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Recruitment Notice: OPERATIONS OFFICER – IFC

  • Job Opportunity: req29701
  • Organization: International Finance Corporation (IFC)
  • Sector: Operations
  • Job Grade: GG
  • Contract Duration: 3 years
  • Recruitment Type: International
  • Location: Douala, Cameroon
  • Required Language: English
  • Application Deadline: October 16, 2024, 11:59 PM (UTC)

The International Finance Corporation (IFC), part of the World Bank Group is recruiting a Digital Financial Services- Senior Operation Officer.

About IFC

The International Finance Corporation (IFC), part of the World Bank Group, is the largest global institution dedicated to supporting the private sector in emerging markets. We operate in over 100 countries, utilizing our capital, expertise, and global influence to create markets and foster opportunities that contribute to sustainable development.

Our core mission is to harness the potential of the private sector to eliminate extreme poverty and promote shared prosperity, while safeguarding the future of our planet. By supporting businesses and mobilizing financial resources, we aim to drive growth and improve living standards around the world.

For additional details, please visit our website: www.ifc.org.

IFC & Digital Financial Services: A Path to Financial Inclusion

The International Finance Corporation (IFC), alongside other global development organizations, views digital financial services (DFS) as a critical tool for integrating low-income populations into the formal financial system. DFS solutions such as digital banking, agent banking networks, mobile money, and payment service banks have driven widespread access to financial services in numerous countries. These digital platforms offer a cost-effective and efficient way for both operators and users to engage with the financial system.

The scope of digital financial services has expanded over time, evolving to support a more comprehensive ecosystem approach. This now includes improving access to agri-value chains, distribution structures, embedded finance, insurance, digital IDs, supply chains, and empowering micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs). This broader focus presents both opportunities and challenges as it seeks to address gaps in the market.

IFC’s Role in Digital Financial Services

To support the development of digital financial services, IFC partners with various stakeholders, providing services that include:

  1. Business model development and optimization
  2. Agent network management
  3. Market research to assess the needs and payment capacities of low-income consumers
  4. Identifying and addressing barriers to adopting innovative technologies among underserved populations
  5. Consumer education initiatives
  6. Product design and customization
  7. Strategic partnership development

IFC’s holistic approach to DFS focuses on the device strategy, technology infrastructure, data management, and agent-enabled models. These components are crucial for enhancing financial access, particularly for low-income groups.

Building Sustainable DFS Ecosystems

IFC collaborates with regulators, development finance institutions, and financial service providers—ranging from banks and fintechs to microfinance institutions (MFIs), mobile money operators, and insurance companies. The goal is to create large-scale, sustainable, and competitive ecosystems for mobile financial services that extend across various sectors, ultimately reaching underserved populations.

IFC also supports the improvement of regulatory frameworks and government policies that promote digital financial inclusion. Additionally, IFC works in partnership with key institutions like CGAP, The IBRD, UNCDF, and GSMA, using technical assistance to drive these changes.

Position Overview: Senior Operations Officer

IFC is seeking a Senior Operations Officer with deep expertise in digital financial services. This role requires extensive experience working with financial service providers, fintechs, payment companies, and central banks to design and implement leading digital financial services strategies.

Key responsibilities include:

  • Identifying investment opportunities in the digital and telecom sectors
  • Supporting the implementation of DFS projects
  • Assessing project staffing requirements
  • Executing transactions and managing portfolio projects

The successful candidate will be expected to provide innovative solutions that integrate into ecosystems such as agricultural value chains, supply chains, distribution networks, and social payments.

The IFC environment is multicultural and dynamic. As such, the Senior Operations Officer should be highly adaptable, able to manage diverse teams across various markets, and thrive in complex environments. This role also requires the ability to align advisory and upstream projects with current and future investment opportunities.

Key Responsibilities of the Senior Operations Officer:

Business Development

  • Pipeline Development: Contribute to building a robust pipeline of upstream and advisory opportunities aimed at improving financial inclusion. This involves working with investment teams to identify potential opportunities, staying ahead of market trends, and leveraging deep sector and country knowledge to source innovative technology providers.
  • Financial Structuring: Design innovative and tailored financial structures for complex transactions. Focus on delivering bankable projects that align with IFC’s objectives while managing project development efficiently.
  • Negotiation & Documentation: Actively participate in negotiation teams, utilizing strong negotiation skills to develop creative solutions and resolve challenges in both simple and complex transactions.
  • Client Relationship Management: Maintain and cultivate strong relationships with existing clients, while seeking out new partnerships that offer technological and innovative value. Ensure client needs are met while safeguarding IFC’s interests.
  • Digital Investment Opportunities: Develop new opportunities in digital investments, including fintechs, payment service providers, embedded finance, digital transformation, neo-banks, MNO JVs/SPVs, and connected devices.
  • Advisory and Investment Integration: Identify ways for the Investment team to leverage the Advisory/Upstream work, facilitating the creation of digital products that generate investment opportunities for IFC.
  • Transaction Support: Assist investment teams in processing transactions by providing specialized knowledge about the operating environment, ensuring smooth execution.
  • Adherence to IFC Policies: Work closely with support departments to ensure that all ongoing projects comply with IFC’s policies and standards.

