Note: A potential candidate has been identified and intends to apply for this position. However, this remains a competitive process and interested candidates are encouraged to apply. PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS IS A COUNTRY OFFICE POSITION IN INDIA SUBJECT TO LOCAL RECRUITMENT UNDER THE INDIA COMPENSATION PLAN. IF A STAFF MEMBER HOLDING AN HQ/INTERNATIONAL POSITION IS SELECTED INTO THIS POSITION, THEN THE STAFF MEMBER WOULD CONVERT TO A LOCAL APPOINTMENT (I.E., A LOCAL SALARY AND NO EXPATRIATE BENEFITS). THE WORLD BANK GROUP IS COMMITTED TO ACHIEVING DIVERSITY IN
TERMS OF GENDER, NATIONALITY, CULTURE AND EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND. INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES ARE EQUALLY ENCOURAGED TO APPLY. ALL APPLICATIONS WILL BE TREATED IN THE STRICTEST CONFIDENCE.
The Human Development Department in South Asia Region (SASHD) is responsible for the development of lending operations, supervision of the existing portfolio, preparation of analytical work, and delivery of policy advice and technical assistance to clients in the social sectors (education, health/nutrition/population, and social protection/labor). The South Asia Region encompasses eight countries (Afghanistan, Bhutan, Bangladesh, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka) and is home to a quarter of the world’s population. The Health, Nutrition, and Population Unit (SASHN) comprises about 35 professional staff, seventy percent of whom are based in the field and one-third of whom are based in the New Delhi office. The Region has a very large HNP portfolio, with more than 40 lending and AAA tasks, and commitments exceeding $2.5 billion. The HNP portfolio in India comprises a dozen lending and non-lending tasks: nine projects are under implementation and two are under preparation, while analytical and advisory activities cover work on hospitals, health insurance, service delivery, nutrition, AIDS, results-based financing and human resources for health. We work as a team of specialists bringing one another’s expertise to bear on all tasks across the region, rather than only as individual task or project teams. We seek to increasingly specialize as staff, recognizing the specific expertise of operations specialists, economists and the range of HNP specializations required to respond to demands from our clients and deliver quality work. SASHN is seeking to recruit an Operations Officer on a two-year initial term appointment to join the HNP team in New Delhi providing operations support to specific lending and supervision tasks.
Note: If the selected candidate is a current Bank Group staff member with a Regular or Open-Ended appointment, s/he will retain his/her Regular or Open-Ended appointment. All others will be offered a 2 year renewable term appointment.
Duties and Accountabilities
The Operations Officer will perform as a member of the South Asia Human Development Department’s Quality Assurance and Operations Advice Team – which comprises a core team at HQ and a virtual team of all the operations analysts and officers in country offices. The Operations Officer will provide operational and implementation support (assuming responsibility for managing the fiduciary, safeguards, legal aspects) to the India HNP portfolio. She/he will assume the following responsibilities, although specific work assignments will evolve over time and the ideal candidate should have the flexibility to respond as required: Preparation of new projects:
• Assist in the preparation of the Project Concept Note (provide preliminary project costs, advice on component structure/project complexity; advise team on choice of lending instrument; provide inputs into the risk assessment
• Provide guidance to the team on latest operational guidelines and procedures for project preparation
• Participate in all preparation missions and provide inputs for mission documentation
• Organize any necessary workshops and training for clients (to assist in project preparation)
• Responsible for summarizing design of implementation arrangements
• Responsible for costing the project inputs/expected investments
• Liaise with procurement/financial management/safeguard/legal colleagues to ensure consistency in approach and in project documents
• Ensure that all latest operational policies, procedures and templates are used by the team
• Provide necessary inputs for the project performance indicators (to track implementation progress)
• Provide guidance to teams on lessons learned from successful projects
• Ensure that all assessments (Social Assessment; Environmental Assessment/Plan) are prepared & disclosed
• Ensure that project preparation timetables are updated and remain realistic
• Provide inputs for the disbursement arrangements and estimated allocation of loan/credit proceeds based on final cost tables
• Work closely with procurement specialists to ensure that the procurement plan reflects the final project costs Implementation Support to projects
• Prepare mission schedules and TORs as requested
• Participate in all missions and major discussions with Government
• In between missions by HQ-based TTLs, represent the TTL to clients and partners
• Monitor project implementation (close liaison with counterparts – local staff)
• Continuously monitor the status of procurement and FM issues
• Assist in reviewing procurement and consultant packages (TORs, bidding documents, etc)
• Continuously monitor the status of project disbursements in client connection and through the project management table
• Ensure that legal covenants are monitored
• Monitor safeguard compliance
• Provide any necessary information to review panels during implementation
• Review annual, semi-annual reports by the Client
• Assist in the preparation of restructuring packages (if required), (e.g. memos, project papers and all necessary additional documents)
Selection Criteria
COMPETENCIES
• Project Management – Understands the basic concepts of project management, and uses project management standard tools, methodologies and processes.
• Data Collection and Management – Fully understands relevant Bank databases and international, country, and sector specific data sources, and effectively utilizes Bank applications and reporting tools.
• Bank Instruments, Policies, Procedures, and Systems – Fully familiar with Bank instruments, policies, procedures and systems (including safeguards, FM and procurement).
• Portfolio Management (OS) – Provides guidance on quality of operations and portfolio performance, on integrating corporate policies and concerns into individual operations, and on project risk assessments, ratings and mitigation measures.
• Analytical and Technical Skills, Operational Strategy Development & Advice – Able to analyze and propose potential solutions to challenging operational issues and problems.
• Human Development Sectoral Knowledge and Experience – Has demonstrated knowledge of and experience in addressing human development issues and leading human development operations in at least one of the Human Development sectors
• Health, Nutrition and Population Knowledge and Experience – Has experience in public health, health policy and management, health administration, health law, nutrition, demography or related areas.
• Client Orientation – Proactively addresses client needs
• Drive for Results – Accepts accountability for work tasks.
• Teamwork (Collaboration) and Inclusion – Values working in collaboration and respecting views of others.
• Knowledge, Learning and Communication – Shares, Seeks out and uses global good practices and operationally relevant knowledge to improve development impact.
• Business Judgment and Analytical Decision Making – Analyzes Available Information and makes Evidence Based Ethical Decisions.
OTHER SELECTION CRITERIA
• A Master’s degree in social sciences, public policy, international development or other relevant field – OR – equivalent combination of education and experience.
• A minimum of 5 years of relevant experience.
• Experience in India’s HNP sector and knowledge of the government structures and counterparts is a specific advantage.
Click Here to Apply
Closing Date: Sunday, 26 February 2012
