Principal Country Officer Job #: req33428 Organization: IFC Sector: Operations Grade: GH Term Duration: 3 years 0 months Recruitment Type: International Recruitment Location: Baghdad,Iraq Required Language(s): English Preferred Language(s): English and Arabic Closing Date: 6/20/2025 (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 Principal Country Officer will play a critical role in developing and operationalizing IFC’s strategy at the country level, in coordination with stakeholders across the WBG. The Principal Country Officer will establish and maintain senior public and private sector relationships within Iraq, carry out business development efforts, provide strategic oversight of IFC advisory, upstream and investment programs in the country as well as oversee the Baghdad office administratively.
This position is based in Baghdad and will report to the Regional Manager, KSA, Iraq and Lebanon. Duties and Accountabilities: Iraq Country Operations • In collaboration with relevant IFC and WB teams, (i) support the Regional Manager in the formulation and execution of country strategies and diagnostics. • Oversee the implementation of IFC/WBG’s strategy (CPF) for Iraq and integrated delivery of investment, upstream and advisory services to meet the needs of clients and advance the growth of IFC/WBG business in Iraq.• Support the Regional Manager and Divisional Director in the advisory and upstream ADM decisions.• Cultivate and maintain high level relationships with key partners in Iraq, including government agencies, private sector, industry organizations, multilateral and bilateral agencies, World Bank, MIGA, CSOs and other partners and represent IFC at key government, multilateral and business function.• Keep abreast of macro-economic developments that can impact IFC’s activities in Iraq and provide regular inputs to Country and Regional Industry management teams as needed in coordination with CME Economic Program Leader (within Regional Country Economics Unit). • Identify areas of new strategic engagement to be considered by IFC, in close coordination with regional industry colleagues, the World Bank, and other stakeholders.• Support IFC business development efforts, provide support during transaction execution and portfolio management closely working with relevant IFC and Bank colleagues, as relevant.• Maintain good working knowledge of investment, advisory, and upstream operations in Iraq, and respond to queries from HQ management and staff.• Provide strategic input on local issues to investment, upstream and advisory teams.• Liaise with IFC investment teams to monitor progress and performance of IFC projects in Iraq.• Identify, analyze, monitor, and help address key country and sponsor related reputational risks that may be associated with any IFC engagements in Iraq.• Disseminates best practices and lessons learned and manages learning and knowledge flows, including full suite of IFC products and solutions related to IFC’s country program with various stakeholders.• Analyze issues and make recommendations on matters requiring Regional Manager or Divisional Director approval. • Directly supervise under the leadership of the Regional Manager the administrative support staff, country office analysts and undertake quality control of key Country office outputs including strategies, monthly reports and briefs.• Develop and/or review memos and briefings for senior management approval.• Represent IFC and/or support the CME Management Team to represent IFC in key private and public sector, donor, World Bank or other DFI-led events and meetings as appropriate.• Participate in targeted business events and conferences to support IFC’s activities in Iraq.• Communicate key developments in Iraq to relevant corporate stakeholders in coordination with the Regional Manager. • In partnership with the Regional Manager, Communications, and other relevant colleagues, develop and implement appropriate communications strategies for IFC in Iraq. Baghdad Office Administration • Oversee day-to-day running of IFC’s Baghdad office, including being responsible for office budget, facilities, security, and logistics. • Supervise members of the Iraq Country Team (operations and administrative staff) and provide mentoring. Ensure quality control of work products and efficient use of resources.• Oversee and approve budget for administrative needs, as well as office related expenses in SAP and E-service transactions.• Review and approve monthly accounting, bank and petty cash reconciliation reports for IFC Iraq office.• Overall office administration and facilities management; space, vehicles, IT and security issues, office needs, expansion, relocation, and foreseen footprint requirements.• Review and provide inputs on compensation matters, office ecology, performance and talent review, appointment/assignment renewal and other HR matters for staff in the office.• Represents the IFC in the country-level UN Security Management System. • Participate and play the key role in Crisis Management Team to manage current and potential security and crisis situations in the country, partner with Corporate Security Team in preparation and implementation of crisis management plan for the country.
Selection Criteria
• Master's degree in Business, Economics, or a related field;• More than 15 years of professional experience in banking, consulting, relationship management in public and/or private sector/technical advisory services particularly related to private sector development and/or business environment. Experience of development related investment and/or advisory work will be a positive. • Experience in investment transactions, with shown success in developing client relationships as well as sourcing, negotiating, structuring, and closing quality investments; Portfolio management experience is a plus;• Prior experience in working in a large FCS country similar to Iraq including experience of handling security situations and staff evacuation with a strong local industry and government network is desirable.• Demonstrated strong country knowledge including politics, history, social dynamics, culture, economics, local markets, and regulatory framework. • Deep understanding of sector drivers, business/market development cycles within a country, as well as implications of environmental and social sustainability issues, and how sector dynamics may evolve.• Strong eye for identifying potential investment and advisory opportunities; capacity to identify and help address gaps and barriers for market creation opportunities in assigned country by tapping into relevant internal expertise and synthesizing information on local regulatory and economic context, industry/sector structure, and constraints clients are facing to grow their business.• Good business analytical, financial analysis, credit, and integrity assessment skills to recognize viable projects, what is bankable and what is not, and how to assess and approach risk/reward trade-offs.• Proven track record of developing and maintaining senior level public and private sector client relationship skills. Ability to focus on client needs effectively, and ability to operate independently with senior counterparts in a credible manner.• Ability to initiate and guide collaborative efforts with WBG organizations to leverage their products and instruments, in close coordination with the Regional and Country Economics unit.• Strong interpersonal and leadership skills, ability to work successfully in multicultural teams and across boundaries, to build networks across IFC, including the ability to mentor and coach others to achieve results;• Excellent written, verbal communication and presentation skills in English.• Proven track record of excellent organizational, administrative, and time management skills; ability to deliver in tight deadlines.• Willingness to travel.