Regional Industry Manager – Agribusiness, MAS, LAC – GH

IFC a member of the World Bank Group (WBG) 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. For more information, visit www.ifc.org 

Duties and Accountabilities   
•  Develop the agribusiness strategy for IFC in the region, in partnership with the regional and industry management and relevant World Bank Group (WBG) colleagues, including key business goals for the MAS regional investment program, with a focus on high impact projects and in line with IFC country strategies. 
•  Build and maintain high-level relationships with clients in the agribusiness sector in the region, understand sector trends, lead multidisciplinary teams to turn leads into deals that effectively balance IFC’s additionality, financial risks and rewards, sustainable development impact and opportunity for innovation and scalability.
•  Lead business development efforts in the agribusiness sector in the region, together with the regional/country teams, and global MAS teams, manage selected MAS client relationships and ensure high level of client satisfaction and program delivery within impact and profitability targets.
•  Actively manage profitability for the agribusiness sector in the region, with strong revenue and net income generation for long-term financial sustainability.
•  Assume the transaction manager role and provide credit and investment guidance to teams as well as quality control on teams’ output.
•  Foster relationships with WBG counterparts to identify collaboration opportunities and to enhance business delivery at the country and regional levels (eg on Global Challenge Program).
•  Ensure portfolio experience and perspective is fed into strategy development and business decision making, through sharing of lessons learned from the portfolio, producing benchmarking analytics, etc.
•  Report on the profitability and development impact of the portfolio, and actively seek ways to optimize usage of economic capital and profitability performance, through sales, risk sharing or mobilization.
•  Monitor the overall risk of the debt portfolio, ensure reviews for all active projects are completed on time and to the highest quality standard, and make recommendations on appropriate level of specific loan loss reserves.
•  Actively manage the entire equity portfolio, both core and non-core, ensure equity management plans are developed and adhered to for all assets, including proposing and filling board seats with qualified candidates for strategic assets.
•  Regularly review valuations, write-downs, exit strategies of the equity book, and develop a plan to sell less strategic assets to free up resources.
•  Provide early warning for assets at risk and actively communicate with relevant colleagues regarding both debt and equity watch lists, ensuring close coordination on rescheduling and restructuring situations.
•  Supervise compliance with IFC financial, environmental, legal, and other requirements.
•  Lead and manage the unit and ensure the team is high-performing, well-motivated, and committed to the advancement of IFC’s strategic goals.
•  Ensure full integration with the Upstream/Advisory team.
•  Be part of, and actively contribute to, the regional leadership team and the global sector teams.
•  Provide full range of administrative and HR Management oversight. 

Selection Criteria

•  Master’s degree in business, finance or equivalent qualification.
•  Minimum 12 years of relevant experience in financing/investing in the agribusiness sector. 
•  Proven experience sourcing and structuring complex investment transactions in the agribusiness sector with strong track record in developing client relationships and processing quality investments.
•  Strong sense of service to clients and demonstrated business development aptitude. Proven success in developing client relationships and executing quality investments in the agribusiness sector.
•  Demonstrated ability to think strategically, develop innovative solutions, challenge the status quo, and make sound decisions to build IFC business.
•  Proven experience in managing and developing teams.
•  Strong understanding of the opportunities and challenges for the development of a competitive and sustainable agribusiness sector. 
•  Sound knowledge of portfolio/asset management and experience in portfolio supervision of loans, equities and guarantees, and restructurings and recovery of impaired assets.
•  Ability to work in the matrix as an integral part of the Regional Department, World Bank Group, delivering high quality work within tight deadlines and meeting team objectives.
•  Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English.
•  Candidates with fluency in Spanish and/or Portuguese preferred.
•  Meet the World Bank Group-wide managerial competencies: Courage of your Convictions, Leading the Team for Impact, Influencing Across Boundaries, Fostering Openness to New Ideas, Building Talent for the Future. 

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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