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 deeply committed to advancing gender equality and economic inclusion as laid out in IFC’s 2030 Roadmap for Gender and Inclusion to deliver game-changing private sector partnerships and programs to accelerate gender equality and inclusion in emerging markets. Aligned with the new World Bank Group (WBG) Gender Strategy (2024-30): Accelerate Gender Equality to End Poverty on a Livable Planet, IFC’s Roadmap is built on six priorities offering high potential for impact in and through the private sector. These areas aim to (1) Allocate Capital that Drives Inclusion, (2) Make Supply Chains Inclusive, and (3) Remove Barriers to Entrepreneurship, Employment, and Leadership (including addressing gender-based violence). Equally important are two cross-cutting themes that are foundational to achieving sustainable results across the priority areas and require action: (4) Bridging the Digital Divide; (5) Accelerating Inclusive and Gender-Smart Climate Action; and (6) Ending Gender-based Violence and Harassment.
As part of its mandate, IFC’s Cross-Cutting Vice Presidency includes a dedicated team, the Gender and Economic Inclusion (GEI) Department (GEID), that works with IFC’s investment and advisory teams to support private and public sector clients in providing all genders and underserved communities with equal economic opportunities as leaders, employees, entrepreneurs, consumers, and community members. GEID leads strategy development and implementation for the organization, provides tailored operational solutions and client advice, innovates, and incubates novel approaches, serves a thought leader and disseminator of knowledge on GEI issues, supports mobilization through impact investing and sustainable financing; and forges public and private sector partnerships with the aim of creating economic opportunities and development for all.
GEID is establishing a new operating model built around Global Operations in four Regional Gender Hubs and two new units focused on Thought Leadership and Innovation. The Regional Gender Hubs will serve as comprehensive “one-stop shops” providing dedicated knowledge, expertise, and resources on gender and economic inclusion to IFC regional operations. The Hubs are designed to enhance closer collaboration with regional industry leadership and investment officers and expand the presence of gender experts closer to the clients.
Each Gender Hub will also host a Center of Excellence focused on the most pressing gender and inclusion issues / opportunities of the region and provide leadership on that theme globally. The Center of Excellence in Africa focuses on Gender Based Violence and Harassment.
The Africa Gender Hub will be led by a Regional Gender Hub Lead, who reports to the GEID Manager for Global Operations and who oversees the sub-regional Program Officer for East & Central Africa (E&CA). The E&SA Sub-Regional Program Officer will report to the Africa Regional Gender Hub.
Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
Regional portfolio delivery and business development
• The Program Officer is expected to deliver client projects and manage client relationships across the sub-region.
• Portfolio: Manage the delivery of existing portfolio projects in the E&SA region, ensuring provision of high-quality services to internal (industry/regional) and external clients and strong internal project governance.
• Accelerate Opportunities to include Gender and Inclusion Solutions: help sub-regional and industry leadership to identify and to embed gender and economic inclusion solutions in their existing and pipeline investment and advisory projects by supporting the screening of project pipeline and identifying opportunities. Work on implementing the defined gender solutions.
• New Flagship Initiatives and Country Programs: Support in collaboration with IFC Industry teams the design and delivery of coordinated, country-level programs in E&SA that address gender barriers and deliver measurable gender outcomes.
• Manage the selection and performance of staff and consultants reporting to/assigned to the sub regional program to effectively deliver on program goals.
Sub-Regional strategy, communications and partnerships:
• Support IFC sub-regional and country management in E&CA on gender issues.
• Coordinate and provide IFC sub-regional regional and country management in E&CA consistent inputs in sub-regional, country, and industry/sector projects, programs and strategies.
• Support the sub-regional communications team in E&CA and country management in E&CA on gender and economic inclusion topics externally, such as at regional events, with partners, and in the media.
Selection Criteria
The candidate should be a seasoned candidate with in-depth experience working with the private sector and across institutional structures to deliver impactful solutions. S/he routinely leads staff, initiatives, programs, projects, and integrates the work of others (often multi-disciplinary). S/he confidently delivers quality output and can work and inspire others with a sense of urgency. S/he can proficiently interact with companies’ senior management, development partners and communicate with senior government counterparts and other organizations with confidence on the topic at hand.
Minimum requirements
• Master’s degree in economics, finance, business, or other relevant discipline required.
• At least eight years of professional experience in private sector development in emerging markets (required) with decision-making responsibility, ideally with a focus on gender and inclusion.
• Experience in structuring investment and advisory projects, including results frameworks to capture gender / inclusion outcomes and impacts.
• Broad experience across gender and economic inclusion topics and the demonstrated ability to engage with credibility and confidence.
• Ability to self-manage, multitask, and work under time constraints.
• Successful record of managing staff/consultants/temporaries in a project, monitoring project issues and tasks, meeting deadlines and setting priorities.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, sound business judgment to identify issues, and present creative and practical solutions.
• Excellent oral and written communication and interpersonal skills in English, including strong ability to communicate ideas clearly and confidently, articulate issues and recommend solutions. Fluency in another language widely spoken in the sub-region such as Portuguese and Swahili is a plus.
• Demonstrated commitment to IFC core values, including excellence, mutual respect, collegiality, teamwork, diversity and inclusiveness, integrity, innovation, transparency, and accountability.
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.
