Operation Officer - Upstream & Advisory

Job Posting Organization:
The International Finance Corporation (IFC) is a member of the World Bank Group, which is one of the largest sources of funding and knowledge for developing countries. Established to promote sustainable development, the WBG is a partnership of five global institutions dedicated to ending poverty and increasing shared prosperity. With 189 member countries and over 120 offices worldwide, the WBG collaborates with public and private sector partners to invest in innovative projects and leverage data, research, and technology to address urgent global challenges. In fiscal year 2025, IFC committed a record $71.7 billion to private companies and financial institutions in developing countries, focusing on creating markets and opportunities in emerging markets. The Financial Institutions Group (FIG) is one of the three major industry groups at IFC, managing approximately 40% of IFC’s overall business in terms of volume and capital at risk. For more information, visit https://www.ifc.org.

Job Overview:
The Operations Officer for the Upstream and Advisory Services department within the Financial Institutions Group (FIG) at IFC will play a crucial role in leading and supporting the development of a high-quality Upstream and Advisory pipeline in the Philippines. This position requires deep operational and investment expertise in the financial sector, particularly in areas such as SME Finance, Capital Markets, Sustainable Finance, Digital Banking/Fintech, Housing Finance, and Insurance. The selected candidate will be responsible for supporting policy work and various initiatives across the World Bank Group to maximize the impact of Upstream and Advisory efforts. The role demands a proactive approach to identifying and developing high-quality initiatives that align with IFC’s country and sector strategies, as well as engaging with stakeholders to facilitate private sector participation in the financial sector.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities of the Operations Officer will include, but are not limited to:

• Project Development and Market Creation: Support the identification, design, and development of high-quality Upstream and Advisory initiatives in the financial sector, aligned with IFC’s country and sector strategies. Lead individual projects or components of projects, focusing on MSME/SME financing, sustainable finance, digital transformation, and capital markets initiatives. Develop feasibility studies and implementation plans that translate upstream concepts into actionable Advisory and Investment opportunities. Analyze the commercial and development viability of new market opportunities, products, and platforms.
• Collaboration and Stakeholder Engagement: Collaborate across IFC investment, advisory, and other World Bank Group teams to ensure synergies in policy dialogue, diagnostics, and project design. Engage with clients, regulators, and industry associations to identify barriers to private sector participation and propose actionable solutions. Support the coordination of partnerships and donor-funded initiatives that underpin Advisory and Upstream work programs.
• Knowledge, Analytics, and Innovation: Conduct sector-specific data analysis and stress testing of financial and operational models to generate new ideas for projects, products, and scalable platforms. Identify emerging trends, technologies, and business models that can enhance financial inclusion, sustainability, and innovation in the Philippines and the wider region. Contribute to lessons learned and dissemination activities to strengthen knowledge sharing across the Financial Institutions Group and the WBG.
• Delivery and Portfolio Management: Monitor progress of assigned Upstream and Advisory projects, track milestones, and support quality assurance of deliverables. Contribute to internal documentation and reporting, ensuring timely project updates, risk assessments, and results measurement. Support client relationship management by maintaining regular dialogue and identifying opportunities for future engagement and investment.

Required Qualifications:
The ideal candidate should possess a Master's degree in a related field and have at least 8 years of relevant experience. Related fields of education include banking, business, finance, or economics, or an area of expertise specific to the financial or banking sectors. Relevant experience could include a proven track record in banking, capital markets, business consulting, investment banking, or operational experience in the financial sector. The candidate should have a strong understanding of the financial sector in the Philippines, including areas such as SME finance, capital markets, sustainable finance, risk management, or digital financial services. Additionally, the candidate should demonstrate the capacity to understand, enable, and participate in market creation opportunities for the Philippines, showcasing long-term perspective, open-mindedness, persistence, innovation, and the ability to leverage all available tools. A good understanding of the roles and value-add of IFC and the WBG in the Philippines is essential.

Educational Background:
Candidates must hold a Master's degree in a relevant field such as banking, business, finance, or economics. This educational background should be complemented by a strong understanding of the financial sector, particularly in relation to the specific areas of expertise required for the role, such as SME finance, capital markets, sustainable finance, and digital financial services.

Experience:
Candidates should have a minimum of 8 years of relevant experience in the financial sector, with a proven ability to originate, structure, and deliver market-creating initiatives. Experience in managing project teams in high-paced environments is essential, as is the ability to engage effectively with financial institutions, regulators, and other stakeholders to identify challenges and co-develop practical solutions. The candidate should also have demonstrated experience in conducting financial and market analysis, preparing feasibility studies, and assessing the commercial and development viability of projects.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory, with excellent written and verbal communication skills necessary for preparing clear reports, presentations, and project documentation. Fluency in Tagalog is considered an asset, enhancing the candidate's ability to engage with local stakeholders and clients effectively.

Additional Notes:
This position is a local recruitment opportunity based in Manila, Philippines, with a term duration of 3 years. The role is full-time and offers a comprehensive benefits package, including a retirement plan, medical, life and disability insurance, and paid leave, including parental leave. The World Bank Group 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.