Associate Operations Officer - IC Agribusiness- Manila, Philippines

Job #:	122347
Title:	Associate Operations Officer - IC Agribusiness
Job Stream:	Technical Assistance & Advisory Services
Location:	Manila, Philippines
Closing Date:	10/25/2012
Background / General description:
The Organization: The International Finance Corporation, a member of the World Bank Group, promotes sustainable private sector investment in developing countries as a way to reduce poverty and improve people’s lives. In addition to its investment work, IFC executes a major program of private sector advisory services projects (AS) in the East Asia / Pacific region. The objectives of the program are to promote direct investment in the private sector, build local businesses and financial intermediaries, and help improve the investment climate.  The Program: IFC’s program for Investment Climate (IC) reform seeks to unlock investment opportunities in key business sectors as well as promote broad sustainable economic growth. The program focuses on national level business entry reform, agribusiness and climate change.  For agribusiness, the goal of this four-year project is to address a number of agri trade regulatory constraints as well as competition constraints that affect the domestic shipping industry in targeted jurisdictions to enable commercial smallholders' improved market access and integration. The objective is to reduce compliance and transaction costs for agri products and related inputs that can result in a more efficient and competitive trade and transport environment. Successful implementation of the project is expected to generate value added through US$8.2 million in aggregate private sector savings and an increase in the water transport output of at least US$55 million by 2018 (these are preliminary estimates, with the final estimates provided by the second project supervision report). Scope of Work: The Associate Operations Officer (AOO) will work closely with other team members in IC and will provide critical support in the implementation of project objectives. S/he must be an experienced professional whose knowledge and skills enable him/her to provide valuable assistance in project design, project implementation, and knowledge management initiatives with limited direct supervision.  In close cooperation with other team members, the AOO will focus on providing support in:  a) Guiding project implementation, including coordinating with foreign-based colleagues who are part of the implementation team and managing consulting teams;  b) Coordinating with the PPD Coordinator on implementation progress / challenges; c) Measuring and reporting project results and preparing internal supervision documents;  d) Managing relations with clients and stakeholders;  e) Developing project communication materials, preparing and vetting strategy notes;  f) Conducting applied research in areas relevant to agribusiness development and investment climate; and  g) Sharing knowledge about the project implementation experience. The work requires extensive coordination with other IC colleagues (product teams), IFC business lines and regional/global resources. The AOO must be a well-organized, proactive person, who is envisioned, over time and with proper guidance and training, to have the ability to represent IFC in large and small gatherings to private and public sector stakeholders.
Duties and Accountabilities:
The position requires an operational focus, supported by good research and analytical skills. Duties will include, but not be limited to the following: • Contribute to the implementation of the technical assistance operation and work with the task team leader to manage the Agri Trade Logistics project, as required. • Assist in the preparation of project work plans, budgets and other operational documents, consistent with overall IFC objectives, plans and budgets.  • Assist in the preparation of terms-of-reference and identification, selection and scheduling of consultant assignments. • Help supervise the work of consultants and technical specialists to ensure consistency and conformity to IFC standards, including monitoring their work to ensure that agreed deliverables are met and that they are captured in appropriate reports. • Assist in research and analysis to diagnose issues and propose solutions to policy aspects and challenges confronting the project’s clients, and evaluate industry related studies and project documentation.  • Contribute to strategy, analysis and policy formulation for Agri IC. • Prepare project monitoring documents, including all required supervision reports and completion reports. • Interact with government counterparts and other agencies on policy and project-related issues. • Communicate the progress of the project to IFC and related partners, and proactively engage with IFC communications to ensure external and internal communications issues are well addressed. • Provide support to the working groups or operational committees. • Liaise and work closely with the IFC investment team and relevant AS business lines. • Identify key lessons learned to be shared with the wider IFC Investment Climate team, and develop IFC Smart Lessons and other internal knowledge management documents. • Travel as necessary to support project implementation. • Accept ad-hoc tasks consistent with the aims of the position as assigned. Reporting: The AOO reports directly to the IFC IC Program Manager.
Selection Criteria:
• Master’s degree from a reputable university with concentration in business, economics, agriculture, public policy or other relevant discipline required. • At least 5+ years of relevant working experience in a position with significant analytical work, preferably with development institution(s) in an emerging market environment or prior work in private sector development advisory. Experience working in the Agribusiness sector and especially on trade or logistics is a plus. Experience being a key team member in a project, preferably donor-funded, including project set-up and completion also a plus.  • Ability and comfort working with limited supervision and to think independently. • Ability to work effectively under time pressure with high degree of accuracy and with a strong capacity to produce quality work. • Proven ability to demonstrate initiative, monitor issues and tasks, meet deadlines and priorities, and ability to work in a team. • Ability to communicate ideas clearly and confidently, articulate issues and recommend practical solutions. • Strong oral and written English skills, including ability to write and edit project/program documents.  • Demonstrated ability to prepare proposals, concept papers and reports to a high-level of English proficiency. • Strong interpersonal skills and proven ability to build cooperative networks. • Strong analytical and organizational skills. • Strong computer skills, with an emphasis on Word, Excel and Powerpoint. IFC offers a challenging and rewarding work environment, attractive compensation and excellent career opportunities. All applications will be treated in strict confidence. Please note that only short-listed candidates will be contacted.