Description

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 and promoting shared prosperity. 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. 

OPCS Context

Operations Policy and Country Services (OPCS) plays a pivotal role in achieving the WBG’s mission. OPCS is at the center of the ‘operations complex’ and plays a critical role in supporting MDO, MDD and the President of the World Bank on all issues related to Operations. OPCS develops and oversees Bank operational policies and procedures for country engagement products, lending operations, advisory services and analytical support, financial management, procurement, environmental and social safeguards, as well as development outcome risk and results.  It also serves as a link between the Operational units and the Board of Directors.  OPCS provides advice and support to World Bank management and staff as well as hands-on assistance to help teams apply the Bank’s policies, processes, and risk management tools for our country clients.

Working in OPCS helps World Bank professionals gain broad exposure to strategic operations issues and develop a deeper understanding of the business of the Bank. 

OPCS’s 160 staff are organized in four departments:

Operations Policy and Country Services (OPCS) plays a pivotal role in achieving the World Bank Group's mission. OPCS assists frontline staff in delivering results to clients through sound operations policy and strong country support. In the World Bank Group structure, OPCS is at the center of operations and delivery, and serves as the link between the Global Practices and the Regions. OPCS develops and oversees the Bank's operational policies for country strategies, lending operations, advisory services and analytical support, financial management, procurement, and environmental and social safeguards. It also oversees the Bank Group's Corporate Scorecard; manages interactions with the Bank's oversight units; and co-leads the results measurement and evaluation stream in the Bank Group. OPCS teams provide advice and support to World Bank management and staff as well as hands-¬on assistance to help teams leverage the Bank's policies, processes, and risk management tools for our country clients. Working in OPCS helps World Bank professionals gain broad exposure to strategic operations issues and develop a deeper understanding of the Bank's business. Some of the major initiatives OPCS is currently working on include: simplifying processes and procedures to help clients get faster results; implementing the new country engagement model and new operations risk framework; reforming environmental and social safeguards; implementing the new procurement framework; and measuring client feedback and progress towards the Bank Group's goals. OPCS is organized into the Front Office and four departments: 

• The Front Office (OPSFO) focuses on supporting the OPCS Vice President (VP) in the management of the operations complex and the delivery of key corporate policy commitments and reforms;
• Operations Standards, Procurement, Financial Management (OPSPF) is responsible for safeguards, procurement, financial management and anti-corruption policies and support to operations;
• Operations Policy (OPSPO) consolidates the corporate support and oversight of country strategies and all financing and advisory instruments as well as managing the Operations Committee and the Operations Help Desk;
• Operations Strategy, Risk, Results and Learning (OPSRL) focuses on WB strategy; risk management in operations, strengthening results and effectiveness throughout the institution, including the Corporate Scorecard; support to the country directors’ and management communities; and operational learning; and
• Operations Standards, Environment and Social (OPSES) is responsible for the Environmental and Social Framework (ESF) and Safeguard Policies, including support to operations, learning and training, knowledge management, reporting, interface with the Inspection Panel, and management of the Grievance Redress Service (GRS).   OPSSR encompasses three  interlinked streams of work (i) it supports the OPSVP and the MDs to report on results spearheaded by Practice Groups and Regions, including through yearly Board updates on the WBG Corporate Scorecard, and stewardship of the IDA Results Measurement System and policy commitments; (ii) it coordinates the overall engagement with the Independent Evaluation Group (IEG), including by crafting corporate responses to independent evaluations and reporting annually on the Management Action Record, and prepares responses to external assessments on development effectiveness; (iii) it works on strategic matters, acting as the operational focal point for the IDA replenishment, and contributing actively to the WBG evolution process. 
OPSSR is looking for one senior economist to play a pivotal role in the strategy team, with strong focus on strengthening research and analytics on results and development effectiveness.

Roles and Responsibilities

• Support Management in spearheading the WBG evolution process from a results and risk angle, proposing new ideas and contributing to ongoing reforms, with special attention to different Bank clients.
• Undertake research, dialogue, and data analytics to advance the Bank’s agendas on vulnerability, private sector financing, concessionally, inequality and others. 
• Contribute to complex corporate issues and strategies that involve OPCS and other VPUs, including the agendas for simplification, modernization, risk management, results-orientation and aid effectiveness, data quality, fragile and small states, and middle-income countries. 
• Lead insightful and innovative working papers focusing on results from the Corporate Scorecard and the link to specific WBG agendas. 
• Contribute to improve the way in which risk management and results management take place, drafting new guidance, templates, and retrospectives, including identifying and disseminating good practices. 
• Advance current thinking on measuring the results of Analytical Services and Advisory (ASA)- and Reimbursable Advisory Services (RAS), proposing and implementing adjustments to the self-evaluation system. 
• Lead responses to IEG evaluations on strategic issues and corporate evaluations focusing on development effectiveness. 

Selection Criteria

• Advanced degree in economics or public policy with strong economics focus; PHD preferred. 
• A minimum of 8 years of experience within the World Bank and/or external experience.
• Sustained record of achieving high-quality results over an extended period.
• Outstanding data literacy with a track record of producing data analytics for policy and decision making.
• Fluency in research methods, including evaluation approaches used in MDBs. Solid methodological grounding in matters of indicator development, measurement, supporting data evidence (sources, collection, analysis, etc.), and reporting (including dashboards, etc.).  
• Track record of research publications, whether in working papers or in peer-reviewed journals, or significant analytical contributions to policy publications would be an advantage. 
• Demonstrated ability to conduct econometric work and assess quality of and review analytical work. 
• Strong understanding of development effectiveness concepts, backed by operational experience in government or MDBs;
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with demonstrated track record on data visualization for policy-making.
• Proven sense of initiative, results orientation as well as effective teamwork skills.
• Ability to develop partnerships and effective working relationships across institutional boundaries.

Required Professional Competencies:

• General Economic Knowledge and Analytical Skills - Possesses Cross-country knowledge in economic specialty and demonstrates ability to link the macro, institutional, and micro-level behaviors; able to support findings/policy recommendations with credible analysis and tools. 
• Knowledge and Experience in Development Arena - Translates technical and cross-country knowledge into practical applications and contributions to country and sector strategies; interacts with clients at the policy level. 
• Integrative Skills - Understands relevant cross-sectoral areas how they are interrelated; able to undertake cross-sectoral work in lending and non-lending operations. 
• Written and Verbal Communication - Demonstrates the ability to influence and persuade others to accept ideas and suggestions (such as counterparts in government, international partner organizations, academia, and Bank colleagues, senior staff, and managers) 

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.

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