Associate Operations Officer Job #: req33371 Organization: IFC Sector: Economics Grade: Term Duration:ย 3 years 0 months Recruitment Type: Local Recruitment Location: Suva,Fiji Required Language(s): English Preferred Language(s): Closing Date: 6/16/2025 (MM/DD/YYYY) at 11:59pm UTC
Description
IFC โ a member of the World Bank Group (WBG) โ 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 in developing countries. Our mission is to leverage the power of the private sector to end extreme poverty and promote shared prosperity in a sustainable way. For more information, visit www.ifc.org.
The IFC 3.0 strategy aims to stimulate more investment activity across emerging markets. Our goal is to create, deepen, and expand markets and design and develop impactful investment projects. This strategy is, in part, premised on improved country/sector diagnostic, strategic, and public sector engagement capabilities, which seek to: 1) resolve obstacles to private sector growth via diagnostic and strategic work that informs both IFC operations and relevant IBRD/IDA policy operations; and 2) overcome the shortage of investable projects in priority markets by proactively improving the private sector ecosystem at the country and regional level.
The Country Advisory and Economics (CAE) Unit of the East Asia and Pacific region supports the IFC business through the provision of country economic diagnostics, strategy, and engagement products as well as through direct support to operational teams and country units, leveraging coordination across the World Bank Group. The Unit is composed of economics, strategy, and operational staff responsible for:
โข Producing regional and country-level economic assessments to support IFCโs strategy and operations.
โข Collaborating with regional and industry colleagues to produce analytical products such as Country Private Sector Diagnostics (CPSDs).
โข Significantly contributing to WBG products such as Country Partnership Frameworks (CPF), Country Climate and Development Reports (CCDR), and IBRD/IDA lending operations.
โข Implementing IFCโs country strategy and diagnostic recommendations into practice through Advisory projects that engage with governments, regulators, civil society, development partners and other relevant stakeholders to reform markets and sectors and address key bottlenecks to private sector development.
The advisory role of CAE works with client country governments to address key legal and regulatory issues that constrain private sector development. Efforts are focused on improving the enabling environment that can facilitate private investment opportunities, including foreign direct investments. CAE addresses โif-thenโ reform asks in IFC strategies, complementing World Bank efforts, while strengthening IFC's relationships with client countries. Specifically, the CAE team works proactively with governments and regulatory agencies to create effective and efficient market conditions, both at economy wide as well as industry/sector level, for increased private investments. The Unit collaborates extensively with IFC Industry teams, cross-cutting teams, and other teams across the WBG in the design and delivery of advisory services.
CAE is seeking to recruit an Operations Officer to be based in Suva, Fiji, to help deliver well-tailored and high-quality advisory services to local clients; provide analytics on country economic and market trends; and facilitateย coordination with the WBG to align assistance programs and for the joint preparation of country engagement products. Advisory services will focus in particular on legal reforms, regulations and processes to enable a more conducive business environment, both on an economy-wide level and with a sectoral focus on tourism.
Duties and Accountabilities:
ย โข Support senior regional staff in the design/implementation/supervision of the CAE advisory programs in Fiji and other Pacific countries, ensuring consistency with clientsโ needs, upmost quality, and efficient implementation.
โข Work collaboratively with Investment/Advisory Anchors across Industry teams to align advisory services and build a pipeline of robust private investment opportunities.
โข Engage with the relevant teams at the World Bank and IFC to identify, articulate and make the case for systemic reforms needed to unlock new markets and investments for job creation.
โข Support sector diagnostics and work closely with country and sector economists and industry specialists in developing key country engagements products (CPSDs, CPFs, CCDRs).
โข Engage and communicate with senior and working levels of the Government and private sector to identify and articulate the case for improvements to the business environment.
โข Participate in senior level client meetings to provide technical advice and monitor progress in implementing investment climate reforms.
Improve the design and delivery of client solutions by incorporating good global practices and lessons from past.
โข Draft and contribute to the development and approval of relevant project documents and client deliverables.
โข Actively support resource mobilization, including developing funding applications, liaising with the internal partnership team and donors, and providing reporting on use of funds and deliverables.
โข Proactively partner with results team in developing appropriate theories of change and results frameworks and indicators to strengthen the development impact and sustainability of client solutions and continuously learn from client projects/ engagements.
โข Ensure high quality of project supervision. This includes managing consultants; providing quality control; coordinating with clients for project implementation/reviews/approvals; providing troubleshooting as needed; ensuring timely and effective reporting to the country management unit, regional manager and corporate teams; and leading preparation of project status and completions reports.
Selection Criteria
โข Masterโs degree in economics, law, finance, business or a closely related field.
โข Strong competence in business sectorsโ legislation and regulation. Specific expertise in the tourism sector will be an added advantage.
โข At least 5 years of experience in advisory services on business enabling/investment climate reforms in the Pacific region (economy-wide and tourism-specific business reforms).
โข Experience in dialogue with senior levels of government for design and delivery of IFC advisory programs.
โข Proven track record in handling the project cycle for advisory services, including project identification and design; securing financing resources; procurement of external services; monitoring and evaluation and reporting and troubleshooting.
โข Robust understanding of IFC and WBG products/instruments for cross-organizational collaboration. Demonstrable experience working on IFC and WBG products will be an advantage, including experience of leading or supporting cross-industry engagements.
โข Able to design research and analytics to provide new understanding of a thematic issue and/or potential opportunities to unlock new markets or new streams of business.
โข Able to develop client offerings that reflect in-depth knowledge of thematic areas and understanding of business.
โข Excellent knowledge of Word, Excel, PowerPoint and aptitude to learn new systems is a must.
โข Ability to use project management systems. Proficiency in use of IFC tools such as Iportal would be an added asset.
โข Excellent written, verbal communication and presentation skills plus fluency in English are a must.
WBG Culture Attributes:
1. Sense of Urgency โ Anticipating and quickly reacting to the needs of internal and external stakeholders.
2. Thoughtful Risk Taking โ Taking informed and thoughtful risks and making courageous decisions to push boundaries for greater impact.
3. Empowerment and Accountability โ Engaging with others in an empowered and accountable manner for impactful results.
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 theย World Bankย andย IFC, including our values and inspiring stories.