Operations Analyst - IDA Data Team

Job #:
req17629

Organization:
World Bank

Sector:
Research & Quantitative Analysis

Grade:
GE

Term Duration:
3 years 0 months

Recruitment Type:
Local Recruitment

Location:
Washington, DC,United States

Required Language(s):
English

Preferred Language(s):

Closing Date:
5/30/2022 (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.org

The Development Finance Vice-Presidency (DFi) is responsible for the management and monitoring of policies, procedures and resources for the World Bank's development financing vehicles. DFi sets the policy framework for the World Bank Group's development finance by engaging in strategic resource mobilization, playing an intermediation role to help align the needs of recipients, WBG institutional priorities, and priorities of funding partners, through a variety of funding instruments. These include the International Development Association (IDA), the World Bank's fund for the poorest, the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD), and Trust Funds, including Financial Intermediary Funds (FIFs).

Given the nature and variety of this portfolio, DFi works closely with the Regions and Global Practices, offices of the Managing Directors, Executive Directors, World Bank Group (WBG) senior management, corporate and operations units across the WBG, funding partners and government officials. The Forward Look exercise and Maximizing Finance for Development (the Cascade approach) present opportunities to further strengthen the Bank Group approach to development finance. As such, DFi is structured to provide the institution with a more holistic approach to financing, financial policy, and strategic fundraising across IDA, IBRD, and Bank/IFC trust funds and partnerships.

Within DFI, Corporate IDA and IBRD (DFCII) is responsible for the replenishment and stewardship of IDA, the Bank's principal facility for providing highly concessional resources to the world's poorest countries, as well as for supporting senior managers and the WBG Board in IBRD's financial management by recommending policies and strategies related to IBRD medium-term financial and capital planning, overall balance sheet management, and annual decisions on loan terms and income allocation. DFCII is the institutional focal point for the IDA replenishment process. The unit has recently shepherded the IDA20 replenishment process to a successful conclusion to support countries' post pandemic economic recovery as well as investments for a greener, resilient and inclusive development. To help countries build back greener, IDA20 will prioritize tackling climate change, with a focus on helping countries to adapt to rising climate impacts and preserve biodiversity. IDA will deepen support to countries to better prepare for future crises, including pandemics, financial shocks, and natural hazards. Furthermore, IDA20 will support countries in prioritizing investments in human capital, covering issues such as education, health and nutrition, vaccines, safety nets, and support for people with disabilities. IDA will also address other major challenges such as gender inequality, job creation, as well as fragility, conflict, and violence, including in the Sahel, the Lake Chad region, and the Horn of Africa. A continued emphasis on governance and institutions, debt sustainability, and digital infrastructure interventions will help foster economic and social inclusion.

DFCII monitors the implementation of the IDA policy mandates within the Bank, undertakes a significant policy research agenda, and participates in review activities at the country and institutional levels. In addition, DFCII manages the allocation of IDA resources (both volumes and terms) to eligible countries as per IDA priorities and maintains policy dialogue with donors. Working closely with other Departments notably OPCS, Regions, and Global Practices, it takes the lead in preparing IDA replenishment papers which form the basis for policy discussions with contributing countries and borrower representatives.

DFCII consists of two units: the IBRD-IDA Corporate Finance and the IDA Strategy and Operations units. The IBRD-IDA Corporate Finance team is responsible for monitoring IBRD and IDA's near-term and medium-term financial outlook and setting financial strategies and policies to ensure IBRD and IDA's financial strength and long-term financial sustainability. It also manages the financial aspects of IDA replenishment in close collaboration with IDA Strategy and Operations Unit, including preparing financing strategy documents for the replenishment discussions and interfacing with donors on contributions.

The IDA Strategy and Operations unit is made up of a diverse, experienced, and motivated team of economists, finance, and development specialists, and is responsible for the operational aspects of IDA, including the (i) development of policies and implementation of the allocation of IDA resources; (ii) development and implementation of IDA's operational policies; (iii) hosting the Sustainable Development Finance Policy Secretariat; and (iv) managing the Private Sector Window Secretariat. The unit is also in charge of developing and undertaking a research program on IDA's long-term strategic agenda, including catalyzing IDA resources towards delivering on the WBG goals and the 2030 development agenda. In support of these areas of responsibility, the unit is required to establish and maintain a robust analytical infrastructure in the form of models, data, systems, and expertise. This will ensure adequate support to the IDA replenishment, income and balance sheet projections and scenarios to support institutional policy-formulation, and the Board's decision-making process. In addition, the department works on the outreach and communication necessary to gather political consensus around strategic and policy decisions.

