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 fiscal year 2023, IFC committed a record US$43.7 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 global compounding crises. For more information, visit www.ifc.org.

IFC has embarked on an ambitious strategy to stimulate more investment activity, especially in Low Income Countries (LICs) and Fragile and Conflict affected Situations (FCS). This strategy aims at creating our own opportunities for private investments in riskier markets by proactively working in these countries to create, deepen, and expand the markets themselves. The Creating Markets strategy requires taking a systematic approach that draws on Country Strategies together with diagnostic tools, including Country Private Sector Diagnostics (CPSDs) and Sector Deep Dives. This strategy also calls for a closer WBG collaboration to identify and prioritize operations at the country and sector level based on the new WBG approach to Maximize Finance for Development by prioritizing Private Sector financing and solutions (the “Cascade”).

The Manufacturing, Agribusiness and Services (MAS) department manages a large part of IFC’s overall business in terms of investment volume and capital at risk. MAS engages in a wide range of sub-sectors including manufacturing, agribusiness, forestry,  and other areas, with investment, advisory services and Upstream activities delivered to IFC’s clients through IFC’s global network. Within MAS, the Global Manufacturing unit works across the Chemicals, Fertilizers, Steel, Cement, Glass, Automotive, Electronics, Textiles, and other Light Manufacturing value chains.
The Global Manufacturing team is seeking an experienced and respected investment officer to fill the role of a Senior Investment Officer – Global Sector Lead based in Washington, D.C. The Global Sector Lead will work alongside other Global Sector Leads, Industry Specialists, Investment, Advisory and Upstream staff to help deliver on IFC’s ambitious program and development objectives in the manufacturing sector.

Duties & Accountabilities

The role and responsibilities of the position will include but not be limited to the following:

Business Responsibility

•  Contribute to the formulation, development, dissemination, and monitoring of IFC’s Manufacturing Strategy in coordination with the Global Sector Manager, to identify, assess, and prioritize new opportunities.
•  Identify and proactively support origination in close coordination with regional industry teams based on country and sector strategies and market creation potential (mapping, client coverage, pitch books preparation, joint or industry specialists’ visits as appropriate, etc.)
•  Develop client management plan, lead identification of strategic clients globally, take on relationship management for a few strategic clients, proactively support regional industry teams on strategic client work.
•  Ensure proper input to projects at CRM, IRM and Board Papers reflecting up-to-date sector trends, portfolio performance and lessons learned, and provide support for specific sector related issues during project structuring, produce relevant materials for decision making, and to the extent needed, develop in consultation with Credit, key deal acceptance criteria.
•  Support Investment Officers in structuring, processing, documenting, and managing Upstream engagements. Coordinate and harmonize conditions across projects globally and advise Investment and Operation Officers and regional management on early-stage project development in their region.
•  Prepare and lead regular sector reviews and share findings with relevant decision makers within and outside the department. Work with portfolio managers to ensure consistent sector input to portfolio management and a solid feedback loop for lessons from portfolio.
•  Spot game-changing trends, technologies and business models that can bring solutions to emerging markets.
•  Conduct sector-specific data analysis, portfolio review, diagnostics, and stress-testing of various operating models to help generate ideas for new projects, new products, and platform businesses.
•  Work with the World Bank to identify and help implement sector and regulatory reforms that are needed to unlock opportunities for private investment in the sector.
•  Collaborate with stakeholders and form partnerships with staff across IFC and the World Bank Group, sponsors, clients, and other external parties to enable delivery of manufacturing projects.
•  Anticipates interests of Board members and senior management to determine how best to stay informed and ready to respond to requests and questions from these stakeholders, including country/region’s Manufacturing business programs (commitment, portfolio, and pipeline), as well as barriers to growth.
•  Ensure proper evaluation and consistency of AIMM and Paris Agreement frameworks for Manufacturing transactions in the IS, AS and Upstream space.  Applying rigor to these frameworks with projects/clients to include product, process, value chain complexity and scale.
•  Conduct in-depth systematic diagnostics / analytics on Manufacturing value chains that improve complexity and sustainability for IFC work with potential and existing clients

Thought Leadership and Knowledge Management

•  Facilitate knowledge flow across IFC and promote adoption of new approaches and best practices for Manufacturing, including activities covering mainstream investment, upstream and advisory services.
•  Lead development of guidance notes and conceptual framework for MAS approach to new sectors such as Green Hydrogen, E-Waste, sustainable biofuel, and others to define MAS’ vision and strategic objectives.
•  Help build external recognition of IFC’s distinctive capabilities in manufacturing to catalyze greater flow of investment opportunities in the sector.
•  Oversee fact-based analysis to spot Manufacturing industry shifts and to understand IFC’s sources of competitive advantage.
•  Lead the IFC Manufacturing Speaker series in relevant areas such as advance manufacturing, circularity, sustainability, Industry 4.0, etc.
•  Lead the development and implementation of proactive communications and outreach strategies for Manufacturing, showcasing business results and raising the profile of IFC’s leadership in private sector development.

People and Resource Responsibility

•  Support the Global Sector Manager in staff recruitment, mentoring and skills development as needed.
•  Support the creation of incentives to motivate and reward activities necessary to support IFC 3.0, including mainstream, upstream and advisory activities.
•  Support in managing and ensuring productive use of admin, upstream and advisory budgets.

Selection Criteria

•  Master’s degree in Business, Finance, Economics, International, Engineering, or another relevant field.
•  Minimum 10  years of relevant experience with a development finance institution (DFI), a commercial bank, investment bank or a private equity firm with tasks related to private sector financing.
•  Strong understanding of the manufacturing sector and ability to link advisory, upstream and investment to deliver solutions.
•  Strong analytical skills, sound business judgment and demonstrated ability to synthesize complex information, identify issues and present concrete and strategic recommendations.
•  Understanding of IFC’s strategic priorities and changing business model against the backdrop of IFC 3.0.
•  Genuine commitment to development and to the World Bank Group and IFC’s mission, strategy, and values.
•  Capacity to innovate and challenge the status quo and a proven track record in new idea generation, and business development.
•  Excellent people skills, openness to feedback, new ideas, and ability to guide, and motivate others.
•  Sensitivity for working in multicultural environment, commitment to diversity, and ability to build effective working relationships with colleagues / clients / partners across regions.
•  Strong written and verbal communications skills in English.

Note: This internal requisition is open to WBG and IMF staff only (including short-term and extended term consultants/ temporaries). External candidates are requested not to apply. In case an external candidate applies, their application will not be considered.

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.