Regional Housing Finance Specialist- New Delhi

Location:	New Delhi, India
Closing Date:	03/01/2012
Background / General description:
The 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 defines the South Asia region as India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka and the Maldives. The Access to Finance (A2F) business line includes projects in microfinance, retail payments, affordable housing finance, leasing, SME finance, agrifinance, sustainable energy finance, trade finance, insurance, payment systems, credit bureaus, and capital markets.
Duties and Accountabilities:
The specialist operations officer will work regionally with the South Asia A2F team on a range of housing finance projects. IFC already has an active housing finance portfolio including capacity building for housing finance companies, promoting green construction, and helping MFIs and NBFCs expand housing microfinance in India and Bangladesh with initial pipeline in development for Sri Lanka and Nepal. The specialist will have the following key responsibilities: • Play a catalytic role to facilitate advisory and investment business in housing finance in South Asia through identification, negotiation and preparation of new technical assistance projects and procuring consulting services for IFC clients • Coach people working on projects in housing finance and contribute towards their professional development including setting annual objectives, advising on development opportunities, and providing feedback on performance related to housing finance. For relevant positions across the region, the specialist will advise the A2F regional manager on recruitment and be involved in shortlisting and interviews • Supervise existing technical assistance projects in IFC’s housing finance portfolio, including maintaining excellent client relations, leading design of projects for meaningful development impact, managing budget resources, adhering to monitoring and evaluation requirements, and ensuring IFC procedures are respected • Assist in raising external funding from cofunders to leverage IFC’s own resources • Contribute to regional A2F strategy, country strategies, and workplan in South Asia to maximize IFC’s financial and social returns on investment and advisory • Liaise between the A2F team and key stakeholders including global housing product specialist, investment colleagues, World Bank colleagues, clients, and other relevant partners • Ensure two-way communication between regional and global colleagues on knowledge, good practices, and examples related to housing finance, including representing IFC at relevant meetings/conferences, developing case studies and other written materials, and facilitating contacts for colleagues and clients • Participate in / lead other initiatives as opportunities arise.
Selection Criteria:
• Earned University degree at Masters level: MBA, MPA, or equivalent degree • 10+ years of experience in housing finance and access to finance, with preference for experience in South Asia • Self-starter, mature, and flexible attitude; able to work in multicultural, fast-paced team • Proven leadership abilities for both team management and project management experience • Strong communication skills in speaking, writing and presenting • Demonstrated team player with willingness to contribute as needed to overall IFC work • Commitment to quality service, drive to exceed expectations, and proactive development of relations with IFC clients • Strong analytical and conceptual skills encompassing development finance, strategy development, and project evaluation • High level of proficiency with MS Office software • Ability to travel in South Asia • Ability to work independently, multi-task, deal with conflicting priorities, and deliver high quality work on schedule • Sound business judgment and strong problem solving, negotiation, and commercial skills • Fluency in English is essential to enable the staff member to produce concise written and oral reports; Fluency in national languages of India or other South Asian countries a plus Reporting The candidate will report to IFC manager for Access to Finance in South Asia with secondary reporting to the Global Product Specialist for Housing Finance. The candidate will interact closely with other colleagues in the A2F teams based in Delhi, Mumbai, Dhaka, Colombo, Thimphu, and Kathmandu. The position will be based in Delhi. Duration of the Assignment This is a two-year position, renewable depending on performance. Applications Interested candidates are invited to visit the IFC website at www.ifc.org and apply online at IFC’s JobWorld. Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.
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