Principal Operations Officer – GH

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’s Corporate Strategy Unit (CSMCS) is a part of the Strategy and Operations Management Department (CSMDR), reporting to the VP of Corporate Support (COSVP). CMSCS leads and coordinates corporate strategy engagements with other parts of the World Bank Group, including OPCS, the FCV Group, and the Independent Evaluation Group (IEG), while also working in close partnership with departments across IFC to deliver on new initiatives and undertakings intended to support IFC’s delivery to clients.  The unit oversees IFC’s corporate relationship with IEG and manages IFC’s participation in corporate products that emanate from IEG’s mandate to independently assess WBG’s development effectiveness and enhance WBG’s accountability and learning. These products include (a) strategic reports, such as IEG’s flagship Results and Performance Report covering all WBG entities, (b) thematic evaluations consistent with One WBG priorities, and (c) corporate initiatives, for instance leading the reform of IFC’s accountability and learning products, including the development of a new evaluation methodology for investment projects (the” XPSR Reform”).

The Corporate Strategy Unit is looking for a seasoned, highly motivated and pro-active Principal Operations Officer to lead the IFC-IEG Engagement business line, with the objective of (i) ensuring effective coordination and delivery of IFC’s contributions to each of these products and (ii) contributing to corporate and operational initiatives leveraging knowledge from IEG engagements as well as more broadly from operational expertise across IFC. S/he will work closely with a range of stakeholders including (a) IFC Investment and advisory operations, corporate support groups as well as other counterparts in IFC, (b) IEG’s technical teams and management, and (c) a broad network across the WBG including OPCS, MIGA and (d) and the Board. The Principal Operations Officer will report to the Manager, CSMCS and have also have supervisory responsibilities for the IFC-IEG Engagement team.

 

Duties and Accountabilities:

IFC and IEG: Interface Management 
•  Lead an institution-wide process to solicit, coordinate and package IFC’s inputs to IEG’s corporate and thematic reports. This includes collaboration across industry, advisory and upstream as well as cross cutting teams, providing strategic judgement to develop high-quality IFC commentary and input to documents while communicating IFC’s positions reflective of corporate goals and operational realities. 
•  Lead the preparation, in collaboration with relevant teams, of IFC Senior Management engagement with CODE/Board, including, developing key messages and briefings for IFC VPs. 
•  Lead the annual Management Action Record (MAR) and Results and Performance (RAP) exercise for IFC, while collaborating closely with relevant technical teams across IFC. 
•  Work closely and foster strong relationships and collaboration with IEG and other WBG partners (SEC, World Bank, MIGA).
•  Keep management abreast of agreements and key decisions taken at recurring coordination meetings between IFC, IEG, OPCS and SEC.
•  Lead the annual exercise for IEG Work Program consultation, including Board engagements.
•  Build a strong working relationship with IEG counterparts to ensure IEG undertakes IFC engagements with the full spectrum of necessary knowledge of IFC.
 

Corporate Initiatives and Outcome Orientation
•  Lead the co-creation and project management of (i) IFC’s new project-level self-evaluation product (SEP) with IEG and IFC investment and corporate teams (XPSR Reform), (ii) the SEP pilot and (iii) the roll-out and full-fledged implementation of the SEP and associated learning product. 
•  Lead innovation by, as relevant, co-developing initiatives and platforms together with cross-functional teams to support strategic business needs, while supporting IFC wide learning on these initiatives.
•  Provide written and verbal input into key WBG documents that reflect IFC’s strategic objectives and initiatives in a timely and concise manner.
•  Exercise critical project management skills required to work cross-functionally across IFC & WBG to execute Operations-driven initiatives.
•  As required, prepare and review materials for the Manager/Director prior to key engagements, both internally and externally.

Mentoring and leadership in Unit
•  In coordination with the Unit Manager, provide leadership and direction to the vertical to achieve its objectives related to delivery of IFC’s timely and quality inputs to IEG evaluations/corporate reports, IFC corporate initiatives and learning/knowledge management. 
•  Mentor direct reports and other staff as a senior member of the department. 
•  Promote effective teamwork and knowledge sharing among team members, across the unit and department, as well as more broadly across IFC.
•  Foster strong relationships and networking with IEG and corporate functions in WBG.

 

Selection Criteria

Experience and Education
•  Master’s degree in business administration, economics, finance, or a closely related field such as public administration or international development studies.
•  Strong track record of performance over a sustained period, with a minimum of 12 years of experience in development finance and private sector operations– ideally with experience in IFC industry, regional or corporate functions, or equivalent MBD/ DFI. 
•  Good working knowledge and understanding of investment, advisory and other services of IFC in order to ensure that all views are adequately represented in strategic decision making.
•  Excellent knowledge of IFC’s strategy; strong understanding of IFC business models at corporate, industry, and regional levels and key characteristics of IFC’s IS, AS and Upstream pipeline/portfolio.
•  Strong network across WBG, including within the various Operational VPUs to ensure open lines of communication.

Skills
•  Superior analytical skills and demonstrated ability to distill, integrate, and translate complex issues and information from diverse sources and perspectives into clear, crisp, and strategically relevant insights; ability to expand on the thinking/solutions proposed by others.
•  Demonstrated project management skills, with a proven track record in execution, innovation, and incubation of new ideas across IFC and WBG to execute initiatives.
•  Ability to deliver high quality content against tight timelines and work independently, with minimal supervision.
•  Strong ability to “connect the dots” across the various IFC initiatives and strategic priorities when providing written and verbal inputs and guidance to teams.
•  Superior written communication skills, including long form (Word) and in PowerPoint with technical precision.
•  Outstanding verbal communication skills and ability to communicate effectively across disciplines, functions, and levels of seniority
•  Respond to Senior Management and Board requests in a constructive, thoughtful, and timely manner
•  Maintain strict levels of confidentiality and discretion when working on sensitive materials.
•  Ability to work independently, with minimal supervision.

Leadership Skills
•  Superior people skills with an ability to foster collaboration and lead a team under pressure.
•  Demonstrated maturity and sound judgment. Ability to work successfully in multicultural and multidisciplinary teams.
•  Mentor and work closely with junior staff to further their development and knowledge of IFC and the WBG.

WBG Criteria
•  Commitment to development and to the World Bank Group and IFC’s mission, strategy, and values.
•  Meet WBG Core Competencies at the GH level.

 

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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