Country Officer

Job Posting Organization:
The International Finance Corporation (IFC) is a member of the World Bank Group and is recognized as the largest global development institution focused on the private sector in emerging markets. Established to promote economic development by encouraging private sector investment, IFC operates in over 100 countries worldwide. The organization leverages its capital, expertise, and influence to create markets and opportunities that foster sustainable economic growth. The mission of IFC is to utilize the power of the private sector to eradicate extreme poverty and enhance shared prosperity while ensuring a livable planet for future generations. For more information about IFC and its initiatives, visit www.ifc.org.

Job Overview:
The Country Officer position at IFC involves supporting the Country Manager in overseeing IFC activities in Côte d’Ivoire. The role requires collaboration with the Country Manager and Senior Country Officer to implement IFC’s strategic objectives in the country, which includes preparing updates to business plans and overseeing the development of key strategy documents such as Country Strategies and Country Partnership Frameworks. The Country Officer will also engage in business development by developing a comprehensive understanding of the local economic and political landscape, working closely with various teams to implement the IFC 3.0 strategy, and building strong relationships with private sector stakeholders, government officials, and development partners. This position is crucial for managing the project pipeline, ensuring effective client selection, and assisting in project structuring and implementation. Additionally, the Country Officer will be responsible for portfolio management, maintaining relationships with existing clients, and preparing high-quality briefs for senior management. The role also includes representing IFC at external events and ensuring that internal and external requests are addressed efficiently.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities of the Country Officer include:

• Supporting the Country Manager in overseeing IFC activities in Côte d’Ivoire.
• Collaborating with the Country Manager and Senior Country Officer to implement IFC’s strategy, including business plan updates.
• Preparing World Bank Group strategy documents such as Country Strategies and Country Partnership Frameworks.
• Developing a thorough understanding of the country’s economic and political issues to inform business development efforts.
• Working with investment, advisory, and upstream teams to roll out the IFC 3.0 strategy and develop a robust project pipeline.
• Building and maintaining high-level relationships with the private sector, government officials, and development partners to support business development and portfolio management.
• Participating in client selection processes and ensuring appropriate sponsor engagement.
• Assisting in project structuring and implementation using local market intelligence.
• Tracking the project pipeline and facilitating transaction progress. 1
• Managing relationships with development partners to support fundraising for advisory projects. 1
• Overseeing the preparation of visiting missions and trips to the country. 1
• Contributing to the preparation of board papers and other project documentation as required. 1
• Developing a comprehensive understanding of IFC’s portfolio in the country and assisting project teams in maintaining client relationships. 1
• Preparing high-quality briefs for WBG senior management. 1
• Representing IFC externally and enhancing its visibility through participation in high-profile events, seminars, and conferences. 1
• Acting on behalf of the Country Manager as needed.

Required Qualifications:
The required qualifications for the Country Officer position include:

• A Master’s degree, preferably in finance, business administration, management, economics, or a related field.
• A minimum of 8 years of relevant experience in investment or commercial banking, public-private partnerships, management consulting, or operational roles in investment and/or advisory capacities.
• Experience and/or a strong interest in Africa is essential, with a preference for candidates with experience in the West Africa region.
• Proven ability to assess the viability of business opportunities and associated risks.
• Creative thinking skills to identify potential investment opportunities and translate them into bankable projects.
• Strong analytical, finance, financial modeling, credit, and transaction structuring skills are advantageous.
• A solid understanding of IFC’s investment and advisory business lines, their products, and how they can be leveraged to meet client needs and open new markets.
• A track record of developing and maintaining strong relationships with high-level stakeholders in the private sector, government, and development institutions.
• Excellent client service orientation and problem-solving abilities. 1
• Strong leadership and influencing skills, with experience working in a matrix structure. 1
• Proficiency in using standard office software such as Excel, Word, and PowerPoint for data analysis and presentation.

Educational Background:
Candidates for the Country Officer position are expected to hold a Master’s degree in a relevant field such as finance, business administration, management, or economics. This educational background is essential to equip the candidate with the necessary skills and knowledge to effectively perform the duties associated with the role.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 8 years of relevant experience in fields such as investment or commercial banking, public-private partnerships, management consulting, or operational roles in investment and/or advisory capacities. Candidates with experience in Africa, particularly in the West Africa region, will be preferred. The experience should demonstrate the ability to assess business opportunities, manage client relationships, and navigate complex economic and political environments.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory for this position, as it is the primary language of communication within IFC and with external stakeholders. Proficiency in French is also required, given the location of the position in Côte d’Ivoire, where French is the official language. Additional language skills may be considered an asset but are not mandatory.

Additional Notes:
The Country Officer position is a local recruitment role with a term duration of 3 years. The organization offers a comprehensive benefits package, including a retirement plan, medical, life, and disability insurance, as well as paid leave, including parental leave. IFC is committed to being an equal opportunity and inclusive employer, ensuring that all individuals are treated fairly and without discrimination based on gender, gender identity, religion, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or disability. The closing date for applications is August 2, 2025, at 11:59 PM UTC.