Country Officer

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Description

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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.

The IFC is recruiting a Country Officer who will promote and coordinate IFC’s investment and advisory activities in Burundi. The role requires close interaction at a high level with the private sector, government, and international development organizations, as well as key counterparts in the World Bank Group (WBG) to develop new business and support the structuring and negotiation of deals. 

The position is based in Bujumbura, Burundi, and reports to the Country Manager – Democratic Republic of Congo, The Republic of Congo and Burundi cluster.  

Duties and Accountabilities 

• Assist the Country Manager in overseeing IFC activities in the country and the smooth running of the office.
• Work with the Country Manager to implement the IFC’s strategy in the country including preparation of business plan updates.
• Participate to the preparation of WBG strategy documents such as Country Strategies, Country Private Sector Diagnostics, and Country Partnership Frameworks.
• Develop and maintain a good understanding of the country and key economic and political issues.
• Work with IFC’s investment, advisory, upstream, World Bank and MIGA teams to continue to roll out the IFC 3.0 strategy and develop the project pipeline.
• Build and maintain strong high-level relationships with the private sector, relevant government officials, key development partners, and WBG colleagues to support business development and portfolio management.
• Participate in client selection, including KYC process to ensure that IFC is working with the right sponsors.
• Assist in project structuring and implementation using local market intelligence.
• Track the project pipeline and assist in moving transactions forward.
• Help manage development partner relations to support the raising of funds for advisory and upstream projects.
• Track and oversee the preparation of visiting missions/trips to the country
• Contribute to the preparation of board papers and other documents, as needed.
• Develop a good understanding of the portfolio, assist with resolving issues, and maintain good relationships with existing clients.
• Prepare/coordinate high-quality briefs for WBG management.
• Represent IFC externally and provide visibility for IFC through organizing/participating in high profile events (high-level visits, seminars, and conferences).
• Ensure internal and external requests are addressed on time.

Selection Criteria

• Master’s degree, in finance, business administration, management, economics, or a similar field.
• 10+ years of relevant experience, in areas such as investment or commercial banking, public-private partnerships, management consulting, or operational experience in an investment and/or advisory role.
• Experience and/or a strong interest in the Africa region is required, and experience in the country and/or in other FCS countries would be an advantage.
• Ability to assess the viability of business opportunities and risks.
• Ability to think creatively about potential investment opportunities, and to use business development skills to translate such opportunities into bankable projects. 
• Strong analytical, finance, financial modeling, credit, and transaction structuring skills is an advantage.
• Good understanding of IFC’s investment and advisory business lines, their products, how they complement each other, and how they may be leveraged to match the long-term needs of clients and open new markets.
• Track record in developing and maintaining strong high-level relationships in the private sector, government, and development institutions.
• Ability to represent IFC externally with the private sector, government, development partners, media, and other stakeholders.
• Team management experience including supervising, mentoring, and training staff. 
• Team player with strong leadership and influencing skills, and track record in working in a matrix structure.
• Strong client service orientation with an ability to resolve challenging issues.
• Excellent critical thinking, analytical and presentation skills, and ability to work with or supervise the use of data utilizing standard office software Excel, Word, PowerPoint; and,
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English is required. 
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in French is required.

Source: https://worldbankgroup.csod.com/ats/careersite/JobDetails.aspx?id=28012&site=1

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