Operations Analyst

Operations Analyst

Job #: req33054

Organization: IFC

Sector: Agribusiness

Grade: GE

Term Duration: 3 years 0 months

Recruitment Type: Local Recruitment

Location: Washington, DC,United States

Required Language(s): English

Preferred Language(s):

Closing Date: 5/14/2025 (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 Manufacturing, Agribusiness & Services (MAS) industry department of IFC provides both investment (long-term financing) and advisory services (AS) to private sector enterprises. Within MAS Agribusiness advisory services are housed under four knowledge “platforms”. These platforms provide support to both regional teams implementing client facing projects as well as donor programs and corporate initiatives such as “Agriconnect”. The role of the platforms is to test and develop AS products, capture lessons and results, and disseminate knowledge. One of the platforms –the Smallholder Supply Chain platform – focuses on the integration of smallholder farmers, small-scale rural enterprises, and agri-entrepreneurs into the supply chains of IFC’s agribusiness clients.

Duties and Accountabilities

MAS Agribusiness is seeking to hire an Operations Analyst to support the Smallholder Supply Chains Platform, reporting to the Global Platform Lead. The Analyst will be responsible for coordinating the overall activities of the Supply Chains Platform, with a focus on knowledge management (KM), sharing best practices, and standardizing tools and advisory products. The role aims to serve regional teams and IFCs agribusiness clients to build secure and sustainable supply chains that integrate smallholder producers and Agri-SMEs. The Analyst will coordinate the Platform’s offerings to enable cost-effective sourcing of agricultural raw materials for client agribusinesses, particularly in lower-income countries and fragile and conflict-affected states, ensuring greater efficiency, transparency, and reduced risks related to environmental and social standards. In this capacity, the officer will serve both internal IFC staff and external stakeholders. The Analyst will work closely with the globally dispersed IFC agribusiness advisory team and various independent service providers. Specific contributions of the Analyst will include the following:

Supporting the MAS AS Smallholder Supply Chains Platform

• Coordinating the overall activities of the Smallholder Supply Chains platform and the related knowledge (KPD) projects covering supply chains and agri-entrepreneurship. Tasks include updating the project budget, managing day-to-day project administration, preparing reports for donors and management, tracking and reporting on the monitoring and evaluation (M&E) framework, and managing contracts and engagements with vendors, consultants, and partners.

• Working with IFC clients and IFC colleagues to deliver technical support in the areas of local sourcing from smallholder farmers, improved supply chain integrity and lowering of supply chain risks.

• Initiating and managing efforts to improve the collection, management, and dissemination of development results data and knowledge from advisory project implementation and the utilization of the Platform’s knowledge products and tools within the team and among partners.

• Providing technical and operational support for IFC's regional advisory work, including contributions to client pitch books, the development of advisory project concepts and implementation plans.

Agribusiness Leadership Program (ALP)

• Coordinating and contributing to specific content within the Agribusiness Leadership Program (ALP) to build the capacity of cooperatives, SMEs and other key actors in smallholder supply chains.

• Supporting the development and implementation of Digital ALP content on external facing platforms such as the WB Open Learning Campus (OLC)

• Coordinating the design and implementation of capacity-building interventions for aggregators (producer organizations, lead farmers) and agri-SMEs (retailers). This includes coordinating digital self-paced, hybrid, and in-person learnings, in coordination with team of subject matter experts, instructional designers and digital learning specialists.

• Supporting Smallholder Supply Chains Platform/ALP Conferences and other knowledge sharing events. Designing and developing engaging agendas and supporting others to plan, develop and execute impactful sessions, ensuring that clear objectives and outcomes are established and met.

Support for Corporate Initiatives

• Contributing to cross-department collaboration within IFC and across the World Bank Group. This includes high profile initiatives such as “Agriconnect” and the WBG Academy (where ALP is incorporated) as well as developing collaboration opportunities with World Bank teams building on the successful work in the Gambia and Djibouti and advancing the new proposals in Ethiopia and Togo. Within IFC the work includes collaboration with the Financial Institutions Group and the warehouse receipts program.

• In consultation with other MAS colleagues, performing data analysis and developing presentations, including managing data visualizations such as dashboards, to monitor the development impact of advisory projects.

• Collaborating with MAS staff and the partnerships team in preparing proposals for development partners to secure financial resources, supporting ongoing multi-stakeholder donor-funded engagements, and contributing to donor reporting.

Selection Criteria

• Master's degree in economics, agribusiness management, business administration, or a related field, with a minimum of 5 years of directly relevant experience.

• Excellent writing and communication skills. Fluency in written and spoken English is required; proficiency in other languages is a plus.

• Experience working with private sector entities, particularly agribusinesses. Hands-on experience with grassroots institutions and farmer organizations is an asset. Experience in emerging markets, especially Africa, is a plus.

• Proven experience in coordinating and implementing client-facing smallholder supply chain development projects.

• In-depth knowledge and understanding of the operations and dynamics of agricultural value chains, preferably in Africa or Asia, is a plus.

• Experience working within IFC operations, including analytical and advisory services, is desirable. Experience with the implementation of client-facing advisory projects is a plus.

• Excellent conceptual and analytical skills, with the ability to address both macro and micro issues, and a track record of excellence in analytical work.

• Demonstrated ability to combine analytical rigor with practical solution-oriented approaches, and understanding of agribusinesses working with smallholder supply chains in developing countries.

• Familiarity with IFC's internal project supervision and completion reports, donor reports, and project budget management systems is desirable.

• A track record of publications related to the dynamics of agricultural value chains and smallholder supply chains in emerging markets is a plus.

• Competence in project management, including the preparation of project reports and related communication materials.

• Demonstrated ability to work flexibly and independently on a range of assignments, and to produce high-quality output under tight deadlines.

• Ability to function effectively in multi-disciplinary teams and work sensitively in multi-cultural environments. Must enjoy working in a fast-paced environment with short deadlines and changing priorities and be able to collaborate with a diverse group of colleagues.

• Data analytics & visualization skills –storytelling with data, basic statistical analysis and basic programming skills are desirable.

• Ability to mentor and support new and junior technical staff in deepening their expertise.

• Experience with cross-institution collaboration within the World Bank Group is desirable.

• Strong leadership and organizational skills.

• Ability to meet expectations regarding quality, time, and budget.

Note: This internal requisition is open to WBG and IMF staff only (including short-term and extended term consultants/ temporaries). External candidates are requested not to apply. In case an external candidate applies, their application will not be considered.

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.

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