Operations Officer – GF  

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.

The Financial Institutions Group (FIG), one of IFC’s largest industry departments, is responsible for a significant portion of IFC’s business volume, profitability, and development reach. FIG has three main objectives: 1) financial inclusion 2) servicing the real economy and 3) mobilizing third-party resources. To achieve these objectives, FIG invests in numerous financial subsectors and strengthens financial institutions across the region through Upstream and Advisory Services (US/AS). The FIG US/AS program Africa is closely coordinated with investment operations and Upstream and helps banks across the region to build or improve their operations across several focus areas: Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (including Supply Chain Finance, Gender Finance and Non-Financial Services); Digital Financial Services; Risk Management; Microfinance; Agri-finance; and Climate Finance.   

FIG Upstream and Advisory Services program in Africa is seeking to recruit a highly motivated Operations Officer with technical experience, demonstrated program management skills, and a deep interest in development finance to support its financial service engagements in the region. The position will be based in Lagos, Nigeria and report to the Manager, FIG Upstream and Advisory, North, West and Central Africa.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Operations Officer will be responsible for the origination and implementation of FIG Upstream/Advisory engagements in the North, West and Central Africa regions, working closely with Investment Services and with a focus on Digital Financial Services. He/she should be capable of delivering substantial and measurable results related to increasing access to financial services for SMEs in various sectors. 

The Operations Officer should have extensive experience in the financial services sector especially in digital financial services either in a Bank, Microfinance Institution, Fintech or in Consulting in a related area, They should have a demonstrated track record in successfully designing, implementing, and managing projects emerging markets and should have worked with a broad range of stakeholders.

The Operations Officer will support FIG Upstream and Advisory to originate and manage upstream/advisory engagements that contribute to the delivery of substantial and measurable results in Africa including in enabling Investments particularly in  Digital financial services. 

Specific roles and responsibilities include:

Business Development:

•  Lead new business development including originating leads, gap analysis, proposal development and negotiation to sign new FIG US/AS engagements that in most cases, enable Investment. 

•  Support clients in thinking through and implementing DFS strategies through use digital transformation and financial modelling tools; 

•  Conduct gap analysis on client capabilities and provide recommendations for areas of investment to support the DFS initiatives.

•  Support in the financial analysis of potential clients and structuring of investment transactions as required

•  Using an iterative project design process, assist clients in developing business plans, project budgets and implementation plans for DFS projects; 

•  Support IFC Investment efforts, by interacting with the Financial Institutions Group and other relevant investment departments. This will include supporting the vetting of potential investment clients, pipeline identification and participation in joint investment-advisory appraisals, where appropriate. 

Project Management and Technical Support 

Resource and manage project teams to successfully deliver a broad range of strategic advisory engagements in the areas mentioned above.  Tasks include resource and activity planning, budgeting, team management, quality assurance, timeliness of delivery, KPI monitoring and reporting, as well as development of internal documentation such as drafting project concept notes, agreements, donor reports and updating of the internal systems. Monitor and review project implementation, scope of work and resources deployed, to ensure project qualitative and quantitative milestones are achieved, and corrective actions taken when necessary. Manage client relationships, meeting on a regular basis to assess project progress; continually anticipate and respond to client needs to ensure client satisfaction. Ensure the project is in adherence to IFCs development objectives and enforce use project management tools, governance tracking and reporting systems. 

Knowledge management – Actively contribute to IFC’s Upstream and Advisory knowledge management agenda pertaining to digital financial services, payments and financial inclusion including contribution to and participation in knowledge sharing events;

Thought leadership – Support thought leadership through contribution to research, articles, assisting in conducting conferences and other knowledge management events, including speaking engagements, training activities that demonstrate IFCs expertise in the DFS area.

Selection Criteria

•  Masters level degree in business, engineering, finance or equivalent technology related qualification; 

•  At least 8 years of experience in financial services with at least 4 years of experience of leveraging technology to expand financial services.

•  Excellent client relationship skills, with an ability to engage in strategy discussions at senior management levels in Banks and Non-Bank financial institutions including Fintechs/Payment Service providers 

•  Experience in implementing technology driven solutions for the financial sector and familiarity with international best practices and global trends in digital financial services and payments systems. 

•  Strong oral and written communication skills, 

•  Strong familiarity with regional trends in Africa and knowledge of the key countries/ markets in the region.

•  Experience pitching designing, and implementing advisory programs in the region, gained in a financial institution or with a consultancy firm; experience working in at least 2 – 3 countries across regions is a plus.

•  Willingness and ability to travel extensively. 

•  Ability to communicate ideas clearly and confidently, and credibly represent IFC with clients and stakeholders, including at the senior management level, in both the public and private sectors. 

•  Good team-focused attitude, strong sense of accountability and capacity to work effectively in a multi-disciplinary environment and work independently within tight deadlines.

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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