Senior Country Officer at World Bank Group

Cotonou, Littoral, Benin -

Full Time

Start Date

Immediate

Expiry Date

18 Oct, 26

Salary

0.0

Posted On

20 Jul, 26

Experience

10 year(s) or above

Remote Job

Yes

Telecommute

Yes

Sponsor Visa

Skills

Business Development, Investment Banking, Portfolio Management, Financial Structuring, Stakeholder Management, Credit Assessment, Risk Management, Strategic Planning, Negotiation, People Management, Due Diligence, Budget Management

Industry

International Trade and Development

Description

Senior Country Officer Job #: req37753 Organization: IFC Sector: Advisory Services Grade: GG Term Duration: 3 years 0 months Recruitment Type: International Recruitment Location: Cotonou,Benin Required Language(s): English Preferred Language(s): French Closing Date: 7/26/2026 (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 www.ifc.org IFC is looking to recruit a Senior Country Officer based in Cotonou, Benin. This position will report to the World Bank Group Country Manager for Benin. The Senior Country Officer will co-lead business development for investment, upstream and advisory services along with industries and other responsible teams. S/he will support sector teams in executing transactions and handling portfolio projects. S/he will build and maintain strong relationships with business partners and high-level representatives of governments, as well as with governmental and non- governmental organizations, to maximize the impact of IFC's intervention and to contribute to the overall development of the country and its industries. Duties and Accountabilities: Portfolio and Business development • In conjunction with the WBG Country Manager, and IFC country and industry teams, guide and support the development and implementation of a strategy for IFC's Investment, Advisory, and Upstream activities in all streams in Benin, with a focus on the key areas as per the regional strategy. • Develop a strong pipeline of investment opportunities based on market trends and sector/country knowledge and provide innovative and flexible financial structures for complex transactions. • Support the WBG Country Manager in ADM decisions, as well as in Business Integrity Risk assessment. Work across all sectors with the private sector (Financial, Infrastructure, Manufacturing and Services) and others to complete sponsor checks and due diligence. • Set standards for thoroughness in quality control and make recommendations to strengthen transactions. • Facilitate advisory services project identification and design as well as client and partner engagement strategies. • Oversee all IFC's investment, advisory and upstream activities in Benin. • Share accountability for the quality and performance of the countries’ portfolio; work jointly with the WBG Country Manager to meet scorecard targets. • Propose pragmatic solutions to specific industry challenges to achieve sustainable development impact. • Coordinate closely with social, environmental, and technical assistance colleagues to add value to clients' business. • Maintain good working knowledge of current investment, advisory, and upstream operations in Benin, and respond to queries from HQ and Regional management and staff. • Facilitate and provide guidance to visiting missions. Relationships and stakeholders • Build and maintain strong relationships with clients, global and regional businesses, banking, and multilateral partners, to further develop specific investment and advisory opportunities with high development impact in Benin. • Coordinate with industries the development of a client engagement strategy for key clients- existing or targeted. • Establish, develop, and maintain IFC's relationships with the government of Benin, both at the working and ministerial levels and represent IFC at key government, multilateral and business function. Team supervision and CO budget management • Supervise, guide and empower the country team in Cotonou. • Directly supervise under the leadership of the WBG Country Manager the administrative support staff in the office, Program Assistant and Driver. • Review and provide input to WBG CM on compensation matters, office ecology, performance and talent review, appointment/assignment renewal and other HR matters for staff in the office. • 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 Cotonou, Benin office. • In collaboration with WBG CM, review and provide feedback to office related forecast and budget formulation exercise, conduct periodic expenditure reviews with finance staff, monitor and approve bank checks and wire transfer payments. • Overall office administration and facilities management; space, vehicles, IT and security issues, office needs, expansion, relocation, and foreseen footprint requirements. Others • Participate 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 a related field and at least 12 years of relevant experience. Related fields of education include business, finance, or economics or an area of expertise specific to a sector, subject matter, or industry specialty. • Relevant experience could include a proven track record in business consulting or investment banking, or operational experience in the sector or technical or professional field. • Strong written and verbal communication skills in English and French. • Country Knowledge: Demonstrated extensive knowledge of the country including its politics, history, social dynamics, culture, economics, local markets, and regulatory framework. • Industry/Sector Knowledge: Broad knowledge of sectors and industries within Benin, including their viability for market growth, and market challenges as well as implications of environmental and social sustainability issues, and how sector dynamics may evolve within a country or group of countries. • Ability to identify opportunities for collaboration on high value projects and recognize potential investments based on a good understanding of WBG, IFC (investment and advisory), and WBG products and project requirements. • 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 Advisory unit. • Proven track record in screening and assessing investment opportunities. • Proven analytical, financial, credit, integrity assessment, and business skills as well as strategic perspective to intuitively recognize project viability and attractiveness early on, identify portfolio management vulnerabilities, and determine best approaches for managing complex transaction and portfolio risks. • Ability to tap into and leverage resources with expertise in sectors and industries, including risks, market dynamics, and regulatory structures. Ability to read and anticipate shifts in market trends and the implications for IFC’s current and future business. • Developing and Selling Solutions: Demonstrated success as a key influencer in bringing integrated solutions to concept review stage where there are significant challenges and competing interests. • Ability to develop a coherent and compelling storyline or rationale as to why specific deals are proposed and how they fit into IFC’s long-term strategies. • Negotiation Skills: Capacity to lead negotiations that find common interests upon which to build and result in viable agreements among clients and different stakeholders who initially had conflicting agendas. Ability to offer alternative solutions to capitalize on opportunities and overcome impasses. • Excellent people management skills and openness to feedback and new ideas. 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 the World Bank and IFC including our values and inspiring stories.

Responsibilities

Co-lead business development for investment, upstream, and advisory services in Benin while managing the country's portfolio and scorecard targets. Build high-level relationships with government and private sector partners and oversee the administrative operations of the Cotonou office.