Operations Officer Job #: req34611 Organization: World Bank Sector: Operations Grade: GF Term Duration:ย 3 years 0 months Recruitment Type: Local Recruitment Location: Riyadh,Saudi Arabia Required Language(s): English, Arabic Preferred Language(s): Closing Date: 11/4/2025 (MM/DD/YYYY) at 11:59pm UTC
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.orgย
Regional Context
The Middle East and North Africa, Afghanistan, and Pakistan Region serves twenty two countries across different income groups, of which fourteen are active/potentially active IBRD/IDA borrowers (Afghanistan, Algeria, Djibouti, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, Pakistan, Syria, West Bank and Gaza, Tunisia, and Yemen), with a total of 251 projects and over $51 bn in total commitment. Eight are users of the Region's non-lending services, mostly on a reimbursable basis (Bahrain, Kuwait, Libya, Malta, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates).ย The mission of the region is to foster sustainable growth with a focus on job creation and poverty reduction, economic and social inclusion, and good governance. The region attaches importance to creating a supportive work environment based on the values of teamwork, transparency, trust, and client service, underlined by professional excellence. The region places high value on diversity. The region is organized into seven Country Departments (CMUs), the Office of the Regional Chief Economist, and the Development Effectiveness Unit (MNADE).
With an expanded regional strategy, the World Bank aims to help the region weather the current crises, move from stabilization to transformation, unlock its vast economic potential of youth and women, develop its human capital to adapt to global megatrends, and foster innovation (https://www.worldbank.org/en/region/mena).
Country Management Unit Context:
The World Bankโs Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Country Management Unit (CMU) is the principal liaison between the World Bank and the six Arab States of the GCC, namely Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. The GCC Country Department manages the relationship with the GCC countries and GCC regional development organizations, working closely with the WBG technical departments to provide advisory and technical services. The GCC Country Department is managed through six offices: a Regional Office in Riyadh, KSA, Country Offices in Kuwait, Abu Dhabi UAE, Muscat Oman, Doha Qatar, and an HQ unit in the World Bank HQ in Washington, D.C.
The Operations Officer will join the Regional MENAAP World Bank Group Hub Office in Riyadh, a vibrant regional office that manages a growing portfolio of advisory and knowledge services, working in close partnership with government and private sector institutions in Saudi Arabia, the GCC countries, and the MENAAP region. The office houses the regional VP, regional practice directors, a diverse team of local and international sector specialists and operations support staff. The World Bank team includes a Program Manager, specialists that represent the four World Bank Verticals (Prosperity, Planet, People, Infrastructure/Digital), a Senior Operations and Liaison Officer, a Senior Knowledge Officer, and a Senior Communications Officer for the World Bank. The office also includes a team from the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and the Multilateral Investment Agency (MIGA) โ working together with the World Bank as one World Bank Group team. The office manages a wide array of strategic and results-oriented activities that support the achievement of the Vision 2030 and the governmentโs longer-term goals. The team also supports the regional management team and the organization of regional activities and events in Riyadh.
The World Bankโs GCC Country Department: https://www.worldbank.org/en/country/gcc
Roles and Responsibilities
The Operations Officer reports to the Regional Hub Manager in Riyadh. S/he will be a key member of a growing Country Office (CO) that includes resident staff mapped to Global Practices (GPs), as well as staff working on RAS operations, resource management, IT, external affairs, and administration. S/he will be part of the GCC Operations Team that supports GCC operational work across the six countries, in addition to tasks in the CO that s/he is based in. Specific duties and accountabilities include:
โข Facilitates RAS Business and Program Development
โข Supports the Regional Hub Manager and Program Manager in monitoring the implementation of Country Program Strategies, and the preparation of progress reports and completion reports.
โข Contributes to business development in support of the Program Manager and Senior Operations Officer, and in collaboration with Resident Representatives and other GP staff across GCC countries.
โข Supports the CMU operations team in the preparation, negotiation, and agreement of new activities.
