Investment officer/ Operations officer – Knowledge Strategy, Management & Communications Lead
Washington DC, United States
JOB DETAIL
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 is deeply committed to advancing gender equality and economic inclusion as laid out in IFC’s 2030 Roadmap for Gender and Inclusion to deliver game-changing private sector partnerships and programs to accelerate gender equality and inclusion in emerging markets. Aligned with the new World Bank Group (WBG) Gender Strategy (2024-30): Accelerate Gender Equality to End Poverty on a Livable Planet, IFC’s Roadmap is built on six priorities offering high potential for impact in and through the private sector. These areas aim to (1) Allocate Capital that Drives Inclusion, (2) Make Supply Chains Inclusive, and (3) Remove Barriers to Entrepreneurship, Employment, and Leadership (including addressing gender-based violence). Equally important are three cross-cutting themes that are foundational to achieving sustainable results across the priority areas and require action: (4) Bridging the Digital Divide; (5) Accelerating Inclusive and Gender-Smart Climate Action; and (6) Ending Gender-based Violence and Harassment.
As part of its mandate, IFC’s Cross-Cutting Vice Presidency includes a dedicated team, the Gender and Economic Inclusion (GEI) Department (GEIDR), that works with IFC’s investment and advisory teams to support private and public sector clients in providing all genders and underserved communities with equal economic opportunities as leaders, employees, entrepreneurs, consumers, and community members. GEID leads strategy development and implementation for the organization, provides tailored operational solutions and client advice, supports mobilization through impact investing and sustainable financing; and forges public and private sector partnerships with the aim of creating economic opportunities and development for all.
GEID is establishing a new operating model built around Global Operations in four Regional Gender Hubs and two new units focused on Thought Leadership and Innovation. The Thought Leadership unit includes three functions: Research, Impact and Data; Strategic Partnerships, and Knowledge Strategy, Management, and Communications.
The Knowledge Strategy, Management & Communications Lead will steer IFC’s Gender and Economic Inclusion (GEI) Department’s knowledge strategy, learning and development and Communications agenda and provide oversight and guidance to a team of staff and/or consultants. She/he will be a leader who can contribute to enhancing IFC’s position as a global thought leader in gender and economic inclusion (GEI). The staff will work collaboratively and leverage the policy and research expertise, strategic thinking, creativity, and problem-solving skills within both the Data, Research & Impact team, and the Strategic Partnerships team. The lead will also tap the deep operational expertise and creativity within the Innovation function and regional operations. The staff is expected to bring a strategic mindset, and a passion for knowledge, learning and development with effective communication, project management, and problem-solving skills to generate innovative solutions and strategies that enable impact on gender equality and the broader diversity and inclusion agenda. She/he will implement IFC’s 2030 Roadmap for Gender and Inclusion in alignment with the WBG Gender Strategy 2024-2030. The position is based in Washington D.C., and reports to the Global Thought Leadership Leader (a principal level staff) who in turn reports to the IFC Director for Gender and Economic Inclusion (GEI).
Responsibilities include but are not limited to:
Knowledge Strategy & Management
• Systematize the department’s knowledge creation, capture, and management; including nascent thematic areas, and in collaboration across IFC.
• Design a multi-sector, multi-stakeholder GEI knowledge program bringing together IFC expertise and resources from across the Corporation.
• In collaboration with the GEID Research Lead, oversee sectoral and topic-specific knowledge creation in the economic inclusion and gender space, across all industries.
• Oversee the seamless implementation of the multi-sector GEI knowledge program, developing and maintaining detailed annual program management plans for piloting, scaling up and rolling out GEI offerings to the private sector.
• Connect and liaise with WB and MIGA on GEI knowledge particularly with the Bank’s Gender Innovation Labs.
• Draft knowledge material/company case studies etc. that highlight innovative approaches to closing gender gaps in the private sector.
• Cultivate and maintain relationships with key stakeholders, including organizations, industry associations, other DFIs and development partners in close collaboration with the Innovation and Operations units within GEID.
• Create opportunities for senior management and operations to showcase their knowledge and expertise on the global stage and various awareness platforms.
• Set-up and prepare materials for knowledge program decision making; track and report on implementation progress across the corporation.
• Manage the selection and performance of consultants.
• Revive IFC’s Internal Gender Network.
• Develop in-house tailored knowledge bases based on IFC’s own experience to foster GEI excellence in support of our clients and investee companies’ long-term sustainable performance.
Learning & Development
• Design, manage, implement, and monitor a tailored learning & development strategy and implementation plan with the objective to (i) raise awareness of the business case for economic inclusion and women’s full participation in the private sector; and (ii) position IFC as a global thought leader in this space.
