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 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.
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). This strategy aims to create new opportunities for private investments in riskier markets and sectors by proactively working “upstream” to create, deepen, and expand markets and design and develop potential investment projects. Achieving these growth and impact ambitions at scale requires a different approach to business development, deal sourcing, and client support that relies on 1) a broader product offering to engage earlier in the project cycle and secure opportunities; 2) a greater focus on preparing clients in nascent markets and sectors for investment; 3) a greater focus on value addition and risk management of portfolio investment clients to enhance their performance; and 4) a longer time horizon and a more patient, longer-term perspective.
To support this approach, IFC is seeking a Senior Operations Officer (SOO) specializing in Climate Finance to support strategic priorities for the FIG department of the Africa region. The SOO will be responsible to support the department’s efforts to enable investment opportunities, enhance investment outcomes, and improve investment conditions – critical activities for the corporation to deliver on its ambitious strategy. The mix of these varied activities should be calibrated to meet the development needs of the market and contribute to IFC’s growth and impact objectives.
The SOO will be based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia and is expected to frequently visit (travel permitting) other offices where their team and clients are based. They will report to the Manager, FIG Africa Upstream and Advisory Eastern and Southern Africa, will be co-supervised by the Manager, FIG Africa Upstream and Advisory, North, West and Central Africa, and will be a member of the FIG Africa Upstream and Advisory Leadership Team. They will work in partnership with relevant Country/Regional/Global and Investment Managers and Officers to support the country and sectoral strategic and business objectives. They will have supervisory responsibility over Project Teams and will closely collaborate with the FIG Africa Upstream and Advisory Leadership Team to leverage skills and knowledge across IFC. The SOO will also be responsible for driving the development of the Upstream and Advisory business program in their thematic area in collaboration with Investment Officers towards the coordinated provision of services that span the continuum of IFC’s operations – across idea generation, enabling environment, project development and client preparation, investment, and portfolio operations – and to further collaboration and synergies across the FIG Africa department.
Duties and Accountabilities
As a senior member of FIG Africa Upstream and AS team, the SOO will be responsible for the technical oversight of FIG Upstream and Advisory services projects in the region with primary emphasis on Housing Finance, but also supporting and collaborating with other practice areas, such as Climate Finance, Agrifinance, Digital Financial Services, MSME Finance, Risk Management and Gender Finance, among others. They will be responsible for delivering market-leading client solutions by leveraging local and regional resources. IFC designs and implements capacity building to strengthen clients’ institutional capabilities to better serve underserved market segments, usually following a comprehensive diagnostic assessment and knowledge resources.
IFC’s FIG Advisory Services aims to deliver innovative solutions to support target clients’ objectives to expand and grow their business, in line with IFC’s country strategies to address development challenges.
The SOO should have demonstrated experience in structuring, negotiating, and implementing successful technical assistance programs for financial institutions and non-bank financial institutions, and an ability to clearly communicate and present the deliverables to senior stakeholders.
The SOO would play an instrumental role in helping FIG Upstream and Advisory deliver its targets, especially those related to signing new projects, client cash fees committed, effective project delivery and management and contributing to the team’s knowledge management initiatives. His/her specific responsibilities in each of these areas include the following:
Business Development
Client and Stakeholder Management
Technical Expertise
Knowledge Sharing/Creation
Capacity Building
Staff Supervision and Governance