Director - Country Economics and Engagement

IFC - International Finance Corporation
Washington, DC - United States
S: Competitive

BACKGROUND / GENERAL DESCRIPTION:

IFC, a member of the World Bank Group (WBG), is committed to promoting private sector development through its Investment and Advisory Services, mobilization and Asset Management Company (AMC), as a means to reduce poverty and boost shared prosperity. IFC's Vice Presidency for Economics & Private Sector Development has been newly established as a hub for IFC thought leadership on private sector development, in collaboration with economists throughout the World Bank Group, and to help guide IFC operations towards development outcomes.The Country Economics and Engagement Department, part of the Economics & Private Sector Development Vice Presidency in IFC, will have two principal functions: assessing economic trends and opportunities for private sector development at country and regional level, and working closely with IFC Operations and partners in the World Bank Group in formulating country and regional strategies and conducting policy dialogue. Country Economics and Engagement is a new department that encompasses the Country Engagement Unit and a team of senior/principal country economists. The VPU is looking to recruit a Director to fully build the department, shape its new responsibilities, develop its position within IFC and the World Bank Group and manage its staff to a modern and high standard.

Note: If the selected candidate is a current Bank Group staff member with a Regular or Open-Ended appointment, s/he will retain his/her Regular or Open-Ended appointment. All others will be offered a 3 year term appointment.

DUTIES AND ACCOUNTABILITIES:

The duties of the Director, Country Economics and Engagement include:• Developing and implementing high-quality, publishable country economic assessments with a focus on Private Sector Development (PSD), drawing on department resources and collaboration from across the IFC and World Bank Group (specifically the Macroeconomics & Fiscal Management Global Practice and the joint World Bank/IFC joint practices, namely, Finance & Markets and Trade & Competitiveness).• Working closely with the Director, Sector Economics & Development Impact in ensuring that country PSD priorities inform IFC investments and advisory services in promoting the achievement of development objectives.• To this end, engaging with IFC regional departments and other partners in the World Bank Group, to support strategy formulation and policy dialogue, through various exercises including Systemic Country Diagnostics (SCDs) and Country Partnership Frameworks (CPFs), aimed at creating markets and appropriate conditions for IFC and private sector investment.• Ensuring that IFC management as well as investment and advisory project teams can draw on high-quality country economic expertise and analyses and operational support.• Building a strong network of collaboration and coordination on country economics across the World Bank Group, the IMF, economic research institutes and other organizations, including at country level and ensuring that IFC is at the forefront of the PSD dialogue globally• Working with the VP of Economics & Private Sector Development and in partnership with the VPU's leadership team to ensure the achievement of the VPU's key strategic priorities in alignment with IFC's overall strategy. • Delivering the agreed upon work program through cost effective use of resources and ensuring timely delivery of high quality outputs.• In order to achieve these goals, professionally managing the department and its staff to a modern standard and high level of performance, with special attention to diversity objectives.• Driving and inspiring technical excellence within the department by creating an environment of learning, innovation, and knowledge sharing.

SELECTION CRITERIA:

• A post graduate degree in economics/finance/public policy or other relevant graduate degree from a reputable university.• At least 15 years of experience at successively higher levels of responsibility, demonstrating analytical skills in economics and private sector development work in a country/regional context.• Familiarity with IFC's or similar Development Finance Institutions' areas of focus and relevant experience in country/regional context.• Knowledge of IFC operational and portfolio work and a good understanding of investment projects is desirable.• Demonstrated track record of staff and organizational management abilities, setting strategic directions and sound business judgement, and delivery.• Strong analytical and quantitative skills.• Excellent written and verbal communication skills and ability to communicate effectively with high level stakeholders.WBG Managerial Competencies• Courage of Convictions Takes on challenges in a very diplomatic way, seeing them as an opportunity for both personal and organizational improvement. Pushes back against one's peers, manager and others higher in the organization, and clients, when necessary or in the best interests of the WBG mission and its clients. Advances bold ideas in the face of resistance (internal and external), especially when they are consistent with the WBG mission and values.• Leading the Team for ImpactInspires through linking the vision of their department/organization to the WBG mission. Ensures that others buy into the vision through taking symbolic actions and reinforcing desired changes. Energizes through positive encouragement and reinforcement for thinking about possibilities of what can be done versus what can't be done. Aligns people around the WBG mission as a way to focus people on the most critical priorities. Includes resolving competing priorities as they exist.• Influencing Across BoundariesTakes a broad view of the organization, seeking to influence across multiple departments in order to advance initiatives. Displays awareness and respect to other's position when making a case for an opposing opinion. Anticipates other's reactions, preparing responses and contingency plans in advance. Crafts an argument unique to the individual in order to gain buy-in and participation; engages the heart and mind of the individual by making one's point of view relevant to them and by connecting with their emotions.• Fostering Openness to New IdeasCreates and models norms around how others should interact. Encourages and supports the people with whom they come into contact to embrace differences, create transparency and promote frank and respectful discussions. Changes systems or processes to encourage more open communication and to facilitate new ways of doing things.• Building Talent for the FutureCreates opportunities for development, such as full job change or project assignments (as appropriate for their career path) in order to grow their breadth of knowledge and/or leadership capability; may include moving people to different groups or business units. Makes the time to reach out to key talent to mentor them and determine their aspirations, both within and outside the immediate team, regardless of benefit to own self. Identifies future leaders in the organization and develops them over the long-term, incorporating building leadership and WBG specific behaviors. Prioritizes the development of diverse talent in order to ensure that the Bank's staff is able to meet the needs of our clients both now and in the future. Holds team members accountable for providing development opportunities and activities for their people.

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