• Within the context of the World Bank Group Knowledge Compact, focus on four areas: (i) new and updated knowledge products, (ii) strategic partnerships, (iii) enhanced learning, and (iv) cutting-edge systems.
• Contribute to IFC’s employment proposition among MDBs/DFIs on economic inclusion and gender equality underpinned by comprehensive learning and development opportunities.
• Work closely with the IFC Strategic Initiatives, Analytics, and Knowledge Management unit in the Corporate Support VPU to align to institutional priorities, methodologies, approaches and timetables for the development and delivery of knowledge and learning outcomes.
• Play a key role in informing best practices and develop innovative, future-ready learning and development resources that maximize the use of IFC’s platforms and of AI and tech.
• Using a client-centered, outward-oriented approach, contribute to the World Bank Group Academy to deepen the Bank Group’s engagement with clients through technical exchange, peer to peer leaning, and jointly identifying good practices and proven solutions in the GEI space.
• Foster learning, ensuring that lessons learned are considered, disseminated, and integrated into subsequent thought leadership engagements, strategy, research, and client solution development/improvement.
• Develop relationships with the academic community and other relevant organizations in the GEI space to partner and collaborate on capacity on gender and economic inclusion (GEI) issues
• Represent GEID at senior forums on learning and development when required.
• Promote gender and economic inclusion (GEI) knowledge among IFC and WBG colleagues through themed events, communications, and timely reporting.
Communications
• Design, manage, implement, and monitor a tailored communications strategy and implementation plan with the objective to (i) increase competency of IFC and WBG staff on the business case for economic inclusion and women’s full participation in the private sector; and (ii) enable acquisition of practical and implementable skills to identify, conceptualize and implement programs/projects/initiatives in this area across IFC.
• Guide the strategic positioning and impact narrative of IFC’s GEI work globally and in each region in collaboration with the industries and regions.
• Work closely with the communications team to build the profile and visibility of the gender program internally and externally.
• Oversee a dedicated external website and an intranet web page with resources for investment teams, prepare a monthly newsletter, and annual results summary, and lead the production of knowledge products, including videos in collaboration with the communications team.
• Work with the communications team to develop innovative communications tactics including use of digital media, documentaries etc.
• Develop relationships with the media and develop a plan to build the capacity of journalists to report on gender and economic inclusion (GEI) issues.
• Ensure donor and partner visibility across all communication activities.
• Draft blogs, press releases, speeches as appropriate around outputs of the department.
• Draft company case studies that highlight innovative approaches to closing gender gaps in the private sector
• Represent GEID at senior forums when required.
Selection Criteria
The candidate should be a seasoned candidate with in-depth experience working with the private sector on knowledge creation, dissemination, systematization, communication (internal and external) and on designing and implementing learning programs that are practical and serve the learning needs across an organization. Experience with gender-smart solutions in emerging markets would be a plus. S/he should have experience in establishing a knowledge, learning & development, and communications program from scratch, using technology and artificial intelligence whenever possible to increase productivity and serve a geographical dispersed and diverse workforce. S/he routinely leads initiatives, programs, projects, and integrates the work of others (often multi-disciplinary) professional staff. S/he confidently delivers quality output and can work and inspire others with a sense of urgency. S/he can proficiently interact with companies’ senior management, development partners and communicate with senior government counterparts and other organizations with confidence on the topic at hand.
Minimum requirements
• Master’s degree in economics, finance, business, or other relevant discipline required
• At least eight years of professional experience with knowledge management in a position with decision-making responsibility ideally in the private sector or within the institution
• Demonstrated track record of accomplishments regarding private sector and knowledge strategy, management, and implementation, learning and development approaches and communications.
• Proven ability to conceptualize, design and implement multi-sector, multi-stakeholder partnerships, client engagements and for clients and donors
• Record of accomplishment in managing staff/consultants/temporaries in a project, monitoring project issues and tasks, meeting deadlines and setting priorities
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, sound business judgment to identify issues, and present creative and practical solutions.
• Excellent oral and written communication and interpersonal skills in English, including the ability to summarize reports and draft knowledge content.
• Strong ability to communicate ideas clearly and confidently (including to media), articulate issues and recommend solutions.
• Thorough understanding of the international development agenda, and key stakeholders such as the UN, G-20, private sector partnerships such as the Global Banking Alliance for Women, the Global Compact etc.
• Demonstrated commitment to our core values, including excellence, mutual respect, collegiality, teamwork, diversity and inclusiveness, integrity, innovation, transparency, and accountability.
• Ability to self-manage, multitask, and work under time constraints.
• Familiarity with enterprise-wide information management policies and knowledge applications and systems (platforms, channels, repositories) preferred.
• Work experience in an emerging market environment preferred.
• Technical operational gender experience would be a plus.
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.
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