Description

Do you want to build a career that is truly worthwhile? Working at the World Bank Group provides a unique opportunity for you to help our clients solve their greatest development challenges. 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, increasing shared prosperity and promoting sustainable development. 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

REGIONAL CONTEXT

The South Asia Region (Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka) is at a crucial stage of development. Rapid economic growth, driven by urbanization and demographic dividend, has brought down poverty rates, but severe forms of exclusion and disparities based on ethnicity, caste, and gender remain. Rapid growth has also come with congestion and pollution in cities. South Asia is more than other regions affected by changes in temperature and extreme weather events. Additional challenges are that South Asia is underperforming in exports, has large informal sectors and low female labor force participation rates. All these challenges must be addressed to secure rapid growth in coming decades.

Private sector led growth, focused on investments in infrastructure, energy, logistics and cities are essential to generate the jobs needed to employ South Asia’s sizeable youth population. At the same time, the region needs to continue building human capital so that South Asia’s population is well equipped for the jobs of the future.

The World Bank in South Asia: https://www.worldbank.org/en/region/sar

COUNTRY CONTEXT

Bangladesh CMU

The Bangladesh Country Management Unit (CMU) comprises of Bangladesh and Bhutan.

The Bangladesh program is the largest IDA program in the world, with a lending portfolio valued at $16 billion. The country partnership framework covering FY23-27 for Bangladesh was endorsed by the Bank’s Board in April 2023 and is aligned with the Government’s 8th Five Year Plan. The three High Level Outcomes are Jobs, Inclusion, and Resilience to Climate and Environmental Risks. The World Bank country program provides financial support and technical advisory services across a broad range of sectors, with a concentration in infrastructure, human development services, climate, and disaster risk management. Technical Teams from the World Bank are drawn from staff in the Dhaka Office and from around the world.
https://www.worldbank.org/en/country/bangladesh

The largest forced displacement from Myanmar into Bangladesh began in August 2017. More than 1.1 million displaced Rohingya population – largely women and children — are residing in thirty-three camps in Ukhiya and Teknaf Upazilas of the Cox’s Bazar District, as well as on the island of Bhasan Char.

Bangladesh and the humanitarian response have supported the displaced Rohingya people since August 2017. Today, 116+ partners including 10 UN agencies, 106 international and national NGOs, are working closely with the Government in supporting displaced Rohingya population and half a million Bangladeshi host communities pending a durable solution.

Bangladesh is currently implementing four IDA-financed projects, for $565 million on grant terms, as part of the government’s response to the forced displacement crisis in Cox’s Bazar. These projects, expected to close by June 2024, mostly target health, disaster risk management and safety net needs of the host populations and Rohingyas.

Two new multi-sectoral projects under a Rohingyas and Host Communities program are currently under preparation, to strengthen resilience through inclusive services for human capital development and creating opportunities for improved livelihoods in Cox’s Bazar and the island of Bhasan Char.  

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The Senior Operations Officer will provide advice in the overall design and implementation of the Bank’s support to displaced Rohingyas and Host Communities in Bangladesh. She/he will report to the Country Director and will be a member of the Department Management Team (DMT) of the CMU and have a dotted reporting line to the Practice Manager, GTFS1, in FCV Group (while retaining professional mapping to her/his “home” GP, if applicable). The Senior Operations Officer will work in close collaboration with the Operations Manager.

In particular, the Senior Operations Officer will be responsible for:

• Providing strategic leadership on the WB’s contributions to the Rohingyas and Host Communities support agenda in Bangladesh, in line with the WB’s global approach on forced displacement;
• Supporting the Government through a solid and continuous policy dialogue;
• Managing the dialogue with other counterparts, including but not limited to UNHCR, WFP, IOM, UNFPA, UN Country Team, key bilaterals and international and local NGOs;
• Helping strengthen the partnership dialogue and development coordination processes in the country, ensuring that WB programs, including refugee projects financed under IDA, are an integral part of the broader external effort;
• In collaboration with PLs and PMs, provide strategic and operational guidance in the design and implementation of displaced Rohingyas and host communities programs by ensuring coherence and appropriate contribution to the World Bank’s global commitments on Forced Displacement;
• Establish an experience-sharing platform; and ensure program contribution to the global body of knowledge on forced displacement;
• Guiding the preparation of selected country-level analytical pieces and assist with ensuring an open and effective dialogue and collaboration among development partners with key Government counterpart institutions, including the Prime Minister’s Office and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs;
• Keeping the CMU and GPs abreast of global knowledge, data, financing instruments and the WB operational and analytical highlights on forced displacement.

Selection Criteria

• Advanced degree in a relevant discipline (Masters or PhD), and a minimum of 8 years of relevant operational experience.
• Proven ability to think strategically and connect the dots easily across a range of topics to develop a broader coherent approach; ability to analyze and integrate information into conclusions and recommendations. Preference will be given to candidates with both TTL and corporate experience.
• Client orientation and results focus; pragmatism and effectiveness.  Strong dialogue and diplomatic skills, and hands-on experience with managing policy dialogue in forced displacement contexts.
• Sound operational judgment. In-depth understanding of Bank operations, including CMU-GP relationships, SCD / CPF processes, projects, and analytical work, dialogue with clients and other development partners.
• Demonstrated understanding of the Bank’s Forced Displacement agenda including the approaches to evaluating the Refugee Policy Review Framework (RPRF); the Global Compact on Refugees (GCR); and their adaptation to national political economy and contexts.
• Willingness to stay extended periods in Cox’s Bazar and Bhasan to help advance the coordination and impact agenda.
• Leadership and interpersonal skills. Demonstrated ability to work in multidisciplinary teams.  Experience in working across disciplinary boundaries and with multiple stakeholders.
• Excellent written and oral communication. Able to synthesize, analyze, and effectively present material from a wide range of sources, using the most effective means of delivery.
• Integrity, tact and discretion.
• Ability to deal sensitively in multi-cultural environments, experience in working in developing countries.

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.

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

APPLY NOW