Associate Industry Specialist

Contract

This is a World Bank Group grade: GF contract. More about World Bank Group grade: GF contracts.

Associate Industry Specialist

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.

Mitigating climate change and helping our clients and member countries adapt to climate change risks and impacts is a strategic pillar of the WBG. In its Climate Change Action Plan for FY21-25, IFC committed that, among other things:

• an average of 35% of its own-account long-term finance commitments will finance climate related activities,

• 85% of new IFC investments will be Paris Aligned by July 2023 and 100% will be Paris Aligned by July 2025; and

• 100% of IFC projects will be screened for climate risk by July 2023.

IFC’s Manufacturing, Agribusiness and Services (MAS) department spans a wide range of sectors essential for economic growth and for basic human needs. MAS clients – leading global and regional / local industry players - play a critical role in manufacturing goods and providing services demanded by consumers and required for infrastructure, business, and global supply chains.

Through its business with private sector clients, IFC's priorities in MAS include (but are not limited to): (i) increasing productivity and access to manufactured goods and services, while supporting low carbon growth and enhancing resilience to climate change impacts; (ii) making IFC the financing partner of choice for targeted clients, in part through its world-class industry expertise; (iii) helping select local companies to grow while improving their transparency and sustainable competitiveness; (iv) catalyzing investment through our mobilization activities; and (v) developing client, sector and country-level investment and advisory solutions that can be scaled and replicated.

MAS Climate Business helps to deliver IFC’s climate strategies and targets. Our platform comprises a network of investment professionals, industry specialists, analysts, Advisory and other staff that work with MAS sector teams and clients to build and finance a pipeline of climate investments. MAS Climate Business crafts strategies, develops tools, and engages in business development to promote IFC’s expertise and climate financing products for investments in energy efficiency, renewable energy, green buildings, circular economy, climate smart agriculture, sustainable forestry and other decarbonization solutions. We help clients to set and achieve their climate strategies and commitments in their operations and in their supply chains. We look to scale proven abatement/adaptation technologies and pilot select innovative technologies that clients want to implement. We identify business models and approaches that can be replicated and scaled.

MAS Climate Business seeks a Sustainability Finance Product Specialist to help us meet fast growing demand by our clients for “labeled” products such as Green Loans / Bonds, Blue Loans / Bonds, Sustainability Linked Loans / Bonds; and Transition Finance (in development).

Roles and Responsibilities:

The Associate/ Industry Specialist (Sustainability Financing) will work with relevant investment, sector, and other specialists across IFC’s industry + regional matrix to add value to our teams and clients, build our climate related investments and impact, and help MAS to deliver its climate strategies and targets. S/he will have three main objectives:

A “Go-To” resource for Sustainability Finance Products: Be a Sustainability Coordinator and point person to help our teams and clients to prepare “labeled” sustainable finance transactions such as green loans, green bonds, sustainability-linked finance, and climate finance. This includes preparing and sharing product knowledge on characteristics of different sustainability financing products, helping with business development, answering questions, and helping to review, structure and process transactions through investment commitment. Tasks for the Sustainability Coordinator role are further described below.

Grow the Business: Position IFC as sustainability / climate partner of choice. Help to develop a pipeline of sustainability / climate related investments. Help to prepare client pitches and craft offers / structures that can be replicated and scaled, including ones that leverage capital markets climate financing solutions. Work with IFC Investment Officers, who are responsible for the design, negotiation, structuring, and supervision of IFC’s investments; and with relevant specialists (e.g. Green Buildings, Climate Smart Agri, Decarbonization, GHG accountants) to support MAS climate related investments.

Help MAS to Achieve its Climate Objectives: Work with MAS Climate Business team and MAS/IFC colleagues to deliver our climate program. Help to conduct trainings and contribute to tools & communications that increase awareness and develop climate business / investments and impact in new areas. Support MAS Climate Business Global Head, regional MAS climate leads & other team members with tasks as requested.

Key areas of responsibility include:

• The Sustainability Coordinator role involves making an initial assessment of the scope of work (including the suitability of a given product for a given client or transaction) and liaising with relevant colleagues to ensure consistency with international principles (GLP, BGP, SLLP, SLBP), high quality input, and timely delivery.

• Participate in discussions with investment teams and prospective MAS clients to understand clients’ strategies and operations from a climate and sustainability standpoint.

• Assist with business development: help to craft climate/green/sustainability pitchbooks targeted for the client, their sector / business and climate financing product of choice.

• Conduct research and analyze clients’ sustainability / climate strategy, available data and industry benchmarks, and Green / climate commitments / KPIs.

