (PMs) to help track overall project preparation and pipeline management, as well as providing implementation support.

Specific duties include:
• Maintain up-to-date information on the Planet pipeline, portfolio, and ASA program for all AFW countries in close collaboration with the RVPs office, CMUs, and Practice Units.
• Provide strategic operational support and policy guidance to Planet operational staff in connection with the preparation, appraisal, implementation, and evaluation of operational products.
• Advise Regional management and staff on complex operational issues, including strategic, technical, and institutional aspects and facilitate resolution of cross-GP problems.
• Support risk management and resolution of implementation issues, in collaboration with the PMs and CMUs.
• Provide advice to PMs and GP staff on operational policies, instruments, and procedures.
• Lead portfolio reviews and flag implementation problems for attention by Bank management and work with PMs and task teams to resolve key issues.
• Lead the response to Bank Management and Corporate Requests for preparation of notes, briefings, and other communication products for Management - working directly with Planet and GPs front offices to coordinate input and solve problems that may arise.
• Support the RPD in overall management of the Front office.
• Respond to ad-hoc information and guidance requests from internal and external stakeholders at the operational level.
• Undertake additional duties and tasks as specified the Regional Practice Director. Provide back up to team members in the Front Office.

Selection Criteria
• Advanceddegree (Minimum Masters.) in a relevant discipline and at least 8 years ofrelevant operational experience.
• At least 8 years of work experience in operations, quality support, portfoliomonitoring and trust funds administration and management; donor fundedprograms, project implementation experience is a plus.
• Ability to solve complex operational problems, and willingness to reach outto others to help find practical solutions to challenging operational issues.
• Excellent interpersonal skills including an ability to work and direct otherteam members and lead a team in trust fund management.
• Experience across GP and/or Regional side of the matrix to understandthe different needs and operational practices of different internal clients.
• Excellent oral and written communications skills in English, including theexcellent ability to write reports and briefing notes, and with demonstratedability to think strategically and synthesize complex issues. French languageskills will be an added value.
• High degree of initiative, flexibility and ability to work independentlywith good track record of being a team player.
• Effective interpersonal and communication skills with the capacity tointeract in a multi-cultural environment.
• Understanding of development issues and challenges and experience of workingin international development.

COS Competencies

https://worldbankgroup.sharepoint.com/sites/myhr/documents/career%20management/professional%20family%20mapping/cos_pfm_criteria.pdf

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

WBG Culture Attributes:

1. Sense of urgency: Anticipate and quickly respond to the needs of internal and external stakeholders.
2. Thoughtful risk-taking: Challenge the status quo and push boundaries to achieve greater impact.
3. Empowerment and accountability: Empower yourself and others to act and hold each other accountable for results.

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.

Learn more about working at the World Bank and IFC including our values and inspiring stories.