Division Director - Africa West 1 Job #: req35523 Organization: IFC Sector: Grade: GI Term Duration:ย 4 years 0 months Recruitment Type: International Recruitment Location: Dakar,Senegal Required Language(s): English Preferred Language(s): Closing Date: 2/12/2026 (MM/DD/YYYY) at 11:59pm UTC
Description
IFC โ a member of the World Bank Group 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. In fiscal year 2025, IFC committed a record $71 billion to private companies and financial institutions in developing countries, leveraging private sector solutions, and mobilizing private capital to create a world free of poverty on a livable planet. For more information, visitย www.ifc.org.
IFC seeks to recruit a Division Director to lead the Division of Africa West 1. The position will be based in Dakar, Senegal and will report to the Regional Vice President for Africa.ย
The Division Director will lead regional teams in Senegal, Mali, Burkina Faso, Chad, Niger, Cabo Verde, Mauritania, Guinea-Bissau and The Gambia managing key clients and government relationships, overseeing operations, and driving the business towards the IFC 2030 vision.ย Duties and Accountabilities:
Regional Operations Leadership
โข Jointly with IBRD/IDA Divisional Directors and MIGA counterparts, oversee development of WBG Country Partnership Frameworks (CPF) in the region.ย โข Lead and coordinate relevant departments to deliver on IFC investment and advisory program targets in the region in support of CPF objectives.โข Lead business development, including relationships with private sector clients, governments, investors, and relevant regional development banks.โข Oversee IFCโs investment and advisory portfolios in the region to maximize IFCโs additionality, development outcomes and contribution to WBG scorecard while ensuring financial sustainability and effective management of environmental & social, reputational, and other non-financial risks.ย โข Collaborate with Credit Review Committees, the Independent Evaluation Group, and oversee the Compliance to ensure regional projects align with WBG standards, strategic goals, and ethical practices, while integrating local insights and feedback for continuous improvement.โข Represent IFC in the WBG Regional Coordination Mechanism (RCM) meetings and ensure a seamless flow of information and knowledge sharing.โข Develop and strengthen IFCโs brand in the region, building on IFCโs global brand and the overall communications strategy and coordinate and support external fundraising efforts in the sub-region.
Corporate Leadership
โข Serve as an active member of the IFCโs Regional Management Team and contribute to IFCโs and WBGโs corporate initiatives as needed.
People and Resource Managementย
โข Provide visionary leadership and effective people management to the divisional team, fostering a high-performance culture grounded in the sense of urgency and accountability.โข Manage the divisional budget to ensure that strategic priorities are appropriately resourced while maximizing efficiency of operations and maintaining strict budget discipline.
Selection Criteria
In addition to the WBG managerial selection criteria*, the following qualifications are sought:โข Integrity and Values: Unquestionable integrity, alignment with the WBG core values, strong work ethic. Commitment to excellence and accountability.ย โข Education, Experience, and Expertise: Advanced degree in a relevant field (e.g., Business Administration, Finance, Economics) and a minimum of 15 years of relevant experience.ย โข People Leadership Skills: Demonstrated ability to lead effectively, manage a large and dispersed team in a dynamic and multicultural environment, and attract high-caliber people and nurture their development; ability and willingness to make decisions, take accountability, and hold others accountable for performance and adherence to WBG values.โข Collaboration and Innovation: Ability to work collaboratively in a matrixed and highly complex organization, with superior influencing and interpersonal skills; ability to cultivate an active network of relationships inside and outside the organization; interest in and ability to drive innovation and change, and to bring together groups that are used to working autonomously to solve problems and achieve results.โข Communication Skills: Effective and persuasive oral and written communication skills to engage successfully with external stakeholders, clients, as well as with IFC's Board of Directors, and to represent publicly the IFC and WBG's viewpoints in global forums. Excellent written and verbal communication skills and fluency in English; French language would be a plus.โข Commitment to Mission and Values: Strong commitment to the World Bank Groupโs and IFC's mission, strategy, and values.โข Technical Expertise: In-depth understanding of Upstream, Investment, and Advisory businesses, including client relationship management, business development, and pipeline management, aligned with regional priorities and opportunities.โข Proven Business Acumen: Strong track record of business delivery, demonstrated investment experience, sound business judgment, and established professional credibility in policy dialogue.โข Strategic Thinking and Leadership: Demonstrated ability to think strategically, prioritize effectively, set direction, and mobilize and deploy resources flexibly.
* WBG-wide managerial selection criteria include - courage of your convictions, leading the team for impact, influencing across boundaries, fostering openness to new ideas, and building talent for the future.
WBG Culture Attributes:
1. Sense of urgency: Anticipate and quickly respond to the needs of internal and external stakeholders.
2. Thoughtful risk-taking: Challenge the status quo and push boundaries to achieve greater impact.
3. Empowerment and accountability: Empower yourself and others to act and hold each other accountable for 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.