โข Supports Portfolio Implementation and Management
โข Facilitates the CMU operational portfolio management and monitors and addresses quality issues to ensure high quality and results on the ground across GCC.ย
โข Participates in the design and implementation of all GP activities in an advisory capacity for portfolio assigned to him/her.
โข Provides reviews at early proposal, concept, and output stages of RAS operations
โข Serves as a direct liaison between GP staff and relevant counterparts on the client side.ย
โข With guidance from the Regional Hub Manager and Program Manager, liaises with main counterparts in the CO, on project monitoring, legal agreement and Bank policies; and organizes training and workshops as needed.
โข Contributes to the provision of ongoing guidance, advice and support on local political, social economic and other relevant developments to the country team.
โข Facilitates the Saudi Programโs stand-alone agreements and bills with counterparts, liaising with the World Bankโs regional legal counsels.
โข Contributes to the confirmation of Saudi TCP expenses with RM.
โข Leads certain tasks for the CMU, or participate as a member of task teams, as may be assigned by the Program Manager based on the incumbent's areas of professional specialization and interest.
โข Monitors Program Delivery/Provides Quality Assurance
โข Implements monitoring system to formally track concept notes, aide memoires, completion summaries, and budget utilization.ย
โข Conducts daily/weekly/monthly monitoring of activities with GCC Operations Team.ย
โข Contributes to the quarterly and annual report preparation to MOF.
โข Supports Country Office Budget, Procurement, Security, and HR functions
โข Provides review and support to CO budget processing with RM staff as needed.ย
โข Chairs/participates in procurement committees and recruitment panels for the CO.ย
โข Coordinates, implements and updates, as necessary, the Country Office Security and Safety program and Business Continuity Plan, covering Bank Group personnel and dependents.ย
โข Fosters the development of capacity in the CO by, inter alia, by coordinating the knowledge and learning agenda for CO staff, helping to organize training activities and mentoring junior staff.
โข Supports the Regional Hub Manager in Country Office Management and Partnership Building
โข Attends and/or contributes to the Operations Team (OT) meetings and helps monitor the strategic directions of overall RAS program.ย
โข Leads the preparation of various management briefs requested throughout the year.ย
โข Supports the Regional Hub Manager in managing relations with clients, civil society, private sector entities, including by delivering representation and reach-out activities to key stakeholders, especially as they relate to the broader RAS strategic agenda for the Bank and project operational matters.
Selection Criteria
โข Masters, or higher degree in a relevant field/discipline (economics, public policy, business administration, finance, engineering, or similar field relevant to the Bankโs mission) and a minimum of 5 years of operationally relevant experience.
โข Fluency in English and Arabic essential (verbal and written).
โข Proven ability to conceptualize, design and implement major projects; and demonstrated ability in all phases of project cycle.ย
โข Demonstrated ability to ensure the quality of portfolio performance management.ย
โข Demonstrated ability to promote client/beneficiary participation and commitment to ensuring effective implementation and longer-term sustainability of projects/programs.ย
โข Ability to operate effectively in a matrix management environment, both as a team leader and team member. Ability to deal sensitively in multi-cultural environments and build effective working relations with clients and colleagues.
โข Ability to coach, mentor and develop more junior staff.ย
โข Superior client orientation and inter-personal skills with proven ability to work cooperatively with multi-disciplinary country teams, all levels of staff and managers.ย
โข Demonstrated ability to undertake a diversity of tasks within a rapidly changing and demanding environment on short deadlines.
โข High level of integrity and discretion, sound business judgment, and diplomatic skills.
โข Strong spoken and written communications skills, including the ability to speak and write persuasively and present ideas clearly and concisely.
Required COS Competencies: https://tinyurl.com/y34lnxvu
WBG Culture Attributes:
1. Sense of urgency: Anticipate and quickly respond to the needs of internal and external stakeholders.
2. Thoughtful risk-taking: Challenge the status quo and push boundaries to achieve greater impact.
3. Empowerment and accountability: Empower yourself and others to act and hold each other accountable for results.
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 theย World Bankย andย IFC, including our values and inspiring stories.