• Help prepare client pitches and explain to teams and clients the requirements for the chosen sustainability finance product.

• Provide step-by-step support though the process until commitment / loan agreement signing. This includes working with clients to:

o develop or to review their Sustainability / Green financing frameworks,

o assess eligibility of client’s assets to be financed or refinanced,

o identify and select appropriate KPIs material for the client’s sustainability and operations,

o ensure that targets are robust and ambitious, calibrated with historic and industry data,

o agree on a reporting approach and timeframe,

o support the selection of the second opinion provider and work with them to confirm alignment with international principles,

o review documents (papers, legal agreements, etc.) to ensure that they are consistent with the framework and second party opinion,

o review or prepare external communications regarding the project,

o respond to questions by second opinion providers, other lenders or interested parties.

• Prepare case studies on select IFC projects for internal and external audiences. This includes sharing examples of best practice and transaction precedents relevant for MAS.

• Coordinate with / provide feedback to Advisory Services and Upstream colleagues when preparing / designing client pitches or projects.

• Conduct company, industry, and market research as requested / relevant.

• Help with training and development of awareness raising materials, tip sheets, case studies.

• Keep track of market trends and transaction precedents relevant to MAS teams and clients.

• Contribute to new product development (e.g., transition finance).

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’s Manufacturing, Agribusiness and Services (MAS) department spans a wide range of sectors essential for economic growth and for basic human needs. MAS clients – leading global and regional / local industry players - play a critical role in manufacturing goods and providing services demanded by consumers and required for infrastructure, business, and global supply chains.

Through its business with private sector clients, IFC's priorities in MAS include (but are not limited to): (i) increasing productivity and access to manufactured goods and services, while supporting low carbon growth and enhancing resilience to climate change impacts; (ii) making IFC the financing partner of choice for targeted clients, in part through its world-class industry expertise; (iii) helping select local companies to grow while improving their transparency and sustainable competitiveness; (iv) catalyzing investment through our mobilization activities; and (v) developing client, sector and country-level investment and advisory solutions that can be scaled and replicated.

MAS Climate Business helps to deliver IFC’s climate strategies and targets. Our platform comprises a network of investment professionals, industry specialists, analysts, Advisory and other staff that work with MAS sector teams and clients to build and finance a pipeline of climate investments. MAS Climate Business crafts strategies, develops tools, and engages in business development to promote IFC’s expertise and climate financing products for investments in energy efficiency, renewable energy, green buildings, circular economy, climate smart agriculture, sustainable forestry and other decarbonization solutions. We help clients to set and achieve their climate strategies and commitments in their operations and in their supply chains. We look to scale proven abatement/adaptation technologies and pilot select innovative technologies that clients want to implement. We identify business models and approaches that can be replicated and scaled.

MAS Climate Business seeks a Sustainability Finance Product Specialist to help us meet fast growing demand by our clients for “labeled” products such as Green Loans / Bonds, Blue Loans / Bonds, Sustainability Linked Loans / Bonds; and Transition Finance (in development).

Selection Criteria

• Master’s degree with specialization in finance, economics, or a related field with applied knowledge of finance and working with private sector companies.

• Desirable experience in sustainable finance through a consulting firm, second opinion provider or financial institution (minimum of 5 years).

• Strong knowledge of and/or hands-on experience processing transactions using labeled sustainability financing products (Green Loans / Bonds, Sustainability Linked Financing, etc.).

• Interest in sustainability and specifically, climate change mitigation and/or adaptation.

• Desirable experience with private sector decarbonization strategies and commitments (e.g., net zero carbon, Science Based Targets) and relevant pathways / technologies (e.g., renewable energy, energy efficiency, climate smart agriculture, circular economy, green buildings).

• Knowledge of climate policy / Paris Alignment, carbon finance or carbon credit markets a plus.

• Strong business sense with the ability to judge what motivates private sector strategic and investment priorities & implementation decisions (i.e., results / impact in timeframe sought).

• Strong analytical and investment assessment skills; knowledge of or experience with investment structuring and relevant documentation (e.g., loan agreements).

• Strong problem-solving skills: ability to identify issues and practical solutions.

• Demonstrated teamwork skills; ability to work effectively across organizational boundaries.

• Ability to multi-task and do quality work, often with need to meet tight client deadlines.

• Strong client service orientation with an openness to feedback.

• Results driven with energy, initiative, and self-motivation; willingness to travel.

• High degree of discretion, ethics, and sensitivity in handling confidential information.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English. French or Spanish a plus.

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.