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 the fiscal year 2021, IFC committed a record $31.5 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 the COVID-19 pandemic. For more information, visit www.ifc.org.

IFC has embarked on an ambitious new growth strategy (IFC 3.0) to stimulate more investment activity. This strategy calls for generating unique 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. This strategy also calls for working with Governments and World Bank colleagues to first seek private sector solutions to address development challenges - where such solutions are advisable and can be effective - and reserve public financing for projects only when other options are suboptimal. This approach is called the “Cascade”.

IFC is looking to recruit a Country Manager responsible for IFC’s operations in the Horn of Africa (HoA), a strategic sub-region, comprising Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, South Sudan and Sudan. This position is based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. This cluster of countries, most of which are designated as FCS, has a comprehensive, active and growing Upstream, Investment, and Advisory Services program, across many sectors.

The Country Manager will play a critical role in operationalizing IFC 3.0/Creating Markets strategy and enabling the Cascade at the country level, while managing a multidisciplinary team currently made up of 24 investment, advisory services and support staff and 40 STCs, in a co-located office with the World Bank. He/she will be responsible, in close collaboration with the WB Country Director and other WBG counterparts, for the IFC and WBG country strategies and action plans in the cluster countries and for driving their implementation. While the cluster of countries may change, the mandate of the Country Manager will be to significantly build the portfolio, develop new opportunities for IFC in the HoA sub-region and enhance our impact. This will require close interactions with corporate clients, governments, counterparts at the World Bank, MIGA and other multilateral/bilateral institutions, as well as internal coordination within IFC with Industry Department Directors and Managers, Advisory Services Managers, and the constituent Executive Directors. The Country Manager will report to the Regional Director, Eastern Africa.

Duties and Accountabilities

• In consultation with the Regional Director, Eastern Africa, develop and implement the country's strategies and business plans for integrated investment and advisory operations, including sector priorities and business targets.
• Support the implementation of the Upstream strategy.
• Oversee all IFC's investment and advisory activities in the countries.
• Lead the coordination with World Bank Group institutions and oversee with the regional industry managers (and other colleagues in IDA and MIGA) the design and implementation of the Joint Business Plans (JBPs) and other forms of proactive collaboration to enable the Cascade in the country level. Fully contribute and drive on behalf of IFC the development of Systematic Country Diagnostics (SCDs), Country Private Sector Diagnostics (CPSDs) and Country Partnership Frameworks (CPFs).
• 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 HoA. Build up relationships with key stakeholders (including relevant regulators, businesses, CSOs, PE Funds, and investors).
• Identify and implement measures to improve results in terms of efficiency, productivity, profitability, and impact and increase their contribution to the corporate scorecard.
• 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 countries.
• Identify areas where IFC can 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 a client engagement 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 in the countries.
• Manage investment teams and provide guidance for complex investment structuring and portfolio management cases; make an early review and Investment review stage decisions, serve as a transaction manager, and chair decision meetings as appropriate under an approved delegated authority framework, and/or carry out all Country Manager responsibilities under the prevailing accountability for decision making (ADM) matrix at IFC.
• Develop IFC’s “brand”, building on IFC’s regional brand and the overall communications strategy, engaging with local media.
• Represent and provide visibility for IFC in the countries including 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.
• Share accountability (with Industry Portfolio Managers) for the quality and performance of the country's portfolio; work jointly with relevant managers to meet Scorecard targets in DRC.
• Provide administrative and HR management oversight.
• Act as the Head of Security for the country 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.

Selection Criteria

• Master’s degree with 12 to 15 years of professional 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, the country managers must be role models for the ethical behavior and values of IFC.
• Strong client relationship management skills, with an existing network of relevant top-level contacts in the country’s private and public sector and/or demonstrated ability to build such a 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 governments, media, clients, donors, and other stakeholders.
• Ability to think strategically and adjust the country's strategies as needed so that they remain responsive to the client's needs, and in coordination with development partners.
• Experience in transaction processing and portfolio supervision is a strong plus.
• Work experience in the African region and a strong interest in developing a thorough understanding of the Horn of Africa
• Ability to build successful relationships across the matrix.
• Strong written and oral communication skills.
• The English language is required; French and Arabic language will be a plus.
• Recognized as a leader.
• Ability to develop innovative solutions and challenge the status quo to build IFC’s business and image in the market.
• Meet Bank Group-wide managerial selection criteria including Courage of your convictions, Leading the team for impact, influencing across boundaries, fostering openness to new ideas, and Building talent for the future.

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.