Job Details

Operations Officer

 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.

IFC is looking for a dynamic, adaptable, high-performing Operations Officer to support operational and strategy implementation functions of the Strategy and Operations Management Department (CSM).  This role targets a highly motivated professional with a thorough understanding of IFC, its mode of operation, and its mission. The role involves extensive interactions with Senior Management, including the IFC Managing Director’s (MD) office and the IFC Board of Directors, and requires close collaboration with IFC Operations as well as across the various groups of the World Bank Group (WBG).

The Operations Officer will report to the Director of Strategy and Operations Management.

CSM provides strategic guidance at the IFC level, as well as across Operations. The department’s focus is on clearly articulating IFC’s strategic vision, operational priorities, developing and implementing business process improvements as well as structured and effective policies and procedures. CSM is also responsible for governance and oversight of IFC’s advisory, upstream, and blended finance trust funds and is also home to the IFC-UNHCR joint initiative to support individuals, clients, countries, and regions affected by forced displacement.

Core Duties and Accountabilities:

1.) Reporting and Communications
•  Leading the delivery of quarterly operational reporting to the Board in coordination with the CSM Director, the Industries VP front office, and the MD EVP front office
•  Liaising with colleagues in IFC industries, regional, and other departments on IFC quarterly and annual operational performance
•  Supervising the work of copy editors and graphic designers 
•  Leading the automation of data collection processes for IFC operational reporting and piloting interactive display formats
•  Leading business requirement gathering sessions with partners to create reporting solutions 
•  Liaising with the Corporate Support and Industries VP front offices and the MD front office to articulate the messaging for strategic communications pieces
•  Developing compelling narratives, with the use of data storytelling, to effectively deliver results and insights to the leadership team, the Board, and other stakeholders
•  Supporting innovation in reporting and analytics and identifying new opportunities to leverage data science and generate valuable insights and analytical products
•  Engaging with IFC’s Board (Executive Directors and Advisers) as well as with the Board’s Secretariat to respond to various queries and provide relevant analyses

2.) Managing the Implementation of the Platforms Approach
•  Supporting industry and regional teams in structuring platforms in alignment with the Platforms Approach and key criteria and in articulating the platforms’ impact
•  Leading the delivery of regular updates to the Board of Directors on the use and impact of investment platform, and based on the underlying analysis, formulate request for modifications to the approach
•  Maintaining and developing project document templates to capture the impact of the investments processed under platforms
•  Working in close collaboration with IFC Operations teams implementing platforms, creating a repository of lessons learned from the implementation of the approach to inform the design and delivery of other replicable/scalable solutions and business improvement processes 
•  With lessons learned from streamlined project documentation under the Platforms Approach, overhauling key project documents for mainstream business to improve their clarity and impact, as well as enhancing operational efficiency by leveraging effective platform results across IFC’s mainstream operations

3.) Strategy Formulation and Delivery of Operational Insights
•  Actively tracking business trends across IFC industries to identify areas for scalability, simplification, or cooperation with other institutions within the WBG and beyond
•  Communicating complex operational issues and results to various audiences to enable effective decision making
•  Promoting a collaborative, productive environment across the department and beyond, including through leading or participating in working groups, committees, and other initiatives to support the achievement of diverse strategic objectives
•  Following up on regular requests such as inputs for Board and Committee meetings or for IFC Management meetings
•  Leading various initiatives at the direction of the CSM Director

Selection Criteria

•  MBA or a master’s degree in economics, international relations, or a related field
•  Excellent written and oral communication skills in English are essential
•  Excellent writing and analytical skills, including the ability to quickly draft presentations, talking points, bespoke analytical briefs, and other written communication pieces that are concise, well-organized, and appropriately focused on the critical points relevant to the target audience 
•  A minimum of five years of relevant experience in reporting and analytics, strategic communication, or a consistent track record in business consulting and investment banking
•  Thorough knowledge of IFC and/or WBG corporate reporting products is a plus
•  Experience across IFC’s Operations is preferred
•  Familiarity with IFC operations systems and data infrastructure, a plus 
•  Ability to use compelling visuals to communicate complex data and concepts
•  Exceptional attention to detail while being able to maintain a big-picture perspective
•  Ability to apply a practical approach to problem-solving, produce high-quality work outputs, effectively prioritize, have an insatiable curiosity when exploring data, and adapt to competing and unexpected demands
•  Demonstrated ability to undertake diverse tasks within a rapidly changing and demanding environment on short deadlines
•  Demonstrated ability to work across organizational boundaries and function effectively as a team member and individually, as required
•  A self-starter mindset with a demonstrated high level of initiative 
•  Commitment to maintaining the highest quality and ethical standards
•  Strong interpersonal, relationship-building, and diplomatic skills

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.