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Job: Senior Operations Officer, Beijing, China
Background / General description:
The Organization: The International Finance Corporation (IFC), the private sector investment arm of the World Bank Group, pursues its mission of reducing poverty and improving people s lives by promoting private sector development through investment and advisory services. IFC s Access to Finance business line aims to increase the numbers of people with access to basic financial services, to increase the diversity of financial services available to poor households, and to lower the costs of essential services. In addition, a number of IFC's programs in East Asia and the Pacific address climate change mitigation through a combination of investment and advisory services to financial institutions on sustainable energy finance. The Program: China Utility-Based Energy Efficiency Finance Program (CHUEE) Climate Change is one of the main strategic pillars for IFC in China. The objective of the Program is to increase financing to companies in the area of energy efficiency, renewable energy, cleaner production and emission reduction by mobilizing local financial institutions through the provision of advisory assistance and risk sharing facilities, and by developing marketing partnerships with energy utility companies, energy service companies, equipment vendors, and various other stakeholders, including regulators. The Program was launched in July 2006 and has been highly successful in promoting greater lending to support sustainable development by participating financial institutions. A number of new efforts are underway, including working more in depth at the sub-national level, as well as on product diversification in areas such as SME energy efficiency and water efficiency. Reporting Lines: The position reports jointly to Regional Business Line Leader in Access to Finance and China and Mongolia Country Manager.
Duties and Accountabilities:
The Senior Operations Officer will act as Program Manager for the CHUEE Program and will take overall responsibility for the all aspects of the Program, including design, managerial and financial oversight, day-to-day delivery of advisory services to clients, financial and operational reporting to IFC and donors, and overall quality control of the Program. Specific program deliverables include:
In close collaboration with IFC s Financial Markets team implement an advisory program to train existing and additional partner banks to develop effective loan review procedures, credit underwriting criteria, portfolio management procedures, and loan default and recovery procedures for energy efficiency, cleaner production and renewable energy loans;
Monitor performance of the risk sharing facilities with the banks, and ensure accurate recording of estimated energy efficiency/GHG savings calculations, using IFC agreed global measurement criteria;
Manage and develop relationships with regulators and other market stakeholders including the World Bank, programs funded by other donor partners, participating energy service companies, EE equipment suppliers, and other organizations to broaden the market impact;
Manage and coordinate the activities of the Program Advisory Committee, an oversight and advisory body that consists of a representative group of major stakeholders. Specific duties and accountabilities include:
Program Design: Overseeing all aspects of further elaborating the design and implementation of the Program, including impact targets and timelines. Ensure Program design exemplifies best practice and lessons learned from similar initiatives globally.
General Program Management including accountability for Program objectives and targets: a. Develop a detailed project plan for the Program s various components b. Manage external and internal relationships for successful delivery c. Collaborate with IFC investment staff in the country in identifying and assessing clients d. Work constructively with staff in other IFC business lines who have core expertise to contribute as well as with other market stakeholders as necessary in designing and executing program elements e. Represent the Program to stakeholders at multiple levels (e.g. at industry fairs, thematic seminars, etc.)
Team Coordination: Design the team roles and responsibilities, recruit and manage a team of professionals and a resource base of consultants who can deliver on the various components: a. Set clear goals and targets for team members b. Manage the performance evaluation process for all team members, incorporating feedback across the institution as per IFC guidelines c. Adapt to different circumstances and demonstrate ability to act decisively when faced with obstacles by identifying innovative solutions and approaches d. Resolve differences across stakeholders and consider interests of multiple stakeholders in addition to clients
Communications and Reporting: a. Manage the communications and reporting required by IFC and donor partners according to IFC standards and guidelines; b. Track project performance indicators against the monitoring and evaluation plan, refocusing activities as required to meet project targets in coordination with other IFC stakeholders including the global product specialist
Budget and Financial Management: develop a detailed program budget, manage and report on financial performance according to plan: c. Ensure that the IFC pricing policy for advisory services is applied d. Control expenditures according to IFC policies and guidelines and within own approval thresholds while achieving maximum results
Knowledge Management: a. Systematically consolidate and analyze lessons learned from project implementation experience and share with team members and colleagues across the region; b. Ensure connectivity with the IFC global product team and other IFC/World Bank programs.
Selection Criteria:
Qualifications: The Candidate should be a senior professional with comprehensive and in-depth expertise in project and program management. S/he should be recognized as an expert in the field of sustainable energy finance, and in providing advisory services. S/he routinely leads complex projects and integrates work of other (often multi-disciplinary) professional staff. S/he can interact with clients at the policy level or with senior counterparts in national governments and/or other organizations with confidence. Minimum Requirements
Master degree in economics, finance, business or other relevant discipline required;
At least ten years working experience required, preferably in both the finance and energy sectors;
Proven ability to conceptualize, design and implement major projects and to produce major/complex reports or studies;
Demonstrated professional leadership and ability to lead a team of professionals in the execution of major project components;
Experience with the energy sector; familiarity with the fundamentals of energy efficiency, renewable energy, climate change, and clean technologies desirable;
Ability to engage with various stakeholders, effective influencing skills and demonstrated diplomacy;
Strong leadership, organizational, and communications skills; ability to communicate ideas clearly and confidently, articulate issues and recommend solutions. Strong presentation and written communication skills;
Relevant experience working in the East Asia Pacific region is desirable;
Fluency in English required. Mandarin preferred. IFC offers a challenging and rewarding work environment, attractive compensation and excellent career opportunities. All applications will be treated in strict confidence. Please note that only short-listed candidates will be contacted
