Short Term Consultancy – Lilongwe, Malawi at IFC – International Finance Corporation

Do you want to build a career that is truly worthwhile? Working at the World Bank Group provides a unique opportunity for you to help our clients solve their greatest development challenges. The World Bank Group is one of the largest sources of funding and knowledge for developing countries; a unique global partnership of five institutions dedicated to ending extreme poverty, increasing shared prosperity and promoting sustainable development. With 189-member countries and more than 120 offices worldwide, we work 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. For more information, visit www.worldbank.org.

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 2022, IFC committed a record $32.8 billion to private companies and financial institutions in developing countries, leveraging the power of the private sector to end extreme poverty and boost shared prosperity as economies grapple with the impacts of global compounding crises. For more information, visit www.ifc.org

The IFC has embarked on an ambitious new strategy to stimulate more investment activity, especially in Low Income Countries (LICs) and Fragile and Conflict affected States (FCS). This new strategy aims at creating our own opportunities for private investments in riskier markets by proactively working in these countries to create, deepen, and expand the markets themselves.

The IFC is looking to recruit a Short-Term Consultant (STC) in Lilongwe, Malawi. This position reports to the Resident Representative based in Lusaka, Zambia coordinating with the IFC Country Management Unit (CMU) based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

The Short-Term Consultant will promote and coordinate IFC’s investment and advisory activities in Malawi. Under the guidance of the IFC Country Manager/Resident Representative, they will assist in leading, overseeing and monitoring the performance of the IFCs program in Malawi to create an environment attractive to private sector investment and that results in sustainable development impact and grow IFC portfolio. The role requires close interaction at a high level with the private sector, government, and international development organizations, as well as key counterparts in the World Bank Group (WBG) to develop new business and support the structuring and negotiation of deals. The STC will be expected to work flexibly on a wide range of assignments, both independently and as part of several teams, and to multi-task with an orientation to results.

Main tasks are summarized as follows:

• Support the IFC Country Manager/Resident Representative and the IFC teams with business development in Malawi.
• Promote IFC country strategies and objectives in Malawi as directed by the IFC Country Manager/Resident Representative.
• Lead market and industry research as well as undertake data collection and information gathering as requested by the IFC Country Manager/Resident Representative operational teams covering Malawi.
• Support CMU and other programs in sharing data and information on market trends, potentials, challenges and opportunities for doing business in Malawi.
• Support IFC operational teams and other programs to implement their activities and initiatives in Malawi with guidance from the IFC Country Manager/Resident Representative.
• Coordinate incorporation of climate and gender lens in projects and programs implemented in Malawi.
• Provide advice and disseminate information on private sector development to all stakeholders in Malawi including regulatory agencies, bank, micro-finance institutions, small and medium enterprises, consulting firms, and small business support institutions.
• Respond to stakeholder’s enquiries; facilitate and coordinate meetings with IFC/WBG operational teams and country stakeholders.
• Adhoc support to the IFC Country Manager/Resident Representative on regional issues.

Selection Criteria

• Master’s degree or equivalent, and minimum 10 – 12 years’ experience, with at least 6-years of these in senior level experience in business consulting, strategy etc.
• A demonstrated ability to support investment and advisory programs in Africa.
• Ability to assess business opportunities and potential risks for various IFC industry programs
• Ability to conduct market and industry research independently.
• Good understanding of IFC’s core business lines their range of products and instruments, how they complement each other, and how they may be leveraged to match the long-term needs of clients and open new markets.
• Proven track record in nurturing client relationships, business development, and resolving challenging issues.
• Ability to represent IFC externally and to develop and manage relationships with government, media, donors, and other stakeholders.
• A successful track record in identifying, structuring and working externally with sponsors and internally with sector staff to create bankable investment potential with advisory components.
• A team player with outstanding people management skills, strong influencing skills and ability to work with colleagues from different teams not reporting directly to this position, to achieve objectives while maintaining strong client service orientation.
• Strong analytical and presentation skills, working with data using standard office software Excel, Word, PowerPoint.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English.

Method of Application

Interested candidates should submit their Cover letter and CV  to cafhr@ifc.org with the Subject line as “Short Term Consultancy – Lilongwe, Malawi”.