Operations AnalystJob #: req11549 Organization: World Bank Sector: Health/Nutrition/Population Grade: GE Term Duration: 4 years 0 monthsRecruitment Type: Local Recruitment Location: Washington, DC,United States Required Language(s): English, Arabic, French Preferred Language(s): Closing Date: 4/22/2021 (MM/DD/YYYY) at 11:59pm UTC DescriptionDo you want to build a career that is truly worthwhile? Working at the World Bank provides a unique opportunity for you to help our clients solve their greatest development challenges. The World Bank consists of two entities - the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) and the International Development Association (IDA). It is a global development cooperative owned by 189 member countries. As the largest development bank in the world, the World Bank provides loans, guarantees, risk management products, and advisory services to middle-income and creditworthy low-income countries, and coordinates responses to regional and global challenges. Visit Region ContextThe World Bank Group serves client countries in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. Clients range from oil-dependent high-income countries to lower middle-income, IDA and FCV countries. Four years ago, in response to the region's changing circumstances, the WBG launched a new strategy focused on promoting peace and stability. To support the new economy, the WBG is expanding the MENA strategy. Three new priorities have been added to the original four pillars of renewing the social contract, building resilience for refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs), developing regional cooperation and supporting recovery and reconstruction. The three new priorities are: harnessing the region's human capital, leveraging technologies for a new digital economy, and developing the private sector through maximizing finance for development. The MNA Region serves 20 countries, of which a number are active IBRD or IDA borrowers/recipients, while others are users of non-lending services, which the Region provides on either a reimbursable or a non-reimbursable basis. The two-pronged approach will be adapted to the circumstances of every country in the region, from high-income Gulf countries to middle-income countries (eg, Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia), and fragile and conflict-affected countries (eg, Iraq, Yemen, Libya). The MNA Region also supports state and peace building in West Bank and Gaza under the Trust Fund for Gaza and the West Bank, established in 1993. The MNA Region attaches particular importance to creating a supportive work environment, based on the values of teamwork, transparency, trust, client service, and professional excellence. MNA staff is expected to be guided by these values as well as to possess the following attributes: (i) collegiality, creativeness, resourcefulness; (ii) good listening and communications skills; (iii) intellectual and personal integrity and competence; (iv) willingness and ability to work in teams; and (v) commitment to clients. MNA has an open environment that encourages teamwork. Health Context in MENAMENA has witnessed remarkable progress in health outcomes over the past several decades. In the last fifty years, average life expectancy in MENA has increased by over twenty-five years and child mortality has declined rapidly over the past three decades. Despite such improvements, MENA countries face a rapid rise in noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) and injuries as a share of the total disease burden as is seen as countries transition from traditional to modern health risks. The top cause of morbidity and mortality in MENA is ischemic heart disease. Tobacco consumption is a major risk factor for adults aged 15-59 years, especially men, but also increasingly for young women. Both men and women exhibit high prevalence of obesity, high cholesterol, and high blood pressure-a group of risk factors with a common pathway to premature cardiovascular disease and mortality. Given the link between obesity and diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, stroke, and many other chronic diseases, this has serious consequences on future health spending and labor productivity in the region.Inequities based on income, gender, degree of urbanization, and age persist in MENA. Rates of maternal mortality and malnutrition are high, especially among poor populations, with a two- to six-fold difference in mortality rates and access to antenatal care between the poorest and richest income quintiles. There are large disparities in early childhood development indicators between advantaged and disadvantaged children across MENA countries.Most MENA countries are classified as middle-income countries, but their health systems are not delivering results commensurate with wealth levels. Government financing for health remains low, making the region a global outlier for its low spending, despite its income status. Further, health insurance coverage and financial protection is limited. While nominal coverage levels are relatively high, through subsidized government services or social security schemes, out-of-pocket (OOP) health payments are also high often leading to financial impoverishment. Estimates for the Arab world (excluding GCC) suggest that 5.5 to 13 million individuals face catastrophic health expenditures each year. This situation results in individuals forgoing health care due to costs.From another perspective, patient experiences at health facilities across the region are characterized by long waiting lines, absent providers, lack of privacy and confidentiality, and informal payments. Satisfaction with health services is low regionwide. While many countries in the region have relatively high coverage rates for immunization and mother and child health services, chronic disease care and management, prescribing behavior, health education, and referral patterns seldom measure up to international standards and people's expectations. In many cases, actual health practice differs from evidence-based practices due to poor oversight and lack of accountability.The MENA region is facing an increasing burden on health systems from COVID-19. Beyond the direct effects of the virus, COVID-19 threatens the supply and demand for other essential health services. MENA countries already face a high and growing burden of non-communicable diseases; a diverse range of vulnerable and at-risk populations due to poverty, inequality, conflict and humanitarian crises; as well as weaknesses in their health systems. As policy makers strive to balance opening up the economy and containing the virus, strong health systems will remain the bedrock of a robust response to the pandemic. Prior to COVID19 the World Bank had a growing HNP program focusing on the challenges described above. More recently, World Bank financing and technical assistance has also been mobilized throughout the region (including in Djibouti, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Morocco, Tunisia, West Bank and Gaza, and Yemen), to help prevent, detect