Latest Recruitment at World Bank Group

Description

The Financial Institutions Group (“FIG”) is one of three major industry groups at the IFC, responsible for managing roughly 40% of IFC's overall business in terms of volume and capital at risk. FIG engages in a wide range of subsectors including Microfinance, SME, Gender, Climate, Insurance, Capital Markets, Housing, Distressed Assets, and other areas, with both investment and advisory services delivered globally to IFC's clients through IFC's global network.

The FIG team are recruiting an Investment Analyst who will be based in Nairobi Kenya.  

Duties and Accountabilities:

1. Investment Analysts work closely with IFC’s Investment Officers, who are responsible for the design, negotiation, structuring and subsequent supervision of the Corporation’s investment projects. Investment Analysts help appraise new investments and assist investment officers in monitoring and servicing existing portfolio clients. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:   
2. Monitoring IFC investments in portfolio companies comprising various types of financial entities.   
3. Participating in investment appraisals and negotiations; creating financial models to support the investment analysis.   
4. Conducting industry research and associated analysis to inform strategy as well as portfolio and new business decisions.   
5. Reviewing company information and preparing internal reports based on periodic financial statements, project progress reports, and other information submitted by clients.   
6. Establishing and maintaining productive relationships to ensure responsive end effective service to portfolio clients.   
7. Producing internal analytical reports on portfolio risk, impact and performance.   
8. Liaising with colleagues across departments and geographies to ensure effective collaboration among IFC staff.

Selection Criteria

1. Bachelor’s or equivalent degree with specialization in finance.   
2. At least 2 years of experience in finance, banking, portfolio management or consulting.   
3. Experience in a major financial institution (1+ years) with a proven track record desirable.   
4. Good knowledge of financial markets in the Africa region.
5. Strong financial analysis and modelling skills using Microsoft excel and ability to identify key issues.   
6. Sound numerical, analytical and conceptual skills encompassing finance and the associated areas of investment, portfolio management and corporate finance and economics.   
7. Commitment to economic development and keen interest in development finance in emerging markets.   
8. Ability to work successfully in multicultural teams and across boundaries.   
9. Demonstrated teamwork skills.   
10. Strong client service orientation with an openness to feedback and new ideas.   
11. Excellent presentation skills and ability to present ideas clearly and confidently.
12. Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English.
13. Excellent verbal and written communication skills in French are desirable.
14. World Bank Group Core Competencies

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Description

Do you want to build a career that is truly worthwhile? Working at the World Bank Group provides a unique opportunity for you to help our clients solve their greatest development challenges. The World Bank Group is one of the largest sources of funding and knowledge for developing countries; a unique global partnership of five institutions dedicated to ending extreme poverty, increasing shared prosperity and promoting sustainable development. With 189 member countries in more than 120 offices worldwide and with over 16,000 staff globally, we work with public and private sector partners, investing in groundbreaking projects and using data, research, and technology to develop solutions to the most urgent global challenges. For more information, visit www.worldbank.org

The WBG Finance & Accounting (WFA) Vice Presidential Unit is responsible for all aspects of the financial reporting and internal control framework for the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD), the International Development Association (IDA), the International Finance Corporation (IFC), and the extensive Trust Fund/Partnership portfolio of these entities. WFA also leads the client shared service function for the WBG corporate expenses and WBG trust funds and ensures fiduciary responsibility for all disbursements related to Bank operations.

WBG Trust Fund and Loan Operations Department (WFATL) in the WFA Vice Presidential Unit provides several financial operation activities, notably financial services, compliance, disbursements, accounting, and analytics for IBRD/IDA loans and Trust Funds.

WFA Client Services (WFACS) is a Unit within WFATL that is devoted to providing “frontend” client services and related operations to clients and is organized along business lines serving the regions and global practices. The services within WFACS’s area of responsibilities fall under three categories: regional coordination; country focal point assistance; and project-level fiduciary and portfolio management.

WFACS is seeking two proactive and highly-motivated Finance Analysts (FNs) to be integral and active members of its client service team to be based in Nairobi, Kenya.

