Senior Operations Officer

Job #:
req37222

Organization:
World Bank Group

Sector:
Operations

Grade:
GG

Term Duration:
2 years 0 months

Recruitment Type:
International Recruitment

Location:
Washington, DC,United States

Required Language(s):
English

Preferred Language(s):
Korean

Closing Date:
6/26/2026 (MM/DD/YYYY) at 11:59pm UTC

Description

VPU Context: Digital technologies offer a unique opportunity to transform development through digital solutions. The Digital and AI Vertical Vice Presidency and its global and regional teams support client countries in building their capacities for digital transformation and AI use. The WBG Digital and AI Vertical is led by a Vice President and was established in July 2024. WBG recently published its Digital and AI Strategy which includes four pillars: access, affordability, ecosystem and AI readiness. The strategy identifies the priorities that WBG will engage across the client segment over the next five years. The implementation plan is currently under preparation.

The Vertical will deploy a range of products, services, and partnerships to advance global knowledge across the four pillars of the Strategy through:
• Supporting World Bank regions that provide financing to governments in the form of grants, loans, guarantees, and risk management products to support digital investment projects and implement policy reforms.
• Supporting World Bank regions that provide advisory services including targeted policy guidance, technical assistance, and capacity building.
• Knowledge products include data and diagnostics to provide actionable insights at regional, country, and local levels, research and thought leadership to expand the global knowledge base, as well as thematic operational toolkits.
• Convening services that bring together key stakeholders, from both public and private sectors as well as international and non-governmental organizations involved in advancing global digital transformation.

For more information: https://www.worldbank.org/en/topic/digitaldevelopment.

Unit Context: The Development Effectiveness (DE) Unit plays an important role in advising the Vice President and Directors on all matters pertaining to strategic planning and management, program management including trust fund oversight, monitoring and evaluation, stakeholder engagement, knowledge management, in collaboration with Regions and Verticals, and outreach to external partners. The Unit will support VPU's engagement on corporate priorities including Knowledge Compact, Operations Efficiency and Effectiveness, Corporate Scorecard and other initiatives aimed at achieving speed, scale and impact.

Duties and accountabilities: This position reports to the DE Manager and the key responsibilities include but not limited to the following:
• Work primarily with Global and Regional teams, specifically, identifying good practices and lessons learned in supporting and scaling up digital and AI solutions to achieve resilient and sustainable development, as well as investments in multi-sectoral infrastructure, including reviewing existing interventions.
• Liaise with the Government of Korea and Korea's Ministry of Finance and Economy (MOFE) and promote digital transformation and AI partnerships between the WBG, the Republic of Korea, and other East Asian economies.
• Identify appropriate counterparts in Korea and other countries who may be able to share experiences on the practical implications of digital transformation policies and investments.
• Find or create opportunities for global knowledge sharing to learn about concrete examples of digital transformation and AI and, more importantly, how they can be integrated into comprehensive national economic policies. Closely work with the Korean Knowledge Center and other academy initiatives to advance the Digital and AI knowledge sharing agendas.
• Support design and technical assistance components of projects that help countries implement digital and AI strategies and policies. Strong knowledge is required on the political economy behind accelerated economic growth and job creation using digital pathways, i.e., how to garner top-level political support and plan and implement public and private investment projects effectively. Working knowledge of Korea's digital transformation technology development, including AI, will be particularly helpful.
• Lead or participate in the monitoring of digital and AI initiatives during WBG missions and contribute to the development of reports related to technological advancement.

Selection Criteria
• Master's degree in one of the relevant sectoral disciplines, including public policy, infrastructure, economics, or finance. PhD preferred.
• Minimum of 8 years of relevant operational experience, including designing, implementing, and monitoring public policies. Direct experience working within government on public policy, macroeconomics, public finance, high-tech industrial policies, and related policies to promote job creation is an advantage.
• Familiarity with the Government of Korea's procedures and policy-making processes, and/or a demonstrated ability to quickly learn these, is essential.
• Recognized leadership in developing and implementing public policies and strategies, including the evaluation of sustainable development policies and projects.
• Demonstrated capacity for strategic thinking and engaging in policy dialogue on relevant development priorities.
• Proven ability to work effectively in a matrixed environment.
• Demonstrated ability to work across organizational boundaries and strong integrator skills.
• Strong written and oral communication skills in English are essential.
• Strong written and oral communication skills in Korean are essential.

Required Competencies:
• Integration and Collaboration Skills: Integrating divergent viewpoints of multiple external and internal stakeholders into a coherent project/program/strategy.
• Internal and External Client Engagement: An ability to independently coordinate and engage with stakeholders from various parts of WBG, including IFC and MIGA, during the course of assisting team with operational design and implementation.
• Bank Instruments, Policies, and Procedures, and Ability to Proactively Apply Them: Knowledge and understanding of Bank lending and non-lending products.Experience with AI-enabled knowledge tools (search, curation, summarization) and defining metrics for adoption and impact.
• Working knowledge of M&E specific to knowledge programs (uptake, influence, engagement metrics).
• Experience with World Bank Group operations and systems or comparable multilateral processes.
• Familiarity with data governance, privacy, and responsible AI principles.

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.