IFC—a sister organization of the World Bank and 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 2019, we invested more than $19 billion in private companies and financial institutions in developing countries, leveraging the power of the private sector to end extreme poverty and boost shared prosperity. For more information, visit www.ifc.org
The FCS Africa Initiative aims at enabling and increasing IFC’s engagement (investment and advisory services) in and across Fragile and Conflict Affected States (FCS) in Africa. The Initiative covers all the FCS countries in the Africa region. FCS Africa has recently launched an ambitious project, the Kakuma Kalobeyei Challenge Fund (KKCF), to increase private sector engagement in the refugee populated areas in Turkana (northern Kenya). This project, IFC’s current largest advisory initiative, has three main components: (a) a competitive business challenge, (b) enabling and improving the business environment, and (c) direct support to larger companies setting up operations in the Kakuma area.
IFC is seeking a highly motivated and experienced Operations Officer to support the regional FCS Manager and the Forced Displacement Program Lead in East Africa in implementing and monitoring the KKCF project.
Duties and Accountabilities
Operate with a significant degree of autonomy, under the overall guidance of the FDP Program Lead / FCS Manager;
Under the leadership of the FDP Lead, coordinate team members’ activities, staff recruitment and lead the on-boarding of staff;
Lead the engagement and communication with KKCF development partners;
Lead the engagement and communication with potential implementation partners for the KKCF to finalize details of the business competition;
Co-lead the engagement with the IFC team working on the investment climate improvement component of the KKCF;
Co-lead the engagement with other internal initiatives for advisory or investment interventions in Kakuma and Kalobeyei area;
Propose budget allocations and monitor cash flow, of both IFC and third party implemented activities;
Ensure strict compliance with financial and administrative requirements, monitoring & evaluation, and reporting requirements;
Develop and maintain relationships with all stakeholders, including government representatives (particularly at county level), development partners, private companies, NGOs, financial institutions and the World Bank office;
Perform periodic reporting and liaison as required with Development Partners and IFCs Africa management team on progress and designated achievements.
Provide operational and strategic input into IFC’s FDP activities in East Africa.
Selection Criteria
A post-graduate degree in one or more of the following disciplines: economics/ finance/ business management ideally with 12 years or more field experience;
Significant private sector development commitment and experience with a successful track record in designing and implementing development programs, preferably in Africa;
Strong commitment to private sector development in Africa;
Extensive experience working in a challenging business environment and/or conflict affected countries will be a distinct advantage;
Solid understanding of the private sector and refugee matters. Ideally, has already demonstrated experience in designing private sector interventions in refugee hosting areas.
Experience with UN-Partnerships;
Self-starter, mature and flexible personality; able to work in a multicultural, fast-paced team environment;
A team player with outstanding people management skills, ability to work with colleagues from different teams who are not reporting to him/her and achieve outstanding results while meeting tight deadline and maintaining strong client service orientation;
Strong analytical and presentation skills working with data using standard office software Excel, Word, Powerpoint;
Excellent written and oral communication skills in English.
Poverty has no borders, neither does excellence. We succeed because of our differences and we continuously search for qualified individuals with diverse backgrounds from around the globe.
