Regional Industry Manager, MAS, Agribusiness & Forestry, East & Southern Africa

Job #: req36805
Organization: IFC
Sector:
Grade: GH
Term Duration:  4 years 0 months
Recruitment Type: International Recruitment
Location: Johannesburg,South Africa
Required Language(s): English
Preferred Language(s): French, Arabic
Closing Date: 6/4/2026 (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 in developing countries. In fiscal year 2025, IFC committed a record $71 billion to private companies and financial institutions in developing countries, leveraging private sector solutions, and mobilizing private capital to create a world free of poverty on a livable planet. For more information, visit www.ifc.org.

Its goal is to create new investment opportunities by working "upstream" to create, deepen, and expand markets and design and develop potential investment projects. This strategy is, in part, premised on improved diagnostic, strategic, and public sector engagement capabilities, which seek to: 1) resolve obstacles to private sector growth via diagnostic and strategic work that informs both IFC operations and relevant World Bank policy operations; and 2) overcome the shortage of investable projects in priority markets by proactively improving the private sector ecosystem at the country and regional level.

Manufacturing, Agribusiness and Services (MAS) is one of IFC’s key strategic priorities and the department engages in a wide range of sectors including agribusiness & forestry, chemicals & fertilizers, construction materials, health & education, machinery, manufacturing, tourism, retail, and property. The Department also seeks to maintain IFC, as part of the World Bank Group, at the cutting-edge of helping clients find solutions to new and emerging MAS issues.

IFC is seeking a Regional Industry Manager for its Agribusiness & Forestry operations in the East & Southern Africa Region.

The Manager will be responsible for supporting business development and portfolio management in the region. She/he will work closely with the management and relevant colleagues across WBG. She/he will also coordinate on a continuous basis with the Country Managers, the Africa MAS Leadership team, as well as other relevant Departments/Divisions within IFC, such as Risk, Legal, Environment and Social, Treasury, etc. She/he will have direct supervisory responsibility over the investment staff and analysts, and other staff as determined. The Manager will report to the Regional Industry Director, Agribusiness MAS Africa.

Duties and Accountabilities
• Lead and manage the Agribusiness and Forestry team in the region and ensure the team is high-performing, well-motivated and committed to the success of IFC;
• Lead business development efforts, collaborating with the regional/country teams and global teams;
• Manage portfolio of Agribusiness and Forestry in the region. Ensure a sound portfolio including generation of repeat business;
• Manage selected MAS client relationships and ensure high level of client satisfaction;
• Execute and manage a pipeline of investments in the Agribusiness and Forestry sector across the region to meet IFC’s impact and profitability targets and support origination of the pipeline;
• Assume transaction manager role and provide credit and investment guidance to teams as well as quality control and credit on teams’ output;
• Work closely to coordinate, leverage and support the Upstream and Advisory services in implementation of strategy for MAS;
• Work with Managers in the Financial Institution and Infrastructure Departments to explore areas of joint ventures to expand IFC’s business;
• Execute the strategy for IFC’s Agribusiness and Forestry in the region including Food Security, in partnership with the regional and industry management and relevant World Bank Group colleagues, including key business targets for the MAS sector’s regional investment program, with a focus on high impact projects.  Drive AgriConnect agenda to create more and better jobs in the agri space as well as linking farmers to the market. Collaborate with colleagues across WBG for this goal.  This shall unlock investment opportunities (e.g. motivate African banks to lend more to the farmers and IFC FIG/MAS to structure risk sharing facilities, packaged with farmer capacity building advisory).
• Mentor and develop MAS Agribusiness staff in the region. Create convulsive environment for the staff to work productively under phycological safety;
• Develop IFC’s brand in the region, building on IFC’s global brand and the overall communications strategy;
• Be part of and actively contribute to the MAS Africa Leadership Team.

Selection Criteria

• MBA or equivalent professional qualification and a minimum of 12 relevant work experience (at least 2 of which must have been in a managerial or leading capacity);
• Familiarity with several sectors related to agribusiness & forestry, chemicals & fertilizers, construction materials, health & education, machinery, manufacturing, tourism, retail, and property;
• Experience sourcing and structuring complex investment transactions in the MAS sectors with a proven track record and proven success in developing client relationships and processing quality investments;
• Awareness of environmental and social sustainability issues usually associated with projects in MAS;
• Strong sense of service to clients and demonstrated business development aptitude. Proven success in developing client relationships and executing quality investments;
• Ability to deliver high quality work within deadlines to meet team objectives;
• Good “deal sense” based on demonstrated strong analytical skills and sound business judgment;
• Ability to develop innovative solutions and challenges the status quo in order to build the business;
• Excellent people management skills and openness to feedback; new ideas and ability to guide staff to solutions to problems;
• Strong written and verbal communications skills;
• Ability to work in the matrix as an integral part of the Regional Industry Department;
• Ability to collaborate closely with other parts of the World Bank Group, other DFIs and financing institutions and banks;
• Demonstrated leadership skills and strong team work and communications in a highly diverse, virtual environment;
• Ability to plan and manage staff to achieve high quality results and encourage innovation in an open team-based environment, inspiring trust and influencing and resolving differences across organizational boundaries;
• Meet Bank Group-wide managerial selection criteria including courage of your convictions, leading the team for impact, influencing across boundaries, fostering openness to new ideas, building talent for the future.

WBG Culture Attributes:

1. Sense of urgency: Anticipate and quickly respond to the needs of internal and external stakeholders.
2. Thoughtful risk-taking: Challenge the status quo and push boundaries to achieve greater impact.
3. Empowerment and accountability: Empower yourself and others to act and hold each other accountable for results.

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.

Learn more about working at the World Bank and IFC including our values and inspiring stories.

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