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.

IFC Europe Department (CEU) is hiring a Country Officer and core member of the World Bank Group joint country representation in Warsaw. The Country Officer helps design and promote IFC strategy in Poland, oversees and monitors its implementation, and ensures the development of a pipeline of innovative and impactful investment and advisory initiatives, with the aim to maximize IFC’s impact, role, and additionality in Poland. The position reports to the World Bank Group Country Manager.

Duties and Accountabilities:

• Develop and implement, in consultation with the Country Manager and with IFC Industry Teams, a strategy to open-up opportunities for private capital to be mobilized in the achievement of Poland’s next phase of green, resilient, and inclusive development.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with the Polish business sector, the financial sector, bilateral and multilateral partners, industry associations, and country authorities.
• Identify key engagements for IFC in Poland with a particular focus on high impact and catalytic projects in priority areas such as energy generation transmission and distribution, logistics infrastructure, the circular economy, new manufacturing and agriculture value chains, industrial decarbonization, climate finance. Take accountability for client selection, ensuring the integrity of potential business partners.
• Ensure duty of care for IFC permanent staff, consultants, and visiting missions in Poland, and be accountable for the quality of services delivered to global and regional industry departments by IFC’s office in Warsaw. Assist project teams in coordinating missions, including managing relationships with key clients and stakeholders and following-up after meetings.
• Provide business intelligence to enable investment teams to identify integrity issues, devise adequate investment structuring, and adequately manage portfolio projects and problem cases.
• Develop excellent knowledge of the World Bank Group products and identify opportunities to strengthen solutions offered to clients by involving other parts of the World Bank Group. Participate in the design of the World Bank Group Country Partnership Framework for Poland and ensure full alignment between IFC and the World Bank Groups strategies, projects, and products delivered to both public and private sector clients.
• Prepare quality briefs in advance of Senior Management visits and meetings, outlining overall strategy and program, key points for attention, messages to convey, and background information in a concise and strategic manner.
• Contribute to the preparation of concept notes for investment and advisory projects, board papers, and other documents as needed.
• Represent and provide visibility for IFC including through participating as speaker in high profile events and conferences and organizing events on key areas for IFC thought leadership.

Selection Criteria

• Master’s degree, preferably in economics, finance, business administration, public policy, or a similar field and at least 8-10 years of relevant experience such as a proven track record in the financial sector, business consulting or investment banking, in risk management, investment structuring, and client relationship management.
• Excellent business judgment and ability to structure a broad range of financial instruments (debt and equity), including ESG-related instruments.
• Proven client relationship skills and ability to focus on client needs effectively. Ability to interact directly and independently with key stakeholders and counterparts (clients as well as financial and technical partners).
• Ability to tap into and leverage resources with expertise in sectors and industries, including risks, market dynamics, and regulatory structures. Able to read and anticipate shifts in market trends and the implications for IFC’s current and future business.
• Extensive knowledge of Poland and its surroundings, including politics, history, social dynamics, culture, economics, local markets, and regulatory framework.
• Demonstrated success as a key influencer in bringing integrated solutions to concept review stage where there are significant challenges and competing interests.
• Excellent critical thinking, analytical and presentation skills, and ability to work with or supervise the use of data utilizing standard office software Excel, Word, PowerPoint. Good analytical, financial analysis, integrity assessment, and business skills to screen project proposals.
• Strong interpersonal and leadership skills, proven ability to work successfully in multicultural teams and across boundaries, to build networks across IFC, to lead without formal authority in a matrix environment, including the ability to mentors, and coach others to achieve results.
• Outstanding written, verbal communication and presentation skills in both English and Polish are required.
• Excellent organizational, administrative, and time management skills; strong ability to multitask and work under pressure, delivering under tight deadlines.
• Strong personal commitment to the World Bank Group core values of impact, integrity, respect, teamwork, innovation.

Note: If the selected candidate is a current World Bank Group Staff Member with a Regular or Open-Ended appointment, they will retain their Regular or Open-Ended appointment. If the selected candidate is a current World Bank Group Staff Member with a Term appointment that expires later than the end date of this appointment, they will retain the duration of their current Term appointment. If the selected candidate is a national of Poland, they will be offered a local appointment. 

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.