Country Officer Job #: req32675 Organization: IFC Sector: Operations Grade: GF Term Duration: 3 years 0 months Recruitment Type: Local Recruitment Location: Abidjan,Cote d'Ivoire Required Language(s): English Preferred Language(s): Closing Date: 4/21/2025 (MM/DD/YYYY) at 11:59pm UTC
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. Our mission is to leverage the power of the private sector to end extreme poverty and boost shared prosperity on a livable planet. For more information, visit www.ifc.org. Overall• To support the Country Manager in overseeing IFC activities in Côte d’Ivoire.Strategy• Work with the Country Manager and Senior Country Officer to oversee implementation of IFC’s strategy in the country including preparation of business plan updates.• Oversee the preparation of World Bank Group strategy documents including Country Strategies, Country Private Sector Diagnostics, and Country Partnership Frameworks etc.
Business development• Develop and maintain a good understanding of the country and monitor key economic and political issues.• Work with investment, advisory, upstream, and relevant WBG teams to roll out the IFC 3.0 strategy and develop the project pipeline.• Build and maintain strong high-level relationships with the private sector, relevant government officials, key development partners, and WBG colleagues to support business development and portfolio management.• Participate in client selection and help ensure that IFC is working with appropriate sponsors.• Assist in project structuring and implementation using local market intelligence.• Track the projects pipeline and assist in moving transactions forward.• Help manage development partner relations to support fundraising for advisory projects.• Track and oversee the preparation of visiting missions/trips to the country.• Contribute to the preparation of board papers and other project documents as required.
Portfolio management• Develop a good understanding of IFC’s portfolio in the country, assist project teams maintaining good relationships with existing clients, and help to resolve any issues that may arise.
Briefs• Prepare/coordinate preparation of high-quality briefs for WBG senior management.
Representation• Represent IFC externally and provide visibility for IFC through organizing/participating in high profile events (high-level visits, seminars, and conferences).• Ensure internal and external requests are addressed.• Act on behalf of the Country Manager as needed.
Selection Criteria
• Master’s degree, preferably in finance, business administration, management, economics, or a similar field.• 8+ years of relevant experience, preferably in areas such as investment or commercial banking, public-private partnerships, management consulting, or operational experience in an investment and/or advisory role.• Experience and/or a strong interest in Africa is required, and experience in the West Africa region is an advantage.• Ability to assess the viability of business opportunities and risks.• Ability to think creatively about potential investment opportunities, and to use business development skills to translate such opportunities into bankable projects. • Strong analytical, finance, financial modeling, credit, and transaction structuring skills is an advantage.• Good understanding of IFC’s investment and advisory business lines, their products, how they complement each other, and how they may be leveraged to match the long-term needs of clients and open new markets.• Track record in developing and maintaining strong high-level relationships in the private sector, government, and development institutions.• Ability to represent IFC externally with the private sector, government, development partners, media, and other stakeholders.• Team player with strong leadership and influencing skills, and track record in working in a matrix structure.• Strong client service orientation and an ability to resolve challenging issues.• Excellent critical thinking, analytical and presentation skills, and ability to work with or supervise the use of data utilizing standard office software Excel, Word, PowerPoint.• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English and in French are required.
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.
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