Operations Officer

international finance corporation

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 in developing countries. Our mission is to leverage the power of the private sector to end extreme poverty and promote shared prosperity in a sustainable way. For more information, visit www.ifc.org.

The IFC 3.0 strategy aims to stimulate more investment activity across emerging markets, especially in Low Income Countries (LICs) and Fragile and Conflict affected States (FCS). Our goal is to create, deepen, and expand markets and design and develop impactful investment projects. This strategy is, in part, premised on improved country/sector diagnostic, strategic, and public sector engagement capabilities, which seek to: 1) resolve obstacles to private sector growth via diagnostic and strategic work that informs both IFC operations and relevant IBRD/IDA policy operations; and 2) overcome the shortage of investable projects in priority markets by proactively improving the private sector ecosystem at the country and regional level.

The Country Advisory and Economics team for the Eastern and Southern Africa Region (CAEAE) supports the region through provision of country economic diagnostics, strategy, and engagement products as well as through direct support to operational teams and country units, in collaboration with economists throughout the World Bank Group. Specifically, the team has four principal functions:

•  Producing both regional and country-level economic assessments to support IFC's strategy and operations.

•  Collaborating with regional and industry colleagues to produce analytical products such as Country Private Sector Diagnostics (CPSDs) and IFC Country Strategies.

•  Significantly contributing to WBG products such as Systematic Country Diagnostics (SCD), Country Climate and Development Reports (CCDR), and IBRD/IDA lending operations; and

•  Putting IFC's country strategy and diagnostic recommendations into practice through Advisory projects that engage with governments, regulators, civil society, development partners and other relevant stakeholders to reform markets and sectors and address key bottlenecks to private sector development.

CAEAE is hiring an Operations Officer to be based in Nairobi, Kenya working closely with IFC country, industry, and upstream teams in select countries in the Eastern Africa Region. The Operations Officer will report to the Country Advisory & Economics Manager for Eastern & Southern Africa. The position is based in Kenya; however the assignment may include other countries in Eastern Africa. 

Duties and Accountabilities:

•  Support business and project development in line with client and market needs while working collaboratively across World Bank Group (WBG). 

•  Support the implementation of projects by participating in senior level client meetings to provide technical advice and monitor progress in implementing relevant reforms to unlock investment; focus is on public policy dialogue and reform implementation support to enable the private sector. 

•  Support high quality of project supervision and completion documents and provide quality control over client deliverables. 

•  Support the engagement with the relevant teams at the World Bank and IFC for reforms needed to unlock new markets and work collaboratively with Upstream teams. 

•  Support the oversight of the advisory portfolio in Kenya and potentially in other Eastern Africa countries for quality and consistency of approach.

•  Support the engagement with top management of the Government and private sector to improve the visibility of IFC.

•  Support knowledge sharing sessions across the region,

•  Support research and diagnostics relevant to our clients and stakeholders and to push our knowledge frontier on policy dialogue. 

•  Support resources management for effective project implementation 

Selection Criteria

•  Master's degree in Law, Economics, Business or Finance or a closely related field, or professional certification.

•  At least 5 years' experience in private sector development, with a focus on delivering private sector oriented reform projects in delivering advisory engagements. 

•  Strong track record of working with the government clients; hands on experience of working on public policy to support private sector development will be a clear advantage.  

•  Understanding of IFC and WBG products/ instruments and where there are opportunities for cross-organizational collaboration. Demonstrable experience working on IFC and WBG products will be an advantage.

•  Ability to conceptualize research and analytical projects that could ultimately lead to the opening of new markets and/or reframe thinking on thematic approaches to better meet IFC and WBG mandates.

•  Excellent knowledge of MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint and aptitude to learn new systems is a must. Ability to use project management systems is a plus.

•  Excellent written, verbal communication and presentation skills plus fluency in English is must. 

WBG Culture Attributes:

1. Sense of Urgency – Anticipating and quickly reacting to the needs of internal and external stakeholders.
2. Thoughtful Risk Taking – Taking informed and thoughtful risks and making courageous decisions to push boundaries for greater impact.
3. Empowerment and Accountability – Engaging with others in an empowered and accountable manner for impactful results.

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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Sector: Nonprofit/Community/Social Services/International Cooperation

Role: Other

Working hours (%): 80-100% / 100%

Job type: Staff (Permanent and Fixed Term)

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