Associate Operations Officer

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 2023, IFC committed a record US$43.7 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. 

IFC has embarked on an ambitious new growth strategy (IFC 3.0) to stimulate more investment activity, especially in Low Income Countries (LICs) and Fragile and Conflict affected Situations (FCS). This strategy calls for generating our own opportunities by proactively working “Upstream” or at the pre-investment stage to create, deepen, and expand markets and to imagine, design and implement investment projects with clients. It requires taking a systematic approach to understanding the regulatory and sector bottlenecks that prevent the flow of private capital into productive investment into our member countries and addressing these bottlenecks through World Bank Group engagement on policy reforms and programmatic interventions at the country and sector level. It also requires the capacity to leverage WBG’s programs and projects to develop our own proactive sector interventions and to imagine, design and co-develop projects with clients, even in the absence of reforms.

IFC is seeking an (Associate) Operations Officer to support Upstream and Advisory / pre-investment work in the Manufacturing, Agribusiness and Services sectors in the Europe region.

The (Associate) Operations Officer will work closely with IFC’s senior officers, who are responsible for originating, designing, negotiating, structuring and subsequently implementing IFC’s Upstream engagements. The (Associate) Operations Officer will be responsible for delivering on the assigned tasks and initiatives within the framework of MAS EUR Upstream engagements and projects and will assist the MAS Europe team on operational and portfolio supervision-related activities.

Responsibilities: 

• Support the identification and assessment of Upstream opportunities based on country and sector strategies and market creation potential.
• Support the MAS EUR team (both upstream and mainstream) in preparing internal management reports, presentations and other documents for portfolio supervision as required from time to time.
• Contribute to the development of feasibility studies and implementation plans for Upstream projects that lead to IFC investments.
• Assist in designing and implementing scalable solutions and platforms that can be replicated across markets.
• Help spot game-changing trends, technologies and business models that can bring solutions to emerging markets.
• Produce regular reports on the Investment and Upstream & Advisory portfolio and pipeline including monitoring progress against project milestones and KPIs.
• Contribute to sector-specific data analysis and stress-testing of various operating models to help generate ideas for new projects, new products and platform businesses.
• Prepare reports, presentations and other documents for meetings and discussions with internal and external stakeholders.

Selection Criteria:

• Master’s degree in Economics, Business, Finance or another related field. Additional relevant certifications or qualifications such as a Certified Management Accountant from a recognized professional accounting body would be a plus.
• At least 4–8 years of relevant experience which could include a proven track record in various fields of operations and finance, including portfolio management and reporting. Experience gained in multiple locations or international settings is preferred.
• Has a reputation for being able to connect the dots across business strategies and portfolio management lessons learned in order to generate innovative ideas, products, or solutions that can be replicated across multiple geographies.
• Astute in anticipating where future opportunities and innovation will emerge in relevant markets and sectors, and is able to leverage expertise and networks to connect IFC with those opportunities.
• Demonstrates active listening skills by paying full attention and asking questions in order to clarify client and stakeholder needs and to gather required information.
• Excellent written,  communication and presentation skills.
• Ability to prepare documents and reports that are concise, well-organized, and appropriately focused on the most critical points that are relevant to the target audience.
• Utilize charts, graphs, and other presentation techniques to communicate complex data and concepts simply.
• Able to share valid opinions and new observations relevant to project outcomes with project leaders in a manner that is concise, cohesive and focused.
• Understands and is able to apply basic project management concepts, standard tools, methodologies, and processes to ensure that the assigned projects achieve their objectives within deadlines and budgets.
• Fundamental knowledge of IFC’s systems and investment. Knowledge of IFC’s Performance Standards and how they relate to client engagements.
• Strong skills in conceptualizing and designing solutions and the capacity to validate and stress test potential solutions against industry best practices.
• Strong analytical skills and ability to review inputs from others, including consultants, and to determine how to best package information for target audiences.
• Proficient in relevant computer software and tools commonly used in the field, such as Microsoft Office Suite, data analysis software, and financial management systems.
• Excellent attention to detail and quality, especially in relation to presentation materials (e.g. PowerPoint) and any written materials produced.
• The ability to thrive under pressure and to function effectively in a fast-paced environment under tight deadlines, while working on multiple projects and tasks.
• Excellent teamwork skills, the ability to take the initiative and to work across organizational boundaries.
• A keen interest in development finance and multicultural environments
• Fluency in multiple languages is a plus.

Source:   https://worldbankgroup.csod.com/ats/careersite/JobDetails.aspx?id=26657&site=1