Operations Officer

Operations Officer Job #: req37153 Organization: IFC Sector: Operations Grade: GG Term Duration: 3 years 0 months Recruitment Type: International Recruitment Location: Addis Ababa,Ethiopia Required Language(s): English Preferred Language(s): Closing Date: 6/27/2026 (MM/DD/YYYY) at 11:59pm UTC DescriptionBuild a career with impact. Working at the World Bank Group (WBG) provides a unique opportunity to help countries solve their greatest development challenges. As one of the largest sources of funding and knowledge for developing countries, the WBG is a unique partnership of five global institutions dedicated to ending poverty, increasing shared prosperity, and promoting sustainable development. With 189 member countries and more than 120 offices worldwide, the WBG works 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.The International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, is the largest global development institution focused on the private sector in emerging markets. We work in more than 100 countries, using our capital, expertise, and influence to create markets and opportunities in developing countries. In fiscal year 2025, IFC committed a record $71.7 billion to private companies and financial institutions in developing countries, leveraging private sector solutions, and mobilizing private capital to create a world free of poverty on a livable planet. For more information, visit www.ifc.org.The IFC 3.0 strategy aims to stimulate more investment activity across emerging markets, especially in Low Income Countries (LICs) and Fragile and Conflict affected States (FCS). Our goal is to create, deepen, and expand markets and design and develop impactful investment projects. This strategy is, in part, premised on improved country/sector diagnostic, strategic, and public sector engagement capabilities, which seek to: 1) resolve obstacles to private sector growth via diagnostic and strategic work that informs both IFC operations and relevant IBRD/IDA policy operations; and 2) overcome the shortage of investable projects in priority markets by proactively improving the private sector ecosystem at the country and regional level. The Country Advisory and Economics team for the Eastern and Southern Africa Region (CAEAE) supports the region through provision of country economic diagnostics, strategy, and engagement products as well as through direct support to operational teams and country units, in collaboration with economists throughout the World Bank Group. Specifically, the team has four principal functions:

• Producing both regional and country-level economic assessments to support IFC’s strategy and operations.
• Collaborating with regional and industry colleagues to produce analytical products such as Country Private Sector Diagnostics (CPSDs) and IFC Country Strategies.
• Significantly contributing to WBG products such as Systematic Country Diagnostics (SCD), Country Climate and Development Reports (CCDR), and IBRD/IDA lending operations; and
• Putting IFC’s country strategy and diagnostic recommendations into practice through Advisory projects that engage with governments, regulators, civil society, development partners and other relevant stakeholders to reform markets and sectors and address key bottlenecks to private sector development.In this context, CAEAE is hiring an Operations Officer to be based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia working closely with IFC country, industry, and upstream as well as World Bank teams, to support governments to address key policy, legal, and regulatory issues that constrain private sector investments to open markets for investments. The Operations Officer will report to the Country Advisory & Economics Manager for Eastern & Southern Africa. The position is based in Ethiopia, but the roles and responsibilities may include other countries in Eastern Africa. Duties and Accountabilities:The selected candidate will be responsible for delivering market-creating client solutions by leveraging local and regional resources. In this respect, the focus will be to ensure that CAE programs are responsive to IFC’s strategic priorities, and focused in countries and sectors to enable and create private investment opportunities. The Operations Officer will be part of the sub-regional CAE leadership team and will work closely across all core functions of CAE.Client and Stakeholder Management:
• Responsible for delivery of ongoing engagements with the Government on regulatory reform, investment promotion and facilitation as well as develop new programs in line with country and market priorities; lead analysis of key constraints and closely with all relevant stakeholders to support reform implementation through active public private dialogue and hands on technical advisory support.
• Engage with senior levels of the Government and private sector; to identify and articulate the case for improvements to the business environment to unlock investment potential and promote, attract and sustain private investments – both domestic and foreign, with a focus on sectors such as agribusiness, healthcare, housing, infrastructure and logistics as well as retail trade.
• Provide technical oversight of the CAE programs in Ethiopia as well as other countries in the region for quality review and consistency of approach.
• Work collaboratively with IFC’s Investment/Advisory Anchors across Industry teams to develop a pipeline of private investment opportunities and work with government to enhance the enabling environment for these priority sectors.
