(Associate) Operations Officer

Contract

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(Associate) 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 in developing countries. In fiscal year 2023, IFC committed a record US$43.7 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.

IFC has embarked on an ambitious new growth strategy (IFC 3.0) to stimulate more investment activity in frontier markets. 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. It requires taking a systematic approach to understanding the regulatory and sector bottlenecks that prevent the flow of private capital into productive investment in our member countries, and addressing these bottlenecks through World Bank Group engagement on policy reforms and programmatic interventions at the country and sector level. It also requires capacity to leverage WBG programs and projects to develop our own proactive sector interventions and to imagine and design projects even in the absence of reforms.

At the same time, IFC has pledged to significantly increase its investments in climate-related projects, to further sustainability and inclusiveness in emerging markets. IFC plans to deliver on these commitments by working with clients to help them develop and implement their own climate strategies and projects. Key areas of focus include the promotion of low-carbon solutions, including renewable energy, regenerative agriculture, green buildings, decarbonization, circularity, and resource efficiency, amongst others.

In this context, IFC is seeking an (Associate) Operations Officer for the Latin America & Caribbean (LAC) region with familiarity with the design and implementation of climate-related solutions across the real sector (such as agribusiness, manufacturing, health, education, tourism, retail, and/or property), with an emphasis on tourism, retail and property. Under the supervision of the Upstream and Advisory Manager, the selected candidate would focus on supporting the development of a pipeline of high-quality investment opportunities. The selected candidate will be expected to support senior staff in the implementation of existing projects and in the origination of new ones which are essential to build the pipeline of future IFC investments. S/he would work across IFC business lines and support policy work and other interventions across the World Bank Group to prioritize various initiatives and to maximize the impact of IFC’s efforts.

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Help spot new trends and business models that further the climate goals of the World Bank and can address development challenges in emerging markets. • Contribute to data analysis and stress-testing of various operating models across sectors to generate ideas for new projects, products and platforms. • Support the identification and assessment of impactful and innovative potential investment opportunities based on country and sector strategies and market creation potential. • Support opportunities that can help decarbonize real sectors at scale and enable more sustainable water use, through green buildings, regenerative agriculture, resource efficiency, and the use of low-carbon construction materials, among others. • Assess and in selected instances, lead the execution and implementation of interventions spanning advisory services and project development. One such intervention is the Green Pathways for Real Estate Institutional Portfolios (GRIP) initiative. • Contribute to the preparation of climate-related feasibility studies, climate impact assessments, technical reports, market assessments and implementation plans for new and existing investment opportunities. • Support World Bank and IFC colleagues to analyze sector and regulatory reforms needed to unlock opportunities for private investment. • Manage and process climate-related activities and projects, collaborating closely with investment teams and other relevant internal stakeholders to ensure alignment. • Produce regular reports on the assigned portfolio including supervising progress against project milestones and key performance indicators.

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 2023, IFC committed a record US$43.7 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.

IFC has embarked on an ambitious new growth strategy (IFC 3.0) to stimulate more investment activity in frontier markets. 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. It requires taking a systematic approach to understanding the regulatory and sector bottlenecks that prevent the flow of private capital into productive investment in our member countries, and addressing these bottlenecks through World Bank Group engagement on policy reforms and programmatic interventions at the country and sector level. It also requires capacity to leverage WBG programs and projects to develop our own proactive sector interventions and to imagine and design projects even in the absence of reforms.

At the same time, IFC has pledged to significantly increase its investments in climate-related projects, to further sustainability and inclusiveness in emerging markets. IFC plans to deliver on these commitments by working with clients to help them develop and implement their own climate strategies and projects. Key areas of focus include the promotion of low-carbon solutions, including renewable energy, regenerative agriculture, green buildings, decarbonization, circularity, and resource efficiency, amongst others.

In this context, IFC is seeking an (Associate) Operations Officer for the Latin America & Caribbean (LAC) region with familiarity with the design and implementation of climate-related solutions across the real sector (such as agribusiness, manufacturing, health, education, tourism, retail, and/or property), with an emphasis on tourism, retail and property. Under the supervision of the Upstream and Advisory Manager, the selected candidate would focus on supporting the development of a pipeline of high-quality investment opportunities. The selected candidate will be expected to support senior staff in the implementation of existing projects and in the origination of new ones which are essential to build the pipeline of future IFC investments. S/he would work across IFC business lines and support policy work and other interventions across the World Bank Group to prioritize various initiatives and to maximize the impact of IFC’s efforts.

