Job Description

Operations Officer – Manufacturing, Agribusiness & Services, Western Balkans

Job #: req38680 Organization: IFC Sector: Operations Grade: GG Term Duration: Open-Ended Staff (OPEN-OP) Recruitment Type: International Recruitment Location: Tirana,Albania Required Language(s): English Preferred Language(s): Closing Date: 10/20/2026 (MM/DD/YYYY) at 11:59pm UTC

Description

At the International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group (WBG), you’ll join a diverse, global community working across cultures, disciplines, and borders to address the world’s most pressing development challenges. With 1.2 billion young people reaching working age in the decade ahead, the challenge of job creation has never been greater. Through partnerships across 145 countries and more than 182 offices worldwide, we work with governments, private sector, development partners and other stakeholders to invest in people, strengthen markets, and deliver scalable, data-driven solutions that generate more and better jobs and improve lives. In fiscal year 2026, IFC committed a record $105.6 billion to private companies and financial institutions in developing countries. For more information, visit www.ifc.org.

IFC’s Manufacturing, Agribusiness & Services (MAS) Industry Group invests in manufacturing, agribusiness and services, including health, education, tourism, retail and property. These sectors provide essential goods and services, create jobs and can account for as much as 80% of a country’s economic activity. For more information, visit www.ifc.org. MAS Europe seeks an Operations Officer based in IFC’s Tirana office. The role focuses on business development, upstream, advisory and client relationship management, with primary coverage of Albania, Kosovo and North Macedonia. It works closely with MAS colleagues and the wider WBG to build bankable pipeline, mobilize private capital and deliver on the WBG Scorecard.

Duties and accountabilities:

• Lead the origination and evaluation, and support structuring and negotiation of new transactions aligned with Country Partnership Frameworks of the countries in Europe by anticipating market trends, client needs and employing sector/country knowledge
• Shape business leads into actionable concepts ready for mandate by identifying and screening potential investment opportunities, preparing investment thesis, and leading the structuring of those opportunities that strike a balance between the client’s expectations and protecting IFC’s and other investors’ rights
• Develop and manage Upstream and Advisory programs, including project design, implementation, supervision, monitoring, reporting.
• Work Upstream and co-create One WBG initiatives to develop bankable opportunities that enable IFC investment and deliver WBG Scorecard outcomes, including PCM, MSMEs and more and better jobs
• Bring lessons learned from previous transactions and evaluations of development impact into discussions on the design and structuring of new transactions
• Use networks to keep projects moving and collaborate with key internal stakeholders to obtain buy-in on deals and negotiate risk and mitigation strategies. Ensure seamless communication flow and cooperation among all WBG team members and external stakeholders
• Develop assigned staff and members of the broader team through mentoring, coaching, and providing on-the-job learning opportunities
• Contribute to One WBG delivery with IBRD, MIGA and the Knowledge Bank, converting sector engagements into investable pipeline
• Mobilize additional investors and funding to maximize development impact
• Contribute to knowledge management, strategy development, and sharing of best practices within IFC and externally
• Engage with external stakeholders, including government officials, regulators, industry associations, and multilateral partners, for sector development and advocacy

Selection Criteria

• Master’s degree in finance, economics, business or a related field, or another relevant field.
• Minimum 8 years of relevant experience in development finance, management consulting, corporate finance, early stage project development, advisory or investment.
• Experience originating or advancing transactions, or upstream advisory engagements that enable investment, and working with co-investors to mobilize private capital.
• Experience in financial modelling, credit analysis, due diligence and structuring financing solutions.
• Knowledge of MAS sectors, market trends and regulatory environments in the Western Balkans or wider Europe; experience working across WBG institutions an advantage.
• Ability to engage credibly with senior client management, government officials and partners, and to work in diverse, multicultural teams.
• Excellent written and verbal English; regional languages an advantage; willingness to travel frequently.

As the World Bank Group continues to evolve, we value candidates who:

• Demonstrate the ability to collaborate effectively across teams, disciplines, cultures, and institutional boundaries.
• Responsibly leverage digital and AI-enabled tools to enhance productivity, learning, and decision-making.
• Bring experience working in fragile, conflict-affected, and violent (FCV) contexts and are encouraged to highlight relevant experience in their application materials, where applicable.

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.