TERMS OF REFERENCE
Short-Term Consultant for Project Support and Implementation
Financial Institutions Group Upstream Unit
May 2022
1. BACKGROUND
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 2021, IFC committed a record $31.5 billion to private companies and financial institutions in developing countries, leveraging the power of the private sector to end extreme poverty and boost shared prosperity as economies grapple with the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. For more information, visit www.ifc.org [1].
IFC’s Financial Institutions Group (FIG) works with about 800 financial institutions with products including investment and advisory support for microfinance, insurance, loans to small and medium enterprises and women-owned businesses, and low- and medium-income mortgages. Our work has helped strengthen financial institutions and systems, reinforcing responsible finance, enabling them to play a constructive role in economic growth, and introducing environmental and social standards in many clients for the first time. Our FIG Upstream Unit combines IFC’s roles as bank and entrepreneur to bring private sector solutions and investment to address the world’s biggest development challenges by creating new markets and new opportunities.
In Southeast Asia, IFC’s FIG Upstream Unit will soon launch several projects, amongst others, in Vietnam and Cambodia for which it is seeking consultant support.
2. SCOPE AND TASKS
IFC is seeking a Short-Term Consultant (STC) to support the FIG team in delivering projects with the desired outcomes and managing internal and external workflows efficiently.
The Consultant will work directly with the FIG Upstream team based in Vietnam. The tasks in this role include, but are not limited to:
- Contribute to upstream project design, planning and execution across a range of initiatives carried out by the FIG upstream team in Southeast Asia
- Support the FIG Upstream team in project implementation.
- Investigate bankability of business models and project concepts; undertake preliminary structuring of investment transactions; map out paths and milestones to investment concept approval.
- Conduct targeted research to enable appropriate project design, including assessment of sector dynamics, identification of market gaps/barriers, and analysis of economics of products and services in the market.
- Support relationships with World Bank, government and private sector stakeholders in support of project design and execution.
- Managing internal processes and workflows, including procurement of external advisors.
- Assist in the development of the Financial Institutions Group’s knowledge management strategy and assist in execution of this strategy.
- Coordinate with IFC industry teams to develop and maintain pipeline of Upstream projects
3. SELECTION CRITERIA
- MBA or equivalent qualification.
- 5+ years of experience in finance, including project, structured or corporate finance.
- Substantial expertise in identifying, evaluating, structuring, and negotiating debt, equity and or risk sharing transactions; robust understanding of investment products and bankability criteria.
- Substantial knowledge of capital markets and financial sectors in general; familiarity with markets in Asia.
- Demonstrated interest in business development and client relationship management; ability to focus effectively on client needs.
- Practical familiarity with advisory project design & implementation involving private sector clients, including managing or contracting consultants.
- Sound business judgment to identify potential business partners.
- Demonstrated experience conducting and distilling market-oriented research, creating and refining excel based financial models, and applying a creative approach to problem solving in a project design/implementation context.
- Knowledge of a theme/sub-sector of interest to the FIG upstream program in Asia (capital markets, structured products, agrifinance, climate, digital financial services, housing finance) would be a plus.
- Capacity to deal with conflicting priorities and deliver high quality work on schedule; facility to work successfully in multicultural teams and across boundaries.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English. Vietnamese language would be a plus.
- Genuine commitment to highest ethical standards and to sustainable development.
4. LOCATION
The assignment will take place in Vietnam, with occasional domestic travel as required. It is highly preferred that the consultant is based in Vietnam or within the Asia region.
5. TIMELINE
The consultant is expected to work up to [100 days over 10 months], starting from [01 August] 2022 to [30 June] 2023, with the possibility of an extension depending on business needs and performance.
6. REPORTING
The consultant will report to the Senior Operations Officer FIG Upstream based in Hanoi, Vietnam.
7. CONTACT
Submission deadline: 10th July 2022.
Please contact [email protected] [2] for any additional queries.