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.

The Manufacturing, Agribusiness & Services (MAS) Industry Group plays an important role in supporting IFC’s strategic priorities, covering investments in the Global Manufacturing, Agribusiness, and Services sectors. MAS’ sectors play a critical role in providing goods and services to consumers, addressing core needs, creating jobs, contributing to government revenues and stimulating growth. In IFC’s client countries, these sectors can account for as much as 80% of overall economic activity and can account for up to 90% of employment activity, particularly in the poorest countries.

The IFC 3.0 strategy aims to stimulate more investment activities across emerging markets, especially in Lower Income States (LICs), and fragile and conflict affected States (FCS). This strategy aims to create new investment opportunities for private investments in riskier markets and sectors by proactively working “upstream” to create, deepen, and expand markets and design and develop potential investment projects. Achieving these growth and impact ambitions at scale requires a different approach to business development, deal sourcing, and client support that relies on (i) a broader product offering to engage earlier in project cycle and secure opportunities, (ii)  a greater focus on preparing clients  in nascent markets and sector development, (iii) a greater focus on value addition and risk management of portfolio investment clients to enhance their performance; and (iv) a longer time horizon and a more patient, longer term perspective.

MAS Upstream and Advisory, Asia and Pacific, team is looking for a Senior Investment/Operation Officer to lead MAS efforts to enable investment opportunities, enhance investment outcomes, and improve investment conditions in the Manufacturing sectors, including successfully design, manage and report on projects and programs that deliver strong investment potential and development impact. The mix of these varied activities should be calibrated to meet the development needs of Asia Pacific markets and contribute to IFC growth and impact objectives.

The Manufacturing Lead position will be based in Hong Kong and is expected to frequently visit other offices where the team and clients are based. The position will report to the MAS Upstream Advisory Manager for Asia Pacific. The Manufacturing Lead will work in partnership with the relevant regional Investment teams, Country Anchors, Climate Anchor and Global Sector Leads on the key priorities and resource allocation to achieve IFC’s sector strategic and business objectives.

Duties and Accountabilities:
The roles and responsibilities of the position will include but not be limited to:

People and Resource Responsibility
•  Oversee or supervise assigned staff and consultants, including approving travel requests, expense reports and consultant procurement.
•  Be part of, and actively contribute to MAS Upstream and Advisory leadership team.
•  Serve as a member of individual and firm procurement teams.
•  Contribute to regular country driven budgeting (CDB) process.
•  Ensure management of project activities and resources according to the current Upstream Advisory ADM.
•  Support the integration and cross-support between Upstream Advisory and Investment teams and support the unit Manager.
Strategic Responsibility
•  Formulate the sector strategy for Manufacturing across the region in coordination with the regional investment teams, global sector teams and regional anchors drawing on and contributing to strategy and diagnostic products (e.g. Country Private Sector Diagnostics, Sector Deep Dives, Country Climate Diagnostic Reports, Country Strategies) as relevant.
•  Lead the Manufacturing strategic priorities through the design and implementation of upstream and advisory programs, as well as through engagement with the WB.
Business Responsibility
•  Lead and support MAS Upstream Advisory activities in the Manufacturing sector, towards department KPIs, including overseeing of pipeline projects and initiatives, mobilizing resources within the team, prioritization, business development and project management.
•  Enable investment opportunities by 1) incubating sector related initiatives that require project development to reach the point of investment and 2) guiding potential clients to readiness for IFC investment through client preparation and development. Support business development efforts, in close coordination with investment, regional/country, and global Industry teams to foster cross-departmental collaboration (incl. FIG and INR) and ensure the efficient deployment of products and solutions to meet client-specific requirements.
•  Enhance investment outcomes by 1) increasing the development impact of IFC investments, 2) increasing the additionality of IFC’s engagement and 3) improving the performance of IFC investment portfolio clients.
•  Improve investment conditions by 1) collaborating with other teams across IFC and the WB and 2) Leading and/or collaborating with other teams across IFC and the WBG to unlock or create new markets.
•  Ensure high quality deliverables of the sector’s operations through a focus on sound project design and implementation (development results, project supervision and closing reports, and lessons learned) throughout an individual project cycle and across the unit’s portfolio of operations, with a focus on achieving positive Development Effectiveness (DE) rating in Project Completion Reports (PCRs).

Client and Stakeholder Responsibility
•  Engage and collaborate across the World Bank Group to identify and implement achievable Manufacturing sector and regulatory reforms to unlock private investment opportunities, including leveraging the World Bank’s lending program.
•  Proactively collaborate and engage with the Partnerships department to proactively contribute to donor engagement strategy, relationship management, reporting and project/program’s funding.
•  Proactively convene stakeholders, form partnerships, and connect expertise from Upstream Advisory and investment staff, industry specialists, the World Bank Global Practices, sponsors, clients, and other external parties to deliver on sectoral operations.
•  Selectively lead relationships for key clients or prospects in the sector, define engagement strategies and monitor activities in coordination with the rest of the team.

Knowledge Capture and Management
•  Be fully aware of the global and regional sector market trends, game-changing trends, technologies and business models that can increase development impact and present opportunities for high-value proprietary engagements.
•  Disseminate and absorb knowledge and experience across the regional industry department and global teams to support adoption of new approaches and best practices that have been developed in the sector.

Selection Criteria

•  Master degree in Business, Finance, Economics, International Relations, or related discipline, with an Engineering background and a minimum of 12 years of relevant experience including a proven track record in strategic origination, project development, hands-on advisory and/or consulting functions, investment banking, operational experience and a strong understanding of investments in emerging markets.
•  Commitment to the World Bank Group and IFC’s mission, strategy and values.
•  Understanding of IFC’s strategic priorities and changing business model against the backdrop of IFC 3.0.
•  Deep understanding of the Manufacturing sector and ability to link policy reforms, advisory interventions, investment, and mobilization to deliver solutions at a country level.
•  Good “deal sense” and understanding of bankability criteria, based on demonstrated strong analytical skills and sound business judgment.
•  Proven experience of leading multi-disciplinary teams, seen as the person to go and ability to grow and develop people.
•  Experience in project/program management, including executing against implementation plans with defined business development milestones.
•  Experience in monitoring and reporting on a portfolio of projects/programs/initiatives.
•  Demonstrated capacity for innovating and challenging the status quo to develop business opportunities based on strategic thinking and project/programs ideation that resulted in investment opportunities.
•  Demonstrated capacity for collaborating across organizational boundaries to shift organizational behavior and generate buy-in.
•  Openness to feedback, new ideas, and ability to mentor staff, inspire collaboration, and achieve results.
•  Experience in raising donor funding and delivering advisory/upstream donor funded projects/programs.
•  History of delivering results against tight timelines, including leading teams to deliver results on time and on budget.
•  Strong written and verbal communications skills.
•  Sensitivity for working in multicultural environment, commitment to diversity, and ability to build effective working relationships with colleagues/clients/partners across multiple regions, time zones, sectors, and business lines.

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.