Program Manager, Georgia

Program Manager, Georgia Job #: req35083 Organization: IFC Sector: Grade: GH Term Duration: 4 years 0 months Recruitment Type: International Recruitment Location: Tbilisi,Georgia Required Language(s): English Preferred Language(s): Closing Date: 12/15/2025 (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 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, visit www.ifc.org.

IFC is looking to recruit a Program Manager responsible for Georgia. This position is based in Tbilisi, Georgia. The Program Manager will support IFC’s Vision 2030 by translating IFC’s strategic goals into impactful country-level actions. This includes mobilizing private capital, leading government and private sector engagement, driving market creation and policy reform, ensuring strong operational delivery, and fostering innovation and collaboration—all to scale development impact and sustainability in emerging markets.  He/she will be responsible, in close collaboration with the WBG counterparts, for developing operational country strategies and action plans and for driving their implementation. The mandate of the Program Manager will be to significantly increase IFC operations in the country, by building the portfolio, developing new opportunities and enhancing our impact.

The Program Manager will be responsible for all IFC's operations and activities in Georgia while overseeing a multidisciplinary team of investment, advisory services, and support staff in the Tbilisi office. This will require close interactions with corporate clients, governments, counterparts at the World Bank, MIGA and other multilateral/bilateral institutions, as well as internal coordination within IFC with Industry Department Directors and Managers, Advisory Services Managers, and constituent Executive Directors. The Program Manager will report to the Director, Western Balkans and South Caucasus.

Duties and Accountabilities

Business Management
•   Develops, updates, and implements the Country Partnership Framework (CPF) and other strategic documents in close coordination with teams across WBG.
•   Develop and implement IFC’s country strategy for Georgia under the guidance of the Director, Western Balkans and South Caucasus, aligned with the CPF, and oversee all investment, advisory, and upstream activities to support private sector development.
•   Based on the country strategy, lead and coordinate policy dialogue with the government, in close consultation with the World Bank and other Multilateral Institutions.
•   Coordinate systematically with World Bank and MIGA to enable private sector solutions and scale up private capital mobilization. 
•   Lead IFC’s engagement with government, private sector, and key stakeholders to identify and deliver optimal private sector solutions, while driving business development and maintaining a robust pipeline of impactful, bankable projects.
•   Promote upstream market creation and policy reforms to improve the enabling environment for private investment and provide strategic guidance on implementing IFC operations aligned with global thematic platforms.
•   Identify areas where IFC can catalyze market development through innovation based on a thorough understanding of local markets and best practices from IFC’s global experience.
•   Oversee portfolio performance, addressing implementation issues to ensure high-quality results.
•   Take accountability for early review and clearance of sponsors. For all programs with investments and advisory clients, review and validate IFC’s added-value, development impact and fit with IFC strategy in Georgia.
•   Carry out all responsibilities under the prevailing accountability for decision making (ADM) matrix at IFC.
•   Maintain oversight of fundraising efforts and plans in coordination with the WBG partnerships team and in alignment with the country strategy. 

Relationship Management
•   Develop and manage relationships with key clients (governments and private companies) at the highest level of seniority and position IFC as the partner of choice to support high development impact projects in Georgia.
•   Coordinate with bilateral and multilateral agencies to support country-led development processes and promote inclusive consultation with academia, local governments, and NGOs.
•   Lead/coordinate the development of a client engagement strategy for existing and new clients.
•   Develop and maintain strong relationships within the WBG including IFC Industry Departments to originate, process and manage a pipeline of investments, and support proactive and strategic portfolio management, to meet IFC’s objectives.

Communications and Cross-Institutional Knowledge
•   Develop IFC’s “brand”, building on IFC’s regional brand and the overall communications strategy; engage with local media.
•   Represent and provide visibility for IFC including through organizing/participating in high profile events (senior level visits, interviews, seminars and conferences);
•   Foster a culture of innovation and disseminate best practices, manage knowledge flows across IFC and WBG platforms, and ensure transparent communication of results internally and externally in coordination with communications teams.

Country Team and Resource Management
•   Lead, manage, develop and mentor an integrated and diverse team consisting of country, regional and industry staff, ensuring that the team is high-performing, well-motivated, innovative, well-trained; has clear deliverables; and is committed to the success of IFC in the country. 
•   Manage office operations, including budgeting, facilities, IT, security, and HR matters such as performance reviews and staff development.
•   Identify and implement measures to improve results in terms of efficiency, productivity, profitability and impact and increase its contribution to the corporate scorecard.
•   Responsible for IFC’s duty of care obligations towards staff. Implement safety and security programs for staff and assets, and represent IFC in the UN Security Management System at the country level.

Selection Criteria

•   Minimum Masters or equivalent degree with a minimum of 12 to 15 years of professional experience in strategy, finance, or advisory, e.g., commercial or investment banking, project finance, private equity, and management consulting.
•   As an ambassador representing IFC in the country, the Program Manager must be a role model for ethical behavior and values of IFC.
•   Strong client relationship management skills, with an existing network of relevant top-level contacts in the country’s private and public sector, and/or demonstrated ability to build such a high-level client network.
•   Outstanding and proven track record of performance in investment and advisory activities.
•   Strong leadership capabilities and experience managing people, especially leading diverse and high-performing teams.
•   Significant experience with proven success in developing client relationships.
•   Ability to represent IFC externally with government, media, clients, donors, and other stakeholders.
•   Ability to think strategically and adjust the country strategies as needed so that they remain responsive to the needs of client countries, and in coordination with development partners.
•   Experience in transaction processing and portfolio supervision is a strong plus.
•   A strong interest in developing a thorough understanding of Georgia and the region.
•   Ability to build successful relationships across the matrix.
•   Strong written and oral communications skills.
•   Recognized for leadership excellence.
•   Ability to develop innovative solutions and challenge the status quo to build IFC’s business and image in the market.

Meet World Bank Group Core Competencies and managerial selection criteria, including Courage of your Conviction, 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 the World Bank and IFC, including our values and inspiring stories.