Global Head of Cross-Industry Advisory Solutions, Washington, Closing date: Tuesday, 30 June 2015


Background / General description
The International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, is the largest global development institution focused on the private sector in developing countries. It is committed to financing private sector businesses in emerging markets, mobilizing capital in the international financial markets, helping clients improve social and environmental sustainability and providing advisory services to businesses and governments.
The Cross-Cutting Advisory Solutions (CAS) Department is managing and delivering expertise and programs which are cross-cutting in nature and have application across the Corporation. These include public-private partnership transactions, clean energy and resources efficiency, SME development, corporate finance, gender and multidisciplinary business solutions. The Department also provides administrative and financial management support to all advisory units in IFC and in the joint World Bank Group Global Practices. IFC’s Cross-Industry Advisory Solutions Division is managing and delivering expertise and programs related to clean energy and resources efficiency, water resources, SME & value chains, gender and strategic client solutions. The Division has approximately 100 staff, and is managing over 250 active client engagements, working in the following areas:

  • Energy & resource efficiency: Supports clients to optimize access to reliable, cost-effective energy, address resource availability risk, and manage production more efficiently to minimize losses and costs. The team works on issues ranging from power generation, transmission and distribution, to off-grid energy access, and resource efficiency (including energy, water, and raw materials). They also provide market intelligence and innovative business models to vendors and project developers.
  • Water Resources Group (WRG): Facilitates dialogue among public, private and civil society actors to identify investment needs and drive reform in water stressed, developing economies. The WRG is housed within IFC, and reports to an external governing council.
  • SME & value chains: Supports SME development through helping lead clients to improve the performance of SMEs in their value chain, as well as strengthening SME performance at the market and sector level (e.g., in fragile and conflict affected situations). This includes improving the business management skills of SMEs through training (Business Edge) and online information resources (SME Toolkit). The group also manages the Better Work Program, which focuses on improving working conditions in the garment sector (supported by ILO + 60 international buyers), with links IFC clients.
  • Gender: The IFC Gender Secretariat looks to build IFC’s capacity and support on gender (e.g. results measurement, technical back-stopping of IFC investment and advisory projects on gender dimensions, represents IFC externally on gender, global partnerships, research on business case, etc.), support the scaling-up of IFC’s existing commercially viable gender products (e.g., SME credit for women owned enterprises); and develop new gender value proposition (e.g., insurance & women’s market, women’s employment and non-financial services for women entrepreneurs). The team is housed in the Cross-Industry Division, but organizationally mapped to the World Bank Group (WBG) Gender Cross-Cutting Solution Area.
  • Strategic Client Solutions: A small team that works mainly with and through IFC’s Client Service Leads and Global Industry Departments to tackle and structure solutions to complex client challenges with high development and investment potential. The team draws on the capacity of other advisory units as needed. Note: If the selected candidate is a current Bank Group staff member with a Regular or Open-Ended appointment, s/he will retain his/her Regular or Open-Ended appointment. All others will be offered a 4 year term appointment.

