The Senior Program Officer, International Financial Institutions (IFIs - AfDB, ADB, WB, IFC, IFAD, IsDB, NDB, CDC incl. Funds like LLF, GCF, TAAT), will lead Agricultural Development (AgDev) team’s engagement with IFIs in service of AgDev’s programmatic objectives.
Areas of Responsibility:
- Develop deep understanding of agriculture strategy (objectives, sub-sectors, geographies), investments portfolio and operating structure of IFIs in our priority geographies and globally.
- Landscape and keep abreast of agriculture investments in developing countries by IFIs to inform and shape BMGF investment pipeline.
- Effectively implement investments using existing innovative financing instruments to drive agriculture transforming in developing world - BMGF priority countries and others. (E.g. LLF).
- Develop and manage relationships with agriculture counterparts in IFIs through consistent engagement and clear communication and in close collaboration with GPA (Global Policy & Advocacy).
- Identify programmatic opportunities and relevant mechanisms in partnership with teams in AgDev to leverage portfolios of IFIs to advance programmatic objectives.
- Structure and lead partnership opportunities (co-investments using grants, loans, equity and other instruments, technical assistance, strategic alignment) in specific areas for AgDev.
- Coordinate technical input from the AgDev team to IFI investments where applicable and bring lessons from IFI investments to the Ag Dev team to inform BMGF program investments.
- Develop joint policy priorities with IFIs in common priority countries and regions.
- Research and independently provide the analyses and draft the concept notes to inform AgDev policies on existing and anticipated issues related to IFI engagement.
- Partner closely with the foundation’s GPA and Finance teams to implement specific deals.
- Support GPA in developing leadership engagement between the foundation and the IFIs.
- Support deal teams in close collaboration with finance, legal and other colleagues, including initial screening, investment structuring, due diligence and financial reviews.
- Support AgDev leadership in managing IFI portfolio and act as interface between AgDev and foundation investment committee with regards to risk exposure and investment performance for relevant investments.
- This role is responsible for high quality interactions and clear and consistent communications.
Skills/Experience:
- Thorough knowledge of strategy, operations, and priority setting mechanisms of one or more IFIs.
- 10+ years of experience in structuring investments and developing partnerships for IFIs.
- Deep familiarity with data and evidence on agriculture policies, issues and constraints in developing countries.
- Extensive experience living/working in a low-income country context, with 5+ years in direct ownership and delivery of agriculture services.
- Knowledge of various loan, equity and guaranty financial structures.
- A mindset that guides and motivates the team to explore new approaches and partners and take risks that can potentially accelerate our pathway to improve lives of small holder farmers.
- Negotiations expertise involving complex institutional relationships, financial transactions, public-private partnerships, and national and sub-national governments.
- Work experience requiring effective support of a highly skilled and demanding client base, serving as counselor on ground-breaking, emerging strategic and financial issues in a complex and evolving policy environment.
- Demonstrated ability to structure and lead institutional partnerships, support teams and gain the respect of others.
- Intellectual quickness, curiosity, discipline, resourcefulness and resilience.
- Ability to work with flexibility, efficiency, enthusiasm, and diplomacy both individually and as part of a team effort.
- Demonstrated passion for the foundation’s values with commitment to deliver results against the foundation’s mission.
- The highest personal and professional integrity, along with a sense of humor.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills to convey complex situations in a clear and concise manner with a broad and diverse audience.
Additional Information:
As part of our standard hiring process for new employees, employment with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation will be contingent upon successful completion of a background check.
Job Function:
Organization Info
Listing Stats
Post Date:
Nov 26 2017
Active Until:
Dec 26 2017
Hiring Organization:
Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation
industry:
Nonprofit