Portfolio Management

  • Client Relationship Management: Manage relationships with both existing and potential future clients, ensuring long-term partnerships and continued collaboration.
  • Project Management: Oversee projects in the sub-region, ensuring that they are properly staffed and adhere to IFC’s quality standards.
  • Quality Control: Provide oversight and quality control for client projects, supporting the implementation of specific workstreams to meet project goals.
  • IFC Operational Procedures: Apply IFC’s Operational Procedures and ensure that both new business operations and supervision processes are followed.
  • Supervision Reporting: Prepare and submit supervision reports for assigned projects, tracking their progress and ensuring accountability.
  • Risk Management: Monitor for early warning signals in assigned projects, and when necessary, implement intervention strategies for workouts, restructuring, or rescheduling.
  • Business Development with Existing Clients: Identify additional business opportunities with existing clients, including in areas such as investment, technical assistance, and financial services, such as clean technology.
  • Research & Strategy: Conduct sector and market research, contribute to the development of country and sector strategies, and prepare project profiles. Collaborate closely with the World Bank country and sector teams to align efforts.
  • Learning & Feedback: Extract and incorporate lessons learned from IFC’s previous projects to improve current and future endeavors.

Knowledge Management and Research

  • Research & Evaluation: Lead and participate in research efforts related to DFS payments, financial inclusion, and Agri-DFS. Focus on generating insights that can enhance project outcomes.
  • Knowledge Guides & Practice Notes: Collaborate with knowledge management leads to develop knowledge guides and practice notes, summarizing learning from relevant programs and making this knowledge available for broader use.
  • Knowledge Sharing Events: Contribute to the design and execution of internal and external knowledge-sharing events to disseminate product lessons, experience, and best practices.
  • Global Knowledge Dissemination: Support global knowledge sharing through active participation in practice group meetings, conducting appraisal missions in other regions, and continuously contributing client-tested tools for broader application.

Resource Management

Key Responsibilities:

  • Consultant and Specialist Recruitment: Assist in identifying and selecting expert short-term consultants or firms to execute specific projects with clients, ensuring optimal resource management.
  • Fundraising Support: Contribute to securing additional donor funding to enhance the Digital Financial Services (DFS) program in the region.

Selection Criteria:

  • Educational Background: A Master’s degree with a minimum of 10 years of relevant work experience, or a Bachelor’s degree with at least 12 years of experience in implementing digital financial services (DFS).
  • Leadership and Operational Expertise: Demonstrated senior management experience, particularly in emerging markets, with a strong focus on leveraging technology to expand access to financial services for low-income populations. A minimum of 10 years of experience in this domain is preferred.
  • Creative Problem-Solving: Ability to think outside the box and structure innovative, client-centric solutions.
  • Client Engagement and Relationship Management: Proven ability to manage high-level discussions with senior management across payments, banks, microfinance institutions (MFIs), and fintech sectors, with a focus on strategy development.
  • Business Development Acumen: A strong track record of driving business development and delivering results in a consulting environment.
  • Global Expertise: Deep understanding of international best practices and current global trends in DFS and payment systems.
  • Regional Experience: Extensive experience in Africa, with exposure to at least one other global region. Must be willing and able to travel frequently.
  • Digital Transformation Expertise: Experience in diagnosing and developing digital transformation roadmaps for advisory or investment purposes in emerging market financial institutions, e-money services, or third-party payment providers. Skilled at identifying challenges and crafting effective solutions.
  • Language Proficiency: Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English are essential. Proficiency in French is a significant asset. Knowledge of Portuguese or Spanish is advantageous but not mandatory.
  • Team Collaboration: Proven ability to work effectively within teams, clearly articulate ideas, and confidently recommend solutions.

How to Apply:

Interested candidates must submit their applications online via the following link: https://worldbankgroup.csod.com/ats/careersite/JobDetails.aspx?id=29701&site=1

N.B: Ne payez aucun frais pour obtenir un emploi

 

 

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