Operations Officer

Role overview

The International Finance Corporation (IFC), part of the World Bank Group, is looking for an Operations Officer to join the Country Advisory & Economics team for Eastern and Southern Africa. This role is based in Harare, Zimbabwe, and may also involve work across other countries in Southern Africa. The position supports country and sector advisory work that helps remove barriers to private sector growth and improves market conditions for investment.

The assignment is a local recruitment role at grade GF with a term of 3 years. English is required for the role. The closing date is 6/26/2026 at 11:59pm UTC.

About IFC and the World Bank Group

The World Bank Group is a global partnership of five institutions working with public and private sector partners to address development challenges, reduce poverty, and support shared prosperity and sustainable development. IFC is the World Bank Group institution focused on the private sector in emerging markets, operating in more than 100 countries to create markets, mobilize capital, and support inclusive economic growth.

IFC’s strategy emphasizes increasing investment activity in emerging markets, especially in low-income countries and fragile and conflict-affected states. A key part of this strategy is stronger country and sector diagnostics, strategic work, and public sector engagement to unlock private sector opportunities and shape investment-ready markets.

Team context

The Country Advisory and Economics team for Eastern and Southern Africa provides country economic diagnostics, strategy work, and engagement support, while also assisting operational teams and country units across the World Bank Group. Its work includes economic analysis, country strategies, and advisory engagement with governments, regulators, civil society, and development partners to address market constraints.

What you will do

• Contribute to business development and delivery of projects in a way that reflects client priorities and market realities, while coordinating closely across the World Bank Group.
• Take part in senior client discussions and help monitor implementation of reforms that are intended to unlock investment and advance public policy dialogue.
• Help produce strong project implementation, supervision, and completion documentation, ensuring outputs are delivered on time and meet quality standards.
• Work with World Bank and IFC teams to support reforms that open new markets and collaborate with upstream colleagues.
• Help oversee the advisory portfolio in Zimbabwe and, where needed, in other countries in Eastern and Southern Africa, maintaining consistency and quality.
• Support engagement with senior government and private sector counterparts to strengthen IFC and World Bank Group visibility.
• Assist with research and diagnostics that inform clients and stakeholders on policy issues.
• Contribute to project budgeting and financial management to support efficient implementation.

What we are looking for

• A master’s degree in law, economics, business, finance, or a closely related subject, or a relevant professional qualification.
• Between 5 and 8 years of experience in private sector development, particularly in delivering reform-oriented advisory work.
• Strong experience working with government clients; practical exposure to public policy work that supports private sector development is a strong advantage.
• Good understanding of IFC and World Bank Group products and instruments, with experience in cross-organizational collaboration considered beneficial.
• Ability to design research and analytical work that can lead to new market opportunities or new ways of thinking about thematic issues.
• Strong command of MS Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, plus the ability to learn new systems quickly; familiarity with project management tools is an added advantage.
• Excellent writing, speaking, and presentation abilities, with fluency in English required.

Working style and culture

• A sense of urgency in responding to stakeholder needs.
• Comfort with thoughtful risk-taking and challenging existing approaches to increase impact.
• A collaborative mindset that supports accountability and empowers others to deliver results.

Benefits

• Comprehensive benefits package.
• Retirement plan.
• Medical, life, and disability insurance.
• Paid leave, including parental leave.
• Reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities.

Equal opportunity

The organization is committed to an inclusive workplace and does not discriminate on the basis of gender, gender identity, religion, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or disability.