Senior Operations Officer

Senior Operations Officer

Job #:

req34237

Organization:

IFC

Sector:

Operations

Grade:

GG

Term Duration: 4 years 0 months

Recruitment Type:

International Recruitment

Location:

Nairobi,Kenya

Required Language(s):

English

Preferred Language(s):

French

Closing Date:

9/18/2025 (MM/DD/YYYY) at 11:59pm UTC

Description

Build a career with impact. Working at the World Bank Group (WBG) provides a unique opportunity to help countries solve their greatest development challenges. As one of the largest sources of funding and knowledge for developing countries, the WBG is a unique partnership of five global institutions dedicated to ending poverty, increasing shared prosperity, and promoting sustainable development. With 189 member countries and more than 120 offices worldwide, the WBG works with public and private sector partners, investing in groundbreaking projects and using data, research, and technology to develop solutions to the most urgent global challenges.

 The 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. In fiscal year 2025, IFC committed a record $71.7 billion to private companies and financial institutions in developing countries, leveraging private sector solutions, and mobilizing private capital to create a world free of poverty on a livable planet. For more information, visit

The IFC Africa Department is seeking a highly experienced and strategic professional to serve as Senior Operations Officer, supporting IFC's Division Director (DD) for Eastern Africa. This position is based in Nairobi, Kenya — IFC's largest office in the world outside of headquarters, and a major World Bank Group hub.

The DD's portfolio spans:

• Eastern Africa sub regional leadership — covering multiple country offices and complex country programs.
• Oversight of IFC's Nairobi office — the largest IFC/WBG office outside Washington, D.C., with all the operational, people, and stakeholder management responsibilities that entails.
• Region wide thematic responsibilities — including Environmental & Social (E&S) standards, Gender, and other cross cutting priorities.
• Stakeholder engagement — with the Compliance Advisor Ombudsman (CAO), civil society organizations (CSOs), private sector leaders, and senior government officials.

The Senior Operations Officer will be a trusted strategic partner to the DD, enabling the effective execution of her/his responsibilities across this diverse and high‑impact portfolio. The role combines strategic advisory, operational oversight, corporate governance, and stakeholder engagement, ensuring that the DD can deliver on Eastern Africa's sub‑regional priorities, manage IFC's largest global office outside HQ, and fulfill region‑wide thematic mandates. The Senior Operations Officer will work closely with the Africa Regional Vice President's Front Office, other Division Directors, the Africa Leadership Team, and key counterparts across the World Bank Group to drive operational excellence, strengthen cross‑regional collaboration, and advance IFC's strategic objectives.  The Senior Operations Officer will have a secondary reporting line to the Regional Head of Operations.

The successful candidate will be a self‑starter with exceptional judgment, political acumen, and the ability to operate with discretion and influence at the highest levels.

Duties & Accountabilities:

The Senior Operations Officer's responsibilities will include, but are not limited to:

Strategic Support to the DD

 
• Serve as a key advisor to the DD, ensuring effective execution of her/his responsibilities across Eastern Africa, Nairobi office management, and region wide thematic mandates.
• Manage the DD's workflow, priorities, and decision-making processes in close coordination with the Executive Assistant.
• Coordinate inputs, analysis, and recommendations for DD review/action, ensuring timely and informed decisions.
• Prepare the DD for high level meetings, missions, and events, and ensure follow-through on commitments.   Operational Leadership
• Support the DD's role in ADM governance processes for investment, advisory, and upstream projects, including review of Concept Notes, Implementation Plans, and portfolio documents.
• Oversee cross unit coordination of advisory and upstream activities, ensuring alignment with regional and country strategies and donor funded priorities.
• Facilitate information flow between the DD and Country Managers, Resident Representatives, Country Officers, and Heads of Office to ensure timely resolution of operational and administrative issues.

Strategic Initiatives & Thematic Leadership

• Support the DD's region-wide responsibilities for E&S, Gender, and other cross-cutting priorities, ensuring integration into the country and sector strategies.
• Coordinate engagement with CAO, CSOs, and other external stakeholders on sensitive and strategic issues.
• Work with the Communications team to implement the DD's communications plan, including internal and external messaging and engagements.   Stakeholder Engagement & Representation
• Establish systematic interaction with the RVP Front Office, other DDs, and the Africa Leadership Team to ensure coordinated responses to corporate and regional priorities.
• Represent the DD in internal and external meetings as required.   Other Responsibilities
• Contribute to leadership team and broader staff meetings.
• Undertake special projects and assignments at the DD's request.

Selection Criteria

• Master's degree or equivalent professional qualification in Business, Finance, Economics, or another relevant field.
• Minimum of 10 years of relevant experience, preferably in management consulting, investment, advisory, or senior operational roles in development finance.
• Deep understanding of IFC's strategic priorities, investment and advisory business lines, and how they can be leveraged to meet client and market needs.
• Proven ability to operate effectively at senior levels, managing complex workloads, competing priorities, and high-pressure situations.
• Strong track record of working in a matrix environment and influencing without direct authority.
• Experience engaging with senior government officials, private sector leaders, and development partners.
• Excellent leadership, interpersonal, and communication skills, with the ability to build trust and motivate teams.
• High degree of political acumen, tact, and discretion in handling sensitive information.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with proficiency in standard office software (Excel, Word, PowerPoint).
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English; French is an advantage.

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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