(Associate) Operations Officer

(Associate) Operations Officer

Job #: req37211 Organization: IFC Sector: Operations Grade: GF Term Duration: 3 years 0 months Recruitment Type: Local Recruitment Location: Lome,Togo; Cotonou,Benin Required Language(s): English, French Preferred Language(s): Closing Date: 7/7/2026 (MM/DD/YYYY) at 11:59pm UTC

Description

Build 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). We aim 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. Country Advisory and Economics Unit for North, West, and Central Africa within the Africa Vice Presidency was recently established due to the re-organization to drive the strategy.

IFC Africa West 1 cluster consists of Ghana, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Cote d’Ivoire, Togo, Benin and Guinea. The cluster has a large investment portfolio combined with a rich set of advisory projects dealing with a wide range of stakeholders. CAE supports all of these activities through strong analytics and policy dialogue. CAE also serves a critical bridge between IFC and IDA. In this role, the selected candidate, reporting to the Manager, CAE North, West and Central Africa, will support CAE engagements in various countries of the cluster and help IFC expand the frontier. The position is based in Lome,Togo; or Cotonou,Benin. We seek a motivated and dynamic professional with strong analytical skills and policy-relevant experience in private sector

Duties and Accountabilities:

• Support business and project development in line with client and market needs while working collaboratively across WBG

• Support the implementation of projects by participate in senior level client meetings to provide technical advice and monitor progress in implementing relevant reforms to unlock investment. Moreover, support client in implementing recommendations and help trouble shoot as needed.

• Support high quality of project supervision and completion documents and provide quality control over client deliverables.

• Support the engagement with the relevant teams at the World Bank and IFC for reforms needed to unlock new markets and work collaboratively with Upstream teams.

• Support the oversight of the advisory portfolio in Cote d’Ivoire, Togo, Benin and Guinea for quality and consistency of approach.

• Support the engagement with top management of the Government and private sector to improve the visibility of IFC.

• Support knowledge sharing sessions across the region,

• Support research and diagnostics relevant to our clients and stakeholders and to push our knowledge frontier on policy dialogue.

• Support resources management – budget, STCs, etc. for effective project implementation

Selection Criteria

• Master’s degree in Finance, Business, Economics or a closely related field, or professional certification (CPA, CFA).

• At least 5 years’ experience in private sector development, with a focus on delivering private sector oriented reform projects in delivering advisory engagements.

• Strong track record of working with the government clients.

• 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.

• Ability to conceptualize research and analytical projects that could ultimately lead to the opening of new markets and/or reframe thinking on thematic approaches to better meet IFC and WBG mandates.

• Excellent knowledge of Word, Excel, PowerPoint and aptitude to learn new systems is a must. Ability to use project management systems is a plus.

• Excellent written, verbal communication and presentation skills plus fluency in English and French is a must.

Note: This vacancy announcement is for one position, posted across multiple possible duty stations, that includes Lome,Togo; Cotonou,Benin. The selected candidate's duty station will be determined based on organizational requirements and business needs.

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 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.