Duties and Accountabilities

The Finance Analyst’s (FN’s) primary responsibilities will include, but are not limited to the following activities:

1. Supporting the preparation of new projects:
   1. Collaborate with Finance Officers (FOs) on fiduciary review of loan preparation documents.
2. Manage project preparation from concept note to effectiveness, as assigned by the FOs and Team Leads (TLs) for low-risk projects.
   1. Loan portfolio management:
      1. Prepare level two (level one at FO direction) loan restructuring packages and clear in the Operations (Ops) portal.
      2. Provide input to FOs on Withdrawal Application Quality Risk (WAQR).
      3. Provide advice during project implementation to address fiduciary and fund-flow related issues based on risk assurance framework
      4. Provide loan information and analyses to assist in decision-making.
      5. Provide monthly inputs on the status of disbursements and the performance of the portfolio to each Country Management Units (CMUs).
      6. Monitor inactive Project Designated Accounts (DAs) and liaise with clients to ensure that DA balances are promptly documented or refunded.
      7. Implement actions to ensure that loans are closed promptly on the due dates.
      8. Process the logging and resolution of ineligible expenditures in the system, including following up with clients to ensure ineligible expenditures are duly refunded.
      9. Manage e-disbursement account setup and the related queries from clients.
      10. Update loan data in the system for information such as: Master Data Setup; category overdraw; clearance of sanctioned and debarred firms; changes to Designated Account ceilings; fulfilment of Loan Effectiveness Conditions; loan Closing Date extensions; reallocation of category amounts; etc.
3. Transaction Processing:
   1. Perform ex-ante and ex-post review of withdrawal applications, including Special Commitments, and the related supporting documentation and sign off the withdrawal applications, as appropriate. Promptly liaise with clients to resolve any potential issues or exceptions noted in the processing of transactions.
   2. Perform the Release function for withdrawal applications, as applicable.
4. Review and process cancellations, refunds, adjustments, returned payments, beneficiary registration forms (BRFs); Interim Financial Reporting (IFR) advances; and the refinancing of Project Preparation Advances (PPAs).
   1. Client Capacity Building:
      1. Evaluate the results of both the reviews of transactions and the portfolio management work to identify areas where borrowers have capacity constraints and to assist in decision-making on the type of capacity-building that should be provided to clients.
      2. Provide capacity building and technical support to clients on the Bank's disbursement policies and procedures through face-to-face workshops, video conferences, e-mails and ad-hoc discussions resulting from reviews of transactions, missions etc.
      3. Utilize the available online tools and experts in the Community of Expertise (COE) to build knowledge through discussion groups, posting of aide memoires, leave and mission plans, training materials and guidance notes.
      4. Engage and advise external clients on the processes and procedures required in order to efficiently utilize the Client Connection platform.
5. Client Relationship Management:
   1. Act as the country focal point for assigned countries in collaboration with the country Finance Officer (FO).
   2. Collaborate with the FOs in the following components of the work program pertaining to client support and technical assistance: Country Portfolio Performance Review (CPPR); Country Partnership Strategy (CPS); Participation in project launches; and providing input to the Implementation Status Reports (ISRs).
   3. Serve as a solution provider for advice to internal clients (task teams, financial management specialists and procurement specialists, legal) on preparation and implementation issues in the assigned countries.
   4. Appropriately utilize the Askloans Helpdesk (Client Relationship Management tool) to engage with clients and provide analytical and performance data on that client engagement.
6. Other Tasks:
   1. Appropriately handle other tasks that may be assigned by the TL.

Selection Criteria

The candidate should meet the following criteria:

1. Minimum Education: A Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance or Business; and any one or more of: (i) A professional certification (fully qualified as CPA, ACCA, CA, CFA or equivalent); or (ii) a Master’s degree in Accounting, Finance or Business.
2. Work Experience: At least 2 years of relevant experience. 
3. Language Skills: (i) For one of the Finance Analyst positions, the ability to communicate effectively, in writing and orally, in both English and French is required and essential. (ii) For the second Finance Analyst position, only English is required and essential.
4. Relevant knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), internal controls and financial management.
5. Knowledge and application of the Bank’s Operational Policies and Procedures and how they relate to disbursements and loan portfolio management is an advantage.
6. Ability to exercise professional judgment and appropriately interpret and apply operational policies, as they relate to disbursements and loan portfolio management.
7. Knowledge of the Bank's IBRD and IDA lending products is an advantage.
8. Strong quantitative skills with superior attention to detail and numerical accuracy.
9. Strong analytical and conceptual skills with demonstrated ability to interpret data, assess issues, develop sound conclusions and formulate remedial measures.
10. Ability to manage complex tasks, deal with rapidly shifting priorities, provide professional support to senior staff and deliver against ambitious deadlines.
11. Capacity to work simultaneously, effectively and efficiently on a variety of diverse issues and tasks, independently adjusting priorities and achieving results with agreed objectives and deadlines.
12. Ability to operate effectively in a matrix management environment.
13. Strong client focus including good interpersonal, diplomatic and team building skills required for building and maintaining collaborative relationships.
14. Willingness to travel on mission and short-term assignments.

