Country Manager – Singapore, Malaysia, Brunei

Overview

Manage IFC activities in Singapore, Malaysia, and Brunei to foster private sector development

You have:

• Master’s degree or equivalent professional qualification and a minimum 12 years of relevant work experience in strategy, finance, or advisory.
• Strong client relationship management skills, with an existing network of relevant top-level contacts.
• Outstanding and proven track record of performance in investment and advisory activities.
• Strong leadership capabilities and experience managing people, especially leading diverse and high-performing teams.
• Significant experience with proven success in developing client relationships.
• Ability to represent IFC externally with government, media, clients, donors, and other stakeholders.
• Experience in transaction processing and portfolio supervision is a strong plus.
• Ability to build successful relationships across the matrix.

Contract

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

Country Manager – Singapore, Malaysia, Brunei

Description

IFC—a member of the World Bank Group—is the largest global development institution focused on the private sector in emerging markets and the world’s largest multilateral source of loan and equity financing and advisory services for private sector in the developing world. 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. Working with 2,000 businesses worldwide, IFC draws on more than six decades of experience to create opportunities and solutions where they are needed most. For more information, visit www.ifc.org.

IFC is looking to recruit a Country Manager responsible for Singapore, Malaysia, Brunei (“Countries of Coverage”) based in Singapore.

The Country Manager will play a critical role in operationalizing IFC3.0/Creating Markets strategy and enabling the Cascade at the country level. The Country Manager will be responsible for all IFC's activities in the cluster of countries while managing a multidisciplinary team of investment, advisory services and support staff on the ground. He/she will be responsible, in close collaboration with the WBG counterparts, for developing operational country strategies and action plans and for driving their implementation. The Country Manager will oversee the relationship with the governments of the Countries of Coverage, coordinate business development with Singapore and Malaysia based companies, manage the Singapore office and ensure staff/ resource distribution across all Asia and Pacific sub-regions.

The Country Manager will be responsible for all of IFC’s activities in the Countries of Coverage and in Singapore, coordinating/ managing a multidisciplinary team of around 90 investment, advisory services and support staff on the ground, as well as around 55 AMC and Treasury staff serving Asia and Pacific. This will require close interactions with corporate clients, governments, counterparts at the World Bank and other multilateral/ bilateral institutions, as well as internal coordination within IFC with Industry Department Directors and Managers, Advisory Services Managers and constituent Executive Directors. The Country Manager will report to the Regional Director.

Duties and Accountabilities

In consultation with the Regional Director, development, design and implement multi-year engagement strategy with clients and parts in the Countries of Coverage and implementation plan for integrated investment and advisory operations, including sector priorities and business targets to be delivered in other countries in the region; • Lead the execution of the recently approved Engagement Strategy for Malaysia by developing a robust pipeline of mainstream investment opportunities for IFC; • Manage and develop relationships with key clients (governments and private companies) at the highest level of seniority and position IFC as the partner of choice to support high development impact projects in other countries. Build up relationships with key stakeholders (including relevant regulators, businesses, NGOs, PE Funds, and investors); • Lead, manage, develop and mentor an integrated and diverse team consisting of regional and industry staff, ensuring that the team is high performing, well-motivated, innovative, well-trained; has clear deliverables; and is committed to the success of IFC in the country. • Identify areas where IFC can leverage Singaporean clients to catalyze market development through innovation based on a thorough understanding of local markets and best practices from IFC’s global experience. • Lead/coordinate the development of the strategy for existing and new clients. • Take accountability for early review and clearance of sponsors. For all investments and AS client’s programs, review and validate IFC’s added value, development impact and fit with IFC strategy. • Develop IFC’s “brand”, building on IFC’s regional brand and the overall communications strategy; engage with local media. • Represent and provide visibility for IFC through organizing/participating in high profile events (Senior level visits, interviews, seminars and conferences); • Develop and maintain strong relationships with Industry Departments to originate, process and manage a pipeline of investments, and support proactive and strategic portfolio management, to meet IFC’s objectives. • Develop market knowledge to ensure that IFC is working with the right sponsors. Take accountability for client selection, ensure the integrity of potential clients, and develop and maintain relationships with these companies to identify business opportunities considering IFC’s strategy, priorities and products. • Provide administrative and HR management oversight. • Act as the Head of Security for the Countries of Coverage responsible for WBG’s duty of care obligations to staff. • Oversee the crisis management team supported by the business continuity management program offices. • Appoint emergency wardens, security focal points and road safety focal points. • Coordinate security decisions with other affected Heads of Office across the WBG. • Support administrative coordination and standardization across Asia and Pacific region.