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Help spot new trends and business models that further the climate goals of the World Bank and can address development challenges in emerging markets. • Contribute to data analysis and stress-testing of various operating models across sectors to generate ideas for new projects, products and platforms. • Support the identification and assessment of impactful and innovative potential investment opportunities based on country and sector strategies and market creation potential. • Support opportunities that can help decarbonize real sectors at scale and enable more sustainable water use, through green buildings, regenerative agriculture, resource efficiency, and the use of low-carbon construction materials, among others. • Assess and in selected instances, lead the execution and implementation of interventions spanning advisory services and project development. One such intervention is the Green Pathways for Real Estate Institutional Portfolios (GRIP) initiative. • Contribute to the preparation of climate-related feasibility studies, climate impact assessments, technical reports, market assessments and implementation plans for new and existing investment opportunities. • Support World Bank and IFC colleagues to analyze sector and regulatory reforms needed to unlock opportunities for private investment. • Manage and process climate-related activities and projects, collaborating closely with investment teams and other relevant internal stakeholders to ensure alignment. • Produce regular reports on the assigned portfolio including supervising progress against project milestones and key performance indicators.

Selection Criteria

• Master's degree in Business, Finance, Economics, Science, Engineering, or another related field. • 4 - 8 years of relevant work experience • Experience developing solutions for private sector clients in one or more of the real sector verticals in which IFC invests: commercial, industrial and residential property, retail, tourism, manufacturing, agribusiness, health, and/or education. Familiarity specifically with the property, retail, and tourism sectors is preferred. • Familiarity with decarbonization and resource efficiency in the real sectors, as well as technical knowledge regarding resource efficiency, is preferred. • Familiarity with carbon finance and sustainability-linked finance is a plus. • Proven ability to analyze financial statements, conduct quantitative and qualitative analysis, and review financial models for companies, business models, and/or projects. • Appreciation for how policy reforms, advisory interventions, investment, and mobilization can be linked to deliver solutions at a country or regional level. • Ability to support engagements with private sector clients, local and national governments, and other partners to encourage pioneering business and market development. • Experience with project and/or program development, executing against implementation plans, and managing stakeholders. • Experience in monitoring and reporting on a portfolio of projects, programs, and/or initiatives. • Strong organizational skills and proven ability to work on several assignments simultaneously is required. • Outstanding and demonstrated history of analytical, creative problem solving and critical thinking skills is required. • Strong written and verbal communications skills in English are required. Proficiency in Spanish and/or Portuguese strongly preferred. • Genuine dedication to development and to the World Bank Group and IFC's mission, strategy, and values. • Understanding of IFC’s strategic priorities and changing business model against the backdrop of IFC 3.0.

• Master's degree in Business, Finance, Economics, Science, Engineering, or another related field. • 4 - 8 years of relevant work experience • Experience developing solutions for private sector clients in one or more of the real sector verticals in which IFC invests: commercial, industrial and residential property, retail, tourism, manufacturing, agribusiness, health, and/or education. Familiarity specifically with the property, retail, and tourism sectors is preferred. • Familiarity with decarbonization and resource efficiency in the real sectors, as well as technical knowledge regarding resource efficiency, is preferred. • Familiarity with carbon finance and sustainability-linked finance is a plus. • Proven ability to analyze financial statements, conduct quantitative and qualitative analysis, and review financial models for companies, business models, and/or projects. • Appreciation for how policy reforms, advisory interventions, investment, and mobilization can be linked to deliver solutions at a country or regional level. • Ability to support engagements with private sector clients, local and national governments, and other partners to encourage pioneering business and market development. • Experience with project and/or program development, executing against implementation plans, and managing stakeholders. • Experience in monitoring and reporting on a portfolio of projects, programs, and/or initiatives. • Strong organizational skills and proven ability to work on several assignments simultaneously is required. • Outstanding and demonstrated history of analytical, creative problem solving and critical thinking skills is required. • Strong written and verbal communications skills in English are required. Proficiency in Spanish and/or Portuguese strongly preferred. • Genuine dedication to development and to the World Bank Group and IFC's mission, strategy, and values. • Understanding of IFC’s strategic priorities and changing business model against the backdrop of IFC 3.0.

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.