and respond to the direct impacts of COVID-19.The HMNHN team includes around 20 staff based in MENA countries and Washington DC. To strengthen the team, the WBG is recruiting an Operations Analyst position based in Washington DC. The Operations Analyst will support the World Bank's HNP portfolio, the broader Human Development (HD) agenda, including the ongoing policy dialogue with Government counterparts and partners, preparation of analytical products, and the preparation and supervision of operations in the sector. Note: This internal requisition is open to WBG and IMF staff only (including short-term and extended term consultants/ temporaries). External candidates are requested not to apply. In case an external candidate applies, their application will not be considered.Duties and Accountabilities The Operations Analyst will report to the MENA HNP Practice Manager and will be responsible for the following tasks and duties: Operational SupportProvide on-demand operational support to teams on lending and ASAs and ensuring adherence to regional and global quality requirements. Supporting the preparation of and reviewing project documents such as Concept Notes, Implementation Status and Results Reports, Project Appraisal Documents, Restructuring Papers, Aide memoires, ASA reports, and providing timely feedback to project teams.Providing direct project support on selected projects as agreed with the Practice Manager and handling requests from counterparts on behalf of Task Team Leaders.Participating in designated preparation or implementation support missions, offering guidance on bank processes and contributing to mission documents.Support on-demand research and data collection and contribute to write-up of reports, proposals and briefs.Portfolio ManagementRegularly monitor and track progress of deliveries providing actionable information for the Practice Manager and Operations Support Team for decision making. Respond to requests for portfolio data for the Unit, working with colleagues to gather necessary information and articulate a response; lead on responses for ad-hoc information requests from internal and external parties; and review and provide inputs on corporate requests and documents, with a view to ensuring consistency in messaging across briefs and updates.Support budget monitoring and reporting, including assisting with tracking expenditures using BPS reports. Help task teams in estimating future expenditures to enable forward planning within budget envelope, prepare budget reports in coordination with BPS and compare against plans to identify areas of over and underspending.Quality AssuranceServe as a resource person on issues related to the unit's portfolio advising teams on timelines, Bank guidelines and policies.Review operational and technical documents as delegated by the Practice Manager (eg Implementation Status Reports, Implementation Completion Reports, Project Restructuring Papers, Aide memoires, ASA reports), and prepare feedback on behalf of the Practice Manager. Represent the Unit in regional and global deliverables/ portfolio meetings, as needed.Collaborate with the BPS and DE Teams on portfolio matters.Selection CriteriaMaster's Degree in public policy, administration, economics, or a combination of relevant experience.GE ready qualified.At least 2 years of relevant experience preferably in health sector operations.In-depth understanding of Bank policies and practices related to operations and the HNP sector.Strong experience in Bank operations including providing significant inputs to PADs, ISRs, ICRs and Aide-memoires.Knowledge of Bank Policies and Procedures and thorough understanding of the different project cycles for lending, non-lending operations and country products.Experience in and understanding of instruments (IPF, PforR, ASAs, RASs) with demonstrated fungibility.Experience in contract management, budget, and ASA/RAS administration.Experience in the preparation of Bank analytical work a plus.Familiarity with Bank quality standards and of corporate priorities.Excellent communication skills and ability to develop strong relations with counterparts and partners.Strong team player with the ability to work independently and effectively both remotely and face-to-face.Ability to treat sensitive and confidential information with a high level of discretion and care. Ability to take personal responsibility and accountability for timely response to client queries and act as liaison with different stakeholders/ external partners.Ability to take personal ownership and accountability to meet deadlines and achieve agreed-upon results and has the personal organization to do so.Proven ability to work both independently and in diverse teams, with minimum supervision.Excellent knowledge of Microsoft and World Bank software applications: Outlook, e-consult, administration portal, operations portal, business intelligence, client connection etc.Excellent interpersonal, written and oral communication skills, ability to listen carefully and provide sound advice in a constructive manner; ability and readiness to stand firm on difficult and sensitive issues, ability to convey ideas and positions clearly and tactfully to staff and managers at all levels.Attention to detail is a must.Excellent and effective command of English, Arabic and French both in verbal and written forms. WBG CompetenciesIn addition to the above, the successful candidate is expected to demonstrate the following WBG competencies:Integrative Skills - Understands core issues and knows where to get additional expertise when needed. Task team member in integrative products and provides analytical written inputs.Knowledge and Experience in Development Arena - Understands policy making process and role of the health sector in that process. Is able to find relevant information and examine similar policy questions in multiple regions and to distill operationally relevant recommendations and lessons from this analysis for clients.Policy Dialogue Skills - Identifies and assesses policy issues and communicates findings/points of view verbally and through economic reports and papers. Plays an active role in the dialogue with the government and/or other stakeholders as part of Bank teams.Client Orientation - Maintains client relationships in the face of conflicting demands or directions and provides evidence-based advice and solutions based on sound diagnosis and knowledge.Drive for Results - Identifies the needed resources to accomplish results involving multiple stakeholders and finds solutions to obstacles affecting key deliverables.Teamwork (Collaboration) and Inclusion - Shows leadership in ensuring the team stays organized and focused, and actively seeks and considers diverse ideas and approaches.COS Competencies: https://worldbankgroup.sharepoint.com/sites/hr/Documents/Career%20Management/Professional%20Family%20Mapping/COS_PFM_Criteria.pdfPovertyhas no borders, neither does excellence. We succeed because of our differencesand we continuously search for qualified individuals with diverse backgroundsfrom around the globe.