International Finance Corporation: Senior Operations Officer

ABOUT THE ROLE

Location: Johannesburg, South Africa

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 US$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: https://www.ifc.org

The Country Advisory and Economics team for the Eastern and Southern Africa Region (CAEAE) supports the IFC regional team through provision of country economic analysis, country strategy, and private sector development priorities, 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.
• Supporting the implementation of IFC’s country strategy through Advisory projects that engage with governments, regulators, industry associations, development partners and other relevant stakeholders to reform markets and sectors to facilitate private sector investments and job creation. 
• Providing economic and strategic inputs to support IFC’s investment operations.  

CAEAE is hiring a Senior Operations Officer to be based in Johannesburg, South Africa working closely with IFC country, industry, and upstream as well as World Bank teams, to support governments to address key policy and regulatory issues that constrain private sector investments. The Senior Operations Officer will report to the Country Advisory & Economics Manager for Eastern & Southern Africa. The position is based in South Africa but the roles and responsibilities are expected to include other countries in Southern Africa. 


Duties and Accountabilities:

The selected candidate will be responsible for delivering market-creating client solutions by leveraging local and regional resources.  In this respect, the focus will be to ensure that CAE programs are responsive to IFC’s strategic priorities, and focused in countries and sectors to enable and create private investment opportunities. The Senior Operations Officer will be part of the sub-regional CAE leadership team and will work closely across all core functions of CAE.

Client and Stakeholder Management:

• Responsible for delivery of ongoing engagements as well as develop new business in line with country and market needs; lead analysis of key constraints and closely with all relevant stakeholders to support reform implementation through active public private dialogue and hands on technical advisory support.  
• Engage with senior levels of the Government and private sector; to identify and articulate the case for improvements to the business environment to unlock investment potential and promote, attract and sustain private investments – both domestic and foreign. 
• Provide technical oversight of the CAE programs in South Africa as well as other countries in the region for quality review and consistency of approach. 
• Work collaboratively with IFC’s Investment/Advisory Anchors across Industry teams to develop a pipeline of private investment opportunities and work with government to enhance the enabling environment for these priority sectors. 

Design and Operationalize Solutions:

• Review and contribute to the development and approval of relevant project documents and client deliverables to ensure standards and objectives are met in line with IFC Advisory Governance; 
• Participate in senior level client meetings to provide technical advice and monitor progress in implementing reforms to improve the business environment.
• Improve the design and delivery of client solutions by incorporating global good practices and lessons from the past. Proactively partner with results teams in developing appropriate theories of change and results frameworks and indicators to strengthen the development impact and sustainability of client solutions and continuously learn from client projects/ engagements. 
• Ensure high quality of project supervision and completion documents and provide quality control over client deliverables and efficient use of financial resources. Support clients in implementing recommendations, communicate reform impact and help trouble shoot as required. 

Create and Share Knowledge:

• Identify and participate in conferences to showcase IFC offerings and value proposition, which includes serving as panelist/ moderator for internal and external events.
• Host knowledge transfer sessions across the region, 
• Lead on developing reform communication materials as well as tools and guidance to incorporate internal and external best practices, including documenting client testimonials.

Build Capacity:

• Design and deliver training and communication strategy for Investment and Advisory staff to better enable them to be advocates of CAE programs, and for external stakeholders to generate interest in investment climate reforms and understanding of why it is important for businesses, community and/or economy.
• Drive strengthening the value proposition of Advisory products through forging new and innovative partnerships. 
• Build a bench of experts and consultants in the thematic areas of leadership across the region.

Staff Supervision:

• Oversee/ supervise assigned staff and consultants.
• Develop technical capabilities of the assigned staff and members of the broader practice group team through mentoring, coaching, structured training program and by providing on-the-job learning opportunities.
• Ensure quality control of work products and outputs
• Determine resources needed to support projects and ensure efficient/ effective use of resources; oversee preparation of timely and high quality donor reports
• Manage project budgets and align staffing needs. 

Selection Criteria

• At least 12-15 years’ experience in private sector development, working with governments at senior levels to deliver advisory programs. Experience in supporting legal/regulatory reforms, working on public policy issues that support private sector development. Extensive experience in engaging very senior levels of government in design and delivery of IFC advisory programs, especially with a focus on manufacturing and infrastructure sectors will be a huge advantage.
• Strong skills and demonstrated track record in delivering impact through advisory engagements in the area of business enabling/regulatory streamlining/investment climate reform. Previous experience on sector specific engagements, especially in infrastructure and advanced manufacturing sectors, would be an added advantage.  
• For internal applicants, robust 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, including experience of leading or supporting cross industry engagements.
• Able to design, negotiate and lead efforts to develop client offerings that reflect in-depth knowledge of thematic area and understanding of business case for how thematic focus will help client to improve their business.
• Able to identify how changes in markets, business climate, regulations or emergence of new/ successful innovators/ disruptors may create new opportunities for the private sector to invest in the Southern Africa markets.
• Able to design research and analytical projects of complex projects to credibly produce new understanding of a thematic issue and/or potential opportunities to unlock new markets or new streams of business. A strategic mindset that can develop innovative programs within a cross-industry narrative and proactively forge partnerships; both internal and external. 
• Excellent knowledge of Word, Excel, PowerPoint and aptitude to learn new systems is a must.  Ability to use project management systems is a plus. Proficiency in use of IFC tools such as RfX, Iportal would be an added asset. 
• Excellent written, verbal communication and presentation skills plus fluency in English is must.
If you are interested in the position, Apply Now.
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