Duties and Accountabilities

In consultation with the Regional Director, development, design and implement multi-year engagement strategy with clients and parts in the Countries of Coverage and implementation plan for integrated investment and advisory operations, including sector priorities and business targets to be delivered in other countries in the region; • Lead the execution of the recently approved Engagement Strategy for Malaysia by developing a robust pipeline of mainstream investment opportunities for IFC; • Manage and develop relationships with key clients (governments and private companies) at the highest level of seniority and position IFC as the partner of choice to support high development impact projects in other countries. Build up relationships with key stakeholders (including relevant regulators, businesses, NGOs, PE Funds, and investors); • Lead, manage, develop and mentor an integrated and diverse team consisting of regional and industry staff, ensuring that the team is high performing, well-motivated, innovative, well-trained; has clear deliverables; and is committed to the success of IFC in the country. • Identify areas where IFC can leverage Singaporean clients to catalyze market development through innovation based on a thorough understanding of local markets and best practices from IFC’s global experience. • Lead/coordinate the development of the strategy for existing and new clients. • Take accountability for early review and clearance of sponsors. For all investments and AS client’s programs, review and validate IFC’s added value, development impact and fit with IFC strategy. • Develop IFC’s “brand”, building on IFC’s regional brand and the overall communications strategy; engage with local media. • Represent and provide visibility for IFC through organizing/participating in high profile events (Senior level visits, interviews, seminars and conferences); • Develop and maintain strong relationships with Industry Departments to originate, process and manage a pipeline of investments, and support proactive and strategic portfolio management, to meet IFC’s objectives. • Develop market knowledge to ensure that IFC is working with the right sponsors. Take accountability for client selection, ensure the integrity of potential clients, and develop and maintain relationships with these companies to identify business opportunities considering IFC’s strategy, priorities and products. • Provide administrative and HR management oversight. • Act as the Head of Security for the Countries of Coverage responsible for WBG’s duty of care obligations to staff. • Oversee the crisis management team supported by the business continuity management program offices. • Appoint emergency wardens, security focal points and road safety focal points. • Coordinate security decisions with other affected Heads of Office across the WBG. • Support administrative coordination and standardization across Asia and Pacific region.

Selection Criteria

• Master’s degree or equivalent professional qualification and a minimum 12 years of relevant work experience in strategy, finance, or advisory, e.g., commercial or investment banking, project finance, private equity and management consulting.

• As an ambassador representing IFC in the country, country manager must be a role model for ethical behavior values of IFC.

• Strong client relationship management skills, with an existing network of relevant top-level contacts in the cluster of countries’ private and public sector and/or demonstrated ability to build such high-level client network.

• Outstanding and proven track record of performance in investment and advisory activities.

• Strong leadership capabilities and experience managing people, especially leading diverse and high-performing teams.

• Significant experience with proven success in developing client relationships.

• Ability to represent IFC externally with government, media, clients, donors, and other stakeholders.

• Ability to think strategically and adjust the country strategies as needed so that it remains responsive to the needs of client countries, and in coordination with development partners.

• Experience in transaction processing and portfolio supervision a strong plus.

• Ability to build successful relationships across the matrix.

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.

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Potential interview questions

Added 3 years ago - Updated 1 year ago - Source: worldbank.org