IFC: Associate Financial Operations Officer – Washington DC

Description

Build a career with impact. Working at the World Bank Group (WBG) provides a unique opportunity to help countries solve their greatest development challenges. As one of the largest sources of funding and knowledge for developing countries, the WBG is a unique partnership of five global institutions dedicated to ending poverty, increasing shared prosperity, and promoting sustainable development. With 189 member countries and more than 120 offices worldwide, the WBG works with public and private sector partners, investing in groundbreaking projects and using data, research, and technology to develop solutions to the most urgent global challenges.

The International Finance Corporation (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 2025, IFC committed a record $71.7 billion to private companies and financial institutions in developing countries, leveraging private sector solutions, and mobilizing private capital to create a world free of poverty on a livable planet. For more information, visit www.ifc.org.

The WBG Controllers (CTR) Vice Presidency Unit (VPU) oversees all aspects of financial reporting and internal control framework for the WBG and the extensive trust fund/partnership portfolio across WBG entities. CTR provides shared services for corporate expenses and trust funds and ensures fiduciary responsibility for disbursement-related operations. Organizationally, the WBG Controllers VPU is comprised of three departments: (1) Corporate Accounting, (2) Loans and Financing Operations, and (3) Financial Operations. The VPU’s mandate encompasses support for both internal and external clients, with a focus on delivery, optimization, impact, people and culture.

The Private Sector Investment Operations division (CTRIO) is part of the WBG Loans and Financing Operations department and manages the recording, servicing, and post commitment support of IFC’s private sector investment portfolio, including loans, guarantees, short term finance products, donor trust funds, and equity investments. The division ensures that investment agreements and related transactions are recorded accurately and on time in systems of record and in the general ledger. CTRIO supports disbursement activities—such as calls of funds, client payments, and disbursement bookings—as well as end to end servicing throughout the investment lifecycle, including fee, interest, and principal billing; repayment processing; restructurings; equity sales; and corporate actions. In addition, CTRIO plays a critical role in supporting business decisions and ensuring that new financial products, new systems, and system upgrades are implemented effectively.

We are seeking a skilled, forward-thinking, and highly motivated Associate Financial Operations Officer to join the Operational Accounting workstream within CTRIO. This role is based in Washington, DC and reports to the Team Lead, Operational Accounting. The successful candidate will bring strong analytical and organizational capabilities, a proactive mindset, and the ability to manage competing priorities independently, contributing meaningfully to the team”s operational effectiveness and service delivery.

The successful candidate will help strengthen accounting integrity, reporting quality, analytical review, and control execution across IFC’s investment operations, with a particular focus on the loan portfolio. The role offers an opportunity to deepen expertise in private sector investment operations, drive operational excellence, and contribute to the continued evolution of CTRIO.

This position will also play an active role in advancing CTRIO’s broader digital transformation agenda, including AI adoption, systems implementation, process simplification, automation, data quality enhancement, and other technology-enabled initiatives that improve efficiency, reporting accuracy, and scalability across the division.

The role requires frequent interaction with a wide range of internal stakeholders, including teams across CTR, Treasury, Middle Office Operations, Investment Operations, Syndications, Internal Controls, Trust Funds, IT, Cash Settlement, and Financial Reporting, as well as external auditors.

Duties and Accountabilities

The Associate Financial Operations Officer will help maintain the integrity and effectiveness of IFC”s operational accounting processes and help improve the quality of reporting, controls, and business processes across investment operations. Specifically, the position will:

• Review and validate transactions recorded in IFC”s systems of record to ensure compliance with policies, procedures, data quality expectations, and service standards.

• Perform reconciliations and period-end review activities, identify processing anomalies, and propose corrective actions and accounting entries.

• Provide day-to-day operational assistance on accounting transactions and accounting schemas to help safeguard the integrity of financial reporting.

• Offer technical accounting input on IFC financial products, related business events, and the mapping of accounting entries to financial statements and systems of record, including SAP.

• Compile and review loan-related disclosures in IFC”s MD&A and financial statements for accuracy, completeness, and consistency.

• Collect, assess, and interpret business data for operational reviews, issue resolution, and recommendations.

• Contribute to the design and development of accounting schemas for new business events, including end-to-end systems integration considerations.

• Identify opportunities to apply AI and automation tools to reduce manual effort, improve accuracy, and enhance turnaround times in accounting workflows.

• Translate new initiatives and financial products into process and system requirements, including documentation, business requirements, test plans, and testing activities.

• Help maintain and strengthen the internal control environment by identifying control gaps and contributing to remediation efforts.

• Review transaction posting issues across IFC systems, SAP, and ODS, and clearly communicate findings and recommendations.

• Provide coverage on technical workplans as needed to help maintain team continuity and operational delivery.

Selection Criteria

The role calls for strong accounting, operational, and analytical capabilities, ideally with exposure to investment operations in a financial institution. Specifically, the selection criteria include:

• Bachelor”s degree from an accredited college/university in accounting, finance, or a relevant discipline. A Master”s degree in accounting or finance is a plus.

• Professional certification such as CPA, CA, ACCA, or equivalent.

• Minimum five years of relevant experience in a public or private financial institution, Big Four, or equivalent public accounting setting.

• Strong knowledge of accounting, financial reporting, and internal control principles, including the ability to analyze accounting outcomes and review complex transactions.

• Ability to support accurate financial statement disclosures and provide sound technical accounting analysis.

• Familiarity with IFC financial products and operational procedures is an advantage.

• Strong communication skills, including the ability to explain technical accounting matters clearly and prepare concise analytical materials.

• Proficiency in digital and analytical tools, including advanced Microsoft Office skills, especially Excel and PowerPoint, and experience with SQL, Power Query, Power BI, or related tools.

• Demonstrated orientation toward process improvement, systems change, and technology enablement, including support for automation and business process redesign.

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with close attention to detail and the ability to work independently under pressure.

• Demonstrated ability to evaluate and apply emerging technologies, including practical applications of AI in operational workflows, and adapt to changes in systems, processes, and business needs.

• Excellent interpersonal skills and professional judgment, with a commitment to high standards of ethics and conduct.

Note: This internal requisition is open to WBG and IMF staff only (including short-term and extended term consultants/ temporaries). External candidates are requested not to apply. In case an external candidate applies, their application will not be considered.

WBG Culture Attributes:

1. Sense of urgency: Anticipate and quickly respond to the needs of internal and external stakeholders.
2. Thoughtful risk-taking: Challenge the status quo and push boundaries to achieve greater impact.
3. Empowerment and accountability: Empower yourself and others to act and hold each other accountable for results.

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.