Operations Officer

Job #: req23524

Organization: IFC

Sector: Advisory Services

Grade: GG

Term Duration: 3 years 0 months

Recruitment Type: Local Recruitment

Location: Johannesburg,South Africa

Required Language(s): English

Preferred Language(s): Closing Date: 7/25/2023 (MM/DD/YYYY) at 11:59pm UTC

Description

IFC—a member of the World Bank Group—is the largest global development institution focused on the private sector in emerging markets. We work in more than 100 countries, using our capital, expertise, and influence to create markets and opportunities in developing countries. In fiscal year 2022, IFC committed a record $32.8 billion to private companies and financial institutions in developing countries, leveraging the power of the private sector to end extreme poverty and boost shared prosperity as economies grapple with the impacts of global compounding crises. For more information, visit www.ifc.org.

The IFC 3.0 strategy aims to stimulate more investment activity across emerging markets, especially in Low Income Countries (LICs) and Fragile and Conflict affected States (FCS). This strategy aims to create new opportunities for private investments in riskier markets and sectors by proactively working “upstream” to create, deepen, and expand markets and design and develop potential investment projects. Achieving these growth and impact ambitions at scale requires a different approach to business development, deal sourcing, and client support that relies on 1) a broader product offering to engage earlier in the project cycle and secure opportunities; 2) a greater focus on preparing clients in nascent markets and sectors for investment; 3) a greater focus on value addition and risk management of portfolio investment clients to enhance their performance; and 4) a longer time horizon and a more patient, longer-term perspective.

To support this approach, IFC is seeking an Operations Officer (OO) specializing in Financial infrastructure solutions and digital tools particularly in credit information and movable assets-based lending to support strategic priorities including but not limited to Climate Finance, MSME Inclusion, Food Security/Agri finance, Gender Finance, among others, for the FIG department of the Africa region. The OO is expected to support efforts to enable investment opportunities, enhance investment outcomes, and improve investment conditions– critical activities for the corporation to deliver on its ambitious strategy. The mix of these varied activities should be calibrated to meet the development needs of the market and contribute to IFC’s growth and impact objectives.The OO will be based in Johannesburg, South Africa and is expected to frequently visit (travel permitting) other offices where their team and clients are based.They will report to the Practice Group Lead, Financial Infrastructure, FIG Africa Upstream and Advisory. They will work in partnership with other practices within FIG Africa Upstream and advisory, keep close communication with Investment Officers to help identify investment opportunities.

Roles and Responsibilities:

IFC’s FIG Advisory Services aims to deliver innovative solutions to support target clients’ objectives to expand and grow their business, in line with IFC’s country strategies to address development challenges. The OO will be responsible to lead projects with primary emphasis on Credit Infrastructure, including the introduction of innovative data analytics tools, alternative data and scoring methodologies to drive MSME inclusion, and when relevant, also contribute to address the challenges in other priority areas such as Agri finance, Climate Finance, Housing, DFS, Risk Management and Gender Finance.

The OO should have demonstrated experience in structuring, negotiating, and implementing successful technical assistance programs for the financial industry, private sector service providers and regulators; and an ability to clearly communicate and present the deliverables to senior stakeholders. The OO would play an instrumental role in helping FIG Upstream and Advisory deliver its targets, especially those related to effective project delivery and management and contributing to the team’s knowledge management initiatives.

His/her specific responsibilities in each of these areas include the following: Business development:

•  Oversee diagnostic engagements and analyze client, sector, and market data to identify clients’ needs as the basis for designing projects that improve market and firms’ performance, with the aim to enable investment opportunities and enhance investment outcomes.
•  Engage with country offices to identify target clients and contribute to a pipeline of bankable projects.
•  Work with the project teams, improving our FIG Upstream and Credit Infrastructure Advisory Value Proposition, lead the preparation of pitch books and project proposals including project objectives, scope of work, key deliverables, timelines, and budget with input from the client and relevant IFC staff.
•  Oversee diagnostic engagements to identify client needs as the basis for developing a proposal or client recommendations and preparing necessary project documents, ensure resources (human and financial) are identified and secured for the successful outcome of projects.
•  Have overall responsibility for the quality and timelines of the internal project-related documents such as Implementation Plans, Budgets and Legal Agreements

Client Delivery:

•  Manage regional programs and country-level projects by consistently monitoring implementation, budget, reporting (supervision cycle, DE ratings and IDG), procurement of consultants, results measurement, and donor relationships.
•  Engage with peers, including industry, sector, product, and ES&G specialists as well as legal, M&E, and finance staff, to integrate feedback on proposed projects in compliance with governance for project approval.
•  Work in coordination with other practices to ensure best available specialized resources; and maintain continuous interaction with Investment Anchors to identify opportunities for investment to help meet the targets.
•  Contribute to design and development of internal and external knowledge sharing events, forums, and networks to share lessons learned and experiences from product implementation.
•  Act as a mentor to other staff and identify opportunities for staff professional development. Provide feedback on performance of supporting team and analysts.

Program management and execution:

•  Manage regional programs and country-level projects by consistently monitoring implementation, budget, reporting (supervision cycle, DE ratings and IDG), procurement of consultants, results measurement, and donor relationships.
•  Engage with peers, including industry, sector, product, and ES&G specialists as well as legal, M&E, and finance staff, to integrate feedback on proposed projects in compliance with governance for project approval.
•  Work in coordination with other practices to ensure best available specialized resources; and maintain continuous interaction with Investment Anchors to identify opportunities for investment to help meet the targets.
•  Contribute to design and development of internal and external knowledge sharing events, forums, and networks to share lessons learned and experiences from product implementation.
•  Act as a mentor to other staff and identify opportunities for staff professional development. Provide feedback on performance of supporting team and analysts.

Selection Criteria

•  Master’s degree in business, finance, development, economics or equivalent professional experience …
•  Minimum of 8-10 years professional work experience in policy, regulatory, compliance or financial supervision, consulting firms, or development financial institutions (ideally in an advisory capacity).
•  Knowledge of the credit infrastructure industry, including operational, legal, regulatory framework, and supervisory oversight functions. Demonstrated understanding of global best practices and trends.
•  Strong project management and analytical skills including specific experience gained in developing countries. Ability and willingness to travel frequently to developing countries (including remote, fragile and conflict-affected areas).
•  Strong business development track record including ability to design, negotiate and lead efforts to develop and sell client offerings that reflect in-depth knowledge of thematic area and communicate effectively to clients.
•  Strong relationship management skills and demonstrated capacity to work with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders, including financial institutions, private entities, government authorities, and international financial organizations.
•  Excellent oral and written English language communication. Ability to present findings, analysis, recommendations, and information in verbal, written, and presentations formats, in diverse contexts (including for workshops, seminars, online, and for corporate briefings).

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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