Green Building Regional Lead for Africa

Green Building Regional Lead for Africa Job #: req33429 Organization: IFC Sector: Climate Change Grade: GG Term Duration: 3 years 0 months Recruitment Type: International Recruitment Location: Johannesburg,South Africa Required Language(s): English Preferred Language(s): French Closing Date: 6/19/2025 (MM/DD/YYYY) at 11:59pm UTC

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. For more information, visit www.ifc.org. 

IFC’s Climate Business Department (CBD) focuses on working with the IFC’s and World Bank Group’s industries, sectors, and regions to uncover, nurture, develop and scale up cross-sector and multi-sector innovations that can help with climate adaptation and mitigation efforts. Current priorities being developed include developing carbon credit markets, transition finance, nature-based solutions, trade programs to support SMEs, methane reduction, sustainable cooling solutions, innovative and emerging renewable energy and storage solutions, circular economy, decarbonizing transport, agriculture and industries, and decarbonizing the built environment including buildings, cities, and industrial parks.  

IFC’s Green Building Program includes three major tools/programs as follows:

EDGE Green Buildings Program: EDGE Green Buildings Program aims to catalyze a virtuous cycle of supply and demand for resource-efficient building construction and ownership. A main thrust of the program is to create a paradigm shift by setting a metrics-driven standard of what constitutes a green building, and to reward property developers for meeting these standards through IFC’s green building certification called EDGE – (Excellence in Design for Greater Efficiencies). IFC works through third party certification providers to administer and confirm compliance with the EDGE standard. Website: https://edgebuildings.com/

Building Resilience Index Program: IFC recognizes the importance of mainstreaming disaster resilience and climate adaptation in emerging markets. IFC's Building Resilience Index (BRI) aims to enhance the resilience of real estate against climate change-induced and geoseismic natural hazards by promoting the design, construction, retrofit, finance, and insurance of resilient buildings. The program takes a holistic approach, focusing on the development of the Building Resilience Index app, improving access to finance for resilience/adaptation projects, and improving the public policy environment to incentivize investments in resilience measures for the real estate/property sector. Website: https://www.resilienceindex.org/Global APEX Green Cities Program: IFC has created a climate-smart cities platform called APEX Green & Resilient Cities. This new platform will help cities make decisions about the future of their energy, transport, water, and waste systems through an extensive array of policy and investment options. The APEX software is used to quickly assess the resource requirements, greenhouse gas emissions impacts, costs, and payback periods of policies, investments, and planning measures. The APEX Green Cities program aims to increase public and private climate-related investment pipeline influenced by city-level policies and investment plans Website: https://www.apexcities.com/#/

IFC is seeking a Green Building Regional Lead for Africa who will lead green building operations across the continent.  The position will be based in Johannesburg, South Africa, with possible extensive national and international travel. 

The Green Building Regional Lead will report to the Green Building Global Operations Lead and the Senior Manager, both based in Washington DC, and will liaise with other team members on marketing, fundraising,  strategic and technical work.

ROLE & RESPONSIBILITIES:

The candidate’s core responsibilities will be to:• Lead Africa-based green building staff and consultants to grow the green building market across Africa, especially in target/focus countries (South Africa, Kenya, Ghana, Nigeria, Senegal, Morocco, Egypt) and new markets as needed.• Outreach to financial intermediaries on the creation of financial and non-financial products and services that support the growth of the green building sector; and, • Provide support to other programs such as BRI and APEX, as needed.

The candidate will also work and coordinate closely with other team members to share and promote the adoption of lessons learned.   The candidate should be able to work independently and as a team player, and possess excellent organizational and communications skills.

Lead and expand EDGE across the Africa region• Lead business development efforts and close on leads and monitor their conversion to certified projects. Ensure achievement of target green building and EDGE certifications.• Conduct market research and data analysis to identify growth opportunities and innovative strategies for program expansion. • Engage with key industry players to promote EDGE, enhance capacities, and ensure program adoption and client retention. • Coordinate and work with IFC investment officers to identify target clients for EDGE certification projects.• Generate and disseminate high-quality content to reinforce the business case for EDGE in local markets and support stakeholders in their business development efforts. • Work with the global marketing lead to refine the program’s messaging for Africa markets and use various channels to highlight client success stories. • Represent IFC programs at public events to increase awareness and support program integration and implementation. 

Manage the relationship with EDGE certification provider across Africa• Establish strong working relationships with EDGE certification providers to jointly and actively promote the uptake of EDGE across Africa.• Advise certification providers on successful EDGE certification strategies, encompassing technical, operational, marketing, and financial aspects. • Trouble-shoot commercial relationship issues between clients and the certification provider and refer technical questions from clients to the EDGE product team. • Oversee invoicing of royalty payments due from the certification provider.• Manage annual operational audits and quarterly reporting of the certification provider.• Identify challenges and devise operable solutions in collaboration with the certification provider.

Identify and support the delivery of other programs i.e. BRI and APEX Green Cities, as needed• Work closely with the APEX program team to identify and implement strategic areas from APEX engagement with Indonesian cities.• Assess market readiness for BRI and foster new and existing strategic partnerships. • Advocate for resilient and decarbonized portfolios, including retrofitting and Zero Carbon initiatives. 

Manage regional operations across Africa• Act as a regional lead for Africa programs including South Africa, Kenya, Ghana, Nigeria, Senegal, Morocco, Egypt.• Establish detailed country budgets and action plan including activities and targets.• Apply for funding and manage country budgets effectively and efficiently. • Execute the action plan within budget.• Manage a team of staff, individual consultants, and various consulting firms by overseeing all hiring, quality control, and capacity building decisions.• Ensure the timely and quality delivery of IFC and donor monitoring and evaluation requirements and periodic management reporting.• Develop and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders, including regulatory agencies, program partners, country-based donor representatives.• Nurture relationships with IFC and World Bank country managers and teams, including providing necessary support to encourage greater focus on certified green buildings.• Work with IFC’s investment teams across Africa Region (MAS and FIG) to support the development of green building investment and green building financing portfolio.• Communicate regularly with management on progress and issues faced on the ground and actively propose potential solutions to challenges.

Selection Criteria

The candidate must have a significant network in the property and/or financial real estate sector and be able to work both independently and as a team player, be at ease in working with high-level clients, and have minimum 10 years of experience in business development relating to the real estate sector. • Master's degree in business, economics, architecture, civil engineering, or related field. • At least 10 years' experience in the green building sector and 8 years in business development within property/financial sectors. • Business development expert with a robust network in property/financial real estate and a deep understanding of South African and African markets. • Independent and team-oriented professional comfortable with high-level client engagement. • Proven track record in client conversion and relationship management with financial institutions and other key players. • Dynamic leader with exceptional energy, initiative, and the ability to drive multi-disciplinary team collaboration across borders. • Strong business judgment and project management skills are essential, with a track record of delivering results in high-pressure situations. • Experience with urban infrastructure and planning is desirable. • Candidates with GHG quantification expertise are preferred. • Exceptional presentation, verbal and written communication skills are required for liaising with internal and external parties. • Strong command of English and Bahasa Indonesia and an ability to convey complex ideas in a creative, clear, and persuasive style. 

WBG Culture Attributes:

1. Sense of Urgency – Anticipating and quickly reacting to the needs of internal and external stakeholders.
2. Thoughtful Risk Taking – Taking informed and thoughtful risks and making courageous decisions to push boundaries for greater impact.
3. Empowerment and Accountability – 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 the World Bank and IFC, including our values and inspiring stories.