Key Competencies

The preferred candidate must demonstrate the following competencies:

1. Willingness to work in different time zones – Given that the division is co-located in multiple cities in different time zones, candidates must be willing to work in different time zones especially the US EST time zone on an ‘as-needed’ basis.
2. Client Understanding: Looks at issues from the client’s perspective and takes action beyond normal expectations to ensure client satisfaction.
3. Broad Business Thinking: Maintains an in-depth understanding of the long-term implications of decisions both for the department and the client’s business.
4. Project Management: Demonstrates a practical knowledge of project management principles and techniques.
5. Analytical Thinking: Interprets data and reviews for non-conformity and gathers further information in response to problems.
6. Policies and Procedures: Seeks out opportunities to further the understanding / improvement of relevant policies and guidance.
7. Risks and Controls: Demonstrates good understanding of risks and internal control procedures pertaining to various activities in own functional areas.
8. Information Technology and Systems: Leverages information technology systems and applications to improve productivity and efficiency.
9. Communication: Utilizes appropriate tools and techniques to explain technical information in plain language.

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This position will be based in Washington, DC, with the IFC’s Gender and Economic Inclusion Group (GEIG). 

Gender and Economic Inclusion at IFC

The IFC 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 will be 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. In order to unlock macro-economic growth and private sector investment opportunities, the group will closely collaborate with the World Bank and IFC’s Upstream efforts. 

Focus areas of economic inclusion will include gender, base of the pyramid (through Inclusive Business), LGBTQI, and persons with disabilities. This selection is based on IFC expertise, private sector demand for investments and advice in these areas and market opportunities

Disruptive Technologies: 

The Disruptive Technology team, part of the Gender and Inclusive Economies Group, identifies how new and emerging technologies have the potential to drive development impact and business growth in emerging markets with a focus on women and other underserved populations, including disabled and LGBT communities and base of the pyramid populations. The team conducts research, provides tailored advisory services, and convenes public initiatives on core topic areas, supports knowledge management and capacity building across the WBG.

Duties and responsibilities:

The Officer will:

1. Contribute to research on disruptive technologies in emerging markets, including but not limited to scoping partners, conducting literature reviews, and composing and editing reports 
2. Conduct partner and client management, including developing concept notes and implementation plans and donor reporting; maintain updated project management for complex global projects 
3. Draft client deliverables that include analysis, training materials, best practice guides, standards, and papers or presentations containing recommendations to improve client performance 
4. Collect and analyze client and market data and contribute to design of solutions that will create markets, reform sectors, and improve firm performance
5. Support knowledge management through the development of talking points, case studies, presentations and other materials to capture the connection between inclusive technologies, development impact, and private sector growth 
6. Lead public events and internal learning sessions focused on inclusive technology, including managing speaker outreach and developing relevant communications materials 
7. The Officer will also undertake other related tasks as requested by the team Lead.

Selection Criteria

1. Master’s degree
2. 5+ years of relevant experience
3. Technical knowledge of disruptive technologies in emerging markets
4. Experience collaborating with high-level public or private sector stakeholders on sensitive or confidential topics
5. Ability to manage fast-moving projects while maintaining strong attention to do detail, with knowledge of the World Bank/IFC project management systems.
6. Superlative writing and editing skills, ability to adopt to a wide variety of styles.
7. Data analysis skills.
8. English language fluency and proficiency in another widely spoken language.

Reporting:

The Disruptive Technology Officer reports to the Disruptive Technology Lead, Gender and Economic Inclusion, and will work closely with other members of the team, as well as counterparts in and outside the WBG.