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IFC - International Finance Corporation · 19 hours ago

Senior Industry Specialist - Water - req35256

Washington, DC

Full-time

Onsite

Senior Level, Lead/Staff

20+ years exp

The International Finance Corporation (IFC) is seeking a highly experienced Senior Industry Specialist in Water to support its investments and the World Bank Group's Water Strategy. This role involves delivering technical and sector due diligence for potential investments in water and sanitation, requiring extensive expertise in the water sector and a strong understanding of project finance.

FinanceFinancial ServicesFunding PlatformHedge Funds

Responsibilities

Work with IFC Investment teams to analyze potential investments (equity or debt) in the water sector as well as support the Water Strategy of the World Bank Group. This will require an initial view on Go/No-go for potential investments, including prospects in new technology areas. Once the prospect proceeds, the IS will lead the sector and technical due diligence and prepare a detailed report to be presented to the Investment Committee. This will include a review of the client’s project management capabilities, appropriate level of costs and contingencies, staffing, market and regulatory views, reviewing contracts, concession agreements, and other technical documents

The IS will work closely with investment teams and clients, provide technical and business input at all stages of the project cycle from business development, screening, appraisal, and processing to portfolio supervision, with the aim of supporting sound, impactful, and well-performing investments

The specific activities include:

Project Screening - Support investment teams in identifying and early screening of clients and investment projects, laying out strengths, opportunities, concerns, and areas for further assessment

Appraisal - Participate in project appraisals for detailed technical and commercial due diligence of investment projects, including review of market, sponsor capabilities, technologies, technology suppliers, contractors, contractual arrangements, project cost and financial projections. Produce clear, comprehensive, and independent appraisal reports

Portfolio – Participate in portfolio supervision, including site visits as necessary, to help assess technical and business performance, project implementation progress, market and regulatory developments and other factors impacting project success. Help assess potential issues and weaknesses and assist in resolving operational concerns, with constructive engagement

Support IFC’s efforts for business development in the water and sanitation sector by conducting business development trips, representing IFC and the WBG at conferences, developing relationships at the senior level and helping identify new clients as well as identify emerging market opportunities and potential areas for growth. This will include working with colleagues from other IFC practices as well as the wider World Bank Group to identify synergies and harness shared opportunities to expand the role of the private sector in water in emerging markets

Support IFC’s investment and advisory work with water utilities, such as those that are part of the Utilities for Climate program (www.ifc.org/u4c):

Support water utility clients through advisory services covering areas such as Non-Revenue Water reduction, sludge management, climate adaptation, etc. Help design, evaluate and implement advisory engagements with clients, sharing in-house expertise and mobilizing external consultant support

Liaise with IFC current and prospective clients, consultants and co-investors as required; Prepare Terms of Reference and supervise studies to be carried out by consulting firms

Lead the development of technical content for IFC’s and the WB knowledge platforms, both for external clients and for internal knowledge sharing

Benchmark costs and develop high level tools for preparing estimates

Qualification

Water sector expertiseProject finance investmentsWater utility managementTechnical due diligenceProfessional Engineer qualificationEmerging markets experienceConsultant managementAnalytical skillsIT skillsLanguage proficiencyCommunication skillsLeadership experience

Required

A Master's degree and at least 20 years of relevant experience with a water utility and/or in the water engineering and/or in the construction sector

A professional qualification relevant to the water sector such as Professional Engineer

Extensive experience of working with, or being part of, water utility senior management (C-Suite) with proven track record of operational improvements

Experience of managing and providing leadership for small technical teams

Able to demonstrate extensive experience of the delivery of water projects in emerging markets

Experience of drafting terms of reference to engage consultants and the management of the work of consultants

Sound business judgment to identify the strengths and weaknesses of Projects

Strong analytical, verbal and written communication skills

Experience of working in emerging markets and a willingness and ability to travel extensively internationally

Excellent communication skills in both oral and written English

Good IT skills and proficient in the MS Offices suite of applications

Preferred

Familiarity with recent developments and technologies in the water and sanitation sector

Understanding of construction, operations, PPPs, and performance-based contracting

Ability to evaluate capital and operational cost parameters for different technologies

Knowledge of industry benchmarks and best practices for evaluation of operational efficiencies

Proficient in additional languages skills (including, but not limited to, Spanish, Portuguese and French) are an advantage

A post graduate degree in a water related field and/or business is an advantage

Benefits

Retirement plan

Medical, life and disability insurance

Paid leave, including parental leave

Reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities

Company

IFC - International Finance Corporation

IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, is the largest global development institution focused exclusively on the private sector in developing countries.

Founded in 1956

Washington, District of Columbia, USA

1001-5000 employees