Director, Human Resources

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 .

IFC’s Human Resources (HR) Department provides strategic partnership to the business to meet organizational goals, including attracting, developing, and deploying diverse talent. The HR Department provides leading-edge services to a globally dispersed workforce, while reinforcing line managers’ responsibility for people management. It develops HR strategy, policies/procedures, communications, knowledge products and learning offerings to enhance employee value proposition and drive staff engagement in support of IFC’s business objectives. It offers value-added solutions to staff and management globally, including recruitment, onboarding, mentoring, career management and mobility, performance/talent management, rewards and incentives, leadership development, analytics and reporting. It also plays a critical role in supporting the organization in its commitment to build a diverse workforce, embrace equity, and foster an inclusive workplace.

IFC is looking for a Director to lead the HR Department. The position will offer a unique opportunity to provide leadership across all HR areas, while at the same time allow the incumbent to gain an overview of IFC’s corporate functions and interact with a wide range of roles both inside and outside of the Corporation. The position requires a commitment to the continuous development of IFC’s HR function to support the business.

Duties and Accountabilities:

The HR Director will report to the Vice President, Corporate Support and will be responsible for:

HR Strategy and Program Delivery

• Lead development and implementation of the overall HR strategy and policies in support of IFC 3.0 and the corporation’s business needs and in close coordination with the World Bank’s HR.
• Oversee HR teams and programs that instill organization-wide trust for the HR function by ensuring service relevance, quality, and timeliness, promoting employee engagement, and enabling a high-performing workforce.
• Enhance IFC’s organizational effectiveness through consistent and best practice implementation of talent management, mobility and staff development programs.
• Drive productivity and evidence-based decision making through simplification of internal policies, procedures and processes, strong data analytics, and regular reporting on people related issues.
• Integrate diversity, equity and including lens in all HR policies, procedures and processes.
• Facilitate synergies and best practices across WBG.

People, Team and Resource Management

• Model exemplary WBG leadership values and managerial behaviors and reinforce these qualities in own staff.
• Provide direction, coaching, and feedback to develop a high performing HR team.
• Optimize resource allocation based on strategic priorities and focus areas and to ensure delivery of the best-in-class HR solutions.
• Manage fiduciary aspects of the department, maintaining financial discipline and maximizing cost efficiencies.

Knowledge Management

• Position IFC as a global thought leader on the topics of employee experience and engagement and diversity, equity and inclusion.
• Curate and disseminate knowledge and ensure adequate flow of functional expertise so that clients receive the highest quality HR support when and where they need it.
• Build and maintain networks with senior HR professionals across other international organizations, private sector and academia to share information and experience and bring in the latest external thinking and best practice.
• Serve as HR representative in internal forums and represent IFC externally, as needed.
• Create opportunities for knowledge exchanges across the WBG.

Selection Criteria:

In addition to the WBG managerial selection criteria*, the following qualifications are sought:

• Unquestionable integrity, strong work ethics, commitment to diversity.
  Genuine commitment to development and the WBG and IFC’s mission and values.
• Strong track record of successfully translating business strategies into the design and implementation of HR programs, demonstrated client focus and drive for results, superior professional judgment and credibility.
• Ability and willingness to make decisions and take accountability and hold others accountable for results.
• Demonstrated ability to lead effectively and manage a large and dispersed team in a dynamic and multicultural environment.
• Demonstrated ability to handle complexity and ambiguity, deal with competing priorities and tight deadlines, and work collaboratively with superior influencing and interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrated ability to think strategically, develop innovative solutions and challenge the status quo; experience in leading large scale change management.
• Excellent written and verbal communications skills.
• Ability to represent IFC externally and to develop and manage relationships with the board, external partners, and other stakeholders.
• At least 15 years of relevant experience in positions of increasing complexity and responsibility.
• Advanced degree in relevant field (e.g., human resource management, organizational development, business administration or related discipline).

* World Bank Group-wide managerial selection criteria include: (i) Courage of your convictions, (ii) Leading the team for impact, (iii) Influencing across boundaries, (iv) Fostering openness to new ideas, and (v) Building talent for the future.

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.

Note: If the selected candidate is a current World Bank Group Staff Member with a Regular or Open-Ended appointment, s/he will retain his/her Regular or Open-Ended appointment. If the selected candidate is a current World Bank Group Staff Member with a Term appointment that expires later than the end date of this appointment, s/he will retain the duration of his/her current Term appointment.