Description

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 2022, IFC committed a record $32.8 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.

IFC has embarked on an ambitious new growth strategy to stimulate more investment activity, especially in Low Income Countries (LICs) and Fragile and Conflict affected Situations (FCS). This strategy calls for generating our own opportunities by proactively working “Upstream” to create, deepen, and expand markets and to imagine, design and implement 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.

The Financial Institutions Group (FIG) is one of the major industry groups at IFC, responsible for managing roughly 40% of IFC’s overall business in terms of volume and capital at risk.  FIG engages in a wide range of sub-sectors including Microfinance, SME, Gender, Climate, Insurance, Capital Markets, Housing, Distressed Assets, and other areas, with both investment and advisory services delivered to IFC’s clients through IFC’s global network.  

The FIG Upstream/Advisory Unit seeks to create opportunities for new private sector led investments in the region by developing a pipeline of investment-ready opportunities made possible using distinct tools and interventions, including investment structuring, advisory and policy reform. The objective of the unit will be to enhance the next generation of FIG investments across priority sectors in the region.  

IFC is seeking an Upstream and Advisory Associate Operations Officer (AOO) for its Financial Institutions Group in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) based in either Bogota, Colombia, Sao Paulo, Brazil or Mexico City, Mexico.

The Associate Operations Officer will support the FIG efforts to enable investment opportunities in the LAC region by 1) incubating high impact projects and initiatives that require upstream project development to reach the point of investment and 2) getting potential clients ready for IFC investment through client preparation and development. The position will be under the supervision of the Upstream and Advisory FIG Manager in Latin America and Europe.

Roles and Responsibilities:
• Work with AS/US regional staff to develop advisory services opportunities with key partners in the region based on country/sector strategies and client/market needs, and market creation potential; including developing project proposals/client pitches; and meeting with potential clients and other market stakeholders to discuss business opportunities 
• Conduct targeted research, data analysis, and stakeholder interviews to enable appropriate project design, including assessment of sector dynamics, identification of market gaps/barriers, and market analysis.
• Apply human-centered methodologies to establish the desirability of new business concepts
• Conduct appraisals and/or workshops as part of business development or advisory/upstream project design that lead to IFC investments
• Design projects that address key clients’ needs, in a sustainable way, aiming for capacity building and leveraging existing client resources;
• Lead and / or support the implementation of recommendations and oversee implementation of services/ solutions/ recommendations to clients, ensuring overall the quality control in line with corporate monitoring and evaluation requirements;   
• Work/ interact closely with IFC’s AS/US staff to build their technical capacity for the delivery of DFS advisory projects
• Contribute to IFC’s DFS knowledge management and learning agenda
• Support the processing of AS/US projects as well as investments enabled by Upstream work.
• Collaborate with investment teams to ensure successful conversion from Upstream projects to investments.
• Support engagement with the World Bank to identify and contribute to sector and regulatory reforms that support opportunities for private investment

Selection Criteria

• 5 years’ experience in fintech, management consulting to financial institutions or banking in emerging markets; with proven track record in the field of Digital Strategy, Innovation, and/or Embedded Finance.
• Experience in payments, data management, and open innovation is desired; 
• Experience in helping companies to develop new products/concepts/business models; piloting, measuring success and learning lessons from them for future roll-out plans; 
• Understanding of the relevant sectors and ability to link policy reforms, advisory interventions, investment, and private capital mobilization to deliver solutions at a country level.
• Ability to support engagement with private sector clients, local and national governments and other
stakeholders to encourage pioneering business and market development.
• Experience in project/program management, including executing against implementation plans with defined business development milestones.
• Experience in monitoring and reporting on a portfolio of projects/programs/initiatives.
• Outstanding analytical and critical thinking skills.
• Masters Degree in Business, Finance, Technology, or related fields is preferred;
• Solid understanding of the trends in digital financial services considering different players: incumbents (banks, MFIs) and innovators (Fintech, tech firms, or any other company offering financial services); 
• Strong project management, sales and client relationship management skills, including the ability to develop and maintain mutually beneficial stakeholder relationships and ensure timely and appropriate follow-up;
• Highly motivated, energetic, team player with excellent interpersonal skills and client service skills with the ability to multi-task, deal with conflicting priorities and deliver high quality work on schedule; 
• Ability to communicate ideas clearly and confidently, and credibly represent IFC with clients and 
stakeholders, including at the senior executive level;
• Sound business judgment and problem solving, negotiation and commercial skills; 
• Ability to interact directly and independently with the management of potential clients and of financial and technical partners; 
• Solid people management and organizational skills;
• Ability to respond to situations of high demand and pressure in a timely manner;
• Willingness to travel as needed 
• Genuine commitment to sustainable development 

World Bank Group Core Competencies

The World Bank Group offers comprehensive benefits, including a retirement plan; medical, life and disability insurance; and paid leave, including parental leave, as well as reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities.

We are proud to be an equal opportunity and inclusive employer with a dedicated and committed workforce, and do not discriminate based on gender, gender identity, religion, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or disability.

Learn more about working at the World Bank and IFC, including our values and inspiring stories.

This vacancy is archived.

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