Principal Country Officer

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. Our mission is to leverage the power of the private sector to end extreme poverty and boost shared prosperity on a livable planet. For more information, visit www.ifc.org.

The Principal Country Officer will play a critical role in developing and operationalizing IFC's strategy at the country level, in coordination with stakeholders across the WBG. The Principal Country Officer will establish and maintain senior public and private sector relationships within Colombia, carry out business development efforts, provide strategic oversight of IFC advisory, upstream and investment programs in the country as well as oversee the Bogota office administratively.

This position is based in Bogota and will report to the Regional Director, Mexico, Central America and Colombia. 

Duties and Accountabilities

Colombia Country Operations

•  In collaboration with relevant IFC and WB teams, (i) support the Regional Director in the formulation and execution of country strategies and diagnostics. 

•  Oversee the implementation of IFC and WBG's strategy (CPF) for Colombia and integrated delivery of investment, upstream and advisory services to meet the needs of clients and advance the growth of IFC/WBG business in Colombia.

•  Support the Regional Director in the investment, advisory, and upstream ADM decisions.

•  Cultivate and maintain high level relationships with key partners in Colombia, including government agencies, private sector, industry organizations, multilateral and bilateral agencies, World Bank, MIGA, CSOs and other partners and represent IFC at key government, multilateral and business function.

•  Keep abreast of macro-economic developments that can impact IFC's activities in Colombia and provide regular inputs to Country and Regional Industry management teams as needed in coordination with the Regional Country Economics Unit.

•  Identify areas of new strategic engagement to be considered by IFC, in close coordination with regional industry colleagues, the World Bank, and other stakeholders.

•  Support IFC business development efforts, provide support during transaction execution and portfolio management closely working with relevant IFC and Bank colleagues, as relevant.

•  Maintain good working knowledge of investment, advisory, and upstream operations in Colombia, and respond to queries from HQ management and staff.

•  Provide strategic input on local issues to investment, upstream and advisory teams.

•  Liaise with IFC investment teams to monitor progress and performance of IFC's projects in Colombia.

•  Identify, analyze, monitor, and help address key country and sponsor related reputational risks that may be associated with any IFC engagements in Colombia.

•  Disseminates best practices and lessons learned and manages learning and knowledge flows, including full suite of IFC products and solutions related to IFC's country program with various stakeholders.

•  Analyze issues and make recommendations on matters requiring Regional Director approval. 

•  Directly supervise under the leadership of the Regional Director the administrative support staff, country office analysts and undertake quality control of key Country office outputs including strategies, monthly reports and briefs.

•  Develop and/or review memos and briefings for senior management approval.

•  Represent IFC and/or support the Regional Director to represent IFC in key private and public sector, donor, World Bank or other DFI-led events and meetings as appropriate.

•  Participate in targeted business events and conferences to support IFC's activities in Colombia.

•  Communicate key developments in Colombia to relevant corporate stakeholders in coordination with the Regional Director. 

•  In partnership with the Regional Director, Communications, and other relevant colleagues, develop and implement appropriate communications strategies for IFC in Colombia.

Bogota Office Administration

•  Oversee day-to-day running of IFC's Bogota office, including being responsible for office budget, facilities, security, and logistics. 

•  Supervise members of the Colombia Country Team (operations and administrative staff) and provide mentoring. Ensure quality control of work products and efficient use of resources.

•  Oversee and approve budget for administrative needs, as well as office related expenses in SAP and E-service transactions.

•  Review and approve monthly accounting, bank and petty cash reconciliation reports for IFC Colombia office.

•  Overall office administration and facilities management; space, vehicles, IT and security issues, office needs, expansion, relocation, and foreseen footprint requirements.

•  Review and provide inputs on compensation matters, office ecology, performance and talent review, appointment/assignment renewal and other HR matters for staff in the office.

•  Represents the IFC in the country-level UN Security Management System.

•  Participate and play the key role in Crisis Management Team to manage current and potential security and crisis situations in the country, partner with Corporate Security Team in preparation and implementation of crisis management plan for the country.

Selection Criteria

•  Master degree in Business, Economics, or a related field.

•  More than 15 years of professional experience in banking, investment banking, consulting, relationship management in public and/or private sector/technical advisory services particularly related to private sector development and/or business environment. Experience of development related investment and/or advisory work will be a positive. 

•  Experience in investment transactions, with shown success in developing client relationships as well as sourcing, negotiating, structuring, and closing quality investments; portfolio management experience is a plus.

•  Demonstrated strong country knowledge including politics, history, social dynamics, culture, economics, local markets, and regulatory framework. 

•  Deep understanding of sector drivers, business/market development cycles within a country, as well as implications of environmental and social sustainability issues, and how sector dynamics may evolve.

•  Strong eye for identifying potential investment and advisory opportunities; capacity to identify and help address gaps and barriers for market creation opportunities in assigned country by tapping into relevant internal expertise and synthesizing information on local regulatory and economic context, industry/sector structure, and constraints clients are facing to grow their business.

•  Good business analytical, financial analysis, credit, and integrity assessment skills to recognize viable projects, what is bankable and what is not, and how to assess and approach risk/reward trade-offs.

•  Proven track record of developing and maintaining senior level public and private sector client relationship skills. Ability to focus on client needs effectively, and ability to operate independently with senior counterparts in a credible manner.

•  Ability to initiate and guide collaborative efforts with WBG organizations to leverage their products and instruments, in close coordination with the Regional and Country Economics unit.

•  Strong interpersonal and leadership skills, ability to work successfully in multicultural teams and across boundaries, to build networks across IFC, including the ability to mentor and coach others to achieve results.

•  Excellent written, verbal communication and presentation skills in English and Spanish.

•  Proven track record of excellent organizational, administrative, and time management skills; ability to deliver in tight deadlines.

•  Willingness to travel.

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.

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Sector:

Función:

Porcentaje del trabajo: 80-100% / 100%

Tipo de empleo: Staff (Permanent and Fixed Term)

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