Operations Officer

Country Context

The World Bank Group (WBG) Office in Freetown-Sierra Leone is responsible for overseeing the World Bank’s programs for both IBRD and IFC in the Country. The WBG Office houses about 75 World Bank and IFC staff including consultants who are responsible for maintaining a successful WBG relationship with our clients. The team works with integrity, dedication and strong spirit to deliver on the WBG mission of eliminating extreme poverty and enhancing shared prosperity on a livable planet.

Duties and accountabilities

The Operations Officer will work in close collaboration with the Country Manager (CM) for Sierra Leone, the Operations Manager (OM), WB Director, IFC Director, and the other members of the CMU management and country teams on all aspects of the Sierra Leone work program to ensure strategic focus, integration and consistency across and within the portfolio. More specifically (s)he will, work under the overall supervision of the Country Manager:

• Analyze and monitor the delivery of AWMSL work program; and this will entail liaising with relevant members of AFCW1 management team, Global Practices (GPs), other Bank units and internal partners such as IFC, MIGA and IEG, as required.
• Take the lead on portfolio management, monitoring, analysis and problem resolution; this will include managing the periodic working sessions with Government technical teams and project coordination units, country portfolio performance reviews (CPPRs), regular analysis of operational performance, quality and trends.
• Provide problem solving advice to operations teams and interact with government counterparts to facilitate action needed to address challenges facing operations.
• Help foster teamwork and cross-sectoral cooperation on program preparation and implementation and contribute to country team meetings and activities.
• Play a key role in the formulation and implementation of the Sierra Leone Country Partnership Framework (including Performance/Completion and Learning Reviews - PLRs/CLRs),and assess sector and thematic issues in relationship with the broader country developments.
• Prepare briefing notes (e.g., for Spring and Annual Meetings, Sr. Management country visits, etc.) and other internal complex reports; and draft and review operational correspondence.
• Make substantive contributions to Sierra Leone country and sector strategies, lending and non-lending work programs.
• Monitor and interpret political, social and economic developments; develop and maintain understanding of country socioeconomic and political conditions.
• As necessary and subject to agreement with the Country Manager, assume a supervisory role of GA-GD staff (administrative and country services staff; ACS); this entails leadership in managing ACS work program and performance, ensuring delivery of high quality administrative and operational services, and providing mentoring and coaching as needed.    

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