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Principal Housing Finance Specialist

Principal Housing Finance Specialist
Based in Asia/EMENA
Background / General description:
The International Finance Corporation (IFC), the private sector arm of the World Bank Group, is a global leader, investor and advisor committed to projects in its developing member countries that reduce extreme poverty and boost shared prosperity. IFC finances private sector investments, mobilizes capital in the international financial markets, helps clients improve social and environmental sustainability, and provides technical assistance and advice to businesses and governments in the developing world.
Private sector financial development is essential to the promotion of successful and sustainable economies in low and middle income countries around the world. Sound and efficient financial markets can ensure that resources are allocated where they are most productive, assisting job creation and spurring economic growth. IFC’s goal is to prioritize investment in the financial sector because it promotes development in all other sectors.
The Financial Institutions Group (FIG) is one of three major industry groups at IFC, responsible for managing roughly 40% of IFC’s overall business in terms of volume and capital at risk. FIG engages in a wide range of sub-sectors including Microfinance, SME, Gender, Climate, Insurance, Capital Markets, Housing, Distressed Assets, and other areas, with both investment and advisory services delivered globally to IFC’s clients through IFC’s global network.
As part of FIG, the Housing Finance Global Team seeks to increase the availability and affordability of residential housing in developing countries. It does so by introducing a steady source of new housing finance product ideas, technical assistance, strategic formulations, policy, procedures and effectiveness measures to better meet client requirements and leverage the IFC’s own resources. IFC employs a broad range of financial and non-financial tools to develop and improve primary and secondary mortgage and housing microfinance markets.
The Housing Finance Global Team is seeking a Principal Housing Finance Specialist with significant market and industry experience to help grow and develop its business in East Asia.
Location to be finalized based on business needs, likely to be Bangkok or other location in Asia or EMENA.
Duties and Accountabilities:
• Develop and lead the implementation of the housing finance strategy and program for one of IFC’s regions for both investment and advisory services. Evaluate markets for formal and informal sector housing construction and finance within the region, identify viable entry points for IFC. Identify potential collaborations with other departments of IFC and with the Global Practices of the World Bank Group.
• Create and execute business plans including staffing and other resources, both investment and advisory and collaboration with World Bank Group Global Practices, ensuring strong coordination between each. Monitor program budgets facilitating regular reporting, reviews and audits.
• Direct the appraisal, structuring, negotiation and processing of housing finance projects.
• Lead the growth of the housing finance investment portfolio in the region by taking a pro-active role in both developing new business and processing and closing housing finance investment transactions.
• Lead the supervision of projects, including client interaction, analytical assessments, on-site reviews and the preparation of internal project documentation for results, sustainability and development effectiveness.
• Develop and manage client relationships.
• Contribute to the fundraising process for housing finance advisory services to the degree that any advisory projects are not priced to cover costs.
• Provide best-practice technical advice to IFC staff and external clients.
• Develop and maintain strategic relationships with clients and government officials, support the development of marketing and training tools for housing finance.
• Mentor and coach less-experienced investment and advisory services staff and help build talent and grow skill base of staff.
• Build teams, network of peers and partnerships for success; and
• Build IFC’s knowledge base for best practices in housing finance and participate in knowledge sharing and dissemination.
Selection Criteria:
• Master’s degree in finance, economics or other related areas; accreditation as a CFA or CPA is considered a plus.
• Minimum 12 years of experience in housing finance, with evidence of growing expertise in a variety of housing finance related disciplines: origination, servicing and operations of primary and secondary market activities; project and institutional risk management; real estate based lending; and credit underwriting; portfolio supervision; regulatory work in banking supervision of commercial or specialized mortgage lending institution. Experience transacting in or developing capital markets, particularly with mortgage-related securities, will be considered a plus.
• Knowledge and Experience in International Economic Development Arena.
• Excellent business judgment and strong analytical and problem solving skills to identify issues and present creative, practical solutions.
• Capacity to deal with conflicting priorities and deliver high quality work on schedule; facility to work successfully in multicultural teams and across boundaries.
• Ability to build and maintain relationships with the business community and governmental authorities; and
• Excellent oral and written presentation skills in English are required; additional major languages such as French, Spanish, Chinese or Arabic are desirable.
IFC offers a highly challenging and rewarding working environment with outstanding opportunities for professional growth, as well as attractive conditions. Women are strongly encouraged to apply.
All applications will be treated in strictest confidence. Only applicants selected for interviews will be contacted.
To apply on-line, please visit: www.ifc.org/careers