The Operations Officer s primary responsibility will be to manage, develop and grow a portfolio of advisory and investment projects that create opportunities for women entrepreneurs through improved access to finance, building on the full suite of advisory services products and approaches in IFC s Access to Finance Business Line. Working closely with IFC s global and regional teams, as well as with individuals and teams in the Financial Markets and Access to Finance Departments, s/he will work with the other AMSME operations officers to develop a pipeline of projects and programs that will include a Women in Business component, assist regional teams in project and program design and implementation, monitor and compare performance on a portfolio basis, troubleshooting and flexibly integrating lessons learned in a flexible fashion. Accountabilities will include but not be limited to:
- Business Development: present the business case for investing in women owned businesses to investment and advisory staff across IFC and to potential and current financial intermediary clients;
- Project Design: actively participate in and support, as required, the process of scoping, and designing new country level activities;
- Quality Assurance: provide expert reviews and input to new projects developed by IFC advisory staff that relate to or build on Access to Finance for women entrepreneurs; provide quality control as projects are designed, developed and implemented by regional advisory and investment teams;
- Portfolio Performance: develop a thorough understanding of the efficiency and effectiveness of Gender Finance advisory activities, fostering continuous improvements across the entire portfolio, and contributing to relevant results measurement and strategic change initiatives.
- Strategy: contribute to the AMSME Program and Access to Finance Business Line s strategy, yearly program planning and monitoring tasks, in view of overall growth targets and impact intent;
- Knowledge Management: Coordinate with Women in Business Unit in Washington on strategy, knowledge sharing and lessons learned
- Participate and support a global practice group on Access to Finance – Women Entrepreneurs; advise regional product leads and advisory services transaction leaders with regard to the gender-related components that could be included in their teams knowledge management and learning programs; develop specific reference materials and training initiatives with regard to access to finance related advisory and investment opportunities that focus on women entrepreneurs, including materials with investment criteria and data sheets for products & financial services.
- Liaise with the Global Banking Alliance for Women – Africa Chapter to further knowledge sharing between financial institutions in Africa interested in increasing access to finance for women entrepreneurs
- Fund raising: actively assist in the raising of funds and resources from international and national donors, through partnerships, and through collaborative initiatives;
- Promotion: actively reach out, internally and externally, on topics relating to women and finance, through publications, the internet, press releases, and lessons learned documents with a view to achieve up-take, replication or mainstreaming, of IFC s approaches within the Corporation and across the financial community in general; representing IFC s Gender Initiative at donors meetings, international, regional and national fora as required
- Education: Masters university degree required in Finance/Economics/Business administration; a background in gender finance is not required but desirable;
- Professional Experience: Minimum 6 years experience working for or with financial institutions in a business development capacity. Minimum 4 years experience working on gender/private sector issues that involve emerging markets in both project design and implementation; a track record that would include gender-sensitive stakeholder consultation and engagement would be desirable. Broad experience in commercial banking, with a record of developing new products will be a plus.
- Track record: Proven track record and commitment to gender equity, women s economic empowerment, and improving women s access to financial services, ideally in emerging markets. Ability to see linkages between investment opportunities and technical assistance needs. Demonstrated understanding of entrepreneurship and issues facing micro, small and medium sized women-owned businesses in developing countries, especially relating to access to financial services.
- Client orientation: Strong client orientation, including the ability to adjust to changing demands and ensuring timely and appropriate follow-up. Sensitive to and respectful of cultural differences, while able to engage clients in both business and development imperatives relating to gender equity. Outstanding relationship management skills and the ability to develop and maintain mutually beneficial stakeholder relationships.
- Interpersonal skills: Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, including ability to interact diplomatically with people at all levels. Innovative and determined “go-getter”, able to work independently and take initiative, yet a strong team player. Excellent organizational skills and demonstrated ability to handle multiple tasks with minimal supervision. Collegial in approach with the ability to listen and understand other points of views.
- People management skills: Outstanding people management and organizational skills, as well as the ability to administer and supervise a range of different projects across different countries. Demonstrated ability to manage staff and consultants for timely, quality outputs imperative. Personal experience: Experience of living and working in a developing country preferred.
- Language skills: Ability to work in other languages, especially French, would be a distinct advantage. Other: Candidates should submit their resumes in English. No phone calls, paper mail or faxes please. All applications will be treated in the strictest confidence. Only applicants invited for interviews will be contacted