Regional Manager Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA)

Job #: req22910

Organization: IFC

Sector: Investment

Grade: GH

Term Duration: 4 years 0 months

Recruitment Type: International Recruitment

Location: Riyadh,Saudi Arabia

Required Language(s): English

Preferred Language(s): Arabic

Closing Date: 6/20/2023 (MM/DD/YYYY) at 11:59pm UTC

Description

Established in 1944, the World Bank Group (WBG) is one of the world’s largest sources of funding and knowledge for development solutions. The WBG consists of five specialized institutions: The International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD), the International Development Association (IDA), the International Finance Corporation (IFC), the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA), and the International Centre for the Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID).

The International Finance Corporation (IFC) is the largest global development institution focused on the private sector in emerging markets. Working with 2,000 businesses worldwide, the Corporation uses six decades of experience to create opportunities where they are needed most. Private sector financial development is essential to the promotion of successful and sustainable economies in low- and middle-income countries around the world. Sound and efficient financial markets can ensure that resources are allocated where they are most productive, assisting job creation and spurring economic growth.

IFC has embarked on an ambitious new growth strategy, the outcome of which will be to double our volume of business by 2030 and triple the work we do in Low Income Countries (LICs) and Fragile and Conflict affected States (FCS). To do so, IFC will need to deploy its full range of financing, mobilization, advisory, convening and thought leadership skills. This also calls for the need to generate our own opportunities by proactively working “Upstream” to create, deepen, and expand markets and opportunities for the private sector and to imagine, design and implement investment projects. This strategy also relies on a closer WBG collaboration through the “Cascade” approach: working with clients, we will first seek private sector solutions to address development challenges—where such solutions are advisable and can be effective—and reserve public financing for projects only when other options are suboptimal.

IFC is seeking to recruit a new Regional Manager for KSA, Iraq and Lebanon. The position will be based in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and will report to the Regional Director for the Middle East, Afghanistan, and Pakistan. S/he will lead a team located in our regional office in Riyadh, and in our country offices in Baghdad and Beirut.

The Manager will play a crucial role by leading the regional team, overseeing the implementation of IFC strategy, and managing key client and government relationships. S/he will be an integral part of the regional management team of the Middle East, Afghanistan, and Pakistan.

IFC’s Riyadh Regional Office is a growing hub, which will support the delivery of new financial solutions and partnerships, inspired by the KSA Vision 2030 and IFC 3.0 strategy. These will include groundbreaking investments for climate adaptation and mitigation, catalytic support for women empowerment, and transformational partnerships with fragile countries. New financial solutions will be deployed to widen the success of KSA private-public partnerships, and South-South investments.

Duties and Accountabilities

•  Work in close collaboration with the Principal Country Officer of KSA, the Senior Country Officer of Lebanon, the Senior Country Officer of Iraq. Engage with the Regional and Country Economics Manager, Regional Industry Senior Managers, the Global Industry Managers. Guide IFC teams in designing and implementing Country Strategies and Business Plans for IFC’s Upstream engagements, Investment Services and Advisory Services, under the oversight of the Regional Director.
•  Ensure that IFC Country Strategies informed by Private Sector Diagnostics and Sector Deep Dives are fully reflected in WBG Country Partnership Frameworks (CPF).
•  Lead business development, including relationships with private sector clients, governments, World Bank/MIGA, regional development banks, and other relevant stakeholders.
•  Work with the Principal Country Officer to develop South-South investment opportunities aligned with both local priorities and IFC’s global strategies – a top priority for IFC in KSA. KSA is the home of multiple large-scale corporates with the technical, financial, and strategic capacities and priorities to invest globally, especially in IFC’s countries of operation across the Emerging Markets and Developing Countries.
•  Work with the Principal Country Officer to develop and nurture strategic relationships with Sovereign Wealth Funds (SVF), development funds and philanthropies in KSA to do co-investment with them in emerging markets and to raise blended finance to invest across the Emerging Markets and Developing Countries.
•  Provide inputs in the client relationships from the Integrity Due Diligence (IDD) perspective.
•  Be passionate about and experienced in working in FCS and develop business in Iraq and Lebanon; and help teams in resolving legacy portfolio in Lebanon.
•  In collaboration with the Regional Manager of Environment, Social & Governance (ESG), monitor the ESG performance of IFC clients and address ESG risks and issues related to IFC’s operations in the region.
•  Strengthen further IFC’s “brand” in the region, building on IFC’s global brand and the overall communications strategy.
•  Build strategic high-level partnerships with the main Annual Flagship Development and Investment Fora taking place in the region, including for very high level WBG representatives.
•  Prioritize investments and activities that can further IFC’s delivery in strategic priorities for the region, including job creation, women empowerment, climate action, and inclusion of fragile communities.

Selection Criteria

•  A Master’s degree or equivalent professional qualification in economics, finance or business and a minimum of 12 years of relevant experience.
•  Strong understanding of the IFC’s Upstream, Investment and Advisory operations, including client relationship management, business development, and pipeline management, in the context of regional priorities and opportunities.
•  Commitment to the World Bank Group’s and to IFC’s mission, strategy, and values.
•  Demonstrated highest standards of integrity.
•  Strong track record of business delivery demonstrated success in developing and maintaining strong client/partner relationships, superior business judgment, policy dialogue and established professional credibility.
•  Excellent written and verbal communication skills and fluency in English; Arabic language would be a plus.
•  Demonstrated ability to think strategically, prioritize effectively, set direction, mobilize resources, and deploy them flexibly, teamwork and collective leadership.
•  Ability to work collaboratively with superior interpersonal skills.
•  Gravitas to represent the organization to externally at high levels.
•  Demonstrated ability to lead effectively and manage a large and dispersed team in a dynamic and multicultural environment.
•  Excellent people management skills and openness to feedback; new ideas and ability to guide staff to solutions to problems.
•  Ability and willingness to take decisions and deal with ambiguity, as well as take accountability and hold others accountable for results.
•  Ability to deliver results under stressful timetables and environment.
•  Ability to build organizational capacity through system and process improvements, be a change agent and serve as catalyst for innovation.
•  World Bank Group-wide managerial competencies – Courage of your Conviction, Leading the Team for Impact, Influencing Across Boundaries, Fostering Openness to New Ideas, Building Talent for the Future.

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.