Regional Head of Operations at IFC - International Finance Corporation

Job description

The Regional Head of Operations (RHO) is a multi-sectoral integrator who will function as a high-level services broker in support of the Regional Director to aggregate and facilitate cross-cutting work across IFC Investment and Advisory Services as well as Global Practices. IFC is seeking an RHO for Africa based in Johannesburg or Nairobi.

Duties and Responsibilities

Support the Regional Director (RD) in areas including identification of key strategic and cross-cutting regional issues; engagement with joint Global Practices, Joint Implementation Plans and activities of regional IFC Program Leads, Regional Coordination Mechanism (RCM) engagement, regional coordination of fundraising activities, and coordination of internal activities in support of regional priorities. Collaboration with VP Economics on strategy development and with Human Resources on strategic staffing, office ecology and footprint. Also in overseeing investment operations – in particular by vetting projects early on in the development lifecycle and at a later stage in portfolio

Responsibilities

• Support the RD in implementing the Africa strategy at a regional and country level
• Strengthen regional strategic partnerships with key donors
• Serve as a key member in the WBG RCM process: facilitate collaboration among the Bank, IFC and MIGA within the region to provide integrated solutions to clients
• Work with the Regional Industry Heads, Global Practices, Country Managers and Strategy teams to aggregate country demand and develop regional platforms and work programs, with a particular emphasis on thematic, multi-sectoral work
• Standardize governance (through participation in CRM/IP and portfolio meetings) for IFC Advisory Services programs in the Industry, GP and Cross Cutting Solutions departments
• Oversee the overall regional advisory program portfolio and aggregate deliverables / commitments for regional management team review
• Provide a focal point for engagement with the joint Global Practices (particular focus on the joint T&C and F&M practices) including establishing clear deliverables for GPs in the region
• Oversee IFC Program Leads in the region, on projects linked to agreed Joint Implementation Plan areas
• As required and as specifically authorized, act on behalf of the RD in reviewing and approving specific projects and initiatives in both advisory and investment operations
• Maintain oversight of regional fundraising efforts and plans, including the maintenance of key donor relationships, to:
• Lead and coordinate major cross cutting regional fundraising efforts
• Review and sign-off on regional fundraising concepts/term-sheets to ensure consistency, resolve overlaps and avoid parallel fundraising efforts within and across region
• Ensure through structured / recurring touch points, well-coordinated fundraising at the global and regional levels – i.e. by working with the IFC Development Partner Relations team and by coordinating across all Regional Heads of Operations
• Ensure quality control over donor reporting for regional activities, including clearing of all reports going to donors for regional funds. iii. Regional Footprint and Infrastructure Administration
• Facilitate information flow from Country Managers, Regional Industry Heads, Resident Representatives and Office Heads to the Regional Director to ensure consistent resolution of administrative issues
• Assume membership in the BP&A Working Group to ensure that regional perspectives are adequately represented
• Liaise closely with the Global Administrative Managers (and other VPU teams) on regional footprint planning to arrive at properly configured hubs and spokes
• Coordinate and oversee regional support infrastructure through a pre-identified network of key contacts in the following areas:
• Economic analysis and assessment of private sector development issues and regional risks (i.e. through the Country Framework
• Engagement, Development Impact, and IFC Research teams);
• Portfolio monitoring and pipeline reporting (i.e. through the AS Portfolio Management, Equity and Valuation, and Debt, Pricing and
• Portfolio Management teams); the and Finance & Budget team (i.e. for support in managing regional departmental “BB” budget, Trust Funds including their allocation to delivery units (GP or IFC), and the regional FMTAAS allocation to ensure delivery of the agreed program)

Selection Criteria

• MBA, Master’s in Finance or similar degree with 15 plus years of experience
• Outstanding investment and/or advisory activities track record of performance, including success in developing client relationships; ability to represent IFC externally, and to develop relationships with governments, media, clients, donors, and other stakeholders
• Ability to think strategically with robust analytical and problem solving skills; to identify issues and propose proactive and creative solutions that meet the needs of client countries
• Ability to represent IFC’s investment and advisory activities and IFC at the highest level of government and partner organizations in the region
• Ability to work collaboratively across the IFC and the WBG, as well as with outside partners and government authorities
• Experience working with multiple stakeholders on complex or sensitive projects
• Proven commitment to sustainable and inclusive development
• High level of motivation to seek out new business and try out innovative ideas
• Strong team leadership skills, and ability to work effectively in multicultural, matrix and multi-disciplinary teams
• Excellent written and verbal communication, also presentation skills in English
• Strong business development and client relationship skills, ability to focus effectively on clients’ needs
• Sound business judgment as well as strong interpersonal and negotiation skills demonstrated in complex business and people management situations; ability to manage and resolve conflict
• Capacity to deal with conflicting priorities and deliver high quality work on schedule.

For Corporate Information and to apply to the position, please visit www.ifc.org/careers, vacancy number 171231. Deadline is June 27, 2017.

IFC values diversity and encourages all qualified candidates who are nationals of IFC member countries to apply, regardless of gender, gender identity, religion, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or disability. Sub-Saharan African nationals, Caribbean nationals, and female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.