Financial Officer

Financial Officer

Description

Do you want to build a career that is truly worthwhile? Working at the World Bank Group provides a unique opportunity for you to help our clients solve their greatest development challenges. The World Bank Group is one of the largest sources of funding and knowledge for developing countries; a unique global partnership of five institutions dedicated to ending extreme poverty, increasing shared prosperity and promoting sustainable development. With 189 member countries and more than 130 offices worldwide, we work with public and private sector partners, investing in groundbreaking projects and using data, research, and technology to develop solutions to the most urgent global challenges. For more information, visit www.worldbank.org

The World Bank Group (WBG) Treasury.

WBG Treasury is the Vice Presidency (VPU), reporting to the Managing Director and World Bank Group Chief Financial Officer, performing treasury functions for the IBRD, IDA and IFC and, to varying degrees, other members of the World Bank Group and other public and private sector entities. Its activities are organized and grouped into the following divisions: Capital Markets; Asset Management; Client Solutions & Structuring; Treasury Operations; Treasury Partnerships & Advisory; and Treasury Risk, Compliance & Controls. Treasury has been a large and significant participant in the international financial markets for over eighty years and has achieved a global reputation as a prudent and innovative borrower, investor, and risk manager. Treasury is responsible for: (i) managing approximately $300 billion in assets for the World Bank Group and other official sector investors; (ii) leading IBRD's, IDA's and IFC’s triple-A rated financing programs in international and domestic bond and derivative markets; (iii) conducting asset and liability management for IBRD's, IDA’s and IFC's balance sheets; (iv) overseeing the development and outreach related to the financing and hedging products the WBG provides for its developing-country clients; and (v) collaborating with the World Bank member countries to help build their financial markets related capacity through advisory services. Staff in Treasury regularly interact and work with other Departments across the Bank and IFC finance, operations, and investment teams.

Treasury Client Solutions & Structuring (TRECS)

As part of WBG Treasury, the Client Solutions & Structuring department (TRECS) provides structuring expertise and advisory services for financial products offered by IBRD, IDA, and IFC – including risk management, structured finance, local currency financing, derivatives and debt capital market solutions. The department has responsibility for asset-liability management and contributes to product innovation and financial policies.

Financial Products (TREFP)

The Financial Products team, under Treasury Client Solutions & Structuring (TRECS) Department, works with the public sector (sovereigns and sub-sovereign entities) to design and implement financial products and provides advisory services that help clients maximize access to development financing and mitigate risks. 

The WBG Treasury’s Sustainable Finance Program is housed within the TREFP team. The Program is the World Bank Group's leading platform for helping emerging-market governments mobilize private capital through labeled bonds, loans, and other innovative capital-market instruments. To date, the Program has helped public sector borrowers raise over $32 billion from international capital markets, with landmark transactions across emerging markets in every region of the world. The Program operates across the full sustainable finance ecosystem, engaging public sector borrowers, financial regulators, policymakers, institutional investors, national and local governments, state-owned enterprises, and national development banks. Its support spans the structuring and issuance of sovereign and sub-sovereign labeled thematic instruments, including green, blue, and social bonds; the development of green and sustainable finance taxonomies; and advising on regulatory frameworks, strategies, and investor communication. 

The Program seeks to recruit a financial officer, serving as a sustainable bond structuring adviser, with significant experience in structuring and executing debt capital market transactions to help grow and develop its bond advisory business in emerging markets. The financial officer, based in Washington, DC, will primarily be responsible for providing structuring and execution advice to public-sector borrowers (Ministries of Finance, development banks, state-owned enterprises, cities, and municipalities) on labeled, globally issued thematic bonds. While the primary focus is on bonds and loans, the candidate is also expected to contribute to other areas of innovative product development, research, and knowledge, as applicable. 

Duties & Accountabilities:

• Coordinate with relevant government ministries, central banks, and debt management offices to integrate Sustainable Finance Frameworks and strategies into the client's broader debt management strategy.

