Asscoiate Operations Officer- Beijing, China

Job #:	130378
Title:	Asscoiate Operations Officer
Job Stream:	Technical Assistance & Advisory Services
Location:	Beijing, China
Closing Date:	02/25/2013
Background / General description:
The Organization: The International Finance Corporation (IFC), the private sector investment arm of the World Bank Group, pursues its mission of reducing poverty and improving people’s lives by promoting private sector development through investment and advisory services. IFC Advisory Services is structured into four business lines – Access to Finance, Investment Climate, Sustainable Business Advisory and Public-Private Partnerships. IFC’s Sustainable Business Advisory (SBA) business line works with firms in manufacturing, agribusiness, services, and infrastructure to contribute to the creation of inclusive, environmentally sustainable, and efficient markets in three strategic areas of focus: (i) engaging the private sector in climate change mitigation and resilience, (ii) scaling business models to extend access to basic infrastructure services, and (iii) increasing market access for firms in emerging markets. IFC’s Access to Finance (A2F) business line aims to increase the number of individuals/firms with access to basic financial services, to increase the diversity of financial services available to poor households, and to lower the costs of essential services.  In East Asia and the Pacific (EAP), among the SBA projects in implementation are a regional Environmental and Social (E&S) Risk Management Program for Financial Institutions (FIs) which includes a China Project, and the China Water Program. As a result, IFC is looking to recruit an analyst to provide technical and operational support for these two SBA projects in EAP, with a primary focus on China.  The Projects: China project is a part of the E&S Risk Management Program for FIs in EAP, which seeks to increase and broaden the use of international E&S risk management standards (such as IFC’s Performance Standards and Equator Principles), which would enable FIs to integrate sustainability considerations into investment decision-making. The intended impact is to improve the quality of financial flow managed by FIs in EAP, with an initial focus on China, Vietnam, Indonesia Thailand and the Philippines. Specifically, the application of IFC’s Performance Standards and Equator Principles is expected to improve the way investment is assessed for E&S impacts, and as a consequence helps to increase the financing flows to projects and organizations that effectively manage E&S risks and impacts and that actively seek out environmental and social business opportunities. Components of the program include (i) working with IFC investment clients or prospective clients on improving E&S risk management performance; (ii) working with government and regulators to improve E&S standards and develop the E&S risk management regulatory framework and institutional infrastructure; and (iii) raising the awareness of E&S risk management standards and practices in the financial sector.  The China Water Program (“Program”) seeks to assist water-intensive private-sector industries in water-stressed provinces of China reduce their demand for freshwater and address future business risks due to climate change impacts. Industrial sectors targeted include textile dyeing and printing, pulp and paper, chemicals, and electronics. While water is the primary focus, the program will help manufacturing companies increase productivity and reduce costs by holistically evaluating use of energy, water and raw material resources. The Program combines firm-level resource efficiency audits and sector-level market awareness activities to catalyze implementation of such projects. The Program also seeks to build capacity of local partner banks for industrial water-efficiency financing by providing training on technical and economic considerations applicable to these types of projects.  Reporting Lines: The position will report to the Principal Operations Officer, Climate Change and the Senior Operations Officer, Environmental and Social Risk Management Program for Financial Institutions, both currently based in Beijing.
Duties and Accountabilities:
Scope of Work (including specific duties and accountabilities): The Associate Operations Officer will work closely with project teams to provide technical and operational support for the two SBA projects mentioned, with a primary geographical focus on China but may be required to support projects of similar nature in other EAP countries as needed.  Specific duties and accountabilities include, but are not limited to: • Support General Project Management:  a. Track and manage internal processes and systems for effective project information management, update and supervision  b. Support project teams to manage external and internal relationships for successful delivery c. Work with project teams to 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 executing project elements • Support 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  • Support Budget and Financial Management: a. Help ensure adherence to the IFC pricing policy for advisory services in project implementation b. Track and work with project teams to manager project expenditures  • Knowledge Management:  a. Develop information data base on international and national trend and context related to the two projects to support project delivery b. Work with project team to systematically consolidate and analyze lessons learned from project implementation experience to share with team members and colleagues across the region c. Work with project team to ensure connectivity with the IFC global product team and other IFC/World Bank programs.  • Participate in China Office’s activities and carry out IFC work related initiatives/duties as requested by China Country Manager.
Selection Criteria:
Qualifications: The Candidate should be a professional with experience in project management. S/he should have relevant experience in the field of E&S risk management standards and resources efficiency, and in providing advisory services. S/he has been involved in complex projects and integrates work of other (often multi-disciplinary) professional staff.  Minimum Requirements • Master’s Degree in Environmental Management, Engineering, Business Administration, Economics, Finance, Accounting/Audit or other relevant discipline required; • At least 5 years of relevant work experience in risk management and E&S standards for the financial sector, resource efficiency or climate change areas. Experience with implementing E&S and resource efficiency and/or climate change programs or providing advisory services in such areas to clients a plus; • Demonstrated technical knowledge of best available practices related to E&S risk management standards, practices for financial sector, resources efficiency, especially water efficiency or climate change; • Proven ability to work on major projects and to support the production of major/complex reports or studies; • Demonstrated team player and ability to work with a team of professionals to support the execution of major project components; • Ability to engage with various stakeholders, effective influencing skills and demonstrated diplomacy; • Strong communications skills; ability to communicate ideas clearly and confidently, articulate issues and recommend solutions. Strong presentation and written communication skills; • Relevant experience working in China is desirable; • Excellent English and Chinese written and spoken communication skills are essential;  • Willingness to travel extensively. 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.

Applications must be submitted online. Only those candidates selected for interviews will be contacted. Candidates can check the status of their applications by visiting www.ifc.org/careers.