Job Description
Basics
Job #:
112382
Title:
Operations Officer - Microfinance & Mobile Financial Services
Job Stream:
Technical Assistance & Advisory Services
Location:
To Be Determined
Close Date:
14-Dec-2011
Background / General description:
IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, promotes sustainable private sector investment in developing countries as a way to reduce poverty and improve people s lives. In addition to its investment work, IFC provides advisory services to a number of its clients to support them in meeting specific development goals. IFC s support to the financial sector is implemented via its Access to Finance (A2F) Business Line and is organized around the following main themes:
- Innovation/Base of Pyramid: including Microfinance, Mobile Financial Services, Housing Finance, Rural Finance, Responsible Finance.
- Banking Services: SME Finance, Sustainable Energy Finance, Insurance, Agrifinance, Leasing, Trade Finance, Gender, Risk Management and Corporate Governance.
- Financial Infrastructure: Credit Reporting, Collateral Registries and Secured Transactions, Securities Markets These services are delivered through regional Advisory Services (AS) facilities, with support from global product specialists, and in partnership with IFC s Investment Services (IS) teams. IFC has recently received a sizable grant from the MasterCard Foundation for advisory services work in sub-Saharan Africa in the areas of microfinance and mobile financial services. To support this effort, IFC is seeking to build up a team of professionals with experience of the delivery of financial services to the base of the pyramid. IFC is seeking to recruit up to five highly-motivated Operations Officers, with experience and a demonstrated interest in development finance, preferably in microfinance and/or mobile financial services.
Duties and Accountabilities:
The Operations Officers will work as part of the Africa retail financial services team, reporting in to a Program Manager for the MasterCard Foundation Program. The operations officers will be responsible for the development of projects with potential clients, in partnership with senior specialists in the areas of microfinance and mobile financial services. The positions will be based in Johannesburg, Dakar or Nairobi. Responsibilities will include but not be limited to:
- Identifying, developing and managing advisory services relationships with clients, in coordination with senior specialists and client relationship managers on the investment side.
- Conducting technical assistance appraisals in close cooperation with investment teams and relevant product specialists, and design projects for clients. Making proposals to clients to gain support and financial commitment. Managing client contracting process.
- Identifying and mobilizing appropriate consultants for advisory assignments (internal or external to IFC), including drafting terms of reference, taking part in the evaluation and selection of proposals and consultant contracting.
- Monitoring the progress and impact of projects through regular project monitoring/reporting and evaluation of consultant and project performance. Addressing problems with consultants or clients if they arise.
- Internal processing advisory services projects, including drafting of appraisal reports, client proposals, project budgets, internal approval documentation, supervision reporting and consultant terms of reference and legal documents.
- Working closely with the Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) team to develop indicators and tools that collect the necessary data for evaluating the impact of the projects.
- Working with donor relations team to mobilize additional sources of funding for A2F activities and prepare donor reports, including drafting and review of proposal documents and budgets;
- Participating in regional and global knowledge sharing events and activities.
- Contributing to the Access to Finance team strategy, yearly program planning and implementation monitoring.
- Preparing presentations and communication materials to disseminate results and accomplishments.
Selection Criteria:
Ideal candidates will have:
- An advanced university degree in Business, Economics, International Development or related fields.
- Five to seven years of experience in microfinance, mobile financial services or development finance more generally.
- Proven project management and business development skills in designing and delivering advisory projects in emerging markets.
- Demonstrated skills in consulting and providing technical assistance to banks, other financial institutions or mobile network operators.
- Strong client relationship management skills and ability to establish credibility with senior clients.
- Strong familiarity with international best market practices and global trends in microfinance and/or mobile financial services.
- Experience working with donor-funded programs preferred.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills in English, French language skills a strong advantage.
- Ability to work effectively in teams, communicate ideas clearly and confidently, articulate issues and recommend solutions.
- Team player with organizational skills and demonstrated ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously with minimal supervision.
- A keen interest in development finance and in working in a multicultural environment.
- Willingness and ability to travel.
To apply, please visit www.ifc.org, click on ‘Careers and then on ‘Current opportunities for detailed information on how to apply. Applications should be sent by December 9, 2011 at the latest. Applications without a cover letter will not be considered. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted. This position is subject to a renewable coterminous term contract with an initial duration of two years, subject to a one year period of probation, and will be paid in the local currency of the country of residence. IFC s Recruitment and Employment Policies reflect its strong values for cultural, racial and gender diversity. Citizens of African countries, as well as women and other minorities, are strongly encouraged to apply.
