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Job #: req6347
Organization: IFC
Sector: Upstream
Grade: GF
Term Duration: 2 years 0 months
Recruitment Type: Local Recruitment
Location: Karachi,Pakistan
Required Language(s): English
Preferred Language(s): Urdu
Closing Date: 3/17/2020 (MM/DD/YYYY) at 11:59pm UTC

Description

Do you want to build a career that is full of meaning and impact? The International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, is the largest global development institution focused on the private sector in emerging markets. Working with more than 2,000 businesses worldwide, we use our capital, expertise, and influence to create markets and opportunities where they are needed most. Visit www.ifc.org

IFC has embarked on an ambitious new growth strategy (IFC 3.0) to stimulate more investment activity, especially in Low Income Countries (LICs) and Fragile and Conflict affected Situations (FCS). 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.

Infrastructure is one of IFC’s key strategic priorities. The Infrastructure and Natural Resources (INR) business line provides financing solutions to clients focused on the power, transport, and municipal and environmental infrastructure sectors. A strategic focus for the NR department in Asia is to ramp up activities in the cities space, including advisory programs and engagements. Cities are large contributors to economic development and quality of life. IFC is looking to support this municipal infrastructure development, engaging upstream with strong private, and subnational partners to support the development, financing and implementation of pipeline of bankable, impactful and sustainable deals. Through IFC’s Cites Practice, IFC draws on its global network, mobilizes commercial financing for priority projects, connects cities with capital markets and helps diversify their investor base. This is done through an integrated approach, combining advisory and investment work. The Cities team’s mandate covers all urban infrastructure and services, either through PPP solutions, direct financing to cities or subnational or financing to private sector.

To support the growth of its Cities business, IFC is seeking an (Associate) Operations Officer for its Cities team, with expertise in urban financing, urban infrastructure or services (Cities) sector. The selected candidate will focus on supporting the development of high-quality Upstream pipeline globally under the supervision of the Regional Cities Lead. S/he will also support policy work and other interventions across the World Bank Group to prioritize various initiatives and to maximize the impact of Upstream efforts.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities:
The roles and responsibilities of the position will include but not be limited to:

Task 1. Pakistan and South Asia municipal infrastructure business development

The candidate will support business development efforts in the municipal infrastructure sector in Pakistan and South Asia and, if needed, the broader Asia region to identify potential areas for strategic partnership with public and private stakeholders. This includes:

In coordination with the regional cities lead, build and maintain strong relationships with potential clients and other stakeholders, including government bodies, professional service providers, IFIs and other institutions in Pakistan and other target countries.
Work with other IFC colleagues in the region to map and track municipal and subnational infrastructure characteristics across region including legal, regulatory, political and economic considerations. Help prioritize potential and credible IFC partners using pre-defined screening criteria, e.g. creditworthiness, integrity due diligence, etc. in the urban infrastructure and services space.
Support the identification and assessment of areas of opportunities, based on country and sector strategies and market creation potential. This will include conducting industry and market research, as well as keeping abreast of game-changing trends, technologies and business models that can bring solutions to emerging markets.
Support business development by participating in meetings with potential clients, undertaking initial diagnostics of client capacities and needs, helping identify and developing integrated investment and advisory solutions.
In coordination with the Regional cities lead, establish contacts and facilitate the organization of meetings between the representatives of potential public and private partners and the IFC team to introduce IFC’s capabilities and client offering. Follow-up and facilitate meeting action items.

Task 2: Execution of upstream infrastructure engagements and lead new investment transactions

General support to (or leading some pieces of work related to) IFC’s Cities business development and upstream and value-add advisory engagements, working closely with Industry Specialists and the Regional Cities lead.
Due diligence: appraise financial and operational information from potential clients to identify and address transaction risks. Conduct other financial, KYC, legal or technical due diligence. Recommend appropriate financial structures and investment solutions;
Lead engagement with clients for the collection and preparation of necessary data, analyses and reporting documents required for projects preparation and financial closure in line with IFC standards and internal policies;
Support the timely development and delivery of quality upstream advisory activities in close collaboration with the clients, the Regional cities lead and IFC industry experts, including managing consultants;
Coordinate closely with social, environmental, and industry specialists to add value to our clients' businesses and achieve a sustainable development impact.
Work with the Cities Leads and Industry Specialists to foster relationships with key internal stakeholders, including WB, Climate, Blended Finance, Partnerships, other cities regional team etc. related to IFC’s Cities Initiative.
Prepare documentation for IFC internal processes, including regular reports on the portfolio, concept notes

Task 3: Reporting & Portfolio monitoring:
Organize project review meetings and supporting documents to facilitate cross regional learning.
Lead the development of bi-annual donor and project supervision reports for the Global Platform and support drafting and provide inputs into the bi-annual project supervision reports for projects; ensure compliance with donor and IFC portfolio reporting requirements and consistency in reporting, including AIMM.
Oversee monitoring and evaluation of projects, ensuring results are properly tracked and supporting materials properly filed; ensure compliance with eventual IEG evaluations.
Support the regional cities leads in the development of a fundraising strategy and donor outreach. This also includes work with the Blended Finance team, Climate Investment Funds and other multi-donor trust funds to identify and secure funds for advisory and investment projects.

Task 4: Knowledge sharing, capacity building & communications

Input into overall communications and capacity building strategy.
Lead or oversee the preparation of specific knowledge products for internal and external audiences as requested, including strategic research, pitch books and proposals for both advisory and investment clients, case studies, smart lessons etc.
Work with internal & external communication experts to strengthen cities communication material and develop effective delivery models, including working with third party providers.
Support IFC’s participation in external events including briefing materials and presentations,

Selection Criteria

Master's degree or equivalent professional qualification in Business, Finance, Economics, International Relations, Science, Engineering, or other relevant field.

At least six (6) years of relevant professional experience in infrastructure development and financing; demonstrated track record leading the day-to-day activites related transactions.

Genuine commitment to development and to the World Bank Group and IFC's mission, strategy and values.

Good knowledge of and practical experience in global urban development agenda.

Municipal finance, climate financing, PPP, urban transport, waste and water related experience is desirable.

Experience in the Asia region is a plus.

English language skills are a must; Urdu language skills is a plus.

Competencies

Strong analytical, critical and credit assessment skills, including understanding of accounting and financial statement analysis.

Proven client relationship and effective interpersonal skills, strategic thinker and ability to successfully operate in a diverse work environment at all levels.

Experience in project/program management, including executing against implementation plans with defined business development milestones and monitoring and reporting on a portfolio of projects/programs/initiatives.

Proven ability to work in team, including across various countries. Solid communication skills.

Fluency in English and ideally in Urdu, including excellent writing and presentation skills;

Enthusiasm for engaging upstream in developing and financing impactful projects and working in multi-cultural teams and across borders.

Strong written and verbal communications 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.