What are the responsibilities and job description for the E T Consultant - MSME Finance Research - req32562 position at IFC - International Finance Corporation?
E T Consultant - MSME Finance Research
Job #: req32562
Organization: IFC
Sector: Research & Quantitative Analysis
Grade: EC2
Term Duration: 1 year 0 months
Recruitment Type: Local Recruitment
Location: Washington, DC,United States
Required Language(s): English
Preferred Language(s)
Closing Date: 4/21/2025 (MM/DD/YYYY) at 11:59pm UTC
Description
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 Development Impact Measurement Department (CDI) within the Economics and Private Sector Vice Presidency (CEDVP) analyzes economic sectors with a view to identifying opportunities and solutions for private sector development and works closely with IFC Operations. It provides technical support to operations related to structuring, appraising, and monitoring investment and advisory projects and is responsible for reporting on IFC’s impact. The department is in charge of implementing the ex-ante project assessment framework (Anticipated Impact Measurement and Monitoring- AIMM) for investment and advisory projects throughout the project cycle, help ensure high-quality economic support for IFC operations teams on strategies and projects and developing sector economic analyses with a focus on solutions for private sector development.
CDI staff comprise mainly sector economists and results measurement specialists assigned to units organized along IFC industry groupings. These include units for Financial Institutions (CDIFI), Infrastructure (CDIIN), Manufacturing, Agribusiness, and Services (CDIMA), and Funds and Disruptive Technology team (CDIDF). The department also includes staff working on economic modeling, results measurement, corporate reporting, and sustainability that support all industry groups. In short, the department offers “end-to-end” support and impact assessments for IFC investments and advisory services, engaging upstream and downstream throughout the project cycle.
The Financial Institution Group team (CDIFI) is in charge of implementing CDI mandates and deliverables described above in relation to products, including investment and advisory to Financial Institutions, supporting microfinance, insurance, loans to small and medium enterprises and women-owned businesses, and affordable housing loans, among other areas. This includes fully developing and implementing the ex-ante project assessment framework for investment and advisory projects throughout the project cycle, monitoring and evaluating the impact of both investments and advisory projects, helping to ensure high-quality economic support for IFC FIG teams on strategies and projects, and developing sector economic analyses with a focus on solutions for private sector development. These activities will support operations done by FIG teams to deliver investments that support growing enterprises across emerging markets. Financial sector operations comprise a significant portion (approximately 40%) of IFC’s investment operations and make important contributions to financial sector development in client countries. These operations span commercial banking, including specialized product areas such as SME banking, insurance, microfinance, housing finance, trade finance, distressed assets, and capital markets development.
The Department Is Looking For An Extended-Term Consultant To Support The Implementation Of The Measurement, Research And Evaluation Agenda For MSME Finance. IFC Supports Banks In Emerging Market And Developing Economies With Investment And Advisory Services To Help Expand Their Lending To MSMEs, And This Program Is Intended To Expand The Base Of Evidence That IFC Currently Has On The Effectiveness Of Its Current Investments And The Impact Of Its Programs On End-beneficiaries. The Main Research Questions Include
Role & Responsibilities
Responsibilities of the Extended-Term Consultant will include but are not limited to design and implementation of market case studies on MSME finance. The research will be applying a mix of quantitative and qualitative methods including market research, interviews with financial institutions, analysis of loan portfolio data and representative surveys of MSMEs. Where possible, experimental or quasi-experimental features will be embedded to strengthen the research design and compare outcomes for MSMEs with and without access to financial services. The consultant will be responsible for planning and delivering on all project milestones, including by supporting the recruitment and management of survey firms and other consultants.
The consultant will lead day-to-day project management, quality oversight, and analysis for ongoing (survey) field research once the projects get to the implementation phase. This includes establishing strong working relationships with local survey firms and consultants, overseeing data collection and the implementation of appropriate quality control measures, maintaining regular contact with IFC clients and research firms to ensure the smooth implementation of data collection. The ETC will co-lead the analysis and drafting of reports summarizing key insights from the research projects working in close collaboration with the other members of the CDIFI Research Team.
Case study research projects are currently ongoing in the Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, and Cote d’Ivoire, with new research projects being planned in other countries in Latin America, Sub-Saharan Africa and East Asia for 2025. The ETC is expected to contribute to the ongoing projects, as well as lead the preparation and launch of new projects.
As a member of the research team, the consultant is also expected to contribute to other areas of CDIFI’s MSME finance research agenda, including on portfolio data analysis and measurement and on in-depth evaluation efforts with selected clients.
Selection Criteria
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.
Note: The selected candidate will be offered a one-year appointment, renewable at the discretion of the World Bank Group, and subject to a lifetime maximum ET appointment of three years. If an ET appointment ends before a full year, it is considered as a full year toward the lifetime maximum. Former and current ET staff who have completed all or any portion of their third-year ET appointment are not eligible for future ET appointments.
Job #: req32562
Organization: IFC
Sector: Research & Quantitative Analysis
Grade: EC2
Term Duration: 1 year 0 months
Recruitment Type: Local Recruitment
Location: Washington, DC,United States
Required Language(s): English
Preferred Language(s)
Closing Date: 4/21/2025 (MM/DD/YYYY) at 11:59pm UTC
Description
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 Development Impact Measurement Department (CDI) within the Economics and Private Sector Vice Presidency (CEDVP) analyzes economic sectors with a view to identifying opportunities and solutions for private sector development and works closely with IFC Operations. It provides technical support to operations related to structuring, appraising, and monitoring investment and advisory projects and is responsible for reporting on IFC’s impact. The department is in charge of implementing the ex-ante project assessment framework (Anticipated Impact Measurement and Monitoring- AIMM) for investment and advisory projects throughout the project cycle, help ensure high-quality economic support for IFC operations teams on strategies and projects and developing sector economic analyses with a focus on solutions for private sector development.
