Country Officer Job #: req33516 Organization: IFC Sector: Operations Grade: GF Term Duration: 3 years 0 months Recruitment Type: Local Recruitment Location: Doha,Qatar Required Language(s): English, Arabic Preferred Language(s): Closing Date: 7/3/2025 (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 in developing countries. In fiscal year 2024, IFC committed and mobilized a record $56.7 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.
The World Bank Group’s priorities in Qatar are closely aligned with the Qatar National Vision 2030, reinforcing its commitment to supporting the country’s goals of economic diversification, environmental sustainability, human capital development, and strong governance. The WBG aims to engage with both public and private sector stakeholders to aid Qatar’s transition from a hydrocarbon-based economy to one driven by knowledge and innovation. Key focus areas include facilitating Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) to mobilize private investment in large-scale infrastructure, health, education, and transport projects. Additionally, the WBG seeks to promote gender equality and youth economic empowerment through targeted programs and partnerships. Climate action is another priority, with efforts directed toward developing renewable energy and climate-resilient infrastructure. The WBG also aims to advance green finance and ESG standards within Qatar’s financial and corporate sectors, while facilitating engagements that foster environmental sustainability, resource efficiency, and climate-smart development. Finally, the WBG aims to Promote south-south investment flows, supporting Qatari investors and institutions in channeling capital into the MENA region and emerging markets globally through strategic partnerships with the WBG.
A critical role in advancing the World Bank Group’s engagement in Qatar is the newly established Country Officer position. This role will support the WBG Country Manager in overseeing and coordinating the Group’s operations, investments, and programs across all WBG institutions. Based in Doha - Qatar, the Country Officer will play a key role in supporting the WBG’s efforts to contribute to Qatar’s economic diversification, private sector–led growth, and sustainable development agenda. The position will support a new OneWBG Office being established in Qatar, including joint engagement between IFC-IBRD-MIGA. The Country Officer will report to the new WBG Country Manager for Qatar.
Roles and Responsibilities:
In his/her capacity, the Country Officer’s responsibilities will include, among others, the following:- Under the guidance of the Country Manager, assists to develop, update, and implement country-level strategies, including the OneWBG Country Partnership Framework (CPF), drawing on a synthesis of enhanced diagnostics and core analytics, and working across IFC-IBRD-MIGA.- Support the Country Manager and industry teams in all IFC investment, advisory and upstream activities in Qatar. - Contribute to increasing the speed, scale, and quality of results in the country aligned with the CPF and the WBG corporate scorecard in coordination with sectoral/industry colleagues and the country management team.- Help coordinate with industries the development of a client engagement strategy for key clients- existing or targeted.- Promote south-south investment flows, supporting Qatari investors and institutions in channeling capital into emerging markets through strategic partnerships with the WBG.- Assist the Country Manager across all sectors (energy, financial, transport and logistics, PPP, light manufacturing, ICT, education, health, and agribusiness) to complete sponsor checks and due diligence. - Assist to facilitate and provide guidance to visiting missions including the preparation of briefing books and logistics.- Help the Country Manager by providing advice and guidance to teams on the implementation of investments, advisory services, lending, and knowledge products, complemented by Global Challenge Programs (country-level operations that are part of a broader, globally coordinated thematic platform).- Demonstrates excellent business judgment in balancing the importance of bankability, development impact, risks, and sustainability.- Help the Country Manager with the oversight of portfolio management and quality, working with clients and advising operational teams to address implementation and performance issues, and working to ensure high quality results on the ground.- Support the Country Manager in establishing the new OneWBG Office in Qatar including engaging with Government counterparts, and working with real estate, HR, legal and security teams.- Fosters a culture of partnership and trust, whereby all internal and external parties appreciate the mutual benefits of working together.- Assist with the coordination and collaboration with development partners in the country—bilateral agencies, regional and other multilateral agencies—to strengthen country-led development processes. - Disseminates best practices and lessons learned and manages learning and knowledge flows, including full suite of WBG products and solutions.- Assist in communicating the results of engagements internally and externally, in coordination with the communications team.
Selection Criteria
- Master’s degree in relevant field/s, including business, finance, economics, or an area of expertise specific to a sector or industry.- Between 5-8 years of professional experience in with demonstrated track record in country program, business consulting, investment banking, or operational experience in a sector relevant to the country.- Excellent understanding of the role, dynamics and interdependencies of the public and private sectors in achieving development goals at the country level.- Broad and deep understanding of the Evolution Roadmap and of the full range of the Bank’s financial and advisory products, services and procedures, gained through solid operational experience.- Ability to connect the dots across corporate strategies and portfolio management lessons learned to generate innovative ideas and replicable solutions.- Analytical, financial, credit, integrity assessment, and business skills to assist to identify project and program viability, assess sustainable development impact, identify portfolio risks, and determine how to approach complex risk-reward trade-offs.- Demonstrated track record in operations within complex, multi-stakeholder environments, particularly in development finance and international development.- Experience in assisting with integrating diverse institutional priorities into cohesive country strategies that leverage the unique strengths of each institution to maximize development impact.- Exceptional communication and negotiation skills to serve as part of the country team, and contribute to establishing a new WBG Office, including in interactions with external stakeholders, including governments, private sector entities, and international organizations.- Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to speak persuasively and present ideas clearly and concisely.- Willingness to travel extensively
WBG Culture Attributes:
1. Sense of Urgency – Anticipating and quickly reacting to the needs of internal and external stakeholders.
2. Thoughtful Risk Taking – Taking informed and thoughtful risks and making courageous decisions to push boundaries for greater impact.
3. Empowerment and Accountability – Engaging with others in an empowered and accountable manner for impactful results.
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.