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.
Strategic partnerships have been significantly scaled up over the past years and have been essential to IFC’s ability to engage and deliver GEI priorities. Partnerships are central to IFC’s GEID agenda, and we bring to the table its convening power, country-level presence, multisectoral expertise, lending capacity, analytical work, and a strong voice in policy dialogue with authorities. Within their respective roles, responsibilities, and mandates, partners bring complementary policy and stakeholder perspectives and instruments, as well as convening power at all levels. Partnerships also provide data, knowledge, and expertise not available within the World Bank Group, as well as operational, logistical, and financial support.
The Strategic Engagement Leader (within the Global Thought Leadership function) will lead IFC’s Gender and Economic Inclusion (GEI) Department’s engagement & convening strategy, and funding partnerships in collaboration with Partnerships, Blended Finance & Industry Departments. 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 Knowledge Strategy & Communications team, as well as the deep operational expertise and creativity within the Innovation function as well as within regional operations. The staff is expected to bring a strategic mindset, and a passion for building partnerships 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 on 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:
Guided by the One WBG Partnership Charter, the Partnership Leader’s primary responsibility will be to (i) provide ownership of and advice to the GEID leadership team in the development and implementation of strategic engagements in the GEI space; and to (ii) execute and deliver on partner engagement, convening and funding partnerships. S/he will seek to make IFC a valued partner in the country, regional and global spaces, contributing substantively to enhance and develop engagements with multilateral, bilateral, philanthropies, and private sector actors, identifying entry points to deepen joint activities, engagement, and complementarities on the GEI agenda.
Scope of work
In strong collaboration with Partnerships, Blended Finance & Industry Departments, the Partnership Leader will have responsibilities that include, but are not limited to:
– Strategic Engagements: Contribute to the implementation of the WBG’s Gender Strategy 2024-2030 on partnerships in addition to the Inclusive Business’ strategic partnership plans and the ongoing work program. Support the implementation of IFC’s 2030 Roadmap on Gender and Inclusion including the creation of Regional Gender Hubs and Centers of Excellence focused on the most pressing needs in each region, i.e., ending Gender-based Violence and harassment, Care, Entrepreneurship, and Jobs / Employment. Identify and connect donors / partners with emerging innovative solutions developed by GEID’s Innovation Unit. Identify and engage counterparts and partners and lead the development and implementation of a comprehensive engagement plan for GEID’s identified strategic partners. In addition, establish and manage strategic global engagements (e.g., 2X, UNWomen) and the Private Sector Alliance for Gender Equality.
– Stakeholder Mapping and Engagement: Develop prioritized engagement strategies for key partners and donors, including stakeholder/partner mapping, priority analysis, and developing work plans to reach partnership targets.
– Donor Relationship building and management: Explore and implement funding partnerships with partners, ensuring that open and effective channels and relationships with key partners and donors are built and maintained. Explore new engagements including with non-traditional partners such as private foundations. Coordinating and identifying events (including with the communications team) with key partners across GEI themes. Identify strategies for collaboration and making funding partnerships more effective.
– Civil Society Engagement: Develop and manage engagement strategies with Civil Society Organizations, another group of important and influential stakeholders. Build trust to enable sharing of data and forums to enhance the understanding of issues from a grassroots perspective.
– Co-manage IFC’s GROW facility, including expanding funding partners, overseeing governance and fund management, donor/partner engagement, results monitoring, measurement and reporting, and communications and knowledge management activities of the facility.
– Briefings and Analysis: Lead the monitoring, reviewing, analyzing, summarizing, and sharing of key developments relevant for the GEID department as they relate to partnerships on the GEI agenda. Lead the preparation of briefings for the GEID Director and WBG senior management as it relates to partnerships on the GEI agenda. In collaboration with GEID Operations Manager and with the Partnerships and Blended Finance & Trust Funds teams, ensure all reporting required by partners/donors is produced and delivered on time and quality.
– Risk Management: Providing strategic and timely advice to the GEID leadership team on high-profile or sensitive internal or external partner issues, including potential reputational risk issues, and keeping abreast of relevant developments in the GEI space.
The incumbent may be assigned other tasks and deliverables as deemed appropriate by the Global Thought Leadership Leader and the GEID Department Director.
Selection Criteria
The candidate is a seasoned leader who should have in-depth experience identifying, building, nurturing, and developing partnerships, with convening power, and designing and implementing practical funding partnership initiatives. S/he integrates the work of others (often multi-disciplinary professional staff), has sound judgment and strong team orientation, with the ability to work harmoniously and effectively with diverse set of partners and colleagues; strong diplomatic and interpersonal skills; ability to represent IFC in high profile networks. S/he confidently delivers quality output and can work and inspire others with a sense of urgency. S/he can proficiently interact with development partners and communicate with senior government counterparts and other organizations with confidence on the topic at hand. Experience with gender-smart and inclusive solutions in emerging markets would be a plus.
Minimum requirements
• Master’s degree in economics, finance, business, or other relevant discipline required.
• At least 12 years of professional experience with engagement, conveying and funding partnerships, including working with bilateral donors and multilateral partners, some of it in a leadership position.
• Demonstrated track record of accomplishments regarding partnerships building, management and development, as well as demonstrated track record in fundraising, some of it in a leadership position, and a deep understanding of donor priorities.
• Proven ability to conceptualize, design and implement multi-sector, multi-stakeholder engagements with partners and donors.
• Proven ability to think strategically and connect the dots easily across a range of topics to develop a broader coherent and practical approach to convening and engagement.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, sound business judgment to identify issues, and present creative and practical solutions.
• Track record of managing staff and/or consultants/temporaries in a project, monitoring project issues and tasks, meeting deadlines and setting priorities.
• Excellent oral and written communication and interpersonal skills in English, including the ability to write and edit complex products for purposeful structure, clarity of ideas, and logical, persuasive presentation.
• Strong ability to communicate ideas clearly and confidently (including to media), articulate issues and recommend solutions.
• Strong understanding of the international development agenda & of the current partnerships landscape (of all types- private sector, foundations, think tanks, CSOs, impact investors, etc.) on the gender /inclusion agenda, and key stakeholders such as the UN, G-20, private sector partnerships such as the Financial Alliance for Women, the Global Compact etc. and key development partner strategies, priorities, and structures.
• Demonstrated commitment to our core values, including excellence, mutual respect, collegiality, teamwork, diversity and inclusiveness, integrity, innovation, transparency, and accountability.
• Ability and the necessary personal organizational skills to take initiative, to self-manage and take personal ownership and accountability, multitask, and work under time constraints to achieve agreed-upon results.
• Work experience in an emerging market environment preferred.
• Technical operational gender and inclusion 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.
