Senior Operations Officer Bogota, Colombia

Location:	Bogota, Colombia
Closing Date:	07/15/2012
Background / General description:
The International Finance Corporation (IFC), the private sector arm of the World Bank Group, is a global investor and advisor committed to finance private sector investment, mobilizing capital in the international finance markets, helping clients to improve social and environmental sustainability and providing technical assistance and advice to governments and businesses. IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, provides investments and advisory services to build the private sector in developing countries, as a way to reduce poverty and improve people’s lives. Investment Services provides a broad suite of financial products, including loans, equity, trade finance, structure finance and syndications – designed to promote worthy enterprises and encourage entrepreneurship. Advisory Services offers advice, problem solving, and training to companies, industries, and governments, all aimed at helping private sector enterprises overcome obstacles to growth. The Corporate Governance Program: The Corporate Governance Program in Latin America and the Caribbean (CGP LAC or the Program) seeks to help companies in the region improve performance, achieve better access to financing, and promote operational sustainability. Components of the program include (i) working with IFC investment clients or prospective clients on improving corporate governance; (ii) working with government and regulators to improve governance standards, investor protection, and develop corporate governance regulatory frameworks; (iii) conducting training and helping build regional institutes to promote corporate governance on an ongoing basis; and (iv) raising the awareness of corporate governance in the business community including supporting the development of corporate governance forums and preparing and disseminating corporate governance publications. Reporting Lines: The position reports to the Regional Business Line Manager, Sustainable Business Advisory for Latin America and the Caribbean.
Duties and Accountabilities:
The Regional Program Manager for the CGP LAC will take overall responsibility for the all aspects of the Program, including strategy, design, managerial and financial oversight, day-to-day delivery of advisory services to clients, financial and operational reporting to IFC and donors, and overall quality control of the Program. Specific duties and accountabilities include, but are not limited to:  Program strategy and design: a. Developing the broad regional strategy and translating that into explicit program components, including interventions, partners, resources, timelines, and development results; b. Ensure Program design exemplifies best practice and lessons learned from similar initiatives globally; c. Prepare program proposals, including budgets and results matrix, for potential donor partners.  General program management including accountability for Program objectives and target: a. Develop a detailed project plan and PDS documents for the Program’s various components; b. Manage external and internal relationships for successful delivery; c. Collaborate with IFC investment staff in the country in identifying and assessing clients; d. Work constructively with staff in other IFC business lines who have core expertise to contribute as well as with other market stakeholders as necessary in designing and executing program elements; e. Represent the Program to stakeholders at multiple levels (e.g., conferences, seminars, etc.).  Team Coordination: Design the team roles and responsibilities, recruit and manage a team of professionals and a resource base of consultants who can deliver on the various components: a. Set clear goals and targets for team members ; b. Manage the performance evaluation process for all team members, incorporating feedback across the institution as per IFC guidelines; c. Adapt to different circumstances and demonstrate ability to act decisively when faced with obstacles by identifying innovative solutions and approaches; d. Resolve differences across stakeholders and consider interests of multiple stakeholders in addition to clients.  Communications and Reporting: a. Manage the communications and reporting required by IFC and donor partners according to IFC standards and guidelines; b. Track project performance indicators against the monitoring and evaluation plan, refocusing activities as required to meet project targets in coordination with other IFC stakeholders including the global product specialist.  Budget and Financial Management: a. Develop a detailed program budget, manage and report on financial performance according to plan; b. Ensure that the IFC pricing policy for advisory services is applied; c. Control expenditures according to IFC policies and guidelines and within own approval thresholds while achieving maximum results.  Knowledge Management: a. Systematically consolidate and analyze lessons learned from project implementation experience and share with team members and colleagues across the region; b. Ensure connectivity with the IFC global product team and other IFC/World Bank programs.  Client Service & Technical Delivery: a. Help deliver technical parts of the program as needed to clients (e.g., training events, conference engagements, company assessments), exhibiting the highest caliber of corporate governance expertise; b. Stay abreast of market trends in corporate governance, both regionally and globally to properly serve as a subject matter expert and ensure client products are current and relevant; c. Oversee the technical delivery of all project components, ensuring the highest levels of product quality and client service.
Selection Criteria:
Qualifications: The Candidate should be a senior professional with comprehensive and in-depth expertise in project and program management. S/he should be recognized as an expert in the field of Corporate Governance, and in providing advisory services. S/he routinely leads complex projects and integrates work of other (often multi-disciplinary) professional staff. S/he can interact with clients at the policy level or with senior counterparts in national governments and/or other organizations with confidence. Selection Criteria:  Master’s Degree in Law, Business Administration, Economics, Finance, Accounting/Audit or other relevant discipline required;  At least 8 years of relevant work experience in Corporate Governance, ideally in the private sector;  Experience with managing Corporate Governance Programs or providing corporate governance advisory services to clients a plus;  Demonstrated technical knowledge of best available practices related to Corporate Governance;  Proven ability to conceptualize, design and implement major projects and to produce major/complex reports or studies;  Demonstrated professional leadership and ability to lead a team of professionals in the execution of major project components;  Ability to engage with various stakeholders, effective influencing skills and demonstrated diplomacy;  Strong leadership, organizational, and communications skills; ability to communicate ideas clearly and confidently, articulate issues and recommend solutions. Strong presentation and written communication skills;  Relevant experience working in the Latin America and Caribbean region is desirable;  Excellent English written and spoken communication skills are essential; Spanish and Portuguese are preferable;  Willingness to travel extensively in the region. As a representative of the World Bank Group, all professional activities are expected to be consistent with our Core Values: personal honesty, integrity, commitment, working together in teams -with openness and trust; empowering others and respecting differences; encouraging risk-taking and responsibility; enjoying our work and our families. Details (vacancy # 121575) are available in the World Bank Careers website: www.ifc.org, click on ‘Careers’ and then on ‘Current opportunities. Applications should be sent in English. All applications must be submitted through this website. The World Bank Group is committed to achieving diversity in terms of gender, nationality, culture and educational background. Individuals with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. Applications without a cover letter will not be considered. Cover letter should clearly describe the relevant results the candidate has delivered in prior positions, rather than simply listing responsibilities. All applications will be treated in the strictest confidence. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted. The contract for this position has an initial duration of 2 years (renewable), with a one-year probation period and subject to be renewed. This is international hire (paid in US Dollars). The appointee will be stationed in Bogota, Colombia or Panama City or Sao Paulo, Brazil. Closing date is July 15th, 2012].
Apply Online

Senior Operations Officer

Bogota, Colombia