Background / General description: | The International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member the World Bank Group, fosters sustainable economic growth in developing countries by supporting private sector development, mobilizing private capital, and providing risk and advisory services to businesses and governments. The Office for Advisory Services in Middle East and North Africa (MENA OAS) is IFC s primary mechanism for the delivery of advisory services aimed at promoting private sector development and reducing poverty in Latin America and the Caribbean. To achieve this objective most effectively, the MENA OAS has identified four key areas, or pillars, on which to center its advisory services programs: (i) Access to Finance (A2F); (ii) Infrastructure Development (INF); (iii) Corporate Advice (CA); and (ii) Improving the Investment Climate (IC). MENA OAS is now seeking to recruit an experienced Senior Operations Officer to support the Access to Finance s Microfinance Program service offering. This is an international hire, coterminous term appointment with an initial duration of two years, subject to a probationary review and confirmation in post at the end of the first year. The appointee will be stationed in Cairo (Egypt) however Rabat (Morocco) might also be considered. Significant travel will be required to meet the objectives of the assignment. | Duties and Accountabilities: | The scope of the A2F s Microfinance program in MENA is based on the following areas of work: Expansion of financial services to micro, small and medium sized (MSME) enterprises, through banks and non-bank financial institutions; Institutional strengthening for financial institutions serving the micro and SME segments, including risk management, NPLs/portfolio management and corporate governance; Housing finance and/or home improvement finance for low-income households; Mobile banking; Microinsurance; Deposit mobilization; Sustainable Energy Finance (Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy); and Expanding financial sector infrastructure, such as credit bureau and payment systems, to the microfinance industry. The Senior Operations Officer will report to the Microfinance Program Manager in MENA to serve as content specialist for microfinance and the above areas. He/she will be a key member of the A2F s Microfinance Advisory Services Program for MENA and will work with the team to grow a portfolio of advisory projects that lead to improved access to finance in the region. The selected candidate will have primary responsibility for supporting the set up and/or the implementation of a sector strategy, helping in business development activities and supporting the implementation of advisory services projects as a technical expert. As part of his/her international role in knowledge sharing, the SOO may also participate on a punctual/need basis (10% of the time) in assignments in other regions (Eastern Europe/Caucasus, LAC, Africa, South/East Asia). Other responsibilities will include, but not be limited to: Support the development of financial products and services to meet the needs of MSME-focused financial institutions, particularly in the areas of deposit mobilization, mobile banking, and micro-insurance. Oversee the delivery of training and institutional strengthening activities to banks and other MSME financial intermediaries. Evaluate the performance of the consultant teams involved with institutional strengthening of financial service providers, taking a lead participatory role in such activities. Design new projects, participate in the negotiations of the corresponding contracts, support their implementation, and monitor their impact. In some cases, the specialist will do this him/herself, in other cases, he/she will work in cooperation with operations officers working directly with the client, depending on the location and complexity of the project. Where appropriate, analyze issues and opportunities for reform in the legal and regulatory environment related to MSME finance, proposing and implementing reforms in cooperation with policymakers/donors. Explore investment opportunities for IFC in the financial intermediaries focused on MSMEs. Distill lessons learned from project implementation, especially in new fields of activity for IFC AS projects. Present their results in workshops and conferences. Identify additional sources of funding for new projects by interacting with donors and the private sector. Ensure close and effective collaboration and linkages with other IFC Regional Offices for Advisory Services, the A2F Business Line and IFC Global Financial Markets. Ensure knowledge sharing within the LAC Office for AS. | Selection Criteria: | The ideal candidate will meet the following requirements: Masters degree in Business Administration, Finance, Economics or a related area or equivalent professional certification in accounting or law; Strong understanding and experience of the microfinance industry AND minimum of 10 years of corporate finance/retail banking/MSME credit experience and/or 8 years of experience in one of the big 4 audit firms; Demonstrated ability to manage complex projects effectively, including ability to implement projects on time and within budget; Strong client focus, excellent business judgment and ability to produce consistently positive results; Self-motivated, conscientious, and able to work independently with minimal supervision; Willing to travel throughout the MENA region, as needed; Expert in MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Project; Excellent communication and writing skills in English. Knowledge of Arabic and/or French will be an advantage. |
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