• Advise clients on optimal capital market solutions, propose financing solutions to sector challenges, and achieve sustainable development impact in line with the WBG’s vision and mission.

• Advise clients on issuance of labeled thematic bonds; develop bond/loan frameworks, advise on governance arrangements, and how to meet international standards and market expectations.

• Guide clients through the Second Party Opinion (SPO) process, helping clients understand the scope, requirements, and implications of external review processes and providing quality assurance support to identify gaps and advise on remediation prior to issuance.

• Monitor evolving global sustainable finance trends and relevant regulatory developments and market standards and assess their implications for client strategies and WBG advisory approaches.

• Engage with institutional investors — including asset managers, pension funds, insurance companies, and ESG-focused funds — to understand their investment criteria, appetite for sovereign sustainable finance instruments, and expectations regarding framework quality and reporting.

• Active relationship management with underwriters and arrangers in multiple jurisdictions

• Facilitate investor consultations and roundtables.

• Source and onboard a strong pipeline of emerging market clients 

• Develop and provide training and guidance to WBG operational staff and clients

• Support the WBG's broader market development agenda by contributing to thought leadership, market outreach events, and knowledge products related to sovereign sustainable finance.

• Undertake research to promote the integrity of the sustainable bond/loan market and write market updates, reports/papers, and guides on sustainable financial solutions.

• Collaborate with the WBG Knowledge Bank to establish priority areas for joint efforts; integrate sustainable finance advisory into broader country engagement strategies; and maintain effective working relationships with all.

• Draft briefing notes, presentations, framework documentation, and advisory reports with high standards of clarity and technical rigor.

• Contribute to the development of TREFP's internal knowledge base on sustainable finance, including preparation of case studies, lessons learned, and best practice guidance notes.

• Represent TREFP in internal working groups, external conferences, and forums related to sustainable finance, capital markets, and sovereign debt management.

• Mentor and train junior staff.

• Assist with other projects or strategy-related activities, as the need may arise.

The Financial officer is expected to have a good understanding of financial products offered by multilateral development banks, sustainability challenges and opportunities, and ESG market trends. 

Selection Criteria

•Master's degree in finance, economics, or other related areas. 

•Minimum 8-10 years of experience in debt capital markets, with an in-depth understanding of industry trends in sustainable capital markets, sustainability challenges and opportunities, and financial products offered by multilateral development banks. 

•Solid track record of structuring public sector (especially sovereign) labeled thematic bonds in emerging markets.

•Demonstrated experience advising sovereign, state-owned, and institutional clients on sustainable finance (bond) frameworks, labeled sustainable bond instruments, and national taxonomies.

•Ability to interact directly and independently with senior government officials and financial and technical partners.

•Strong understanding of sustainable finance taxonomies, international sustainable finance standards (e.g. ICMA Green Bond Principles, Social Bond Principles, Sustainability-Linked Bond Principles, LMA Green Loan Principles, LMA Social Loan Principles, CBI Taxonomy, ICMA Harmonization Guide), and sustainability reporting standards

•Understanding of public financial management and government budget systems;

•Direct experience supporting second-party opinion and independent verification processes.

•Proficiency in financial data analysis, with the ability to synthesize complex information and translate it into clear, client-ready recommendations.

•Experience engaging with institutional investors, ESG rating agencies, or capital market participants.

•Experience of working in a commercial bank’s structuring team or Second Party Opinion provider firm 

•Excellent English writing and oral communication skills; ability to present complex technical content clearly to non-specialist audiences.

•Strong interpersonal and cross-cultural communication skills, with experience working across diverse geographies and institutional contexts.

•Ability to manage multiple client engagements simultaneously and deliver high-quality outputs under time pressure.

•Collaborative mindset with experience working in multidisciplinary teams.

•Ability to independently set priorities and manage an intense, rapidly changing work program;

•Fluency in English is required. Spanish, and/or French is a plus;

•Enthusiasm for and commitment to development work;

•Highest ethical standards;

•Proactivity.

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.