The FCI program in Africa West and Central is rapidly growing, especially in Nigeria – which is overall the largest World Bank country program in Africa – and covers a range of existing and potential pipeline lending operations, analytical work and technical assistance and advisory support.

The Private Sector team of FCI engages with policy, regulatory making bodies and stakeholders in member client countries to facilitate dialogue, reforms and/or interventions that lead to development of the private sector. Raising the productivity and growth of firms is key for generating more and better jobs over the long run and addressing developmental challenges. Rapid, private sector-led growth is essential for ending extreme poverty and boosting shared prosperity, the World Bank Group’s Twin Goals.

SCOPE OF WORK

This recruitment is for a Private Sector Specialist based in Abuja, Nigeria with a reporting line to the Regional FCI Practice Manager (EAWF2).

Amongst other tasks, the selected candidate will be expected to:

• Support the FCI dialogue in country with a focus on private sector development: Support the policy dialogue with counterparts on issues relating to private sector development, particularly focusing on creating opportunities for investments supporting economic transformation and employment.

• Serve, when needed, as team member or co-TTL/TTL (Task Team Leader) for lending operations, advisory, and analytical work, and contribute to the delivery and quality of financing and knowledge engagements for Nigeria, provide inputs to other Global Practices on private sector related issues.

• Analytical & Advisory work: Support the development and implementation of high-quality analytical and advisory work. Lead/support policy dissemination events with policy makers, stakeholders, and private sector.

• Support the dialogue with the country management unit (CMU) and with the region: Work closely with FCI’s focal point for private sector development, program leaders/country economists and the CMU to prepare inputs for briefings and strategic documents such as CPFs, SCDs and CPSDs.

• Work collaboratively with global teams, the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and other GPs to develop a comprehensive private sector development agenda to support private investment in Nigeria at the Federal and at the State level.

• Produce technical notes, briefings, presentations, etc. on private sector development, competitiveness/entrepreneurship, and innovation; Investment climate reforms as requested by management. 

• Relationship management: cultivate strategic relationships with government counterparts and other key stakeholders.

• Development Partner Collaboration: Support the partnership with the development partner community and facilitate/participate in formal and informal meetings with key development partners, civil society, private sector representatives, and other stakeholders.

Selection Criteria

Master’s degree or PhD in Economics, Business, International Relations, Finance, or similar.

At least 5 years of relevant professional experience since completing university degree (i.e., Master’s). 

Strong experience in private sector development, particularly focused on productivity, growth, investment climate reforms, innovation and entrepreneurship, small and medium enterprise development, trade and competition policies, for private investment, domestic and foreign, export promotion, and value chain development.
Experience and understanding of Nigeria’s private sector issues. 

Knowledge and experience of policy and regulatory reforms related to private sector development in emerging markets.

Strong understanding of stakeholders in the private sector landscape in Nigeria across policymakers, regulators, market participants.

Strong skills in conducting policy analysis, identifying policy reforms, and implementing policy actions on private sector development.

Solution-oriented approach focusing on problem-solving and achieving results.

Ability to operate effectively in a matrix management environment, both as a team leader and team member.

Ability to deal sensitively in multi-cultural environments and build effective working

Relations with clients and colleagues.

Effective verbal and written communication skills.