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. Our mission is to leverage the power of the private sector to end extreme poverty and boost shared prosperity on a livable planet.
The Global Water, Cities, Waste and Circularity team is recruiting an experienced Industry Specialist to support IFC's strategic drive to increase investments and advisory engagements in the sustainable waste management sector with emphasis on energy recovery and material recycling based on a circular economy approach.
The Industry Specialist, to be based in Washington DC, will be an integral member of the Global Waste & Circularity team and work closely with regional infrastructure teams, supporting business development, project assessment and portfolio supervision across the waste value chain. The successful candidate is expected to have robust technical and market experience, especially in waste valorization, preferably across both developed and emerging markets, have sound business judgment, and be able to work in transaction teams by providing expert opinions on the technical, commercial and regulatory aspects of investment and advisory opportunities from across our global network. The position will have a global focus and involve regular travel commitments.
Duties and Accountabilities • Working closely with investment teams and clients, provide technical and business input at all stages of the project cycle from business development, screening, appraisal, and processing to portfolio supervision, with the aim of supporting sound, impactful, and well-performing investments.
• Project Screening - Support investment teams in identifying and early screening of clients and investment projects, laying out strengths, opportunities, concerns, and areas for further assessment.
• Appraisal - Participate in project appraisals for detailed technical and commercial due diligence of investment projects, including review of market, sponsor capabilities, technologies, technology suppliers, contractors, contractual arrangements, project cost and financial projections. Produce clear, comprehensive, and independent appraisal reports.
• Portfolio – Participate in portfolio supervision, including site visits as necessary, to help assess technical and business performance, project implementation progress, market and regulatory developments and other factors impacting project success. Help assess potential issues and weaknesses and assist in resolving operational concerns, with constructive engagement.
• Advisory – Help design, evaluate and implement advisory engagements with clients, sharing in-house expertise and mobilizing external consultant support.
• Liaise with IFC current and prospective clients, consultants, co-investors, technology providers, and EPC contractors; and
• Hire and supervise consultants and consulting firms to conduct market and technical studies, project analyses, and other support services, as required.
Strategy, business development and knowledge products:
• Contribute substantively to market creation and business development activities by using sector business experience, networks, and expertise
• Grow IFC business in waste & circularity by providing sector expertise in pitching opportunities to potential clients;
• Contribute to sector and country strategy development, market assessments, and identifying market potential and market creation activities;
• Assess, identify and opine on market opportunities, trends, issues and challenges;
• Work closely with colleagues from other IFC practices as well as the World Bank to identify synergies and harness opportunities;
• Support the development of targeted knowledge products to disseminate internally and externally; and
• Participate in developing and implementing IFC's overall sector strategy in the waste & circularity area.
Selection Criteria
• Master's degree in engineering, environment, urban or related technical field;
• Sound business judgment to identify the strengths and weaknesses of projects and company business plans, and to provide independent evaluation of technical, market, regulatory, and environmental and managerial issues;
• At least ten years of relevant experience across the sustainable waste management value chain – from collection, transport, treatment to disposal. Extensive technical and business experience in waste valorisation, including through recycling & recovery operations and technologies; and waste-to-energy technologies will be a strong plus.
• Strong experience and understanding of:
o Latest developments and technologies in the waste sector, including the value chains related to residential, commercial, municipal, industrial, hazardous and biomedical wastes, and their applicability to developing economies;
o Materials Recovery Facility (MRFs) and other related technologies (e.g. plastic extrusion) utilized in the recycling industry to sort & process various non-organic waste fractions to make them ready (including bailing, pelletizing, etc.) for sale to buyers (whether re-processors or manufacturers) of the recovered materials (metals, plastics, glass, cardboards, paper, etc.);
o Industry players who provide such technologies and its operations & maintenance, their track record and suitability in the context of emerging market waste management systems;
o The type of non-organic waste stream and its quality and composition suitable for recycling at MRFs and other recycling facilities – including ability to achieve sufficiently high-quality standards for offtake to international markets;
o Business models, technology and O&M costs associated with recycling operations in both developed and emerging markets;
o Purchasers/off-takers of the recycled materials; industry competitive dynamics and risks in the recycled materials market; pricing and commercial, contractual arrangements that is common in the industry for the sale & purchase of a variety of recyclables (plastics, metals, glass, cardboards, paper, etc.) of different quality standards; and
o Regulatory developments shaping the waste management industry and its impact on business prospects and performance.
• Extensive relationships in the solid waste management industry, including with project sponsors, technology providers, contractors, consultants, and industry associations;
• Understanding of construction, operations, BOT, and performance-based contracting;
• Ability to evaluate capital and operational cost parameters for different technologies, with knowledge of industry benchmarks and best practices
• Familiarity working with finance institutions and investment projects from a financing perspective;
• Experience working across a range of developed and emerging markets;
• Excellent communication skills in both oral and written English; additional languages skills
• Team player, sensitivity for working in a multicultural environment, passion for sustainable development; and
• Willingness and ability to travel internationally.
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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