Operations Officer- Dhaka

Location:	Dhaka, Bangladesh
Closing Date:	02/22/2012
Background / General description:
International Finance Corporation (IFC), the private sector arm of the World Bank Group, is a leader in sustainable investment in emerging markets. IFC promotes private sector development and economic growth as a way to reduce poverty and improve people’s lives. IFC provides advisory services by establishing partnerships with donors, governments, and the private sector to design and deliver technical assistance programs that promote entrepreneurship, improve the investment climate, mobilize private sector investment and enhance the competitiveness of micro, small and medium enterprises. IFC’s Advisory Services in South Asia executes an expansive program of Technical Assistance initiatives in the South Asia region in India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka and the Maldives. The regional office is in New Delhi, with offices located throughout the region. It is structured along four thematic business lines, namely: Financial Markets and Access to Finance, Sustainable Business Advisory, Investment Climate, Privatization and Public-Private Partnerships. The Sustainable Business Advisory (SBA) business line prioritizes activities that increase access to markets, and infrastructure as well as addressing Climate Change. SBA provides expertise and experience in the areas of Corporate Governance; Clean Energy; Environmental, Social and Trade Standards; Farmer and SME Training; Resource Efficiency; Strategic Community Investments; and, Sustainable and Inclusive Investments. This is a two-year coterminous term appointment and the position is based in Dhaka, Bangladesh.
Duties and Accountabilities:
The staff member is expected to manage Agribusiness projects in Bangladesh in close collaboration with IFC regional colleagues and global experts, and regional departments. S/he will work under the general direction of the Regional Business Line Leader and the Program Manager. • Develop IFC’s Agribusiness strategy for Bangladesh in line with regional and business line strategies • Work with the Program Manager, Regional Business Line Leader and relevant product specialists, industry stakeholders to design new projects • Manage pipeline activities of the existing projects to achieve targeted impact • Work with the implementing agencies, clients and consultant teams to implement projects • Oversee the technical delivery of all project components, ensuring the highest levels of product quality and client service/satisfaction • Work closely with other IFC teams such as Investment, Access to Finance, Investment Climate to create synergies, leverage other parallel initiatives and explore joint initiatives including creating opportunities for investment • Track project performance indicators against the monitoring and evaluation plan, refocusing activities as required to meet project targets • Manage expenditures according to IFC policies and guidelines, and within the approval thresholds while achieving maximum results • Ensure program design exemplifies best practice and lessons learned from similar initiatives globally • Manage external and internal relationships for successful project implementation • Adapt to different circumstances and demonstrate ability to act decisively when faced with obstacles by identifying innovative solutions and approaches • Stay abreast of market trends both regionally and globally to properly serve as a subject matter expert • Extract key experiences and lessons from work performed and actively participate in the knowledge management process within and outside of IFC; locally and globally. • Manage project reporting cycles, ensuring all projects submit high quality and on-time (i) Project Supervision Reports (PSRs), (ii) Donor Reports and Presentations, and (iii) Project Completion Reports (PCRs). Maintain deadlines for submission of these reports • Work with Program Manager to ensure projects are compliant with all IFC and donor requirements • Work in teams with other colleagues and units including but not limited to procurement, finance, monitoring and evaluation • Represent the program to stakeholders at multiple levels (e.g., conferences, seminars, etc.). • Work with the Communications team in developing communication materials as and when required for the projects • Support fund raising efforts
Selection Criteria:
• Previous work experience in managing projects in the Agribusiness sector (preferably in the Asia region) • At least five years’ work experience in the field of development with particular focus on private sector development and SMEs. Experience with international development organizations is an added advantage. • At least Masters degree in the field of Business, Agriculture or Science • Strong analytical or conceptual skills • Fluency in English is essential to enable the staff member to produce concise written reports • Fluency in Bengali will be an added advantage to enable interaction with the stakeholders of the sector and to be able to work at the grass roots level • Commitment to quality service, drive to exceed expectations, and proactive development of relations with IFC clients • Sound business judgment and strong problem solving, negotiation, and business skills • Ability to work effectively in teams, communicate ideas clearly and confidently, articulate issues and recommend solutions • Ability to work independently, multi-task, deal with conflicting priorities and deliver high quality work on schedule No paper mail or faxes please only short-listed candidates will be contacted.
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