Operation Officer - Upstream & Advisory Job #: req34915 Organization: IFC Sector: Operations Grade: GF Term Duration:ย 3 years 0 months Recruitment Type: Local Recruitment Location: Manila,Philippines Required Language(s): Preferred Language(s): Closing Date: 12/3/2025 (MM/DD/YYYY) at 11:59pm UTC
Description
Build a career with impact. Working at the World Bank Group (WBG) provides a unique opportunity to help countries solve their greatest development challenges. As one of the largest sources of funding and knowledge for developing countries, the WBG is a unique partnership of five global institutions dedicated to ending poverty, increasing shared prosperity, and promoting sustainable development. With 189 member countries and more than 120 offices worldwide, the WBG works with public and private sector partners, investing in groundbreaking projects and using data, research, and technology to develop solutions to the most urgent global challenges.
The International Finance Corporation (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 2025, IFC committed a record $71.7 billion to private companies and financial institutions in developing countries, leveraging private sector solutions, and mobilizing private capital to create a world free of poverty on a livable planet. For more information, visit: https://www.ifc.org
The Financial Institutions Group (FIG) is one of three major industry groups at IFC, responsible for managing roughly 40% of IFCโs overall business in terms of volume and capital at risk.ย IFC is seeking an Operations Officer for the Upstream and Advisory Services department within FIG, with deep operational and/or investment expertise in the financial sector, which could include SME Finance, Capital Markets, Sustainable Finance, Digital Banking/Fintech, Housing Finance, and/or Insurance. Experience or expertise in the Sustainable Finance and/or Capital Markets industry/sectors is especially desirable.ย
The selected candidate will be based in Manila, the Philippines, and will focus on leading and supporting the development of a high-quality Upstream and Advisory pipeline in the country. S/he will also support policy work and other interventions across WBG to prioritize various initiatives and maximize the impact of Upstream and Advisory efforts.
Duties and Responsibilities:
The roles and responsibilities of the position will include but not be limited to:
Project Development and Market Creation:โข ย Support the identification, design, and development of high-quality Upstream and Advisory initiatives in the financial sector, aligned with IFCโs country and sector strategies.โข ย Lead individual projects or components of projects, depending on need, including MSME/SME financing, sustainable finance, digital transformation, and capital markets initiatives.โข ย Develop feasibility studies and implementation plans that translate upstream concepts into actionable Advisory and Investment opportunities.โข ย Analyze commercial and development viability of new market opportunities, products and platformsCollaboration and Stakeholder Engagementโข ย Collaborate across IFC investment, advisory, and other World Bank Group teams, to ensure synergies in policy dialogue, diagnostics, and project design.โข ย Engage with clients, regulators, and industry associations to identify barriers to private sector participation and propose actionable solutions.โข ย Support the coordination of partnerships and donor-funded initiatives that underpin Advisory and Upstream work programs.
Knowledge, Analytics, and Innovation:โข ย Conduct sector-specific data analysis and stress testing of financial and operational models to generate new ideas for projects, products, and scalable platforms.โข ย Identify emerging trends, technologies, and business models that can enhance financial inclusion, sustainability, and innovation in the Philippines and the wider region.โข ย Contribute to lessons learned and dissemination activities to strengthen knowledge sharing across the Financial Institutions Group and the WBG.
Delivery and Portfolio Management:โข ย Monitor progress of assigned Upstream and Advisory projects, track milestones, and support quality assurance of deliverables.โข ย Contribute to internal documentation and reporting, ensuring timely project updates, risk assessments, and results measurement.โข ย Support client relationship management by maintaining regular dialogue and identifying opportunities for future engagement and investment.
Selection Criteria
The ideal candidate combines strong operational experience in the financial sector with a proven ability to originate, structure, and deliver market-creating initiatives, and to engage effectively with public and private stakeholders:
โข ย Master's degree in a related field and 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.โข ย Strong understanding of the financial sector in the Philippines, including one or more of the following areas: SME finance, capital markets, sustainable finance, risk management, or digital financial services.โข ย Capacity to understand, enable, and participate in market creation opportunities for the Philippines by demonstrating long-term perspective, open-mindedness, persistence, innovation, and ability to leverage all available tools, and good understanding of the roles and value-add of IFC and the WBG in the Philippines.โข ย Demonstrated ability to conduct financial and market analysis, prepare feasibility studies, and assess commercial and development viability of projects.โข ย Proven experience contributing to the design and implementation of advisory, investment, or operational projects, preferably within financial institutions.โข ย Experience in managing project teams in high pace environments.โข ย Ability to engage effectively with financial institutions, regulators, and other stakeholders to identify challenges and co-develop practical solutions under guidance from senior staff.โข ย Ability to participate and constructively contribute in meetings with mid-level government and regulatory entitiesโ officials on the constraints to private sector investment in the Philippines.โข ย Strong interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to work effectively in cross-functional and multicultural teams, including with World Bank Group colleagues.โข ย Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English; able to prepare clear reports, presentations, and project documentation. Fluency in Tagalog is an asset.โข ย Proactive, analytical, and adaptable, with a strong interest in market creation and private sector development. Demonstrates integrity, attention to detail, and ability to deliver high-quality outputs within deadlines.
This role suits a proactive, entrepreneurial professional who can bridge analytical rigor with strategic vision to expand IFCโs impact in the Philippines.
WBG Culture Attributes:
1. Sense of urgency: Anticipate and quickly respond to the needs of internal and external stakeholders.
2. Thoughtful risk-taking: Challenge the status quo and push boundaries to achieve greater impact.
3. Empowerment and accountability: Empower yourself and others to act and hold each other accountable for 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 theย World Bankย andย IFC, including our values and inspiring stories.