Senior Private Sector/Financial sector Specialist

This position is based in Nairobi with a primary focus on Kenya. Kenya has just concluded a national election and is keen to move on with its development program. The development of the private sector is key in the government’s strategy. The World Bank has completed the (Country Partnership Framework (CPF) for Kenya and the development of the private sector and support to MSME’s is a central part of the CPF. The FCI practice has an active program on the development of the financial sector and private sector in Kenya. This position offers an opportunity to be an integral part of the Bank’s growing engagement in Kenya and represent FCI in a key role in this engagement. The FCI program is robust and covers the spectrum of Private and Financial Sector Development with engagements in Infrastructure Finance, SME growth, Risk Insurance, Financial Sector Deepening, Competitiveness and Entrepreneurship.

Job Duties and Responsibilities:

• Contribute to or lead the FCI policy dialogue on issues relating to investment, trade, private sector and financial sector development, particularly focusing on creating opportunities for investments supporting economic transformation (at national and sub-national level) and employment, while actively participating and contributing to multi-sectoral teams involved in policy-based discussions/operations.
• Contribute to or lead specific operational activities at all stages of the project cycle for ASA and Lending Operations, including participation in the design and development of specific project components, and supporting the implementation of ongoing FCI projects/activities.
• Work closely with the Program Leaders/Country Economists and CMUs to ensure the integration of relevant private sector and financial issues in country strategies, SCDs/CPFs and work programs and country policy dialogue and engagement.
• Perform quality research and analytical tasks on a wide range of operational, country and sector issues, providing expert interpretation of information/data, identifying key pertinent issues and recommending targeted actions/solutions.
• Coordinate and Participate as a member of FCI missions (preparation, appraisal, supervision), conduct independent discussions with client representatives on selected problems and issues identified by task managers, and participate in negotiations.
• Develop effective coordination mechanisms on policy dialogue and ASA dissemination with the Global Practices, IFC and donors.
• Support the FCI team in the preparation of briefing material on country program/sector and project issues and follows up on portfolio issues.  Produce technical notes, briefings, presentations, etc. as requested by Management.
• Business Development: cultivate strategic relationships with country clients and the CMU.
• Knowledge Management, and Teamwork: promote synergies across product teams, providing support through trouble shooting, anticipating problems and solving them.
• IFC Coordination: Coordinate and work with the IFC as needed on relevant diagnostics, advisory work and operational activities.
• Donor Collaboration: Support the partnership with the donor community and facilitate/participate in formal and informal meetings with key development partners, civil society and other stakeholders. 

Selection Criteria

This job requires a seasoned Private Sector Development (PSD) professional with strong client relationship management, technical and operational (lending and ASA) skills.  He/she will have demonstrated an ability to manage and mentor teams effectively and deliver results on the ground.  The following qualifications will be considered:

• Masters level or equivalent qualification with minimum 8 years of relevant professional experience in the areas of finance, business, management, economics or related discipline.
• The ideal candidate should have solid knowledge and experience in the one or more topic areas: business environment and investment climate, investment policy and promotion, competitive industries and sectors, infrastructure finance, SME upgrading, entrepreneurship, competition policy and issues, as well as good understanding of financial sector issues.
• Strong experience in designing lending operations and leading analytical ASAs in the private sector development space.
• Work experience in Kenya and the broader Africa region would be an added advantage.
• A combination of experience inside and outside (including in the private sector or the government) the World Bank Group (including familiarity with Bank Group products, policies and procedures), and within the Bank having experience of leading lending projects and ASA activities, as well as Trust Funded activities, would be ideal.
• Proven capacity to engage in and influence policy discussions at the country level on private sector development, investment and competitiveness issues.
• Possess strong internal and external client engagement skills and ability to collaborate and work across boundaries.
• Outstanding judgment on operational, country, and practice issues. Strong results focus, with a track record of leading teams to deliver high impact projects and activities.
• Strong track record in working collaboratively with IFC, development partners and across EFI PGs on key analytical and lending operations will be an advantage.
• Should be a mature professional with a demonstrated ability to mentor and incentivize teams, inspire confidence in senior country officials, and work in a culturally diverse environment.
• Excellent writing and presentation skills in English. High proficiency of Arabic would be a plus.