Senior Operations Officer. in Bucuresti

Do you want to build a career that is truly worthwhile? Working at the World Bank provides a unique opportunity for you to help our clients solve their greatest development challenges. The World Bank consists of two entities – the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) and the International Development Association (IDA). It is a global development cooperative owned by 189 member countries. As the largest development bank in the world, the World Bank provides loans, guarantees, risk management products, and advisory services to middle-income and creditworthy low-income countries, and coordinates responses to regional and global challenges. Visit .Regional ContextThe Europe and Central Asia (ECA) Region and ECCEU contextThe Europe and Central Asia (ECA) region comprises 30 extremely diverse countries, with a population of nearly 500 million people. Although ten of our clients have joined the EU and seven of these have graduated, most continue to remain active recipients of knowledge and/or lending services. Furthermore, in the midst of a crisis, some of the advanced countries re-engage with the Bank for additional support, including financial. ECA has a strong lending pipeline as well as a large and growing portfolio of Reimbursable Advisory Services (RAS). Knowledge is critical to the Bank’s value proposition to client countries in the ECA region in both lending and advisory services.ECCEU is the Country Management Unit (CMU) for World Bank operations in the European Union Member States. The CMU maintains and fosters all operational relationships with the EU member states – but with a varying level of intensity, depending on existing and potential operational programs in the respective client countries. Besides lending, a major part of the program is RAS as well as Trust Funded (TF) advisory services in the EU. The Country Director oversees the program from Brussels, and the CMU has additional offices headed by Country Managers in Bucharest (Romania) and Zagreb (Croatia), Resident Representatives in Warsaw (Poland) and Sofia (Bulgaria), as well as a Program Manager for Southern Europe based in Brussels and a Senior Country Officer based in Washington DC. Program Leaders based in Brussels coordinate the substantive operational program of the CMU.ECCRO is a dynamic country office covering a large program that requires professional excellence and commitment to teamwork. ECCRO is looking for one experienced, high-performing, energetic team member who possesses adaptability and flexibility in providing support to the Romania Country Program and in taking on special assignments as the need arises. The incumbent will report to the ECCRO Country Manager and will be a key member of the Romania Portfolio Team. The Senior Operations Officer is expected to work under the general direction of the Country Manager and collaborate with the Country Program Coordinator based in Washington DC, and the Senior Operations Officer based in Brussels to monitor the portfolio and program, review operational packages and other reports, and conduct portfolio analysis in a timely manner and with minimal supervision. Roles and ResponsibilitiesThe Senior Operations Officer (SOO) selected for this position will support the Country Manager for Romania and Hungary, and CMU management team on the duties and accountabilities described below:Lead Romania portfolio team in monitoring and supporting portfolio implementation and pipeline development, offering advice to project teams on resolving implementation bottlenecks and project preparation in the Romanian context. Lead joint portfolio reviews with counterparts for lending and advisory programs; contribute to the ECCEU quarterly portfolio reviews in collaboration with the Senior Operations Officer based in BrusselsMonitor and support the implementation of the Romania RAS program, focusing on compliance with country-specific rules as well as overall EU requirements. Coordinate with government counterparts on the overall program management, monitoring and reporting, as well as with relevant stakeholders (i.e. IFIs, European Commission)Make substantive contributions to country strategies and Progress and Learning Reviews. Play a key role in the implementation of the Romania CPF as well as in the country engagement with HungaryCoordinate or assist with the preparation of briefs and presentations, including for high-level visiting missions, special events, conferences and Annual and Spring Meetings of the World Bank and IMF; and oversee or assist with drafting or reviewing operational correspondence, including responses to official external queriesServe as a liaison, coordination and integration point for the extended country team; provide guidance and advice on country developments, operational priorities and strategies as needed; help foster teamwork and cross-sectoral cooperation on program preparation and implementationSupport country program management, including business planning and work program preparation, monitoring of work program and budget implementation, quarterly reviews and progress reportingSelection CriteriaIn addition to the Bank-wide core competencies listed below, this position requires significant interpersonal skills, strong operational experience, sensitivity to the political economy, in-depth knowledge of WBG services and products, and strong multi-tasking ability and communication/language skills.Specifically, the SOO should have:Master’s degree level (or above) and minimum of 8 years of substantial professional experience in positions of increasing complexity and responsibility).In-depth knowledge of WBG financing operations as well as analytical and advisory services, including work programming, budgeting, task management, and strong familiarity with WBG instruments including lending, RAS and TF. Ability to thing strategically and translate this in effective country engagement products.Demonstrated ability to lead stakeholder engagement and participate in discussions with senior counterparts both within and outside the Bank.Demonstrated achievement of results – through building a culture that consistently delivers high-quality products and services to clients and through engaging others in implementing strategies that have long-term impact. Demonstrated leadership in teamwork and inclusion to support collaboration and working across boundaries, internally and externally, including across the WBG.Proven ability to work across boundaries as well as with multiple stakeholders to build collaborative alliances for results. Demonstrated capacity to understand the political economy and local context.Excellent inter-personal skills, ability to constructively solve conflict situations and proven ability to lead from behind. Superior communication skills with proven experience in dealing with conflict situations, the media, external constituencies and expert groups. Demonstrated clear and concise oral and written communication skills.Fluency in Romanian and English required.COS Competencies: