IFC is recruiting a Senior Country Officer who will promote and coordinate IFC's investment and advisory activities in Egypt. The role requires close interaction at a high level with the private sector, government, and international development organizations, as well as key counterparts in the World Bank (WB) to develop new business and support the structuring and negotiation of deals. The position is based in Cairo and reports to the IFC Regional Director North Africa and Horn of Africa.
Roles and Responsibilities:
In consultation with the Regional Director, develop and implement the IFC’s country strategy and business plan for integrated upstream, investment and advisory operations, including sector priorities and business targets
Oversee the implementation of IFC’s strategies in Egypt and the preparation of business plan updates as needed
Oversee the preparation of WB strategy documents such as Country Strategies, Country Private Sector Diagnostics, and Country Partnership Frameworks
Develop and maintain a good understanding of the country and stay on top of key economic and political issues
Manage and develop relationships with key clients (governments and private companies) at the highest level of seniority and position IFC as the partner of choice to support high development impact projects in Egypt. Build up relationships with key stakeholders (including relevant regulators, businesses, CSOs, PE Funds, and investors)
Work with investment, advisory, upstream and relevant WB teams to continue to roll out the IFC 3.0 strategy and develop the project pipeline.
Lead/coordinate the development of a client engagement strategy for existing and new clients
Assist in project structuring and implementation using local market intelligence
Help manage development partner relations to support the raising of funds for advisory projects
Track and oversee the preparation of visiting missions/trips to the country
Track the project pipeline and assist in moving transactions forward
Identify areas where IFC can catalyze market development through innovation based on a thorough understanding of local markets and best practice from IFC’s global experience
Develop market knowledge to ensure that IFC is working with the right sponsors. Take accountability for client selection, ensure the integrity of potential clients, and develop and maintain relationships with these companies to identify business opportunities considering IFC’s strategy, priorities, and products
In coordination with the Regional Director, develop IFC’s “brand” in Egypt, building on IFC’s regional brand and the overall communications strategy, engaging with local media
Represent and provide visibility for IFC in the country including through organizing/participating in high profile events (Senior level visits, interviews, seminars, and conferences)
Develop and maintain strong relationships with Industry Departments to originate, process and manage a pipeline of investments, and support proactive and strategic portfolio management, to meet IFC’s objectives
Share accountability with Regional Industry Managers for the quality and performance of the country portfolio; work jointly with relevant managers to meet Scorecard targets in Egypt
Provide administrative and HR management oversight and ensure a smooth running of the IFC country office in Cairo
Prepare/coordinate high-quality briefs for WBG senior management
In coordination of the Regional Director, act as the Head of Security for the country responsible for WBG’s duty of care obligations to staff
Oversee the crisis management team supported by the business continuity management program offices
In coordination with the Regional Director, coordinate security decisions with other affected Heads of Office across the WB
Selection Criteria:
Post-graduate degree, preferably in finance, business administration, management, economics, or a similar field
12+ years of relevant experience, preferably in areas such as investment or commercial banking, public-private partnerships, management consulting, or operational experience in an investment and/or advisory role
Experience and/or a strong interest in Africa is required, and experience in the Egypt is an advantage
Ability to assess the viability of business opportunities and risks
Ability to think creatively about potential investment opportunities, and to use business development skills to translate such opportunities into bankable projects
Strong analytical, finance, financial modeling, credit, and transaction structuring skills is an advantage
Good understanding of IFC’s investment and advisory business lines, their products, how they complement each other, and how they may be leveraged to match the long-term needs of clients and open new markets
Track record in developing and maintaining strong high-level relationships in the private sector, government, and development institutions
Ability to represent IFC externally with the private sector, government, development partners, media, and other stakeholders
Team management experience including supervising, mentoring and training staff
Team player with strong leadership and influencing skills, and track record in working in a matrix structure
Strong client service orientation
Ability to resolve challenging issues
Excellent critical thinking, analytical and presentation skills, and ability to work with or supervise the use of data utilizing standard office software Excel, Word, PowerPoint; and,
Excellent written and oral communication skills in English and Arabic languages are required
