Operations Officer

Operations Officer

Job #: req37148 Organization: IFC Sector: Operations Grade: GF Term Duration: 3 years 0 months Recruitment Type: Local Recruitment Location: Harare,Zimbabwe Required Language(s): English Preferred Language(s): Closing Date: 6/26/2026 (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). 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.

CAEAE is hiring an Operations Officer to be based in Harare, Zimbabwe working closely with World Bank Group (WBG) country, industry, and upstream teams in select countries in the Eastern Africa Region. The Operations Officer will report to the Country Advisory & Economics Manager for Eastern & Southern Africa. The position is based in Zimbabwe; however the assignment may include other countries in Southern Africa.

Duties and Accountabilities:

• Support business and project development and delivery in line with client and market needs while working collaboratively across World Bank Group (WBG).

• Support the implementation of projects by participating in senior level client meetings to provide technical advice and monitor progress in implementing relevant reforms to unlock investment; focus is on public policy dialogue and reform implementation support to enable the private sector.

• Support high quality of project implementation, supervision and completion documents and ensure high quality and timely deliverables to the clients.

• 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 Zimbabwe and potentially other Eastern and Southern Africa countries for quality and consistency of approach.

• Support the engagement with senior clients of the Government and private sector to improve the visibility of IFC/WBG.

• Support research and diagnostics relevant to our clients and stakeholders and to share relevant knowledge on policy issues.

• Support budget and financial management of projects for effective and efficient project implementation.

Selection Criteria

• Master’s degree in Law, Economics, Business or Finance or a closely related field, or professional certification.

• At least 5-8 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; hands on experience of working on public policy to support private sector development will be a clear advantage.

• 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 MS 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 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 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.