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. Our mission is to leverage the power of the private sector to end extreme poverty and boost shared prosperity on a livable planet. For more information, visit www.ifc.org.
IFC’s Manufacturing, Agribusiness and Services (MAS) Africa department has identified climate finance as a priority area and has made significant progress in providing financing and advisory support to projects related to industrial decarbonization, climate-smart agriculture and food value chains, circular economy, green buildings, renewable energy etc. The MAS Africa team also works closely with other departments across the organization to maintain project alignment with the Paris Climate Agreement (Paris Alignment); and to facilitate steady growth, innovation and knowledge leadership in the climate space.
To support these activities, IFC is seeking an Operations Officer to join the MAS Africa department in the IFC Office in Johannesburg, South Africa. The Operations Officer will be responsible for supporting MAS Africa teams in sourcing and implementing climate finance projects across the Africa region; enhancing the impact and development outcomes of such projects; and maintaining compliance with the IFC corporate guidelines on climate finance and Paris Alignment.
In this role, the Operations Officer will work closely with Investment, Upstream & Advisory, and regional teams to support IFC’s business objectives. The position will report to the MAS Africa Upstream & Advisory Manager and work closely with the MAS Africa Regional Climate Lead.
Duties and Accountabilities:
The roles and responsibilities will include but not be limited to:
• Identification and assessment of Climate Finance investment opportunities with existing and potential private sector clients.
• Leading and supporting the implementation of upstream and advisory engagements aimed at identifying, enabling, and de-risking climate investment opportunities, including provision of technical inputs within the relevant area of expertise.
• Supporting business development for climate finance opportunities including writing concept notes, preparing budgets, brief presentations, or other materials.
• Provide guidance to transaction teams on the climate-related impact and Paris alignment of transactions including recommendations on optimal structuring of investment transactions.
• Maintaining data on client engagements to track identified pipeline projects, completed transactions, status of climate and Paris alignment assessments, as well as climate-related upstream and advisory engagements.
• Contribute to IFC internal portfolio reporting and quality control activities on climate business results and Paris alignment.
• Contribute to internal and external communications materials on specific climate-linked transactions, climate business results, trends, and opportunities.
• Contribute to relevant diagnostic assessments and sector-level initiatives conducted by the World Bank Group including Climate Change Development Reports (CCDR), Climate Strategies, Country Partnership Frameworks etc.
• Develop strong relations with internal clients, other World Bank Group units, and development partners on climate-related matters.
Selection Criteria
• Master’s degree or equivalent professional qualification in Business, Finance, Economics, Environmental science/Policy or another relevant field.
• Qualifications in engineering; project management; or environmental, social and governance (ESG) will be an advantage.
• Over 8 years of experience working on climate change mitigation and adaptation and/or sustainable finance.
• Proven track record of climate finance project development and/or origination and structuring climate finance transactions, including managing teams and workflows.
• Solid understanding of the global context climate mitigation and adaptation, climate and environmental finance, prevalent methodologies, framework and principles for project development and assessment.
• A good understanding of the climate-related trends and opportunities in Africa and key regional markets.
• Technical expertise in any of the following areas: Sustainable finance instruments; Climate-smart agriculture and food value chains (including climate resilience and adaptation); Carbon markets; Renewable energy; Deep industrial decarbonization technologies (such as carbon capture, green hydrogen, etc.)
• Experience in project and program management including executing implementation plans with defined business development milestones.
• Ability to engage with private sector clients, local and national governments, and other stakeholders to encourage pioneering business and market development.
• Proven track record in nurturing client relationships, resolving challenging issues and ability to deal sensitively in multi-cultural environments.
• Demonstrated ability to deliver results under tight timetables; strong organizational, administrative, project and task management skills.
• A genuine commitment to development and to the World Bank Group and IFC’s mission, strategy, and values.
• Outstanding analytical and critical thinking skills.
• Strong written and verbal communications skills in English.
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.
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