Program Manager – Bangladesh and Nepal

Program Manager – Bangladesh and Nepal Job #: req35579 Organization: IFC Sector: Grade: GH Term Duration: 4 years 0 months Recruitment Type: International Recruitment Location: Dhaka,Bangladesh Required Language(s): English Preferred Language(s): Closing Date: 2/26/2026 (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 in developing countries. In fiscal year 2025, IFC committed a record $71 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 www.ifc.org.

IFC is looking to recruit a Program Manager responsible for Bangladesh and Nepal. This position is based in Dhaka, Bangladesh.

The Program Manager will be critical in operationalizing IFC 2030 and enabling the Cascade at the country level.  She/he will be responsible, in close collaboration with WBG counterparts, for developing operational country strategies and action plans and driving their implementation. The Program Manager will oversee portfolios of IFC in Bangladesh and Nepal. The prospects for continued growth in both investment and advisory activities are very good. The mandate of the Program Manager will be to significantly build the portfolio, develop new opportunities for IFC in Bangladesh and Nepal, and enhance IFC development impact.

The Program Manager will be responsible for all IFC activities in Bangladesh and Nepal and will serve as a collaborative lead for a multidisciplinary team of investment, advisory services, support staff, and consultants. This will require close interactions with corporate clients, governments, counterparts at the World Bank, MIGA, and other multilateral/bilateral institutions and donors, as well as internal coordination within IFC with Regional Industry Directors and Managers, Advisory Services Managers, and constituent Executive Directors. The Program Manager will report to the South Asia Regional Division Director.Duties and Responsibilities:
Business Management
• In consultation with and under the guidance of the South Asia Regional Division Director, develop, design, and implement multi-year country strategies and implementation plans for integrated investment and advisory operations aligned with the Country Partnership Framework (CPF), including upstream engagements, sector priorities, and business targets;• Oversee all IFC investment and advisory activities in Bangladesh and Nepal;• Lead the coordination with World Bank Group institutions and oversee with the regional industry colleagues (and other colleagues in IBRD/IDA and MIGA) the design and implementation of one-WBG approaches, the Joint Business Plans (JBPs) and other forms of proactive collaboration at the country level.  Fully contribute and drive on behalf of IFC the development of Systematic Country Diagnostics (SCDs), Country Climate Development Reports (CCDRs), Country Private Sector Diagnostics (CPSDs) and CPFs as well as their updates as needed;• Lead IFC’s engagement with government, private sector, and key stakeholders to identify and deliver optimal private sector solutions, while driving business development and maintaining a robust pipeline of impactful, bankable projects;• Coordinate systematically with World Bank and MIGA in terms of developing one-WBG approaches to enable private sector solutions and scale up private capital mobilization;• Identify areas where IFC can catalyze market development through upstream engagements and innovation based on a thorough understanding of local markets and best practice from IFC global experience as well as promote systematically upstream market creation and policy reforms to improve the enabling environment for private investment and enable mobilization of private capital;• Take accountability for early review and clearance of sponsors for all investments and AS clients’ programs, review and validate IFC added-value, development impact and fit with IFC strategy in Bangladesh and Nepal;• Carry out all Program Manager responsibilities under the prevailing accountability for decision making (ADM) matrix at IFC;• Oversee portfolio performance, addressing implementation issues to ensure high-quality results.• Maintain oversight of fundraising efforts and plans in coordination with the WBG partnerships team and in alignment with the country strategy. 
Relationship Management
• Manage and develop relationships with key clients (private companies, government agencies and civil society organizations) at the highest level of seniority and position IFC as the partner of choice to support high development impact projects in Bangladesh and Nepal. • Build relationships with key stakeholders (including bilateral and multilateral agencies, academia, local governments, relevant regulators, businesses, NGOs, PE Funds, and investors);• Lead/coordinate with industry teams the development of client engagement strategies for existing and new clients. Conduct due diligence across sectors such as energy, finance, transport, ICT, health, and agribusiness, ensuring rigorous client vetting and integrity standards. Support 
Country Team and Resource Management
• Lead, manage, develop and mentor an integrated and diverse team consisting of regional and industry staff, ensuring that the team is high-performing, well-motivated, innovative, well-trained, has clear deliverables and is committed to the success and sustainability of the IFC franchise and IFC operations in Bangladesh and Nepal; • Oversee portfolio performance, addressing implementation issues to ensure high-quality results;• Identify and implement measures to improve country results in terms of efficiency, productivity, profitability and impact and increase their contribution to the corporate scorecard; • Manage IFC office operations, including budgeting, facilities, IT, security, and HR matters such as performance reviews and staff development;• Assume responsibility for IFC’s duty of care obligations towards staff. Implement safety and security programs for staff and assets, and represent IFC in the UN Security Management System at the country level.
Communications and Cross-Institutional Knowledge
• Strengthen IFC “brand”, building on IFC regional brand and the overall communications strategy including engaging with local media;• Represent and provide visibility for IFC in the target markets including through organizing/participating in high profile events;• Foster a culture of innovation and disseminate best practices, manage knowledge flows across IFC and WBG platforms, and ensure transparent communication of results internally and externally in coordination with communications teams.

Selection Criteria

• MBA or equivalent professional qualification and a minimum of 12 relevant work experience (at least 2 of which must have been in a managerial or leading capacity);• As an ambassador representing IFC in the country, Program Manager must be a role model for ethical behavior values of IFC;• Significant experience with proven success in developing client relationships. Strong client relationship management skills, with an existing network of relevant top-level contacts in the country’s private and public sector, and/or demonstrated ability to build such a high-level client network.• Outstanding and proven track record of performance in investment and advisory activities;• Strong leadership capabilities and experience managing people, especially leading diverse and high performing teams; • Ability to represent IFC externally with government, media, clients, donors, and other stakeholders;• Ability to think strategically and adjust the country strategies as needed so that it remains responsive to the needs of client countries, and in coordination with development partners;• Experience in transaction processing and portfolio supervision a strong plus;• Work experience in Asia Pacific and specifically South Asia and a strong interest in developing a thorough understanding of Bangladesh and Nepal;• Ability to build successful relationships across the matrix structure in IFC and the World Bank Group;• Strong written and oral communications skills, English is essential;• Recognized as a leader; • Ability to develop innovative solutions and challenge the status quo to build IFC business as part of a one WBG and image in the market.
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.

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.