Manager, Operations, Cote'd Ivoire

Manager, Operations, Cote'd Ivoire

Job #:

req35266

Organization:

World Bank

Sector:

Operations

Grade:

GH

Term Duration: 4 years 0 months

Recruitment Type:

International Recruitment

Location:

Abidjan,Cote d'Ivoire

Required Language(s):

English

Preferred Language(s):

Closing Date:

1/16/2026 (MM/DD/YYYY) at 11:59pm UTC

Description

The World Bank Group is a unique global partnership of five institutions driven by a bold vision to create a world free of poverty on a livable planet. As one of the largest sources of funding and knowledge for developing countries, we help solve the world's greatest development challenges. When you join the World Bank Group, you become part of a dynamic, diverse organization with 189 member countries and more than 120 offices worldwide. We work with public and private sector partners, invest in groundbreaking projects, and use data, research, and technology to bring tangible and transformative change around the globe. For more information, visit 

Regional Context 

In Western and Central Africa, the World Bank is a leading partner with a growing portfolio of 387 projects totaling more than $44.1 billion in areas such as agriculture, trade and transport, energy, education, health, water and sanitation- all to support job creation, gender equality, poverty reduction, and better lives. Across the continent, the World Bank's program has nearly doubled over the last 10 years. Western and Central Africa (AFW) Region: ;

CMU Context

The Cote d'Ivoire Country Management Unit (CMU) covers Benin, Cote d'Ivoire, Guinea and Togo. The CMU has the second largest IDA program in the West and Central Africa region, with a lending portfolio of close to US$11 billion and an ambitious agenda of analytical and advisory work, reflecting a strong partnership with client governments.  Cote d'Ivoire, Benin and Togo are among the countries with the highest CPIA and while Cote d'Ivoire has access to IBRD funds in addition to IDA financing, Benin, Togo and Guinea has access to IBRD. The CMU program places significant emphasis on job creation, economic transformation, and the development of human capital, reflecting a robust strategic orientation.  The CMU exhibits strong leadership in innovative financing by leveraging IBRD and IDA tools to encourage private sector investment, including leveraging debt swaps for development and the WBG guarantee platform.    By prioritizing job creation and adopting the "One WBG" approach, the CMU contributes significantly to corporate and regional initiatives, including M300, access to quality health services, robust social safety nets, and skills development programs.  Aware of the Sahel crisis's spillover, the CMU facilitates access to IDA Prevention and Resilience Allocation windows for Benin and Togo, which are carrying out ambitious national prevention strategies.   In FY25, the CMU successfully fulfilled its MOU targets, demonstrating strong performance in disbursement, pipeline delivery, and portfolio quality. 

Western and Central Africa (AFW) Region is seeking an Operations Manager for the Cote'd Ivoire CMU. The Operations Manager reports to the Division Director (DD) and serves as a member of the IBRD regional management team. The key responsibilities of the CMU, of which the Operations Manager is a key member, include formulation and implementation of country partnerships and programs, country relations and policy dialogue, work program and portfolio, and promotion of country and global knowledge sharing. The CMU's goals are to ensure that the Bank's programs are (i) carried out in a client-responsive manner, (ii) relevant to the development challenges facing each country, (iii) realistic and feasible to implement within the department's budget parameters while meeting the Bank's quality standards, and (iv) focused on achieving development results. The Operations Manager is accountable for performing the following duties and responsibilities: 

Duties and Responsibilities

Strategy and Business Management 

• Support the Divisional Director (DD) and CMs in the formulation of country strategic products (CPF, PLR, CEN). Supports the DD and the CMT as an active catalyst in planning and implementing CPFs that are attuned to client demand, capacity and country contexts.

• Support the DD in discussions with the Government on lending and other WBG-related activities. 

• Collaborate with Verticals and Operations Officers (OOs) to promote integrated development solutions across WBG activities in the CMU.

• Engage with internal and external actors and support the DD in pursuing systemic development impact through IIDA projects and the portfolio as a whole.

• Oversee portfolio quality, trust fund and quality assurance in coordination with the SCO and the OOs. 

• Provide operational advice and quality assurance to the DD and operational and task teams including advice on the implementation of operational policies and guidelines, the use of different instruments, and the pursuit of corporate targets.

• Flag implementation problems for attention by clients and Bank management and take the lead in resolving systemic portfolio issues.

• Interact directly with Verticals quality and portfolio colleagues on project design and implementation issues and provide operational support for problem or high-risk operations. 

• Interact directly with the Development Effectiveness Unit regarding the review of lending operations and country engagement products. 

People/Talent Management 

• In partnership with HR, manage recruitment, development, and deployment of GA-GE staff in the CMU. 

• Support the DD by providing day-to-day supervision and guidance to CMU-mapped GF-GG staff.  

• Provide career and performance guidance and inspire technical and behavioral excellence in the team 

• In partnership with Corporate Security and Facilities Assistant support the DD on all issues related to the health and safety of staff.

Resource Management 

• Provide input in the formulation and management of unit's budget proposal and WPA. Work closely with the CAO's Office on RM issues.
Relationship Management 

• Support the DD on relationship management in-country, in close coordination with the Verticals and other CMU colleagues. 

• Fosters current strong relationship with the government within a complex, fragile and changing environment. 

• Assists the DD in representation of the Bank and outreach to key stakeholders, development partners and donors, as well as NGPs, civil society and the media, especially as they relate to project operational matters.

• Represents unit at public and professional fora to help and promote unit leadership position.

Knowledge Management 

• Coordinate with the verticals to disseminate best practices and lessons learned. 

• Support task teams to apply global knowledge and consider local political economy in the work program.

Selection Criteria

• Advanced degree in a relevant field in economics or another field related to development with a minimum of 12 years' relevant experience.

• Solid understanding and extensive multi-regional expertise in political economies

• Demonstrated ability integrating divergent views in a coherent manner, including advising teams as to how to integrate corporate/regional priorities into specific project/strategy. 

• Proven track record to communicate with high level external and internal clients, including policy dialogue with client countries. Multiregional experience in facilitating engagement with counterparts. 

• Extensive knowledge of WB instruments, policies, and procedures, and ability to proactively apply the

• Experience in leading our teams in several regions in the preparation and implementation of various types of operations. Providing high-quality practical advice to management and teams on complex operational issues.

• Multi-regional experience in implementation of learning initiatives to upgrade skills of staff and clients to increase efficiency of our operations. 

• Experience of leading policy dialogue around country or sector-specific issues, form partnerships, and build common approaches with relevant development partners.

• Proven ability to assess country risk and systemic project and portfolio issues and propose innovative solutions to internal/external partners based on relevant best practices. 

• Portfolio management and results monitoring and evaluation. 

**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.**

COS Competencies

WBG Managerial Competencies

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

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