Senior Operations Officer - SEF Global Product Leader- Washington, DC

Job #:	112568
Title:	Senior Operations Officer - SEF Global Product Leader
Job Stream:	Technical Assistance & Advisory Services
Location:	Washington, DC
Closing Date:	01/08/2012
Background / General description:
The International Finance Corporation, a member of the World Bank Group, promotes sustainable private sector investment in developing countries as a way to reduce poverty and improve people’s lives. In addition to its investment work, IFC provides a number of advisory services funded through different donors as well as its own income-generating activities, by developing targeted programs and projects to strengthen financial institutions and markets. A critical impact of climate change is the rising cost of energy as demand increases from businesses and industry. As a result, companies are adapting to this challenge by using energy more sustainably and are prime customers for sustainable energy advisory and finance products. IFC’s Sustainable Energy Finance (SEF) program supports clients with product development in energy efficiency, renewable energy, and clean production. The SEF program supports client FI’s with generating new business in the Sustainable Energy Finance (SEF) sector with advisory programs to help them build a profitable SEF business. The SEF team in IFC’s Access to Finance (A2F), Advisory Services Department is seeking a highly motivated Global Product Leader with experiences in sustainable energy finance. He/She will be part of a global team responsible for asserting IFC’s position as knowledge leader in SEF, promoting and supporting A2F’s regional advisory programs and leading the design and implementation of knowledge management tools and standards, as well as championing the dissemination of best practices in sustainable energy finance globally.
Duties and Accountabilities:
SEF Global product leader duties include:  Define and recommend a global strategy for the SEF advisory product with focus on developmental impact;  Set standards for the SEF product, taking accountability for gathering, managing and disseminating global best practice and institutional knowledge of the product across IFC;  Lead the Knowledge Management (KM) agenda for SEF, defining global standards, leading innovation and keeping abreast/influencing industry sector in the product; Also, as part of the global KM function, the GPL would need to convene and run the practice group of specialist and champions in SEF.  Design, test and implement new SEF products/ tools and training modules. Ensure it is in line with IFC strategic objectives and with Advisory services business model;  Contribute to the design and development of internal and external thematic events and knowledge sharing networks to share sector lessons and experience and learn from others;  Provide input and expertise on new SEF projects, including related to investments, and act as a sounding board for the department directors, investment managers, and project teams on project management and risk mitigation of new projects proposals;  Approve global product implementation and support RBLLs in the supervision cycle if/where relevant;  Support A2F regional teams in identifying current and potential clients and assessment of their needs in SEF. This would include participation in assigned client assessments and diagnostics and providing input and expertise for advisory services projects;  Maintain strong relationships with relevant IFC Managers in the regions so that the product strategy is well aligned and projects can be deployed and executed efficiently;  Develop and maintain close and effective collaboration and linkages with IFC’s Global Financial Markets (CFG) department, Climate Business Group (CBG) department, Access to Finance (A2F) and Environment, Social and Governance (CES) department, Sustainable Business Advisory (SBA) and the other products units within A2F such as SME finance and E&S risk management;  Support global and regional SEF fundraising efforts, including the development of donor funding proposals, coordination with the trust funds departments and reporting to donors;  Develop and maintain relationships with global players in the SEF area;  Interface with other units in the IFC/World Bank Group as well as external parties including clients and partners and private sector risk solution providers.
Selection Criteria:
• Post graduate degree (Master’s level) in business administration, finance, or environmental management or engineering; a combination of technical environmental/engineering with finance degrees is highly desirable; • Minimum 8 years of work experience with a focus on Sustainable Energy financing and working with banks and the financial sector. • The candidate should have a working knowledge of IFC’s environmental opportunities in Sustainability and Climate Finance and the eligibility criteria as well familiarity with IFC’s operations both on the investment and advisory side. • Experience in commercial banking, private equity, or industrial investment is highly desired; • Demonstrated knowledge of sustainability and climate finance sectors and international best practices and global trends in the industry; • Ability to develop relationships and partnerships with technical and financial market players; • Strong client relationship management skills and ability to establish strong credibility among senior clients; • Ability to think strategically and to modify business line projects as needed so that it remains responsive to business needs and the needs of clients; • Ability to develop innovative solutions to build the business; • Ability to work effectively in teams, communicate ideas clearly and confidently, articulate issues and recommend solutions; • Proven ability to effectively plan, direct, organize and administer diverse activities to ensure effective delivery of the work program; • Project management and/or program management experience is required, including designing, planning and implementing knowledge-related initiatives; • Ability to work and operate independently and to take leadership initiative is essential; • Excellent analytical, communication and presentation skills and the ability to multi-task; • Prior work experience in emerging markets.
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