Senior Country Officer

Job #:    req28122
Organization:    IFC
Sector:    Investment
Grade:    GG
Term Duration:     3 years 0 months
Recruitment Type:    International Recruitment
Location:    Douala,Cameroon
Required Language(s):    English, French
Preferred Language(s):    English, French
Closing Date:    7/12/2024 (MM/DD/YYYY) at 11:59pm UTC
 

 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 recruiting a Senior Country Officer who will promote and coordinate IFC's investment and advisory activities in the country, ensuring the integrated delivery of IFC products and services and maintaining necessary relationships to further those activities. The role requires close interaction with Government officials, corporate clients, the private sector, counterparts in the World Bank Group, international organizations, and key internal stakeholders to develop new business, share information, and support the structuring and negotiation of deals.
The position is based in Douala, Cameroon, and reports to the Country Manager.

Duties and Accountabilities :

•  Develop and implement, in consultation with the IFC Country Manager, an integrated investment and advisory strategy for IFC activities, including country priorities and business targets for key industry groups, and key engagements for    IFC with a particular focus on high impact projects, including infrastructure, agribusiness, manufacturing and services, financial sector including SME development as well as investment climate issues.
•  Work with investment and advisory teams to develop the pipeline of projects and provide guidance for investment structuring and portfolio management cases.
•  Provide input on project development and management to the Country Manager, program managers and technical team as needed.
•  Assist the different project teams in coordinating missions, including managing relationships with key clients and stakeholders and to liaise for meetings.
•  Identify opportunities to strengthen solutions offered to clients by involving other parts of WBG based on a good understanding of the products and project requirements of WBG. Participate in specific activities that may be necessary to develop and implement IFC 3.0 in country.
•  Build and maintain strong relationships with clients, global and regional private businesses, banking and multilateral partners and government officials to further develop investment opportunities in industry sectors with a high developmental impact.
•  In consultation with the program managers, conduct engagements with clients, stakeholders, and donors.
•  Liaise with client and donor partners, and coordination of technical inputs in project design and implementation.
•  Provide guidance and on-ground support in monitoring the progress and impact of projects through regular project monitoring and evaluation of performance.
•  Accountability for preparation of missions in the country.
•  Accountability for preparation/coordination of any briefing material for the country.
•  Represent and provide visibility for IFC including through organizing/participating in high profile events (senior level visits, interviews, seminars and conferences)
•  Develop market knowledge to ensure that IFC is working with the right sponsors.
•  Take accountability for client selection, ensure the integrity of potential and develop and maintain relationships with these companies and identify business opportunities considering IFC’s strategy, priorities and products.
Selection Criteria


•  MBA or master’s degree in one or more of the following disciplines: economics/ finance/ business management.
•  12+ years of relevant field experience in investment/commercial banking, public-private partnerships and/or management/business consulting, investment banking, or operational experience in an investment and/or advisory role. Experience in Africa is strongly preferred.
•  Ability to assess the viability of business opportunities and potential risks based on strong analytical, finance, financial modeling, credit, and transaction structuring skills.
•  Good understanding of IFC’s two business lines – Investment and Advisory– their range of products and instruments, how they complement each other, and how they may be leveraged to match the long-term needs of clients and open new markets.
•  Proven track record in developing and maintaining very strong and successful relationships at the highest level of government and private sector; resolving challenging issues.
•  Ability to represent IFC externally and to develop and manage relationships with government, media, donors, and other stakeholders.
•  A successful track record in identifying, structuring and working externally with sponsors and internally with sector staff to create bankable investment potential with advisory components.
•  A team player with outstanding people management skills, demonstrated leadership skills, strong influencing skills and ability to work with colleagues from different teams not reporting directly to this position, to achieve objectives while maintaining strong client service orientation.
•  Excellent analytical and presentation skills, working with data using standard office software Excel, Word, PowerPoint.
•  Excellent written and oral communication skills in English and French.