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122421
Operations Officer
Central America Department, LCR (LCC2C)
ETC2
_____
November 9th, 2012
English [Essential]; Spanish [Essential]
San José, Costa Rica
Local Hire- Extended Term Consultant (ETC2)
Background
This local recruitment shall be offered on an Extended Term Contract (ETC) basis i.e. one year
contract renewable to one additional year, subject to satisfactory performance and the
availability of budget resources. It is subject to local recruitment and the local salary scale will
apply.
Regional Context
The World Bank Group serves 30 client countries in the Latin America and the Caribbean (LCR)
Region. Despite immense resources, dynamic societies, and an average annual per capita
income of about $4,000, deep inequalities persist in most LCR countries, with nearly a quarter
of the Region's people living in poverty. The Bank's strategy in LCR is focused on fighting
poverty, while improving the investment climate to accelerate growth. The LCR Regional
structure includes six Country Management Units (CMUs), three Sector Management Units
(SMUs) and an Operations Support Unit (OSU). The CMU is accountable for the overall country
program, consistent with objectives articulated in the Country Assistance Strategy (CAS). Based
on work program agreements with the CMU, sector staff and teams in the SMUs are
accountable for delivering the portfolio of lending and non-lending products. OSU brings
together core services including quality assurance, procurement and financial management to
enhance operational standards and to enable the Region to meet its fiduciary responsibilities.
Country Office and CMU Context
LC2 is the CMU responsible for overseeing the World Bank's program in Central America,
including country strategy formulation and implementation, policy dialogue, portfolio
management and country relations.
World Bank's program in Central America.
The Central America CMU is based in Washington, D. C. and is responsible for the Bank's
program in six countries Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and
Panama, and has Country Offices in all but Costa Rica, whose operations are managed from El
Salvador
Costa Rica, an upper middle-income developing country, is well known for its socio-economic
achievements, which makes it one the strongest performers in Latin America. Costa Rica’s
social indicators rank higher than those of other countries in the region and since 2004 poverty
has been on a downward trend, falling from 23 percent in 2004 to 17.7 percent in 2008. Income
inequality also ranks among the lowest in Latin America.
Costa Rica’s economic growth has averaged 4.7 percent annually over the last 15 years, about
2 percentage points above the rest of Latin America and is expected to continue at about the
same level in coming years. The country has benefitted from its stable macroeconomic and
political environment, strong institutions, and an open export-driven economy. This well
grounded stability and reliance on an open economy have contributed to Costa Rica’s success
in attracting foreign direct investment in high value added sectors (e.g., electronics, medical
equipment) as well as becoming a world class tourism destination.
The World Bank program in Costa Rica is focused in three clusters which are closely aligned
with the Government’s strategic view and investment program. The three clusters are: (i)
developing competitiveness; (ii) improving efficiency and quality in the social sectors and (iii)
supporting environment and disaster management. The WB Country Assistance Strategy
(CAS) for Fiscal Years 2012-2015 is the third since WB engagement and reflects a further
strengthening of the Bank’s relationship with the country, overcoming a former period of limited
activity.
Job Purpose
Under the supervision of the Country Representative, based in El Salvador, the Operations
Officer will support the supervision, monitoring, and implementation of the portfolio in Costa
Rica. In particular, he/she will, as a key member of the team, assist Task Managers in carrying
out responsibilities for a variety of operational tasks of the Costa Rican Project Portfolio (which
comprises: 1. City-Port of Limon Project; 2. Equity and Efficiency of Education; 3. Ecomarkets II;
4. Coopeagri; 5. Higher Education Improvement Project). The operation officer will be locally
hired for an initial one year period, renewable to two years subject to individual performance and
the Hiring Unit's need. He/she will be offered an Extended Term Consultant (ETC) contract.
Duties and Accountabilities

Follows up Projects’ execution on daily basis, being the focal point for Project’s
execution units in all concerning operational matters, including preparing draft no
objections statements and articulating issues with Financial Management and Poverty
Reduction team members.

Reports back to the Country Representative and respective Task Managers on Project
implementation progress and key issues/bottlenecks being encountered by the
respective Project Execution Unit.

Participates in supervision missions, and supports a variety of tasks: organizing
mission’s agenda in coordination with Project’s Executing Unit, supporting Task
Managers in the draft of Aide Memoires, participating in discussions regarding
operational advice, and following up on key agreements reached during the mission and
reflected in the Aide Memoire.

Supports Task Managers in the processing of operational documents (i.e.
Implementation Reports) coordinating across disciplines and project components with
other team members.

Works with the Central America Country Operations Advisor as part of the Departmental
Operations Team to monitor the quality of the portfolio, including preparing projections of
disbursements, providing updates on restructurings or other proactivity actions related to
the country portfolio.

Coordinates training and capacity-building activities provided by the Bank to the
respective Executing Units.

Maintains regular communications with counterparts within other International Financial
Institutions (IFIs) working in the country.

Responds to ad hoc information requests from internal and external parties, in close
coordination with Country Representative.

Works independently, seeking guidance on complex projects/issues from senior officers.
Work implies frequent interaction with the following:

Counterparts in Government, Government authorities and Project Implementation Units.

Counterparts within and across operational units, departments, sectors.

Counterparts within other international organizations and/or donor agencies working in
the country.
Essential Specialized Skills/Knowledge/Competencies

Familiarity with analytical tools and ability to translate theoretical concepts into practical
approaches for Bank operational work.

Understanding of Bank operational policies, practices and procedures. Task and project
management skills. Understanding of development and developing country issues. Prior
experience working in Costa Rica would be valued.

Fluency in English and Spanish.

Previous experience working in World Bank-financed operations in Costa Rica, or
operations financed by other IFIs (IDB, CAF) is desired.
General Competencies

Ability to deal sensitively in multi-cultural environments and build effective working
relations with clients and colleagues, through strong interpersonal skills.

Excellent verbal and written communications skills.

Ability to function effectively in multi-disciplinary teams within a matrix environment.
Minimum Education/Experience at recruitment/selection

Minimum Education: MA/MS (In relevant discipline).

Minimum Years of Relevant Experience with Bank operations: 5 - 8 years.
Interested candidates should send applications and updated resumes through our webpage:
www.worldbank.org/jobs (->employment opportunities ->Professional and Technical Staff
Opportunities - current vacancies) Job Vacancy # 122421. Applications should be sent by
November 9th, 2012. Applications without a cover letter will not be considered. Only short-listed
candidates will be contacted.