Resident Representative, Tanzania, Uganda and South Sudan

The International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, is the largest global development institution focused on the private sector in developing countries.  It is committed to financing private sector businesses in emerging markets, mobilizing capital in the international finance markets, helping clients improve social and environmentally sustainability and providing advisory services to governments and businesses. IFC aims to improve client focus and increase development impact by building on the Corporation’s global expertise and local presence.

Africa is at the top of IFC's global priorities given the large number of low income countries and fragile and conflict affected situations. Sub-Saharan Africa accounts for a large and growing portion of IFC's activities. IFC committed and mobilized $3.7 billion in long term financing in Africa in the fiscal year ended June 30, 2015 (FY15) and supported $2.5 billion in trade to or from sub Saharan Africa.  IFC’s portfolio in Africa stood at $8.7 billion as of June 30, 2015.

IFC strategy in Africa is centered on addressing three core areas: bridging the infrastructure gap, building productive industries, and leading inclusive business approaches. IFC projects that support these areas of focus must also be linked to cross-cutting priorities of climate change, gender, partnership, investment climate and fragile and conflict-affected situations.  IFC's strategy is aimed at addressing Africa’s big challenges: rapidly increasing urbanization; the need to industrialize to achieve structural transformation of its economy; and grow and expand small and medium enterprises to create jobs that reduce poverty and promote shared prosperity.

Tanzania’s sound macroeconomic policy, economic liberalization, and ample natural resources have ensured steady economic growth for the country, between 5 to 7 percent in the last decade.   IFC’s strategy in Tanzania supports investments in key sectors such as mining, energy, agribusiness, tourism and financial markets development. Still, inequalities in income, limited commercial agriculture and difficult business regulations are bottlenecks to Tanzania’s development goals.  IFC will collaborate with T&C Global Practice to improve the business environment.

Uganda: Oil production in the outer years is expected to further support economic growth. IFC strategy in Uganda supports three main sectors: Infrastructure and Natural Resources; Manufacturing‚ Agribusiness and Services (MAS); and Financial Markets development. IFC also coordinates with T&C Global Practice to improve the Investment Climate. 

South Sudan is a fragile conflict state. A political crisis resulted in a civil war in December 2013. Oil production the mainstay of the economy is low due to the conflict and the slump in global oil prices. The overarching objective of IFC's work in collaboration with the World Bank Group and donors is to assist South Sudan in building the country’s institutions, capacity and business environment to support private sector development for economic development in the context of continuing uncertainty and fragility.

To implement IFC strategy and to pursue efforts in supporting Eastern Africa, IFC is seeking to recruit the position of Resident Representative, Tanzania who will manage IFC’s staff and operations in Tanzania, Uganda and Southern Sudan.

The position’s primary responsibility will be building and maintaining relationships in the assigned three countries supporting IFC’s current investment and advisory work, and identifying new opportunities for IFC engagement.  S/he will report to the Country Manager, Nairobi Hub.

The position is based in Dar-Es-Salaam, Tanzania.

Duties and Accountabilities:

Business Accountabilities:

Develop and implement, in consultation with the Country Manager, an integrated investment and advisory strategy for IFC activities Tanzania, Uganda and Southern Sudan, including country priorities and business targets for key industry groups, and key engagements for IFC with a particular focus on infrastructure and other high impact projects, especially power, agribusiness and SME development and financing; on the advisory side a special focus is required on investment climate issues;

Develop and maintain strong relationships with relevant Cluster

Managers, Global Industry Managers and regional Advisory Services (AS) management to originate, process and manage a pipeline of investments, and support proactive and strategic portfolio management, to meet IFC’s objectives;

Lead/coordinate the development of a client engagement strategy for key clients existing or targeted

Develop market knowledge to ensure that IFC is working with the right sponsors.  Take accountability for client selection, ensure the integrity of potential and develop and maintain relationships with these companies and identify business opportunities taking into account IFC’s strategy, priorities and products;

Propose pragmatic solutions to specific industry challenges to achieve sustainable development impact

Share accountability for quality and compliance of country portfolio; work jointly with relevant managers to meet Scorecard targets in the country (client satisfaction, productivity, development impact and people metrics);

Support sector teams in the due diligence and processing of new transactions as necessary. Set standards for thoroughness in quality control and make recommendations to strengthen transactions;

Contribute to sector and country strategies; support promotional and policy advisory activities;

Manage, gather and disseminate IFC's lessons and experience and contribute to IFC's global knowledge;

Lead the coordination with World Bank Group institutions and, in particular, co-oversee with the Country manager (and other managerial colleagues in IDA and MIGA) the design and implementation of the Joint Business/Implementation plans and other forms of proactive collaboration e.g. collaboration in identified areas (including business environment, agriculture, energy, tourism).  Fully contribute drive on behalf of IFC the development of the Systematic Country Diagnostics (SCDs) and Country Partnership Frameworks (CPFs).)  Identify collaboration opportunities to enhance business delivery at the country level.

People and Resource Management Accountabilities

Set standards for thoroughness in quality control in the preparation of strategy documents and executive briefs;

Lead and manage country teams and jointly prepare Performance Evaluation and Planning (PEP) reviews for Tanzania, Uganda and South Sudan office staff;

Mentor staff for integration within IFC, development of networks and skills, quality assurance and professional development;

Manage the day-to-day operations, which include budgets for offices, staff, consultants and vendors active in the countries; share accountability (with regional controller) for the countries office resource management scorecards;

Develop IFC's 'brand' in assigned countries, building on IFC's global brand and the overall communications strategy.

Relationship Management

Lead, develop and maintain strong relationships with the government officials, with World Bank Group colleagues, the representatives of other development institutions, local communities, and other key stakeholders in the country;

Build and maintain strong relationships with clients, global and regional businesses, banking and multilateral partners, to further develop specific investment opportunities and advisory services to develop industry sectors with a high development impact;

Collaborate with and coordinate IFC missions in Tanzania, Uganda and South Sudan;

Represent IIFC at key Government/Multilateral functions and provide visibility including through organizing/participating in high profile events (senior level visits, interviews, seminars and conferences).

Desired Skills and Experience

• Master's degree in finance or business or equivalent professional qualification and a minimum of 10 years relevant professional experience including a proven track-record of sourcing, structuring and closing investments;

• Strong client relationship management skills, with an existing network of relevant top-level contacts in Africa (and specifically in Tanzania, Uganda and South Sudan ) private and public sector and/or demonstrated ability to build such high-level client network;

• Outstanding and proven track record of performance in investment and advisory activities, including success in developing client relationships; ability to represent IFC externally, and to develop relationships with governments, media, clients, donors, and other stakeholders;

• Excellent financial and credit skills; demonstrated ability to structure a variety of financial instruments (debt and equity);

• Strong business development and client relationship skills, ability to focus effectively on clients needs;

• Sound business judgment as well as strong interpersonal and negotiation skills demonstrated in complex business and people management situations; ability to manage and resolve conflict;

• Capacity to deal with conflicting priorities and deliver high quality work on schedule;

• Ability to work successfully in multicultural teams and across boundaries;

• Excellent communication skills in English;

• Highest standards of ethical integrity, transparency and fairness and commitment to IFC mission and values.

     
IFC offers a highly challenging and rewarding working environment with outstanding opportunities for professional growth, as well as attractive conditions.  Individuals with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. 

For Corporate Information and to apply to the position, please visit www.ifc.org/careers, vacancy number 152214. Deadline is November 3, 2015. Only selected candidates will be contacted.