Jobs at International Finance Corporation (IFC)

CEG is looking for a motivated and detail-oriented mid-career professional with experience in assessing and managing gender and gender-based violence and harassment (GBVH) risks of IFC direct investment projects across the Asia region and sectors (e.g., in the mining, manufacturing, infrastructure, agribusiness, health, education and tourism, retail and property sectors) and/or investments through financial intermediaries (e.g., banks, private equity, and capital markets investors). This position will be located in the region to: (i) support global and regional client companies that are located in the assigned region; (ii) identify workforce and community-facing measures to reduce or prevent GBV in IFC-supported projects; (iii) work with E&S Specialists in support of clients’ work to address GBV throughout the project cycle and further strengthen E&S capacity to identify and help clients manage GBVH risk in projects. 

This Social Development Specialist, with high level of expertise in Gender and GBVH, will provide expert guidance to IFC E&S specialists on gender and GBVH risks in IFC projects in accordance with IFC Performance Standards (PSs). Additional tasks will include portfolio review, staff and consultant training, client training, good practice/lessons learned identification and dissemination, engagement with relevant international organizations, contextual analyses, and trend analysis at a sector level. The Social Development Specialist will report directly to CEG’s Asia Manager, with regular professional coordination with the global GBV Thematic Lead.

Duties and Accountabilities:

• Provide thematic support to project lead E&S specialists and teams, in the region, on assessment of gender and GBVH related issues, including child safeguarding, and in particular high or substantial risks of GBVH of proposed investments and advisory projects against the requirements of the PSs;
• Advise on structuring appropriate mitigation measures and contractual requirements to promote client action to address gender, GBVH and child risks and impacts in a timely manner;
• Support global and regional client companies that are located in the region and work as social development specialist on projects with a high risk of gender, GBVH and child risks, supporting the Lead E&S Specialist;
• Advise CEG regional team leads, E&S specialists and project teams on portfolio monitoring by reviewing client reporting, client’s E&S monitoring reports (and supporting documentation) and performing periodic analysis of IFC’s portfolio. Advise project teams on developing proposed corrective action plans and follow up on associated commitments as relevant;
• As needed, participate in calls, conduct desk reviews of material provided by clients and/or IFC specialists (e.g., environmental and social impact assessments and management plans, gender assessments, child safeguarding, human resources policies and procedures, labor and community grievance mechanism, etc.), and undertake visits of projects and clients in the context of E&S due diligence and supervision of projects;
• Review/contribute to internal E&S documentation relevant to management of gender, GBVH and child risks in projects to enable IFC’s decision making, attend internal meetings and coordinate with internal stakeholders as required;
• Coordinate with and, as needed, seek guidance from the global Senior Social Development Specialist and Gender/GBV Lead to ensure consistency of approach and practice for the Asia region and across sectors;
• Liaise and coordinate with other IFC Departments working on gender, diversity and inclusion related issues (investment support, advisory) on potential areas of collaboration;
• Support CEG accountability lead and project teams in developing solutions and responses to CAO and non-CAO cases on gender, GBVH and child issues and risks, additional mitigation or corrective actions, advise on relevant communications with other external stakeholders, including civil society organizations and community complainants, follow up on commitments related to complaints response, and contribute to the mainstreaming of the grievance function for IFC on gender,  GBVH and child related issues;
• In close coordination with the global Social Practice Group Lead and the global Gender/GBV Lead, support IFC’s efforts in projecting our thought leadership – by working with think tanks and other regional and global agencies on the nexus of gender and GBVH and other issues such as disability, climate change and inclusion and core themes such as climate financing, green infrastructure, etc.
• In close coordination with the global Social Practice Group Lead and the global Gender/GBV Lead, support the identification, development and dissemination of knowledge, lessons learned, international good practices on trends, case studies and good practices and support other research needs in connection with pipeline and portfolio projects, on gender, GBVH and child issues arising under IFC’s Sustainability Framework and IFC’s E&S procedures; 
• In close coordination with the global Social Practice Group Lead and the global Gender/GBV Lead, support in the preparation, update, review of policies and procedures, knowledge products and tools produced for both internal and external consumption, consistent with IFC’s Sustainability Framework;
• In close coordination with the global Social Practice Group Lead and the global Gender/GBV Lead , support the development and implement training and capacity building programs for IFC’s staff and consultants for key themes, including gender and GBVH assessments, child safeguarding, diversity and inclusion, and intersectionality of gender with other PS topics such as community health and safety, occupational health and safety, resettlement, Indigenous People, and cultural heritage, and participate and contribute to the Social Practice Group and the GBV Community of Practice.