• Work collaboratively with the World Bank Teams across relevant sectors to develop mutually supportive programs and provide inputs to World Bank’s lending operations to enhance the enabling environment for these priority sectors. Design and Operationalize Solutions:
• Review and contribute to the development and approval of relevant project documents and client deliverables to ensure standards and objectives are met in line with IFC Advisory Governance;
• Participate in senior level client meetings to provide technical advice and monitor progress in implementing reforms to improve the business environment.
• Improve the design and delivery of client solutions by incorporating global good practices and lessons from the past. Proactively partner with results teams in developing appropriate theories of change and results frameworks and indicators to strengthen the development impact and sustainability of client solutions and continuously learn from client projects/ engagements.
• Ensure high quality of project supervision and completion documents and provide quality control over client deliverables and efficient use of financial resources. Support clients in implementing recommendations, communicate reform impact and help trouble shoot as required. Create and Share Knowledge:
• Identify and participate in conferences to showcase IFC offerings and value proposition, which includes serving as panelist/ moderator for internal and external events.
• Host knowledge transfer sessions across the region,
• Lead on developing reform communication materials as well as tools and guidance to incorporate internal and external best practices, including documenting client testimonials.Build Capacity:
• Design and deliver training and communication strategy for Investment and Advisory staff to better enable them to be advocates of CAE programs, and for external stakeholders to generate interest in investment climate reforms and understanding of why it is important for businesses, community and/or economy.
• Drive strengthening the value proposition of Advisory products through forging new and innovative partnerships.
• Build a bench of experts and consultants in the thematic areas of leadership across the region. Staff Supervision:
• Oversee/ supervise assigned staff and consultants.
• Develop technical capabilities of the assigned staff and members of the broader practice group team through mentoring, coaching, structured training program and by providing on-the-job learning opportunities.
• Ensure quality control of work products and outputs
• Determine resources needed to support projects and ensure efficient/ effective use of resources; oversee preparation of timely and high quality donor reports
• Manage project budgets and align staffing needs. Selection Criteria
• Master’s degree in Economics, Law, Finance, Business or a closely related field.
• At least 10-12 years’ experience in private sector development, working with governments at senior levels to deliver advisory programs. Experience in supporting legal/regulatory reforms, working on public policy issues that support private sector development. Extensive experience in engaging very senior levels of government in design and delivery of IFC advisory programs, especially with a focus on manufacturing and infrastructure sectors will be a huge advantage.
• Strong skills and demonstrated track record in delivering impact through advisory engagements in the area of business enabling/regulatory streamlining/investment climate reform. Previous experience on sector specific engagements, especially in infrastructure and advanced manufacturing sectors, would be an added advantage.
• For internal applicants, robust understanding of IFC and WBG products/ instruments and where there are opportunities for cross-organizational collaboration. Demonstrable experience working on IFC and WBG products will be an advantage, including experience of leading or supporting cross industry engagements.
• Able to design, negotiate and lead efforts to develop client offerings that reflect in-depth knowledge of thematic area and understanding of business case for how thematic focus will help client to improve their business.
• Able to identify how changes in markets, business climate, regulations or emergence of new/ successful innovators/ disruptors may create new opportunities for the private sector to invest in the Eastern Africa markets.
• Able to design research and analytical projects of complex projects to credibly produce new understanding of a thematic issue and/or potential opportunities to unlock new markets or new streams of business. A strategic mindset that can develop innovative programs within a cross-industry narrative and proactively forge partnerships; both internal and external.
• Excellent knowledge of Word, Excel, PowerPoint and aptitude to learn new systems is a must. Ability to use project management systems is a plus. Proficiency in use of IFC tools such as RfX, Iportal would be an added asset.
• Excellent written, verbal communication and presentation skills plus fluency in English is must.WBG Culture Attributes:1. Sense of urgency: Anticipate and quickly respond to the needs of internal and external stakeholders.2. Thoughtful risk-taking: Challenge the status quo and push boundaries to achieve greater impact. 3. Empowerment and accountability: Empower yourself and others to act and hold each other accountable for results.World Bank Group Core CompetenciesThe 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.