    International Finance Corporation (IFC)
    2121 Pennsylvania Avenue Northwest
    Washington, DC 20433-0005
    (202) 473-7711
    Duties and Accountabilities
    Reporting to the Director, Cross Cutting Advisory; the Head of Cross-Industry Advisory Solutions will assume responsibility and accountability for developing and implementing IFC’s global strategy for the Division, including key business and development targets, with a focus on impact, financial sustainability and FCS countries. The Head of Cross-Industry Advisory Solutions’ duties and accountabilities include the following: a) Solutions and Results for Clients:
  • In the context of IFC’s global strategic priorities, develop IFC’s global strategy for the Cross-Industry Advisory Division, in partnership with regional departments, and in close collaboration with relevant IFC industry departments, and relevant WBG departments.
  • Set global business objectives and work program for the Cross-Industry Advisory Division based on expected client needs and development results, including up front targeting and planning of fundraising best suited to the desired strategy.
  • Lead the development and provision of innovative, cost-effective and demand-driven Cross-Industry Advisory products and services that serves IFC’s strategic priorities and financial sustainability goals.
  • Set quality standards for Cross-Industry Advisory engagements, including implementation of quality control processes/ inputs, and monitor progress and recommend corrective actions where/if necessary.
  • Manage the origination, development and maintenance of a portfolio of Cross-Industry Advisory projects across the globe, balancing priority sectors, geographical distribution and country mix.
  • Represent IFC and the department on Cross-Industry Advisory related corporate strategic issues to ensure that operational policies, practices and procedures align with quality service delivery to clients.
  • Lead on high-priority special initiatives/projects as designated by the Director. b) Governance:
  • Review, approve and support implementation of global and regional Cross-Industry Advisory projects.
  • Monitor and manage risks associated with Cross-Industry Advisory project design and implementation, and where needed, ensures effective mitigation of strategic, operational and/or reputational risks to IFC.
  • Ensure compliance with broader AS governance and risk management policies and procedures such as conflicts of interest, pricing, etc. c) People/Talent Management:
  • Model exemplary WBG leadership values and managerial behaviors and reinforce these qualities in the Cross-Industry Advisory management team and staff.
  • Lead and manage a high-performing, well-motivated, innovative, and skilled Cross-Industry Advisory team globally that has clear deliverables and is committed to providing world class global expertise in IFC client engagements.
  • Oversee and support CAS management in developing and implementing appropriate strategies for Cross-Industry Advisory global staffing, deployment, staff learning and development, and career progression and talent and performance management. d) Knowledge Management:
  • Engage and collaborate with relevant industry departments, other Cross-Cutting Advisory Divisions/ Units, WBG Global Practices and Cross-cutting Solution Areas and seek efficient ways to ensure timely flow, capture and provision of resources and knowledge to meet IFC’s client needs.
  • Lead the learning agenda to foster technical excellence within IFC Cross-Industry Advisory, including learning for global product specialists to ensure product coherence and quality in accordance with IFC’s strategic and operational priorities.
  • Support the coordination of research, as well as the dissemination of Cross-Industry Advisory related technical knowledge and learning across IFC and the WBG, including relating to global best practices, trends and data, product development and stakeholder relations.
  • Act as IFC’s spokesperson with respect to Cross-Industry Advisory, represent the organization and maintain strong relationships with policy makers and private sector counterparts to disseminate and enhance the impact of IFC delivery in Cross-Industry Advisory initiatives. e) Resource Management:
  • Manage the Cross-Industry Advisory Division’s budget (internal and external funds) to support the implementation of relevant IFC strategies.
  • Support the team as needed on project structuring and negotiating client fees.
  • Actively support Cross-Industry Advisory fundraising efforts.
  • Ensure accountability for delivering the agreed upon work program through cost-effective use of resources (human and financial) within the agreed parameters and in compliance with internal WBG fiduciary and safeguard controls and policies, and ensure timely delivery and overall quality of the Division’s outputs.
  • Ensure implementation of an appropriate risk management framework to meet the department’s objectives. f) Relationship Management:
  • As a member of the CAS Leadership Team, contribute to the coherent and effective functioning of the business, and ensure cross business area coordination and cross leveraging of expertise across business areas.
  • Collaborate and engage with IFC Industry Departments and seek efficient ways to leverage resources and knowledge in order to promote private sector investment and meet IFC’s client needs.
  • Foster strong relationships with counterparts in the World Bank Group, particularly in the relevant WBG Global Practices and Cross-Cutting Solution Areas, as well as in other private and public institutions to identify collaboration opportunities and to enhance client and business delivery.
  • Develop and maintain relationship with global players in relevant industries and act as IFC’s representative for key global organizations and institutions. Selection Criteria
  • Committed to WBG leadership values and managerial behaviors (*)
  • A background in finance, business, consulting or equivalent with a minimum of 15 years relevant experience. A background which combines one or more of these areas of experience will be preferred.
  • A minimum of 10 years’ experience working in private sector in 2-3 sectors (e.g., manufacturing, utility, power, transportation, health, education), with significant project leadership skills and proven success in developing client relationships with private sector in developing countries and execution of international programs in relevant industries.
  • Experience working in IDA countries and fragile and conflict-affected situations.
  • Well networked within the professional community in relevant industries.
  • Excellent people management skills and openness to feedback; new ideas and ability to guide staff to find solutions to problems.
  • Recognized as a team player and leader; with proven track record of success in leading large, complex and geographically dispersed teams.
  • Proven success working across internal and institutional boundaries.
  • Ability to represent IFC to key external clients, government authorities, and other stakeholders
  • Ability to think strategically, and to deal with increased complexity, ambiguity and crisis with confidence and discretion.
  • Excellent communication and presentation skills, and negotiation and influencing skills. (*) WBG LEADERSHIP VALUES AND MANAGERIAL BEHAVIORS: WBG Managerial Competencies: Courage of your convictions; Leading Teams for impact; Influencing across boundaries; Fostering openness to new ideas; and Building talent for the future WBG Core Competencies for all staff: Client orientation; Drive for results; Teamwork of collaboration and inclusion; Knowledge, learning and communication; and Business judgment and analytical decision-making.


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