Associate Operations Officer - Johannesburg at World Bank Group

• The selected candidate will focus on supporting the Infrastructure Upstream pipeline supervision under the guidance of a Regional Upstream Lead. S/he will also support the team budgeting exercise, quality control, training, and knowledge-sharing efforts as well as other transversal tasks in relation to the team’s objectives.

Duties And Responsibilities:

Portfolio Reporting

• Undertake effective preparation and timely delivery of pipeline review materials (excel, PowerPoint, etc.)
• Follow up on updates with project teams in relation to project progress; serve as a source of information on project status, timetables, and milestones.
• Ensure effective maintenance (update) of team dashboards (repository of information related to pipeline and pre-pipeline projects)
• Ensure monitoring and tackling of exception lists, including efforts to proactively avoid projects being on the exceptions list
• Undertake engagement with global and regional teams to ensure pipeline information is updated and aligned across the business
• Engage with system supporting teams to assist teams with project management and system issues
• Provide timely guidance to teams and management monitoring project and funding progress (budget envelope, PSRs, PCRs)

Funding and Report Management

• Support management on fundraising efforts (fund and level), resource allocation, and aligning donor objectives with the department's work
• Ensure strong strategic alignment of Infrastructure Upstream pipeline and funding
• Support the management of the budget envelope & program (sources and uses, projects and business development)
• Support project teams with donor reporting
• Support project teams in drafting funding proposals for donors

Knowledge Sharing

• Contributes new insights to understand situations and develop a solution
• Identify and pursue innovative approaches to resolve issues relating to portfolio
• Assist in requests from the team for various confirmations and information i.e., portfolio projects classification, project status, standard indicators.

Team Support

• Assist in the preparation and planning of various events (conferences, workshops, negotiations, etc.) – in conjunction with sector experts and team assistants.
• Assist in the preparation of client presentations and pitch books for business development.
• Train the team assistants to support portfolio reporting.
• Assist team in various tasks as required to support the Upstream activity
• Participate in project conceptualization and execution as needed
• Support select projects team as required for project execution
• Participate in other supporting tasks as required

Selection Criteria

• Master's degree or equivalent professional qualification in Economics, International Relations, Science, Engineering, or another relevant field.
• Four (4) to six (6) years of relevant experience in project and/or program development, hands-on advisory, and/or consulting functions in emerging markets, ideally in the infrastructure space.
• Familiarity with the Africa region, including hands-on work across different countries in the region.
• Genuine commitment to development and to the World Bank Group and IFC's mission, strategy, and values.
• Understanding of IFC’s strategic priorities and changing business model against the backdrop of IFC 3.0.
• Experience in project/program management, including executing against implementation plans with defined business development milestones.
• Experience in monitoring and reporting on a portfolio of projects/programs/initiatives.
• Outstanding analytical and critical thinking skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills in English required; French or Portuguese desirable.