Associate Country Officer – Country Strategy & Investment, Central America

Associate Country Officer – Country Strategy & Investment, Central America Job #: req33520 Organization: IFC Sector: Investment Grade: GF Term Duration: 3 years 0 months Recruitment Type: Local Recruitment Location: Panama City,Panama Required Language(s): English, Spanish Preferred Language(s): Closing Date: 7/1/2025 (MM/DD/YYYY) at 11:59pm UTC

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. Our mission is to leverage the power of the private sector to end extreme poverty and boost shared prosperity on a livable planet.

The Regional Country Office in Panama (CCMPA), as part of IFC’s Latin America and Caribbean (LAC) Department, plays a central role in the functioning of IFC’s matrix organization to bring regional information and perspective to IFC decision making. CCMPA is responsible for: (a) leading the formulation of IFC’s regional strategy; (b) monitoring and communicating IFC’s project pipeline, portfolio performance and strategy implementation in the region; (c) monitoring political, macro-economic, sectoral and financial market developments, and keeping senior management informed of these developments and potential impact on IFC’s activities and strategies; (d) maintaining dialogue with the government, locally based stakeholders, and other parts of the World Bank group, (e) supporting business development for investment, upstream and advisory services along with industries and other responsible teams, and (f) coordinating investment, upstream and advisory services program in collaboration with Regional Industry Departments.

To fulfill this role, CCMPA is seeking for an Associate Country Officer to be based in Panama City, Panama. The candidate must be a self-starter, capable of taking initiative to cover a range of tasks, able to thrive in a small, entrepreneurial team/environment and be able to work independently with minimal supervision.

Duties and Accountabilities:

•   Support the Country Manager and Country Officers in the development of a comprehensive IFC strategy for Panama and other countries in the Central America region; including providing the economic context of IFC’s activities as needed. A key skill for this role is to help \"translate\" the macroeconomic context/assessment into the regional/country operational strategy.
•   Act as a local focal point for the Country Manager/Country Officers, working closely with operational staff and liaising with the Regional Strategy Team to ensure adequate support to Operations on the economic front, at the project level and strategy level.
•   Together with Regional management, prepare IFC inputs to WBG initiatives in Panama and other Central American Countries, including Systematic Country Diagnostics, Country Partnership Frameworks, progress reports and other joint initiatives.
•   Participate in IFC’s investment and advisory project processing cycle (business development, project development, due diligence, etc.). Such participation includes input and revision of relevant sections of investment and advisory project documents (macro-economy and country context).
•   Support Country Officers in business development activities for investment, upstream and advisory services along with industries and other responsible teams.
•   Support the development of documents reflecting IFC’s activity in Panama and other Central American Countries, providing inputs on project pipelines, opportunities, events, trends and risks for management briefs, reports, presentations, and country economic updates.
•   Conduct market analysis and client mappings to identify new target clients; perform desktop reviews of potential clients including financial analysis and detailed background checks.
•   Conduct analysis and research support across sectors and regions to prepare communication materials (i.e pitchbooks and proposals to clients) as necessary.
•   Monitor and update a pipeline of current and upcoming projects and update management as needed; maintain a client pipeline database as well as other Excel based trackers.
•   Establish and maintain quality relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including clients and prospective clients.
•   Support the Country Manager and Country Officers in outreach to stakeholders and relationships with development finance institutions, donors and IFC member governments.
•   Contribute to and share knowledge on new corporate initiatives relevant for the country.

Selection Criteria

•   Master's degree in a related field and at least 4 years of relevant experience. Related fields of education include business, finance, or economics. Relevant experience could include business consulting, corporate or investment banking, or operational experience in the sector or technical or professional field.
•   Country Knowledge: Experience in and strong knowledge of the countries and the region including their business environment, politics, history, social dynamics, culture, economics, local markets, and regulatory framework.
•   Strong analytical and problem-solving skills and sound business judgment to identify issues and present creative and practical solutions.
•   Familiarity with IFC or similar Development Finance Institutions' areas of focus and relevant experience in country context.
•   Demonstrated quantitative, financial analysis and/or modeling skills.
•   Ability to write in a logical and comprehensive, yet concise manner.
•   Team player with an ability to execute tasks timely and effectively.
•   Ability to manage and complete multiple projects simultaneously and to meet deadlines under high pressure.
•   Ability to utilize graphics and tables to effectively and creatively present data. Advanced user level proficiency in PowerPoint, Excel, Word is a must.
•   Ability to distill and summarize large amounts of information from various sources to prepare business documents and presentations.
•   Languages – Excellent verbal and written communication skills in Spanish and English.

WBG Culture Attributes:

1. Sense of Urgency – Anticipating and quickly reacting to the needs of internal and external stakeholders.
2. Thoughtful Risk Taking – Taking informed and thoughtful risks and making courageous decisions to push boundaries for greater impact.
3. Empowerment and Accountability – Engaging with others in an empowered and accountable manner for impactful results.

World Bank Group Core Competencies

The World Bank Group offers comprehensive benefits, including a retirement plan; medical, life and disability insurance; and paid leave, including parental leave, as well as reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities.

We are proud to be an equal opportunity and inclusive employer with a dedicated and committed workforce, and do not discriminate based on gender, gender identity, religion, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or disability.

Learn more about working at the World Bank and IFC, including our values and inspiring stories.