Senior Operations Officer - Johannesburg at World Bank Group

Duties and Accountabilities: 

The role and responsibilities of the position will include but are not limited to:

• Lead teams in the development, implementation, and ongoing management of Upstream & Advisory projects with IFC agribusiness clients in countries across East & Southern Africa.
• Supervise project teams and ensure delivery of project results in accordance with approved plans, key performance indicators, and development impact measurement targets.
• Determine the resources needed to support projects and ensure their efficient/effective use in compliance with IFC policies and procedures including project governance, procurement, and budget processes.
• Lead business development efforts to develop a strong pipeline of opportunities through market analyses and meetings with existing and potential clients to identify potential areas of support.
• Manage senior level relationships with clients and articulate IFC’s value proposition, leading to increased development impact and supporting pipeline development.
• Build the capacity of staff and members of the broader MAS team through mentoring, coaching, and by providing on-the-job learning opportunities.
• Contribute to the development of knowledge management products and participate in knowledge sharing activities with internal and external audiences.
• Collaborate with relevant teams across IFC and other parts of the World Bank Group to support development of investment opportunities, enhance investment outcomes, and improve investment conditions. 
• Support IFC Regional and Country Office operations in Southern and Eastern Africa as required.

Selection Criteria

• Master's degree or equivalent professional qualification in economics, business, agribusiness, or a related area.
• A minimum of 12-15 years of private sector operational experience in agribusiness, private sector development, agricultural development, or a related field.
• Deep knowledge and experience working on agribusiness issues with private sector clients, governments, development partners and other sector stakeholders.
• Strong business development track record including ability to design, negotiate and lead efforts to develop and sell client offerings that reflect in-depth knowledge of agribusiness.
• A demonstrated ability to understand what makes businesses succeed, to develop innovative solutions and to challenge the status quo to enhance private sector opportunities. 
• Strong project management and team leadership skills with an ability to develop strategies and work with multiple stakeholders to achieve business goals and objectives.
• Strong organizational skills with an ability to work under time pressure, respond to ad-hoc shifts in client priorities, unstructured situations and unexpected events while maintaining order and professional delivery.
• Recognized as a team player, collaborator, communicator with a demonstrated an ability to work in a multicultural environment.
• Excellent written and verbal communication and presentation skills.
• Willingness to travel frequently across Southern & Eastern Africa and other regions.