Selection Criteria

• Graduate/advanced degree in social sciences or a related relevant discipline;
• Minimum of 8 years of professional experience working to address gender-based violence and harassment in the workplace and communities, derived in a private sector, multilaterals or CSO/NGO environment;
• Good knowledge of global standards and ethical guidelines for prevention and response to GBV and of key standards and resources on GBV in in development settings;
• Familiarity with child safeguarding, rights, emerging issues in diversity and inclusion as well as broader gender issues, including women’s employment good practice in private sector;
• Work experience in emerging markets, ideally in fragile and conflict environments; 
• Experience in community engagement, grievance mechanisms, or mediation/negotiation skills is a plus;
• Experience with other IFC PS social issues and risks, such as resettlement, labor and working conditions, indigenous people would be an advantage; 
• Track record conducting interviews and face-to-face engagements with potential GBVH survivors or communities, using survivor-centric approach is required;
• High personal integrity and emotional intelligence, with demonstrated ability to handle sensitive matters in a discreet and respectful manner. Diplomatic approach and calm under pressure; 
• Fluency in English is required with ability to communicate ideas clearly and confidently, articulate issues and recommend solutions.  Other language skills, such as Spanish, French or Portuguese, or from the region, is a plus;
• Strong analytical skills, ability to think strategically, analyse and synthesize diverse information sources, and draw conclusions from sometimes limited data;
• Pragmatic, solution-oriented, problem solver with a high degree of responsiveness and proactivity, coupled with the ability to recognize when a solution is not available; and,
• Excellent interpersonal, listening and communication skills and ability to work effectively as a member of a multi-disciplinary, multi-cultural team.

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IFC is seeking an Investment Officer for its Upstream Advisory with deep expertise in the Agri sectors (agriculture, agribusiness and forestry). The selected candidates will focus on developing high-quality Upstream and Advisory project pipeline in Africa with a particular focus on the West and Central Africa region under the supervision of the West Africa Agri Upstream Advisory Lead. S/he will also support policy work and other interventions across the World Bank Group to prioritize various initiatives and to maximize the impact of Upstream efforts. Please visit our website for more information on IFC’s work in Agri.

Duties & Accountabilities

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

• Identify and assess Upstream opportunities that will connect to investment in 6-24 months based on country and sector strategies and market creation potential.
• Develop feasibility studies and implementation plans for Upstream projects that lead to IFC investments.
• Spot game-changing trends, technologies and business models that can bring solutions to emerging markets.
• Produce regular reports on the assigned Upstream Advisory portfolio including monitoring progress against project milestones and key performance indicators.
• Conduct sector-specific data analysis 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.
• 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 Upstream Advisory projects.
• Facilitate knowledge flow across IFC and the World Bank Group and promote adoption of new approaches and best practices.
• Help build external recognition of IFC’s distinctive capabilities in working Upstream to catalyze greater flow of investment opportunities in the sector.
• Mentor more junior staff working on Upstream Advisory activities.

Selection Criteria

• Master's degree or equivalent professional qualification in Business, Finance, Economics, International Relations, Science, Engineering, or other relevant field.
• At least 8-10 years of relevant experience in investment, project development, producing feasibility studies, hands-on advisory and/or consulting functions and deep understanding of investments in emerging markets.
• Genuine commitment to development and 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.
• Strong financial, credit and equity skills; demonstrated ability to structure debt and equity instruments.
• Ability to interact directly and independently with the senior management of potential clients, financial and technical partners.
• Capacity to innovate and challenge the status quo and a proven track record in new idea generation, business development, and creating projects/programs from scratch.
• Sound business judgment in identifying potential investment opportunities.
• Strong understanding of the Agribusiness sector and ability to link policy reforms, advisory interventions, investment, and mobilization to deliver solutions at a country level via the Cascade approach.
• Experience engaging with private sector clients, local and national governments and other stakeholders to encourage pioneering business and market development.
• Experience in project/program management, including executing against implementation plans with defined business development milestones.
• Experience in monitoring and reporting on a portfolio of investment and/or projects/programs/initiatives.
• Outstanding analytical and critical thinking skills; demonstrated ability to synthetize complex information and make concrete strategic and tactical recommendations.
• Excellent people skills, openness to feedback, new ideas, and ability to guide and motivate others.
• Exceptional attention to detail.
• Strong written and verbal communications skills in English. French, Arabic or Portuguese will be a plus.