Operations Officer - Gender at World Bank Group

Description

Background / General description

IFC has established a leading position promoting private sector investment in Africa. Over nearly six decades, IFC has invested more than $25 billion in African businesses and financial institutions, and our current portfolio exceeds $5 billion. We are a leading provider of advice to promote a sustainable private sector and mobilize capital from other investors who invest alongside IFC in critical sectors for Africa’s future. 

This position will be based in Nairobi, Kenya, and is part of IFC’s Gender and Economic Inclusion Group (GEIG) regional team.  

Gender and Economic Inclusion at IFC 

IFC’s Gender and Economic Inclusion Group addresses the private sector’s human capital challenges with a dedicated team that provides support across the corporation to increase deal flow and maximize development impact when it comes to gender, base of the pyramid and other underserved groups such as people with disabilities and people who identify as LGBTQI. We take an intersectional approach to diversity and inclusion. 

This is being achieved by developing research on the business case and by providing tailored operational solutions and building partnerships with the aim of creating economic opportunities and development for all. 

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

1. Program Management
   1. Design a multi-sector, multi-stakeholder gender program bringing together IFC expertise and resources to support companies to reduce gender gaps across leadership, employment, and entrepreneurship in Kenya
   2. Oversee the seamless implementation of the multi-sector gender program, developing and maintaining detailed annual program management plans for piloting, scaling up gender offerings to companies (focused on IFC clients)
   3. Ensure the effective coordination of efforts and work streams being implemented by other IFC  and WB teams under the multi-sector program 
   4. Set-up and prepare materials for program steering committee meetings and keep a track of and report on implementation progress across IFC ad WB teams
   5. Identify and pro-actively build relationship and liaise with local partners throughout  implementation 
   6. Oversee program budget, monitor, manage and report on financial performance according to project plan
   7. Work with the regional lead to ensure application of IFC's pricing policy for advisory services
   8. Track performance indicators against the monitoring and evaluation plan, and defined theory of change 
   9. Manage the selection and performance of consultants for the program to effectively deliver the program and gender-smart solutions to companies
   10. Work with the regional gender lead to mobilize project resources including funding by developing fundraising  proposals, identifying potential funding sources and linkages with local donors. 
   11. Client Advisory Delivery 
   12. Develop a business development plan and activities that stimulate the demand for and maximize firm-level delivery of IFC gender-smart solutions 
   13. Deliver gender specific advisory services to clients focused on women’s employment entrepreneurship, and other topics to drive inclusion in the private sector
   14. Oversee and manage sectoral and topic-specific research (including financial services sector, IT, manufacturing, insurance, agribusiness and transport, childcare, respectful workplaces)
   15. Play a significant role in client and partnership management, including IFC representation for the Kenya program
   16. Internal gender mainstreaming
   17. Support gender mainstreaming across Africa when needed and in Kenya  
   18. Work with the regional gender lead to support industry teams with IS and AS gender flagging against set targets
   19. Promote gender knowledge among IFC and WB colleagues through themed events, communications, and timely reporting
   20. Communications & Knowledge Management
   21. Work closely with the communications team to build the profile and visibility of the gender program internally and externally 
   22. Manage, implement, and monitor a tailored communications plan with the objective to raise awareness of the business case for women's full participation in the private sector
   23. Draft blogs, press releases, speeches as appropriate around outputs of the program
   24. Draft company case studies that highlight innovative approaches to closing gender gaps in the private sector
   25. Work with the communications team to develop innovative communications tactics including use of digital media, documentaries etc 
   26. Develop relationships with the media and develop a plan to build the capacity of journalists to report on gender and economic inclusion issues
   27. Ensure donor visibility across all communication activities 

Selection Criteria

The candidate should be a seasoned program manager with in-depth experience working with the private sector on gender-smart solutions in emerging markets. S/he should have experience in establishing the business case for women's economic empowerment and know how to provide gender specific advisory services to corporate clients. S/he routinely leads operations and research projects and integrates the work of other (often multi-disciplinary) professional staff. S/he can proficiently interact with companies' senior management, development partners and communicate at the policy level with senior government counterparts and other organizations with confidence on the topic.

Minimum requirements

1. Master's degree in economics, finance, business, or other relevant discipline required
2. At least ten years of professional experience in a position with decision-making responsibility ideally in the private sector or within the institution
3. Program management experience with IFC policies, operations, and procedures desirable
4. Technical operational gender and private sector experience in particular on women’s employment and entrepreneurship
5. Work experience in an emerging market environment strongly preferred, experience in Africa region is desirable
6. Demonstrated track record of accomplishments on private sector and gender-smart approaches, women's economic empowerment and results measurement
7. Proven ability to conceptualize, design and implement multi-sector, multi-stakeholder  partnerships, client engagements and to produce analytical reports for clients and donors
8. Track record in managing consultants in a project, monitoring project issues and tasks, meeting deadlines and setting priorities
9. Strong ability to communicate ideas clearly and confidently (including to media), articulate issues and recommend solutions
10. Thorough understanding of the international development agenda, and key stakeholders such as the UN, G-20, private sector partnerships such as the Global Banking Alliance for Women, the Global Compact etc.

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.