Associate Operations Officer - IFC - Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic

Job #: 123108

Title: Associate Operations Officer

Job Stream: Technical Assistance & Advisory Services

Location: Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic

Closing Date: 01/15/2013

Background / General description:

The Organization: IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, fosters sustainable economic growth in developing countries by financing private sector investment, mobilizing capital in the international financial markets, and providing advisory services to businesses and governments. IFC’s vision is that poor people should have the opportunity to escape poverty and improve their lives. In Europe and Central Asia we support the region’s economic recovery by expanding access to finance, improving infrastructure, and tackling climate change through a mix of investments and advisory services. Access to Finance Advisory services help to increase the availability and affordability of financial services for individuals and micro, small and medium enterprises. Our advisory services often accompany the financial investments, giving clients the benefit of in-house expertise from seasoned sector specialists. We also partner with consultants familiar with local conditions to provide solutions suited to the unique characteristics of a particular country. Our projects include assistance to banks and specialized financial institutions in improving their ability to provide financial services to micro, small, and medium enterprises. The Project: The successful candidate will work with two of the IFC’s projects in the region: Azerbaijan & Central Asia Microfinance Transformation Support Project (ACAMFI) and Kyrgyz Republic Housing Microfinance Advisory Services Project (KHMF), dividing the time equally and reporting to the ACAMFI Project Manager and the KHMF Project manager. IFC launched its Azerbaijan & Central Asia Microfinance Transformation Support Project in 2008. The goal of the project is to support microfinance institutions in Azerbaijan, Tajikistan, the Kyrgyz Republic, and Kazakhstan in their corporate transformation processes and to improve the regulatory framework for microfinance in the region. More recently, a component on responsible finance has been added to the Project. The Project also partners with relevant knowledge leaders to facilitate provision of best practice advice regarding microfinance sector regulation, as needed. Overall, the project helps to develop a broader range of financial services and increase access to finance for micro entrepreneurs and general population across the region. Additional information about the Project is available at the IFC website: http://www1.ifc.org/wps/wcm/connect/RegProjects_Ext_Content/ifc_external_corporate_site/camfi_home Through its Kyrgyz Republic Housing Microfinance Advisory Services Project (KHMF), IFC helps improve housing conditions for low-income Kyrgyz households by introducing to the local financial institutions an innovative housing microfinance lending product, enabling them to provide funding for home improvements to low-income residents. Additional information about the Project is available at the IFC website: http://www1.ifc.org/wps/wcm/connect/region__ext_content/regions/europe+middle+east+and+north+africa/ifc+in+europe+and+central+asia/countries/improving+housing+microfinance

Duties and Accountabilities:

Scope of the position: The Officer will assist the KHMF Project Manager and the ACAMFI Program manager in the overall management and delivery of the Projects. In particular, the successful candidate will be responsible for relations with microfinance institutions, regulator, as well as Project partners and contractors including but not limited to financial institutions, consulting companies, short-term consultants, engineering companies, construction designers, builders, suppliers of construction materials, etc. Responsibilities: • Prepare work plans and timelines for Project management planning. • Develop contacts and manage relationships with the regulator, the microfinance sector, individual microfinance institutions, and Project partners/contractors. • Develop materials for seminars, as well as advice and training for the Projects partners and clients. • Manage internal relationships within IFC as necessary, including IFC investment staff. • Prepare donor reports and IFC reports, including maintaining relevant back-up filings and recording of M&E data in IFC systems. • Provide consultations to, and develop reports for clients and other Projects partners. • Deliver presentations and training to clients and Projects partners. • Supervise and control day-to-day activity of Projects contractors. Ensure high quality of materials developed by the contractors. • Facilitate reviews and comment on materials developed by Projects contractors, local laws, codes, regulations and framework tools as necessary. • Contribute to IFC’s global knowledge base and corporate initiatives. • Represent IFC and the KHMF Project Manager and the ACAMFI Program Manager as needed. • Assist the managers in any other duties that may be required.

Selection Criteria:

Qualifications and Minimum Requirements: • Master’s or equivalent professional degree in business, economics, or law • At least five years of work experience in the area of microfinance or banking. • Experience on private sector development projects or in working with or providing advisory services would be an asset • Strong organizational, and communications skills. • Ability to multi-task and ensure successful reporting to multiple managers • Oral and written fluency in English and in Russian. Knowledge of Kyrgyz language is a plus. • Experience in the area of residential construction would be an asset.

Apply Online