Senior Operations Officer
| Job #: | req36113 |
| Organization: | IFC |
| Sector: | Knowledge Management |
| Grade: | GG |
| Term Duration: | 3 years 0 months |
| Recruitment Type: | International Recruitment |
| Location: | Washington, DC,United States |
| Required Language(s): | English |
| Preferred Language(s): | |
| Closing Date: | 4/8/2026 (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 $71.7 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.
Within IFC, the Strategy and Operations Support VPU (COSVPU) ensures that strategic objectives are clearly articulated and translated into actionable and measurable plans to drive IFC’s mission forward. The VPU also monitors progress against established milestones, proactively identifies challenges, and facilitates timely interventions to maintain momentum and achieve desired outcomes. With a focus on measurable impact, the VPU plays a vital role in embedding strategic priorities throughout the organization, thereby strengthening IFC’s capacity to deliver results and adapt to evolving global development needs.
The Strategic Initiatives and Change Management team within COSVPU maximizes IFC’s impact by facilitating strategy execution, identifying and addressing operational bottlenecks, facilitating cross-functional coordination, and reinforcing a culture of accountability and continuous improvement. By establishing robust monitoring frameworks and promoting data-driven decision-making, the team ensures that strategic initiatives are aligned with organizational goals and deliver tangible outcomes, ultimately enhancing IFC’s capacity to achieve its mission in an integrated and agile manner.
Role and Responsibilities
A critical component of the team’s mission is ensuring that new ways of working are not only implemented but are also fully embraced and sustained across the institution. IFC is seeking a Senior Operations Officer to lead this work with responsibility for designing, developing, and implementing comprehensive change management strategies for IFC’s most critical strategic initiatives. The successful candidate will act as a trusted advisor to business leaders and project teams, ensuring that stakeholders are prepared for, and supportive of, significant organizational changes. The role will be central to driving adoption and ensuring the sustainable achievement of strategic objectives.
The Senior Operations Officer will be responsible for the following key duties:
• Strategic Initiative Oversight: Provide oversight of a portfolio of corporate initiatives, monitoring overall progress, proactively identifying risks, and facilitating the resolution of cross-functional issues to ensure successful delivery against their objectives.
• Change Strategy and Planning: Develop and execute tailored change management strategies and plans for strategic initiatives.
• Impact and Stakeholder Analysis: Conduct comprehensive change impact assessments and stakeholder analyses to identify key risks, anticipate resistance, and develop targeted mitigation plans.
• Advisory and Coaching: Serve as a trusted advisor to senior leaders, business owners, and project managers, coaching them on their role and equipping them with the tools and techniques to effectively lead their teams through transformation.
• Center of Excellence: Contribute to the development and refinement of IFC’s change management methodology, tools, and templates, empowering business owners to lead smaller-scale changes more effectively.
• Collaboration: Work in close partnership with enabling functions (e.g., HR, Communications, IT, Knowledge & Learning) to ensure a coordinated and seamless approach to the implementation of strategic initiatives.
Selection Criteria
• Master’s degree with 10+ years of professional experience with a proven track record in leading complex initiatives, for example change management efforts for large-scale, complex transformation projects, preferably within a large international organization or consulting firm.
• Experience working in a multilateral development institution or similarly complex, matrixed organization with a strong understanding of governance structures, institutional dynamics, and cross‑institutional coordination.
• Exceptional communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills. Ability to articulate complex ideas clearly and persuasively to a variety of audiences, from senior executives to frontline staff.
• Sophisticated understanding of stakeholder dynamics with proven ability to influence, build relationships, and gain consensus in a complex, multicultural environment.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities; capable of diagnosing complex organizational challenges and designing effective interventions.
• Strong project management skills and a results-oriented mindset. Experience working with structured project methodologies is highly desirable.
• A pragmatic and resourceful problem-solver, with the ability to navigate ambiguity and make sound decisions under pressure.
• Formal certification in change management is highly desirable, demonstrating expertise in change management principles, methodologies, and tools.
• Resilience and adaptability to work effectively in a fast-paced and evolving environment.
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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Before applying, please make sure that you have read the requirements for the position and that you qualify. Applications from non-qualifying applicants will most likely be discarded by the recruiting manager.