Senior Operations Officer – United States Government and UN Agencies

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 Economics & Private Sector Development Vice Presidency ensures a consistent focus on development results and impact across IFC’s operations. Our team provides independent economic analysis to all of IFC’s operations and leads blended finance programming and partnership development. The Vice Presidency supports the implementation of IFC’s business strategy for effective delivery of our programs to clients and partners, in close collaboration with relevant counterparts across the World Bank Group.

The Partnerships and Fundraising (CBFPF) unit within IFC’s Economics & Private Sector Development Vice Presidency supports IFC operations by fundraising for IFC priority areas and maintaining ongoing relationships with development partners, including bilateral and multilateral sovereign partners, foundations and private philanthropies. In addition to directly engaging with partners to support IFC activities, CBFPF facilitates partnership development across IFC and advises all IFC operational units on establishing and maintaining meaningful partnerships that help furthering IFC’s strategic objectives. 

The Senior Operations Officer will report to the Principal Operations Officer, Multilateral Engagement.

Duties & Accountabilities:

This role will promote IFC and lead engagement with US Government agencies and private sector, and US-based UN agencies; specifically:

US Government and Private Sector

• Direct and guide management on IFC’s strategic relations with the US Government, including liaising with the Executive Director Office, US Treasury, US Congress, USAID, US DFC, and US MCC; and supporting IFC’s business development efforts with US companies and the US Chamber of Commerce.
• Provide guidance on priority issues for IFC engagement, opportunities for cooperation, relationship, and reputational risks.
• Develop and implement strategic relationship management and dialogue with US government agencies and institutions, including communicating IFC’s strategy and operations to our shareholders and feeding back important shareholder concerns and initiatives to IFC management.
• Raise funds to implement IFC’s strategy and act as a catalyst for the relationship with donor agencies to ensure the efficient implementation of IFC’s strategy. 
• Ensure an integrated approach to our relations with US agencies and shareholders.  S/he needs to draw on a wide network of contacts across the IFC to ensure that approaches are well-coordinated, and that key strategic information is flowing in a timely manner to relevant colleagues in the institution.
• Identify potential new clients for IFC in the US, including using networks of business organizations, industry associations, banks, and other intermediaries.

UN Agencies

• Lead development of and manage IFC’s relationships with UN Agencies headquartered in New York.
• Support IFC engagements on UN policies, conferences, and events, including on financing for development.
• Monitor ongoing and potential opportunities for engagement, in support of IFC’s strategy and business imperatives.
• Develop and maintain a network of external counterparts for strategic engagement across various issues and workstreams.
• Lead briefings for executive missions and speeches, public appearances, and other activities involving external and internal audiences.
• Maintain close coordination and liaise with the World Bank and the New York office.

Selection Criteria

• A minimum of 15 years of experience or a master’s degree in a relevant field with at least 12 years of relevant experience.
• Very strong experience with US Executive and legislative branches as well as knowledge of US agencies and US IFIs.
• Strong business development and client relationship skills; track record and ability to focus on client needs effectively.
• Ability to interact directly and independently with senior management of existing and potential counterparts, financial and technical partners, as well as senior government officials.
• Good knowledge and understanding of the US government.
• Experience working at or knowledge of multilateral institutions, platforms, and initiatives, particularly UN agencies, with demonstrated evidence of support for strategic interventions/engagement to advance private sector development issues in an international context.
• Ability to quickly acquire knowledge of IFC’s business (i.e., a proven track record of investment and advisory engagement in emerging markets), policies, and global strategy.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English with the ability to represent IFC externally.
• Highly motivated and committed to the highest ethical standards.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to interact effectively with clients and colleagues from various cultural backgrounds.
• Demonstrated skills in leading and working in teams, delivering products and commitments, and working across boundaries.
• Ability and willingness to travel.

Source: https://worldbankgroup.csod.com/ats/careersite/JobDetails.aspx?id=28742&site=1