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.
Climate action is at the core of IFC’s business. In financial year 2024, IFC committed a record $56 billion to private companies and financial institutions in developing countries. The World Bank Group’s Climate Change Action Plan (2021 – 2025) outlines our collective response to align financial flows with the goals of the Paris Agreement (referred to as “Paris Alignment”). IFC has committed to align 85% of new operations with these goals starting July 1, 2023, and to align 100% of new operations starting July 1, 2025.
IFC’s Climate Business Department (CBD) is instrumental in implementing the Climate Change Action Plan. The Innovation and Business Development team within CBD focuses on working with the IFC’s and World Bank Group’s industries, sectors, and regions to uncover, nurture, develop and scale up cross-sector and multi-sector innovations that can help with climate adaptation and mitigation efforts. Current priorities being developed include methane reduction, sustainable cooling solutions, innovative and emerging renewable energy and storage solutions, circular economy, decarbonizing transport, agriculture and industries, and decarbonizing the built environment including buildings, cities, and industrial parks.
EDGE Green Buildings Program
EDGE Green Buildings Program aims to catalyze a virtuous cycle of supply and demand for resource-efficient building construction and ownership. A main thrust of the program is to create a paradigm shift by setting a metrics-driven standard of what constitutes a green building, and to reward property developers for meeting these standards through IFC’s green building certification called EDGE – (Excellence in Design for Greater Efficiencies). IFC works through third party certification providers to administer and confirm compliance with the EDGE standard.
Building Resilience Index Program
IFC recognizes the importance of mainstreaming disaster resilience and climate adaptation in emerging market. IFC’s Building Resilience Index (BRI) aims to enhance urban resilience against climate change-induced and geoseismic natural hazards by promoting the design, construction, retrofit, finance, and insurance of resilient buildings. The program takes a holistic approach, focusing on the development of the Building Resilience Index app, improving access to finance for resilient projects, facilitating direct investment in resilient demonstration projects, and improving the public policy environment to support a resilient building market. The BRI App is a web-based hazard mapping and resilience assessment framework for the building sector. It provides location-specific hazard information, resilience measures, and disclosure mechanism for stakeholders in the sector.
Global APEX Green Cities Program
IFC has created a climate-smart cities platform called APEX Green Cities. This new platform will help cities make decisions about the future of their energy, transport, water, and waste systems through an extensive array of policy and investment options. The APEX software is used to quickly assess the resource requirements, greenhouse gas emissions impacts, costs, and payback periods of policies, investments, and planning measures. The APEX Green Cities program aims to increase public and private climate-related investment pipeline influenced by city-level policies and investment plans.
The IFC APEX Team works with client cities to conduct APEX analyses, and there are several upcoming city engagements. The output of an APEX analysis is a Green Cities Action Plan (6 months duration) or a Green Investment Diagnostic (4 months duration). The analyses will determine the future greenhouse gas (GHG) and resource impacts of the current investment pipeline, as well as identify other investment, policy, and planning opportunities in the city.
Duties and Accountabilities
IFC seeks to hire an Operations Officer to be based in Nairobi, Kenya to lead business development and oversee the execution of the EDGE Green Building Program, as well as the BRI and APEX Green Cities Programs, in response to market demands. The successful candidate will report directly to the Green Buildings Lead for Africa.
The new team member’s core responsibilities will be to: (i) define and implement a comprehensive go-to-market strategy for EDGE-BRI in Kenya and one or more other African markets; (ii) outreach to financial intermediaries on the creation of financial and non-financial products and services that support the growth of the green and resilient building sector and low carbon cities.
• Lead and expand the EDGE Green Buildings Program in Kenya and additional African markets.
• Conduct market research and data analysis to identify growth opportunities and innovative strategies for program expansion.
• Advise certification providers on successful EDGE certification strategies, encompassing technical, operational, marketing, and financial aspects.
• Develop a detailed workplan and country-specific strategies to meet ambitious EDGE targets.
• Assess market readiness for BRI and APEX Programs and foster new and existing strategic partnerships.
• Engage with key industry players to promote EDGE, enhance capacities, and ensure program adoption and client retention.
• Generate and disseminate high-quality content to reinforce the business case for EDGE-BRI in local markets and support stakeholders in their business development efforts.
• Advocate for resilient and decarbonized portfolios, including retrofitting and Zero Carbon initiatives.
• Represent IFC programs at public events to increase awareness and support program integration.
• Work with the global marketing lead to refine the program’s messaging for African markets and use various channels to highlight client success stories.
• Prepare donor and supervision reports as needed.
• Assist the regional lead with strategy, budgeting, and fundraising activities for the Africa region.
Selection Criteria
The candidate must have a significant network in the property and/or financial real estate sector and be able to work both independently and as a team player, be at ease in working with high-level clients, and have several years of experience in business development as related to the real estate sector.
• Master’s degree in business, economics, architecture, civil engineering, or related field.
• At least 8 years’ experience in the green building sector and 5 years in business development within property/financial sectors.
• Business development expert with a robust network in property/financial real estate and a deep understanding of African markets.
• Independent and team-oriented professional comfortable with high-level client engagement.
• Proven track record in client conversion and relationship management with financial institutions and other key players.
• Dynamic leader with exceptional energy, initiative, and the ability to drive multi-disciplinary team collaboration across borders.
• Strong business judgment and project management skills are essential, with a track record of delivering results in high-pressure situations.
• Experience with urban infrastructure and planning is desirable.
• Candidates with GHG quantification expertise are preferred.
• Exceptional presentation, verbal and written communication skills are required for liaising with internal and external parties.
• Fluency in English is mandatory; proficiency in French is advantageous.
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.
