Upstream and Advisory Manager, INR, MCT

international finance corporation

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. 

The IFC 3.0 strategy aims to stimulate more investment activity across emerging markets, especially in Low Income Countries (LICs) and Fragile and Conflict affected States (FCS). This strategy aims to create new 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 1) a broader product offering to engage earlier in the project cycle and secure opportunities; 2) a greater focus on preparing clients in nascent markets and sectors for investment; 3) a greater focus on value addition and risk management of portfolio investment clients to enhance their performance; and 4) a longer time horizon and a more patient, longer-term perspective. 

To drive this approach, IFC is seeking an Upstream & Advisory Manager for its Infrastructure and Natural Resources department (INR) of the Middle East, Central Asia, Türkiye, Pakistan and Afghanistan (MCT) region. The Manager will be responsible for IFC's efforts to enable investment opportunities, enhance investment outcomes, and improve investment conditions – critical activities for the corporation to deliver on its ambitious strategy. The mix of these varied activities should be calibrated to meet the development needs of the market and contribute to IFC's growth and impact objectives.

The Manager will be based in Riyadh or Amman and is expected to frequently visit (travel permitting) other offices where their team and clients are based. They will report to the Regional Industry Head for INR in MCT and will be a member of the INR MCT Management Team. They will work in partnership with relevant Country/Regional Managers and New Business Managers on the appropriate staffing and resourcing to achieve IFC's country and sectoral strategic and business objectives. They will have supervisory responsibility over a joint Advisory and Upstream team and will closely collaborate with the INR MCT Management Team to leverage skills and knowledge across IFC. The Manager will also be responsible for overseeing the development of the Upstream and Advisory business program in close collaboration with the Regional Industry Managers to ensure the coordinated provision of services that span the continuum of IFC's operations – across idea generation, enabling environment, project development and client preparation, investment, and portfolio operations – and to further collaboration and synergies across the INR MCT department. 

Duties and Accountabilities 

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

People and Resource Responsibility 

•  Lead and manage the Upstream & Advisory unit and ensure the team is high-performing, well-motivated and committed to the advancement of IFC's strategic goals.

•  Mentor and develop staff and promote opportunities for rotation and continued learning. 

•  Be part of, and actively contribute to Regional and Industry's Management Team. 

•  Support the integration and cross-support between upstream, advisory and investment teams and work with regional leadership to ensure that exposure and contribution to varied operations are included in staff objectives at all levels across the department.

•  Staff upstream and advisory projects with the appropriate resources to deploy the most appropriate technical expertise and provide exceptional client service, while keeping in mind career and training development needs of staff.

•  Manage, oversee, and optimize IFC's internal and external funding mix and budget to efficiently deliver upstream and advisory operations in their region and industry, including through engagement in budgetary discussions and processes with region, global and partnership teams.

Strategic Responsibility

•  Formulate the unit's strategy for Industry's sectors across the region in coordination with the Regional Industry Head and with support of the relevant Country/Regional and Global colleagues, drawing on and contributing to strategy and diagnostic products (e.g. Country Private Sector Diagnostics, Sector Deep Dives, Country Strategies) as relevant.

•  Lead their unit to deliver key strategic priorities as set out in the WBG Strategy and Country Partnership Framework, with a focus on supporting implementation of IFC Country business plans and sector strategies through the design and implementation of upstream and advisory projects, as well as through engagement with the WB. 

Business Responsibility

•  Enable investment opportunities by 1) incubating high-impact projects and initiatives that require upstream project development to reach the point of investment and 2) getting potential clients ready for IFC investment through client preparation and development.

•  Enhance investment outcomes by 1) increasing the development impact of IFC investments and 2) improving the performance of IFC investment portfolio clients, through the provision of value-additive and risk-mitigation services.

•  Improve investment conditions by 1) Leading and/or collaborating with other teams across IFC and the WBG efforts to drive sector-wide change in priority areas and 2) Leading and/or collaborating with other teams across IFC and the WBG efforts to open up new markets for private sector participation.

• Support business development efforts, together with investment, regional/country, and global Industry teams and ensure high level of client satisfaction.

•  Work closely with Regional Industry Managers to foster cross-departmental collaboration and ensure the efficient deployment of staffing, resources, products and solutions to meet client-specific requirements.

•  Work closely with Global units in the designing/piloting of global products, knowledge sharing, and maintenance of pipeline/portfolio quality.

•  Ensure a high quality of the unit's operations through a focus on project design (development results, PSRs/PCRs, lessons learned) throughout an individual project cycle and across the unit's portfolio of operations, with a focus on achieving high Development Effectiveness (DE). 

Client and Stakeholder Responsibility 

•  Engage with and establish partnerships with thought leaders and decision makers across the World Bank Group and externally to foster innovative thinking about the creation of new markets and to identify and implement sector and regulatory reforms to unlock private investment opportunities, including leveraging the Bank's lending program.

•  Active collaboration and engagement with the Partnerships department to proactively contribute to donor engagement strategy, relationship management, and reporting.

•  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 enable delivery of upstream and advisory operations.

Knowledge Capture and Management 

•  Spot 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 region. 

•  Within their market of focus, build external brand recognition and recognition of IFC's distinctive capabilities in working upstream to catalyze investment opportunities.

Selection Criteria

•  Master's degree or equivalent professional qualification in Business, Finance, Economics, International Relations, or related discipline, and a minimum of 12 years of relevant experience. 

•  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 industry sectors 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.

•  Track record of engaging with private sector clients, local and national governments, and other stakeholders to encourage pioneering business and market development.

•  Demonstrated capacity for innovating and challenging the status quo to develop business opportunities.

•  Demonstrated capacity for collaborating across organizational boundaries to shift organizational behavior and generate buy-in.

•  Strong and proven track record of delivery on project implementation for Upstream, Advisory, and/or Investment operations. 

•  Excellent people management skills and openness to feedback, new ideas, and ability to guide and incentivize staff, inspire trust, and achieve results.

•  Strong written and verbal communications skills.

•  Ability to mentor and coach junior staff.

•  Sensitivity for working in multicultural environment, commitment to diversity, and ability to build effective working relationships with colleagues/clients/partners across regions, sectors, and business lines.

•  Meet World Bank Group-wide managerial competencies - Courage of your Conviction, Leading the Team for Impact, Influencing Across Boundaries, Fostering Openness to New Ideas, Building Talent for the Future.

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.

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Sector: Nonprofit/Community/Social Services/International Cooperation

Role: Other

Working hours (%): 80-100% / 100%

Job type: Staff (Permanent and Fixed Term)

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