Senior Operations Officer

Description

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

COUNTRY AND POSITION CONTEXT

Kenya is endowed with diverse natural resources and a vibrant economy yet faces persistent development challenges. With a population of about 55 million in 2024, poverty remains significant, particularly in rural areas where rates exceed 40 percent. Economic growth averaged 4.6 percent over the past decade, reaching a peak of 7.6 percent in 2021 during post-pandemic recovery. However, growth slowed to 4.7 percent in 2024, reflecting the impact of drought, global headwinds, and fiscal pressures. While agriculture and services have driven recent gains, external trade contributions remain modest, with exports constrained by lower demand and prices for key products such as tea, horticulture, and apparel.

The Kenya Country Partnership Framework (CPF) for FY23–FY28, approved by the World Bank, outlines a strategy to support inclusive and resilient growth. It focuses on three high-level outcomes: Boosting job creation and economic transformation, including investments in infrastructure, digital economy, and private sector competitiveness; Improving equity in service delivery, addressing gaps in health, education, and social protection systems and Strengthening resilience to shocks, including climate change, food insecurity, and health emergencies. This CPF builds on the Systematic Country Diagnostic (SCD) and Country Private Sector Diagnostic (CPSD) and reflects consultations with government, private sector, civil society, and development partners.

As of December 2025, the World Bank portfolio in Kenya stands at approximately US$8.5 billion, covering national and regional projects. Key sectors include Infrastructure and connectivity (transport, energy, water); Human development (health, education, social protection); Climate resilience and sustainable development; Governance and institutional strengthening. The World Bank also provides analytical and advisory services to inform policy and enhance implementation. Our knowledge program emphasizes poverty reduction, human capital, governance, competitiveness, and digital transformation. Collaboration with IFC and MIGA supports private sector investment and risk mitigation, ensuring a comprehensive approach across the World Bank Group.

Duties and Accountabilities

Based in Nairobi, Kenya, the Senior Operations Officer (SOO) will have the following principal duties and accountabilities:

Overall Responsibilities.
 
The SOO will be expected to provide operational support/guidance and quality assurance on cross-cutting dimensions to task teams and the CMU management (Division Director, Operations Manager, Country Managers, Sr. Operations Officer based in DC, etc.) including advice on the implementation of operational policies and guidelines and the use of instruments. The SOO will also support the Division Director, OM, CMs, to help track overall project implementation performance and facilitate resolution of portfolio problems. The SOO will maintain up-to-date information on portfolio performance in close collaboration with the Operations Team across the CMU. The SOO will report to the AECE2 Operations Manager.

Specific duties include:

Preparation and Implementation 

• Review and provide quality enhancement advice on all operations throughout the project cycle: identification, design, appraisal, implementation, and evaluation. Provide leadership and advisory support in all phases of operations. Facilitate resolution of cross-department and cross-sectorial problems. 

• Participate in operational missions and meetings and assist teams in resolution of difficult issues.
 
• Work closely with the fiduciary teams to address key fiduciary issues that are generic to the portfolio.
 
• Work closely with the safeguards teams to address key environmental and social issues that are generic to the portfolio.
 
• Play a key role in quality enhancement, risk management and implementation issues, in collaboration with Division Director, OM, CMs etc.
 
• Play a key role on behalf of the CMU management in the review of projects from the concept stage to final approval. Review of appraisal documentation prior to Board submission. Assist the in the review of ISRs and AMs.
 
• Advise the AECE2 country teams on operational policies, instruments, and procedures and on complex operational issues.

Portfolio Management

• Support the Division Director, the OM and CMs in the preparation of work programs and budgets, and monitor budget execution, and the fulfilling of WPA agreement.

• Organize or lead the Country Portfolio Performance Reviews for Kenya on a regular basis. Flag implementation problems for attention by clients and Bank management and take the lead in resolving systemic portfolio issues. Follow-up with government ministries and other clients on recommendations in close consultation with the OM. 

• Interact directly with the Task Team Leaders (TTLs) on daily work program issues and provide operational support for problem or risky operations.

• Lead the development of key training programs for the client at a portfolio level on fiduciary, safeguards, and the governance and anti-corruption work, drawing on fiduciary, safeguards and governance specialists.
 
• Lead the preparation of monthly AECE2 portfolio dashboard reports, in coordination with the focal people in the CMU.

• Assist the OM in monitoring the development impact and implementation progress of the portfolio, draw lessons and resolve implementation issues.

• Review all Kenya project documentation and ASA at various stages of preparation for consistency with country strategies and Bank policies, as well as with a view toward maintaining overall portfolio quality and provides his/her inputs on such documentation to the OM.

• Act as the focal point all operational guidance and board procedures to the country team, check all documents for internal consistency and follow-up with task team leaders on needed revisions.

Country Strategy Formulation and Implementation

• Support the DD and OM in formulation of CPFs and in preparing CPS Progress Reports and Completion Reports, as per guidelines.

• Support the OM in managing relations with clients and partners, including monitoring trust funds and harmonization of development assistance/policy dialogue with multilateral and bilateral partners.

• Coordinate, prepare or assist with the preparation of briefs and presentations, including for high-level visiting missions, special events, conferences and IMF-WB Annual and Spring meetings; and oversee or assist with drafting or reviewing operational correspondence, including responses to official external queries.

• Monitors the implementation of these strategies and, in coordination with the Country Team, reports on progress as needed by the OM. 

• Advises task teams on country context and strategy issues.

• Makes substantive contributions to the country dialogue in Kenya under the leadership of the OM.

• Represents OM in interactions with Government, development partners and stakeholders, as needed.

• Prepares and/or contributes to background and policy papers and selected notes for internal and external audience (e.g., memos to senior management, Bank-IMF Annex).

• Supports to communication team and implement the country office communications, dissemination and outreach strategy, including internal and external websites.

Selection Criteria

• A Master’s degree and a minimum of 8 years of relevant discipline and progressively substantive operational experience, combined with a good knowledge of World Bank strategic directions. 

• Knowledge of operational policies and procedures, and experience relevant to portfolio management (e.g. direct experience with portfolio management, varied project experience). Experience of Bank policies and procedures is a plus.
 
• Proven capacity to view project-level issues in a broader context where the sector setting and policies, the macro context, and the Bank’s country strategy all intersect.
 
• Ability to lead a team of professionals in the execution of major projects.

• Ability to coach, mentor, and develop more junior staff. 

• Proven ability to work cooperatively with a multi-disciplinary team, other groups throughout the Bank, and development partners. Ability to work with, and relate to, a wide range of stakeholders-donors, clients, and staff. Ability to work across the matrix in a collaborative manner is essential.
 
• Ability to contribute to strategic initiatives across the Bank Group and with external partners. Ability to carry out independent and innovative work. 

• Ability to operate effectively in a matrix management environment, both as a team leader and team member.

• Effective verbal and written communications skills.

In addition to the above selection criteria, the following competencies are expected of the successful candidate:

Required COS competencies: 

COS 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.

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