The FCI program in Sri Lanka and Maldives is large and supports countries’ financial sector and private sector development, including in the context of recovery from economic crisis for the case of Sri Lanka. The team supports reforms through a number of instruments such investment and policy-based lending, technical assistance, and analytical work in the areas of private and financial sector development. The team also works closely with the IMF and other development partners. The selected candidate is expected to be based in Colombo and contribute to analytical and operational work. He or she will report to the FCI Practice Manager covering South Asia.
Main Duties & Responsibilities:
The assignment will involve the following tasks and projects:
Serve as team member for lending operations, advisory, and analytical work, and contribute to the delivery and quality of financing and knowledge engagements in Sri Lanka.
Prepare written reports on financial sector stability and development issues in Sri Lanka. Initially, the focus will be on the impact of the current macro environment on banking sector stability as well as MSME financing.
Collect data and maintain financial sector and other databases that the FCI team uses for financial sector monitoring and analytical purposes.
Contribute to the drafting of core knowledge and analytical products, just-in-time analytical pieces to support the policy dialogue on financial sector issues with the authorities.
Provide written inputs for briefings for WBG country management.
Support the implementation and monitoring of various technical assistance programs.
Support preparation and implementation of lending operations, including participating and keeping records of meetings and contributing to drafting of major reports (such as Aide Memoires, Management Letters, Project Concept Notes, etc.).
Collaborate and coordinate with colleagues from other Global Practices in the country team as needed.
The initial focus of the assignment will be support to the financial sector program in Sri Lanka, as described above. As country conditions in Sri Lanka and Maldives are rapidly evolving, the work program might be adjusted to reflect emerging demands, especially with regards to private sector development issues in Sri Lanka and the FCI program in the Maldives.
Selection Criteria
A Master’s degree in Business, Finance, Economics, or a related field.
Minimum of 3 years of relevant work experience, with a focus on financial sector development issues.
Prior experience of working in public sector and/or international organizations will be beneficial.
Experience in working on financial sector issues in Sri Lanka, with a background on at least one of the topics (banking sector stability, capital markets, green finance, MSME financing). Knowledge of and/or experience at other financial sector development topics will be a plus.
Experience of working with macro, financial sector and financial market databases.
Strong analytical skills and experience in producing a variety of written products and communications, and/or technical working papers for wider circulation.
Experience in working with senior government officials (director level and above) and/or senior management of leading financial / private institutions / international organizations will be beneficial.
Ability to work on multiple projects simultaneously under tight deadlines, ability to learn new topics quickly, strong interpersonal skills.
Strong written and verbal communications in English and Sinhala are mandatory.
