Senior Operations 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 with 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 $43.7 billion to private companies and financial institutions in developing countries, leveraging the power of the private sector to improve people’s lives as economies grapple with the impacts of global compounding crises. For more information, visit www.ifc.org.

To help close this gap, IFC’s Gender and Economic Inclusion Department (GEID) works toward a private and public sector that provides all genders and underserved communities with equal economic opportunities as leaders, employees, entrepreneurs, consumers, and community members. We develop research and evidence on the business case and solutions for reducing gender gaps and including underserved groups; support mobilization through impact investing and social bond principles; work with IFC funds and clients to identify good practices; forge public and private sector partnerships; and provide tailored operational solutions that create economic opportunities and development for all. 

Gender-based violence (GBV) is both a cause and consequence of gender inequality. Prior to COVID-19, about 1 in 3 women globally had experienced either physical and/or sexual intimate partner violence or non-partner sexual violence (WHO 2017). Gender-based violence and harassment (GBVH) creates social and economic harm. The private sector is a key part of addressing GBVH alongside governments, civil sector organizations and other actors.  Addressing GVB is a critical part of the upcoming WBG gender strategy 2024-2030 and achieving its strategic objectives and outcomes.

Since 2014, GEID’s GBVH program has focused on anti-workplace bullying and sexual harassment, and supporting employees affected by domestic violence through the Respectful Workplaces program. There is an opportunity to scale up GEID’s GBV program to support the private sector in addressing GBV and child safeguarding including and going beyond workplace responses.

GEID is looking for a dynamic mid-career professional with experience designing and delivering operations to address GBV in the private sector to design and lead the scale up of IFC GBV operations, with an initial focus on Africa.  The position will be located in Nairobi, Kenya.

 Scope of work

 Under the overall guidance of the GEID Operations Manager, the Lead GBV Operations will be responsible for GEID operations related to GBV and child safeguarding.   The Lead GBV Operations will be responsible for the design and implementation of a scale-up of IFC GBV operations, initially in Africa, to support the private sector in addressing GBV and child safeguarding, through:
 

1.  Consulting with internal and external stakeholders. Internal stakeholders may include GEID GBV staff and consultants, GEID regional and thematic leads, the Environmental, Social and Governance team (CEG), country management units, industry gender specialists, staff and consultants, and the World Bank. External stakeholders may include IFC private sector clients, governments, business networks including chambers of commerce, stock exchanges and professional organizations, UN agencies, CSOs, trade unions, and other GBV and child safeguarding actors.

2.  Understanding the GBV and child safeguarding ecosystem at select country, regional, and global levels as relevant and identifying strategic opportunities for private sector GBV and child safeguarding interventions.

3.  Leveraging IFC investment and exploring capital market instruments such as thematic bonds, blended finance, and impact investment as potential sources of funding, expanding support to survivors, and catalyzing action.  

4.  Collaborating with internal and external stakeholders to design and implement the Africa GBV and child safeguarding scale-up.

5.  Ensuring effective collaboration with the World Bank and alignment with the GBV risk-related work led by CEG.

6.  Monitoring, evaluating, and learning from interventions.

It is envisaged that the scale-up of IFC GBV Operations will include a strategic focus on enhancing IFC client capacity to mitigate and respond to GBV, alongside broader market-level work to generate greater progress towards addressing GBV through the private sector.  Key areas of work are expected to include:

1.  Internal and external capacity building through cost to business research, case studies, tools and training.

2.  Continuing the implementation of IFC’s Respectful Workplaces Program with IFC clients and non-clients, including expanding to selected countries across the region and through working strategically with lead firms to address GBV in their global supply chains.

3.  Embedding child safeguarding in GEID’s work on childcare.

4.  Working with financial institutions to detect and address financial abuse.

5.  Working with men and boys to address GBV and child safeguarding.

6.  Working with start-ups or disruptive technology companies to innovate new solutions for GBV, including to address online violence.

7.  Developing standard indicators to capture the outcomes and impact of GBV and child safeguarding activities.

8.  Collaborating with the World Bank. This may include:

a.  Joint programming in select countries.

b.  Designing sector-specific interventions with public and private sector actors, for instance in addressing online violence, GBV and child safeguarding in informal work, or in the transport sector.

c.  Advocacy and technical assistance for legal reform including supporting countries to ratify and implement ILO Convention 190 on Violence and Harassment in the World of Work.

d.  Building the ecosystem for support of victim-survivors by for instance, enacting regulatory reforms, allocating adequate budget for those actors in charge of GBV and child safeguarding response, and relevant training to engage with the private sector. 

e.  Strategic communication aimed at raising awareness and changing social norms.

Other duties will include:

1.  Managing GBV staff, consultants, and contractors.

2.  Project management activities including developing concept notes and implementation plans and undertaking regular reporting.

3.  Liaising with IFC’s Gender Based-Violence Environmental and Social Governance team to ensure that all GBV operational activities are aligned with IFCs Sustainability Framework.

4.  Representing IFC in public speaking engagements to share experience, lessons learned and to advance the role of the private sector in addressing GBV.

Selection Criteria

1.  Masters degree in International Development, Gender Studies, or a related field; 

2.  Minimum of 10 years experience in leading research and advisory services to the private sector on GBV/child protection in emerging markets; 

3.  Strong theoretical base in gender, gender-based violence, and the private sector and ability to translate theory into practical applications in context of private sector focused interventions/operations;

4.  Good knowledge of global standards and ethical guidelines for prevention and response to GBV and of key standards and resources on GBV in in development settings;

5.  Familiarity with child safeguarding, rights, emerging issues in diversity and inclusion as well as broader gender issues, including women’s employment good practice in private sector;

6.  Work experience in emerging markets, ideally in fragile and conflict environments; 

7.  Strong analytical skills, ability to think strategically, analyze and synthesize diverse information sources;

8.  Pragmatic, solution-oriented, problem solver with a high degree of responsiveness and proactivity, coupled with the ability to recognize when a solution is not available; and,

Behavioral Competencies 

•  Excellent interpersonal, listening and communication skills and demonstrated ability to lead and leverage internal and external relationships to foster innovation and work effectively across boundaries in a fast-paced multicultural and virtual environment.  

•  Positive and collaborative attitude and dedication to excellence and professionalism; significant attention to detail and decisive decision-making.

•  High personal integrity and emotional intelligence, with demonstrated ability to handle sensitive matters in a discreet and respectful manner. Diplomatic approach and calm under pressure; 

•  Excellent strategic vision and ability to see the “big picture” of country, regional, and global private sector context and translate it into the goals and activities.  

•  Strong focus on proactive, consistent, and timely delivery of results and solutions for clients, governments, and donors, with minimal supervision and a strong focus on creating business value and development impact.

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.

This is how cinfo can support you in the application process for this specific position:

• Application preparation: Before you apply for this position: Improve your application documents by registering for a Job Application Support. Our coaches are here to help tailor your application to the requirements of the job (service provided at your own cost).
• Interview preparation: When invited to the interview: Prepare for the interview by registering for a Job Application Support.
• Additional services for  Swiss nationals who get invited to the selection process (written test, interview, assessment centre, etc.):
  • Let us know by writing to [email protected]. We flag matching applications to HR partners and SDC/SECO for visibility.
  • Benefit from free interview/assessment preparation by registering here : Interview and Assessment Centre Preparation for Jobs in Multilateral Organisations. Our coaches stand ready to help prepare for upcoming interview/assessment centre.