Roles and Responsibilities:

DFCII is looking for an Operations Analyst for the Strategy and Operations Unit. This assignment is for a highly motivated person with experience and technical skills in data analytics. S/he will be expected to work as a team member in a fast paced and demanding environment and provide substantive research and analytical contributions to the work of the IDA team. The Analyst will participate in the monitoring of IDA implementation, as well as heavy data analytics to help the team design potential new policies for future replenishments. Main accountabilities will include the conduct of analytical work as well as the provision of operational support and system enhancements. Specific tasks include:

Provide analytical support to different teams (PBA, CRW, Data team)
• Support the preparation of routine reports, and briefs required in managing IDA windows and IDA operations; and provide signals to management when portfolio/ program goes off track.
• Help in managing the IDA resource allocation framework through: (i) computing country and window allocations based on the Performance-Based Allocation (PBA) system; (ii) monitoring and reporting on their utilization; (iii) using internal simulation tools to calculate, estimate and project PBA allocations based on the PBA formula's inputs and the Commitment Authority; and (iv) curate datasets on important IDA data available for download and analysis, including historical allocation, disbursement, and utilization of IDA resources.
• Support the Crisis Response Window (CRW) team in monitoring CRW resources and others.
• Prepare responses to ad-hoc data requests in coordination with other team members.

Support preparation of IDA papers and briefs
• Contribute to the technical and research work for the IDA unit, and help draft policy briefs, analytical reports and working papers.
• Support the review of country program documents under the guidance of Senior staff.
• Collaborate in drafting notes/technical notes, conduct necessary data analysis, and undertake independent research as needed.
• Undertake other ad hoc tasks as assigned by the Manager of the Strategy and Operations Unit to meet DFI's business needs.

Enhance IDA systems
• Assist in improving data analytics and IDA systems, including data collection, validation, and system development for rapid analysis.
• Update and enhance the IDA dashboard and other IDA systems.
• Prepare and maintain documentation to facilitate the development of the database and analytics.

Selection Criteria
• Master's degree in a relevant discipline (e.g., economics, management, business administration, social sciences, technical studies, or another field related to development) preferred.
• A minimum of two years of relevant work experience. Experience in World Bank operational procedures would be a plus.
• Strong analytical and conceptual skills; demonstrated ability to conduct statistical analysis.
• High proficiency in Excel and in data handling. Proven ability to handle significant volume of data and conduct analysis using quantitative inputs and to present findings using graphs/charts/tables. Strong quantitative skills in R or STATA, and Tableau is a plus.
• Ability to interpret and present related statistical information and good knowledge of the principal sources and retrieval systems, particularly Standard Reports, Power BI, Analysis for Office, Operations Portal, Client Connection, etc.
• Strong oral and written communication skills in English. Other languages a plus.
• Strong organizational, research/analytical and presentation skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to interact with internal and external partners effectively and diplomatically at all levels.
• Proven ability and willingness to work as part of a team in a multicultural environment.
• High degree of self-motivation; proven ability to work under minimum supervision and to follow through on work assignments.
• Good time-management skills and an eye for detail; ability to work effectively under pressure and to juggle multiple tasks within tight deadlines.

Core competencies:
• General Development Knowledge and Analytical Skills - possesses basic Cross-country knowledge and demonstrates ability to link the macro, institutional, and micro-level behaviors; able to support findings/policy recommendations with credible analysis and tools.
• Knowledge and Experience in Development Arena- has basic understanding of Bank's development initiatives and policies and practices related to lending and non-lending operations.
• Teamwork (Collaboration) and Inclusion - collaborates effectively as part of a team, stays organized and focused, and actively seeks and considers diverse ideas and approaches.
• Knowledge, Learning and Communication - Ability to assist in developing and organizing the delivery of learning and knowledge dissemination programs.

Other competencies:
• Bank Instruments, Policies, and Procedures, and Ability to Proactively Apply Them - Basic understanding of project cycle for all types of projects, i.e. lending, non-lending operations and country products.
• Portfolio Management and Results Monitoring and Evaluation - Demonstrates basic knowledge and practical skills in using key relevant WBG data systems and tools such as SAP, Business Intelligence, Standard Reports, Operations and TF Portals etc.
• Integrative and Communication Skills - Demonstrates basic understanding of different facets of operations and linkages with Bank Group priorities.

This internal requisition is open to WBG and IMF staff only (includingshort-term and extended term consultants/ temporaries). External candidates arerequested not to apply. In case an external candidate applies, theirapplication will not be considered.

COSCompetencies

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 the World Bank and IFC, including our values and inspiring stories.