Country Officer – GG  

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. Our mission is to leverage the power of the private sector to end extreme poverty and boost shared prosperity on a livable planet.

IFC is looking to recruit a Country Officer for the West Bank and Gaza. This position is based in Jerusalem and will report to the Regional Director for the Middle East, Pakistan, and Afghanistan.

The Country Officer will co-lead business development for investment, upstream, and advisory services along with industries and other responsible teams. S/he will support sector teams in executing transactions and handling portfolio projects. S/he will build and maintain strong relationships with business partners and high-level representatives of governments, as well as with governmental and non-governmental organizations, to maximize the impact of IFC’s intervention and contribute to the overall development of the countries and their industries.

Roles and Responsibilities

•  Oversee all IFC’s investment, advisory, and upstream activities in West Bank and Gaza.

•  In conjunction with the Regional Director, and collaboration with the World Bank, guide and support the Middle East, Pakistan, and Afghanistan (CME) Economic Program Leader (within the Regional and Country Economics Unit) to develop and implement a strategy for IFC’s Investment, Advisory, and Upstream activities in all streams in Lebanon, with a focus on the key areas as per the regional strategy

•   Support the Regional Director in the advisory and upstream ADM decisions

•  Guide and support the Regional Economics Program Leader on IFC’s engagement in the joint WBG strategy and analytical work

•  Supervise and closely work with the country team in Jerusalem

•  Coordinate with industries the development of a client engagement strategy for key clients- existing or targeted

•  Devise crisis response strategy for West Bank and Gaza

•  Establish, develop, and maintain IFC’s relationships with the Government, both at the working and ministerial levels, and represent IFC at key Government, multilateral, and business function

•  Work across all sectors (energy, financial, transport and logistics, PPP, light manufacturing, ICT, education, health, and agribusiness) to complete sponsor checks and due diligence

•  Support IFC’s project development activities, provide support during transaction execution and portfolio management

•  Develop a strong pipeline of investment opportunities based on market trends and sector/country knowledge and provide innovative and flexible financial structures for complex transactions

•  Share accountability for the quality and performance of the countries’ portfolio; work jointly with the Regional Director to meet scorecard targets

•  Set standards for thoroughness in quality control and make recommendations to strengthen transactions

•  Coordinate closely with social, environmental, and governance colleagues to add value to clients’ businesses

•  Propose pragmatic solutions to specific industry challenges to achieve sustainable development impact

•  Maintain good working knowledge of current investment, advisory, and upstream operations in the West Bank and Gaza

•  Facilitate and guide to visiting missions

•  Directly supervise, under the leadership of the Regional Director, the administrative support staff in the office as well as the country analyst

•  Oversee and approve budget for administrative needs, as well as office-related expenses in SAP and E-service transactions

•  Review and approve monthly accounting, bank, and petty cash reconciliation reports for the IFC Lebanon office

•  Review and provide feedback to office-related forecasts and lead budget formulation exercise, conduct periodic expenditure reviews with finance staff, monitor and approve bank checks and wire transfer payments

•  Overall office administration and facilities management; space, vehicles, IT and security issues, office needs, expansion, relocation, and foreseen footprint requirements

•  Participate in the Crisis Management Team to manage current and potential security and crises in the country, partner with the Corporate Security Team in preparation and implementation of a crisis management plan for the country

•  Review and provide inputs on compensation matters, office ecology, performance and talent review, appointment/assignment renewal, and other HR matters for staff in the office

Main Objectives of the Role

•  Build and maintain strong relationships with the host government, clients, global and regional businesses, banking, and multilateral partners to further develop specific investment and advisory opportunities with high development impact in the West Bank and Gaza

•  Foster strong relationships to identify opportunities for knowledge transfer among the WBG institutions to the benefit of the clients

•  Develop and manage relationships with donor agencies, other International Financial Institutions, and IFC’s partners in the region

•  Work with various stakeholders and coordinate with other colleagues within the World Bank Group to deepen IFC’s presence in the country

Selection Criteria

•  Master’s degree in a related field and at least 8 years of relevant experience. Related fields of education include business, finance, or economics or an area of expertise specific to a sector, subject matter, or industry specialty 

•  Relevant experience could include a proven track record in business consulting or investment banking, or operational experience in the sector or technical or professional field

•  Strong written and verbal communication skills in English and in Arabic

•  Country Knowledge: Demonstrated extensive knowledge of the countries, including their politics, history, social dynamics, culture, economics, local markets, and regulatory framework

•  Industry/Sector Knowledge: Broad knowledge of sectors and industries, including their viability for market growth and market challenges, as well as implications of environmental and social sustainability issues and how sector dynamics may evolve within a country or group of countries

•  Ability to identify opportunities for collaboration on high-value projects and recognize potential investments based on a good understanding of WBG, IFC (investment and advisory), and WBG products and project requirements

•  Ability to initiate and guide collaborative efforts with WBG organizations to leverage their products and instruments in close coordination with the Regional and Country Economics unit

•  Proven track record in screening and assessing investment opportunities

•  Proven analytical, financial, credit, integrity assessment, and business skills as well as strategic perspective to intuitively recognize project viability and attractiveness early on, identify portfolio management vulnerabilities, and determine best approaches for managing complex transaction and portfolio risks

•  Ability to tap into and leverage resources with expertise in sectors and industries, including risks, market dynamics, and regulatory structures. Ability to read and anticipate shifts in market trends and the implications for IFC’s current and future business

•  Developing and Selling Solutions: Demonstrated success as a key influencer in bringing integrated solutions to the concept review stage where there are significant challenges and competing interests

•  Ability to develop a coherent and compelling storyline or rationale as to why specific deals are proposed and how they fit into IFC’s long-term strategies

•  Negotiation Skills: Capacity to lead negotiations that find common interests to build and result in viable agreements among clients and stakeholders who initially had conflicting agendas. Ability to offer alternative solutions to capitalize on opportunities and overcome impasses

•  Excellent people management skills and openness to feedback and new ideas

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.

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