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Operations Analyst- Davao, Philippines

Job #:130642
Title:Operations Analyst
Job Stream:Technical Assistance & Advisory Services
Location:Davao, Philippines
Closing Date:03/25/2013
Background / General description:
The Organization:

International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group (WBG), fosters sustainable economic growth in developing countries by financing private sector investment, mobilizing private capital in local and international financial markets, and providing advisory services to businesses and governments. Our purpose is to create opportunity for people to escape poverty and improve their lives in the areas where it is needed most.

Background/General Description:

IFC works with agribusinesses to contribute to the creation of inclusive, environmentally sustainable and efficient markets in three areas of focus: (i) engaging the private sector in climate change mitigation and resilience, (ii) scaling business models to extend access to basic infrastructure and services, and (iii) increasing market access for firms in emerging markets. IFC Advisory Services Staff design and deliver projects in one or more of IFC Advisory Services business lines, Sustainable Business Advisory (SBA), Access to Finance (A2F), Investment Climate (IC) or Public Private Partnerships (PPP).

IFC Philippines broad strategy aims to: (1) Increase rural investment; (2) Promote inclusive urban growth; (3) Improve governance. To achieve these objectives, IFC combines Investment and Advisory Services to expand access to finance, improve access to infrastructure, strengthen commodity based value chains, and improve the business climate. The IFC Philippines Agribusiness Advisory Services Program focuses on sustainable value chain development through lead firms in a limited number of crop sub-sectors. A key component of the program is to improve the incomes and living standards of rural households in the Philippines through closer integration of them with the commercial sector. A key feature of the Program is the cross business line approach wherin business lines interact closely to collaboratively design and deliver interventions expected to achieve broad, sectoral impact.

The Project: 

The ‘Agribusiness Finance in the Philippines’ Project forms the third part of IFC’s comprehensive program approach to transforming the agribusiness sector by combining the efforts of the SBA and A2F business lines. Interventions in PPP and IC have already commenced, complementing the activities of this project. The project addresses 1) agribusiness competitiveness which has been hindered, particularly at the smallholder level by e.g. inadequate investment, lack of R&D, poor farmer support and lack of formal access to finance; and 2) banks perception that the agribusiness sector is unbankable, and smallholder farmers in particularl are not credit worthy. 

The overall goal of the project is to improve farmer incomes by supporting 1) at least two financial institutions to provide agricultural credit either directly to farmers or indirectly, utilizing a value chain approach; and 2) 4-5 agribusiness firms to improve their technical extension and other delivery services to smallholders. The project seeks to reach 15000+ farmers to provide them with improved economic opportunities. The project also seeks to build the appetite and capacity of financial institutions to lend to the agribusiness sector, providing a catalyst for the establishment of a self-sustaining commercial financing market for agribusiness generally, and smallholder farmers and rural SME’s particularly.

Reporting Line: The position reports to the Agribusiness Program Manager, Philippines
Duties and Accountabilities:
• Assist in the design of projects/project components, including preparation of internal approval documents - logic models, monitoring and evaluation frameworks, cost-benefit analysis, PDS documents.

• Support preparation of project work plans, budgets and other operational documents, consistent with overall IFC objectives, plans and budgets. 

• Support consultant assignments, guide consultants in the effective delivery of their services, including monitoring their work to ensure that agreed deliverables are met and that results are captured in appropriate reports or other means.

• Work closely with other team members to ensure that project objectives and timelines are met, including monitoring and reporting the output, outcome and impact of the project(s). Support preparation of internal project monitoring documents, including Project Supervision Reports (PSR) and Project Completion Reports (PCR).

• Proactively facilitate contact between prospective clients and IFC at the appropriate level. Coordinate with internal and external IFC clients and partners for data gathering and analysis for project monitoring and evaluation (M&E) in coordination with the Program Manager and M&E Officer.

• Prepare communications and other written documents such as presentations, concept papers, case studies, news and feature articles for internal and external audiences. Proactively engage with IFC communications personnel to ensure communications issues are well addressed.

• Identify key lessons learned to be shared with the wider IFC agribusiness team, and develop IFC SmartLessons and/or other internal knowledge management documents.

• Conduct relevant research on, for example market trends and industry developments.

• Participate in meetings, field work and other program activities as may be required by the Program Manager

• Develop content and coordinate implementation of program events, seminars, workshops and training activities.

• Accept and carry out ad-hoc assignments consistent with the aims of the position as assigned.
Selection Criteria:
Required:

• Bachelor’s Degree with ‘major’ in agriculture, business, economics, natural resources or development.

• At least 4 years work experience - with demonstrated relevance to the position requirements - in the agriculture, development or financial sectors.

• Strong knowledge of the Philippine agribusiness sector with a well developed and active professional network.

• Excellent analytical skills; Demonstrated initiative and resourcefulness and ability to follow through on team priorities, multitask, and respond to requests for information in a timely manner.

• Strong computer skills, including proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and internet research methodology.

• Strong interpersonal skills with a high level of written and oral competence in English. Ability to communicate ideas clearly and confidently, and to articulate issues including ability to write and edit project/program documents.

• Experience within a project team, preferably donor funded, including project set-up and exit.

• Demonstrated ability to build and maintain effective relationships with colleagues and a wide range of external parties and a proven ability to work in a supportive and enabling team environment.

• Ability to work effectively under time pressure with high degree of accuracy and with a strong capacity to produce quality work under tight deadlines.

• Work experience in a multi-cultural environment.

• Willing to travel within the Philippines, and possibly overseas (where necessary).

Desired:

• Familiarity with the Philippines banking and/or agri finance sectors or knowledge of climate change as that might relate to agriculture

• Private sector experience

• Demonstrated ability to prepare concept papers, proposals and feasibility reports.

• Familiarity with internal IFC or similar systems and procedures: Advisory Services Operations Portal (ASOP), iDesk, eConsult, legal processes and documents, etc.

• Language competence in Filipino or Cebuano highly regarded.