Senior Operations Officer

Description

IFC—a member of the World Bank Group—is the largest global development institution focused on the private sector in emerging markets. We work in more than 100 countries, using our capital, expertise, and influence to create markets and opportunities in developing countries. In fiscal year 2021, IFC committed a record $31.5 billion to private companies and financial institutions in developing countries, leveraging the power of the private sector to end extreme poverty and boost shared prosperity as economies grapple with the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. For more information, visit www.ifc.org

IFC’s Manufacturing, Agribusiness and Services (MAS) industry group covers sectors which cater to basic human needs such as food, shelter, jobs, health, and education. MAS Asia has identified decarbonization of food systems from field to food retailer—as a key opportunity, working across investment, advisory and upstream units. IFC seeks a Senior Operations Officer for the MAS Asia advisory unit to support MAS Asia advisory to create, develop and implement projects which support the investment business, support portfolio clients and provide development impact to IFC beyond our financial investment in the agricultural supply chain decarbonization space. The position will provide sound technical advice to MAS Asia and external clients and liaise with other World Bank Group staff in the development of projects and programs which catalyze client food and agribusiness companies to reduce their environmental footprint in general and carbon footprint in particular. Among other actions, the decarbonization work is expected to support clients to:

Assess their climate footprints (Scope 1, 2 and 3 as feasible).
Develop low carbon strategy and action plans
Implement projects which deliver measurable results to allow verification, certification and potential carbon credit sales
Benchmark resource efficiency against global best practice.
Deploy climate smart, low-carbon technologies and promote adoption of practical carbon reduction solutions in their supply chains.
Facilitate access to climate finance (e.g. green, sustainability-linked) for decarbonization projects/investments.

The ideal candidate profile will combine sector expertise and technical knowledge with strong advisory, consulting or investment experience. The preference is for a specialist with deep experience and expertise in decarbonization of agricultural production and a proven track record of impact in this sector; equivalent deep experience and expertise in post-harvest, food processing and logistics, as well as climate financing, will be a plus. S/he will appreciate the need for a “farming” orientation as well as a “carbon” orientation and be able to clearly convey ideas across and obtain buy-in from other units with deep interest in the subject.

Duties and Accountabilities:

The Senior Operations Officer will develop and take ownership of the “MAS Asia Advisory Agricultural Supply Chain Decarbonization” agenda. Her/His duties will include but are not limited to the following:

Business Development

Engage with the market to identify and assess agricultural production and food supply chains in order to develop decarbonization projects that ultimately support sizeable investment and financing opportunities for IFC, especially climate financing.
Conceptualize a business development approach to new to IFC clients that complements the existing MAS investment business, and identify means of approach, necessary supporting documentation and strategies and tactics.
Collaborate closely with internal stakeholders including the MAS Investment and Upstream teams working on business and project development and World Bank teams performing country-level analytics and policy/regulatory research and analysis.
Actively participate within an active network of industry stakeholders to keep updated on developing market drivers and trends, including technology and policy developments.
Ensure familiarity with completed Climate Change Development Reports (CCDRs) and provide input to upcoming CCDRs for use as a common starting point in firm-level discussions. Provide input to CCDRs that are being prepared.

Project Management

Support MAS Advisory and Upstream project managers working in agricultural and food supply chains, including participating in project reviews, in delivery of decarbonization actions listed above.
Develop Terms of Reference (ToRs) for consultants, market studies and other advisory and analytical work and help manage consultant activities to produce high-quality project and client deliverables.
Support MAS Investment teams in deal appraisals and related project activities while working closely with Industry Specialists and other Advisory staff to promote advisory offering(s).
As requested by Investment team, interface with Climate Business Unit (CBD) team regarding Paris Alignment issues/risks related to agricultural and food supply chain at investment cycle stages.
Develop relationships with private-sector clients and other external stakeholders and assist team members in managing and maintaining client and stakeholder relationships while growing the business.
Coordinate closely with the CBD and relevant MAS Advisory platforms such as the MAS Climate platform, Sustainable Crop Production platform, Sustainable Proteins platform, Food Safety platform and Smallholder Supply Chains platform.
Support Development Partnerships and project teams seeking funding from various donors providing climate finance funding.
Provide practical and actionable input to implementation plans including leading development of budgets, selection of technologies, definition of practices and assessment and training to ensure client capacity supports successful project outcomes

Sharing Knowledge

Identify and evaluate game-changing trends, technologies and business models that can bring solutions to emerging markets and share appropriate insights within IFC.
Share project and country knowledge, project lessons learned, and best practices with wider WBG network and external clients and stakeholders to support IFC’s positioning as a thought leader.
Collaborate with stakeholders and form partnerships with staff across IFC and the World Bank Group, sponsors, clients and other external parties to enable delivery of projects.
Participate in internal and external conferences, workshops and other subject matter fora as an expert speaker.
Build IFC overall brand and visibility within the topic of decarbonization through development of thought leadership and knowledge materials

Selection Criteria

Graduate degree in agriculture, agricultural economics, agronomy, business, economics, engineering, climate or environmental studies, finance, or another relevant discipline.
At least fifteen years of direct industry experience, industry-related p&l generation and, or management experience preferred. In-depth and relevant advisory experience with leading global and regional players will be an added advantage.
Working knowledge of a technical agriculture area, including knowledge of application of appropriate technologies and applicable policies and regulations in Asia.
Strong understanding of emerging themes within the climate change, resource efficiency, decarbonization, circular economy spaces and their relevance for agriculture and agribusiness.
Experience working directly with agricultural producers, manufacturing companies and, or food distributors or retailers to design decarbonization strategies and roadmaps or similar experience.
Working knowledge of various tools (hardware and software) that are deployed in that regard preferred.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English. Ability to draft clear and concise written memoranda for internal and external purposes.
Commitment to development and to the World Bank Group and IFC's mission, strategy and values.
Experience in monitoring and reporting on a portfolio of projects/programs/initiatives.
Outstanding analytical and critical thinking skills; demonstrated ability to synthetize complex information and make concrete strategic and tactical recommendations.
Excellent people skills, openness to feedback, new ideas, and ability to guide, and motivate others.
Experience assessing potential investment and financing opportunities, planning client engagements, pre-feasibility and feasibility work and other project development activities preferred.
Evidence of results delivery and a highly practical approach that combines technical skills with the ability to influence and guide management to adopt change in the agricultural community is a requirement.