Senior Operations officer

The Senior Operations Officer will focus on the World Bank KSA program, managing the Technical Cooperation Program with the Ministry of Finance and other government entities. The role involves fostering trusted relationships with Saudi government counterparts, coordinating program implementation, portfolio monitoring, and serving as a senior government liaison to support Vision 2030 goals.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain excellent and trusted relationships with government counterparts, contributing to business development and growing the World Bank’s Reimbursable Advisory Services (RAS) program in Saudi Arabia.
• Support country and project teams by coordinating implementation of the World Bank RAS program and working with the Program Manager in dialogue with government counterparts.
• Provide support to visiting technical teams and join key meetings with senior government agencies.
• Liaise with Global Practices and task teams to ensure consistency in reports and correspondence with the government.
• Coordinate and facilitate partnership with IFC and MIGA for joint World Bank Group programs.
• Keep abreast of latest developments in KSA and their implications for the WBG, including identifying new business opportunities.
• Develop and maintain close working relations with Washington-based Country Anchor Unit, CMU staff in Kuwait, Abu Dhabi, Qatar, Oman, GP colleagues, operational services and quality staff, and regional management.
• Undertake monthly analysis of operational data and information.
• Oversee development of a TCP monitoring dashboard with Ministry of Finance.
• Track and report on key deliverables, work program and budget execution.
• Implement monitoring system to track concept notes, aide memoires, completion summaries, and budget utilization.
• Conduct regular monitoring of activities with Operations Team in Country Office and Headquarters.
• Participate in review of CMU budgets and RAS billing with World Bank Budget department.
• Monitor and follow up on payment arrears where needed.
• Lead preparations for VIP visits to the Kingdom, liaising with government entities and World Bank teams.
• Contribute to preparation of briefing documents and correspondence for Bank management and external audiences.
• Serve as the Security focal point for KSA.

Requirements

• Masters, or higher degree in a relevant field/discipline (economics, public policy, business administration, finance, or similar field relevant to the Bank’s mission).
• Minimum eight years of directly relevant experience in the government, preferably in Saudi Arabia.
• Wide range of operational experience as leader of teams.
• Recognized as an operations/portfolio expert by peers and managers.
• Solutions oriented and ability to actively shape, drive, and provide high level contributions.
• Strong Organizational skills and can multi-task and reliably deliver under tight deadlines.
• Aptitude to respond quickly to client demands, find ways to enhance effectiveness.
• Strong team player, able to collaborate closely with colleagues from diverse backgrounds.
• Strong client orientation and ability to operate effectively in complex situations, with due regard to political economy, social and cultural contexts.
• Excellent communication skills in English and Arabic, verbal and written with ability to adapt complex messages to a variety of stakeholders, balancing flexibility, with firmness and clarity of message.
• Ability to focus on big picture and overall country framework for development.

Skills

• Operations Management
• Portfolio Management
• Team Leadership
• Client Relationship Management
• Program Coordination
• Government Liaison
• Technical Cooperation
• Project Monitoring
• Strategic Planning
• Organizational Skills
• Multitasking
• Stakeholder Engagement
• Communications Skills
• Policy Analysis
• Economic Development
• Public Policy
• Business Administration
• Finance
• Intercultural Collaboration

Languages

English, Arabic