Fresh Positions at World Bank Group

Duties and Accountabilities:

• Independently manage, as Project Leader (PL), the preparation and delivery of a select number of ESG AS projects (including ESG operations-led projects, or ESG components of engagements led by other units in the region) and provide E&S cross-support to other PLs and projects.
• Lead or contribute to the design and implementation of E&S related aspects of IFC’s ESG AS projects in Africa focused on clients and markets.
• Support the preparation of new ESG AS projects including identification of project countries and key areas of support, undertake baseline assessments, design project components and activities, develop project budgets and Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Frameworks, and draft high-quality project documents including concept notes and implementation plans. 
• Lead on technical implementation of all project activities (e.g. led engagement with all project partners, prepare technical inputs and feedback on ESG guidelines and regulations, develop course materials and deliver workshop/trainings, undertake diagnostics of client’s ESG practices, preparation of Advisory Services proposals and taking the lead on Advisory Services support delivery) and oversee all tasks supported by consultants, ensuring highest levels of product quality and client service at the project level.
• Engagement and follow up with local partners including leading discussions on activities to be supported, preparation of project implementation plans, development of cooperation agreements and execution of all project activities.
• Draft and process all program related documents including workplans, terms of reference, Integrity Due Diligence project budget updates, extension memo’s etc. in line with IFC’s AS governance procedures.
• Identify and anticipate financial project needs, develop detailed project budgets, and manage and report on financial performance according to plans, and undertake procurement for all project related activities.
• Monitor development results, collect and enter all relevant evidence to substantiate project results in Advisory Services Operations Portal (ASOP), and ensure legal agreements are filed.
• Prepare Project Status Reports and ensure supervision reports for all projects managed, including ASOP and M&E Framework updates are submitted in time in accordance with IFC’s AS operational guidelines. 
• Prepare Project Completion Reports that are of high quality and adhere to the Independent Evaluations Group evaluation criteria.
• Work with donor team to manage current project donor relationship, including (but not limited to) preparing donor reports, attending meetings, and managing donor relationships in local country offices.  
• Manage internal and external reporting, communication and ESG AS Program promotion across key stakeholders.
• Consolidate and analyze lessons learned from project implementation experiences and sharing with team members and colleagues across the Region and globally.

Selection Criteria

• Advanced degree (Masters) in science, engineering, sociology or other relevant disciplines.
• Minimum of seven years professional experience working on E&S management, monitoring and/or due diligence, with a preference for private sector experience in the Africa region. 
• Experience working with IFC/World Bank/E&S Policies and Standards. 
• Willingness to travel regularly. 
• Strong analytical skills, ability to think strategically, analyze and summarize diverse sources and draw conclusions from limited data.
• Demonstrated track record of designing and delivering training on E&S.
• Ability to communicate effectively and concisely on complex E&S issues in spoken and written form.
• Excellent project management skills including work planning, budgeting; monitoring and evaluation. Strong organizational skills with ability to prioritize, deal with frequent unexpected changes, and manage multiple tasks under tight deadlines. Attention to detail a must. 
• Driven self-starter with a high degree of responsiveness, proactivity and excellent collaboration skills. 
• Good team player with strong interpersonal skills, including the ability to work as a member of a multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural team, work effectively in and influence a team, and network effectively across boundaries. 
• Ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously under tight deadlines.
• Demonstrated ability to adapt to changing circumstances, organize and prioritize deliverables, and maintain attention to detail.
• High personal integrity and emotional intelligence, with the ability to handle sensitive matters in a discreet and respectful manner, respond diplomatically and remain calm under pressure. 

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Duties & Responsibilities

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Contribute to the development and delivery of IFC’s agribusiness strategies and investment program working closely with the investment teams.
• Working closely with the sector lead and regional investment teams, conduct due diligence to assess project strengths and weaknesses, and provide investment teams with an appraisal report and operational parameters to be built into financial models.
• Work closely with Climate Business team to make sure all projects are assessed for Paris Alignment, decarbonization strategies, and climate transition risk and physical risk assessments; use and develop GHG monitoring tools to assess projects.
• Participate in the investment committee meetings and respond to the committee’s questions .
• Support the review of advisory/upstream services proposals.
• Provide industry and best practice advice to internal - IFC and WBG colleagues - and external clients and add value to new business development activities and portfolio monitoring, as well as to advisory services projects.
• Assist in the selection, briefing and supervision of technical consultants engaged on due diligence.
• Participate in conferences and seminars and other events representing IFC and as appropriate to maintaining and building sector knowledge.

Selection Criteria

• Commitment to IFC and the World Bank Group’s mission, strategy, and values.
• 20 years + years of operational experience in agricultural primary production at operational and management levels.
• Minimum master’s degree.
• Sound knowledge of current industry and sector operating parameters to permit comparative cost analysis and benchmarking.
• Sound knowledge and experience in delivering sustainability solutions to the agribusiness sector.
• Sound business judgment and proven track record of investment screening and assessment.
• Excellent written and spoken English skills and ability to write technical appraisal reports in a timely manner, also with French language a plus.
• Ability to work effectively in teams and build bridges across organizational boundaries.
• Passion for the sector and results driven with energy, initiative, and self-motivation.
• Willingness to undertake extensive international travel in emerging markets.