CDI staff comprise mainly sector economists and results measurement specialists assigned to units organized along IFC industry groupings. These include units for Financial Institutions (CDIFI), Infrastructure (CDIIN), Manufacturing, Agribusiness, and Services (CDIMA), and Funds and Disruptive Technology team (CDIDF). The department also includes staff working on economic modeling, results measurement, corporate reporting, and sustainability that support all industry groups. In short, the department offers “end-to-end” support and impact assessments for IFC investments and advisory services, engaging upstream and downstream throughout the project cycle.
The Financial Institution Group team (CDIFI) is in charge of implementing CDI mandates and deliverables described above in relation to products, including investment and advisory to Financial Institutions, supporting microfinance, insurance, loans to small and medium enterprises and women-owned businesses, and affordable housing loans, among other areas. This includes fully developing and implementing the ex-ante project assessment framework for investment and advisory projects throughout the project cycle, monitoring and evaluating the impact of both investments and advisory projects, helping to ensure high-quality economic support for IFC FIG teams on strategies and projects, and developing sector economic analyses with a focus on solutions for private sector development. These activities will support operations done by FIG teams to deliver investments that support growing enterprises across emerging markets. Financial sector operations comprise a significant portion (approximately 40%) of IFC’s investment operations and make important contributions to financial sector development in client countries. These operations span commercial banking, including specialized product areas such as SME banking, insurance, microfinance, housing finance, trade finance, distressed assets, and capital markets development.
The Department Is Looking For An Extended-Term Consultant To Support The Implementation Of The Measurement, Research And Evaluation Agenda For MSME Finance. IFC Supports Banks In Emerging Market And Developing Economies With Investment And Advisory Services To Help Expand Their Lending To MSMEs, And This Program Is Intended To Expand The Base Of Evidence That IFC Currently Has On The Effectiveness Of Its Current Investments And The Impact Of Its Programs On End-beneficiaries. The Main Research Questions Include
- What is the scale and composition of IFC's MSME clients' portfolios?
- Are IFC loans, risk-sharing and incentives leading IFC client financial institutions to effectively expand their MSME portfolio?
- What is the impact of IFC clients' loan portfolio growth on MSME-level outcomes?
- What are the catalytic effects of IFC's interventions on the broader market?
Role & Responsibilities
Responsibilities of the Extended-Term Consultant will include but are not limited to design and implementation of market case studies on MSME finance. The research will be applying a mix of quantitative and qualitative methods including market research, interviews with financial institutions, analysis of loan portfolio data and representative surveys of MSMEs. Where possible, experimental or quasi-experimental features will be embedded to strengthen the research design and compare outcomes for MSMEs with and without access to financial services. The consultant will be responsible for planning and delivering on all project milestones, including by supporting the recruitment and management of survey firms and other consultants.
The consultant will lead day-to-day project management, quality oversight, and analysis for ongoing (survey) field research once the projects get to the implementation phase. This includes establishing strong working relationships with local survey firms and consultants, overseeing data collection and the implementation of appropriate quality control measures, maintaining regular contact with IFC clients and research firms to ensure the smooth implementation of data collection. The ETC will co-lead the analysis and drafting of reports summarizing key insights from the research projects working in close collaboration with the other members of the CDIFI Research Team.
Case study research projects are currently ongoing in the Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, and Cote d’Ivoire, with new research projects being planned in other countries in Latin America, Sub-Saharan Africa and East Asia for 2025. The ETC is expected to contribute to the ongoing projects, as well as lead the preparation and launch of new projects.
As a member of the research team, the consultant is also expected to contribute to other areas of CDIFI’s MSME finance research agenda, including on portfolio data analysis and measurement and on in-depth evaluation efforts with selected clients.
Selection Criteria
- PhD in economics or related field, or Master’s degree in related field with at least 6 years of relevant professional experience demonstrating analytical skills in results measurement and economic analysis with a focus on the financial sector.
- Prior work experience in management of field research in financial services in developing country contexts is necessary. Experience working on impact evaluation projects is a plus.
- Strong analytical and quantitative skills with demonstrated ability to use statistical methods, including experience and proficiency in statistical programs (Stata or R), and ability to interpret results and identify discrepancies in data.
- Subject matter expertise: previous experience in evaluating the economic and development impact of projects in areas such as Micro and SME finance. Knowledge of financial services sector and familiarity with Financial Institution data and Management Information Systems (MIS) preferred.
- Proficiency in results measurement and evaluation methods, including experience in survey design and implementation, and experimental and non-experimental evaluation designs.
- Demonstrate strong understanding of economic theory – macro and micro-economic concepts and principles – and knows how it applies to emerging markets.
- Strong team player, with excellent organization and project management skills, and proven ability to take work collaboratively in a team environment. Experience working in a multi-member research project strongly preferred.
- Strong written and verbal communications skills. Experience writing research papers strongly preferred. Experience with high level presentation to large groups (e.g. conferences) strongly preferred.
- Proven capability to handle complex assignments and produce work to a high professional standard.
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.
Note: The selected candidate will be offered a one-year appointment, renewable at the discretion of the World Bank Group, and subject to a lifetime maximum ET appointment of three years. If an ET appointment ends before a full year, it is considered as a full year toward the lifetime maximum. Former and current ET staff who have completed all or any portion of their third-year ET appointment are not eligible for future ET appointments.
