Operations Officer - Blended Finance

World Bank Group•Washington, DC

7d•Onsite

About The Position

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. 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. Our mission is to leverage the power of the private sector to end extreme poverty and boost shared prosperity on a livable planet. The Blended Finance (BF) Department seeks an Operations Officer to support the IFC-IDA Private Sector Window (IDA PSW). This person will work closely with the Program Manager of the IDA PSW to coordinate with IFC industry and regional teams, WBG management and the Board on the utilization, BF portfolio supervision and overall program management of the IDA PSW, while also supporting other multi-sectoral BF facilities including the Concessional Capital Window (CCW) and the Frontier Opportunities Fund (FOF). From IDA21 (starting July 1, 2025), IFC and MIGA have delegation in approvals of IDA PSW investments with DFI as observers. This has resulted in a fundamental shift in accountability of PSW deployment requiring more robust control and coordination to ensure that the program aligns with IDA Policy Commitments as well as eligibility criteria. The position will be based in Washington DC and will report to the Program Manager of IDA PSW, CCW and FOF.

Requirements

MBA or Master’s degree, specialization in finance/economics preferred.
8+ years of experience leading or administering a donor funded World Bank Group program, with experience in an IFC Blended Finance facility/ Trust Fund strongly preferred.
Solid understanding of IFC investment products and practices and a good understanding of World Bank/IDA operations and policies.
Solid understanding of the DFI Enhanced Blended Finance Principles, with knowledge of current issues, challenges and opportunities in implementing BF co-investments.
Ability to grasp details, solve problems, identify key issues for action and manage/incorporate stakeholder interests, and explain issues clearly and confidently.
Clarity in the presentation and delivery of information, ability to manage and complete multiple projects simultaneously and to meet deadlines under pressure, with minimal supervision.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.

Nice To Haves

Experience in low-income countries or frontier markets and/or significant experience developing frontier market projects is a plus.
Fluency in other languages, such as French or Portuguese would be a plus.

Responsibilities

Coordinate IFC’s program activities and lead pipeline coordination for IDA PSW
Contribute to BF pipeline development IDA PSW by working closely with IFC’s Regional and Industry teams as well as the World Bank/IDA/MIGA teams. Identify, evaluate and structure projects that meet the eligibility criteria and priorities of each of these facilities, such as concentration risks, country caps.
Work closely with the Program Manager to closely monitor deployment and utilization of each facility, actively managing headroom both at the PSW product levels (BFF, LCF, RMF) and aggregate level which will lead to a diversified portfolio that avoids underutilization of available funds or sudden shortfalls in funding v/s pipeline.
Contribute to knowledge management activities including proactively co-creating and regularly disseminating - internally and externally as appropriate - case studies and other KM/ communication materials on emerging lessons with respect to the design, operationalization, structuring & usage of concessional finance under PSW and other BF facilities.
Work closely with the BF Portfolio and various internal IFC teams (as relevant) to develop and maintain data analytics in relation to IDA PSW projects and programs.
Work closely with the BF Portfolio team as well as MIGA and IDA’s DFI team (where relevant) on the preparation of quality and timely periodic reports on IDA PSW to IFC & IDA Management, IFC Board and IDA Deputies.
Work closely with relevant teams within IFC, MIGA and IDA on the preparation of quality and timely presentations and reports (to WBG Management and IDA Deputies) on the IDA PSW / CCW as part of the IDA22 replenishment process.
Ensure that monitoring and evaluation activities are conducted as per IDA expectations, which may include portfolio project visits on a selective basis.
Participate in strategic engagements and initiatives to bolster the practice and business case for blended finance.