Senior Investment Officer

Description

IFC—a sister organization of the World Bank and 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 2019, we invested more than $19 billion in private companies and financial institutions in developing countries, leveraging the power of the private sector to end extreme poverty and boost shared prosperity. For more information, visit www.ifc.org

The Middle East and Africa (‘MEA’) Infrastructure Unit (‘INR’), an open and dynamic team who works with clients and development partners to meaningfully improve peoples’ lives through investments in the energy, municipal, telecom, transport, waste and water sectors, is seeking a Senior Investment Officers (‘SIO’) to join our team. The selected candidate will be based in Luanda covering mainly Angola and Mozambique reporting to the New Business Manager Infrastructure, Southern Africa, Nigeria and East Africa.

The selected candidate is expected to perform the functions of a new business SIO at all stages of the deal cycle, from deal origination to execution to portfolio management:

• Play a senior client leadership role for business development across all infrastructure sectors
• Develop a strong pipeline of good quality investment opportunities, predominantly in Angola and Mozambique, by anticipating market trends and employing sector/country knowledge
• Work closely with IFC country representatives, World Bank and MIGA colleagues including on developing client, country and sector strategies
• Review and analyze business opportunities, synthesize information into internal reports for decision making purposes
• Evaluate, structure, negotiate, and close new debt and equity transactions, portfolio restructurings, capital increases, equity sales, etc.
• Develop innovative and appropriate financial structures for complex transactions
• Lead negotiation/documentation teams; use strong negotiation skills to develop solutions and overcome impasses
• Coordinate closely with social, environmental, legal, and technical assistance colleagues in structuring transactions, to add value to our clients’ businesses, find pragmatic solutions to project and sector challenges, and achieve sustainable development impact
• Originate and execute IFC project development investments (through IFC InfraVentures) to increase the pipeline of bankable projects
• Originate upstream initiatives aimed at creating markets and creating opportunities
• Supervise a commensurate number of existing INR investments in the MEA region
• Build and maintain strong relationships with clients, global and regional private businesses, banking and multilateral partners and government officials to further develop infrastructure sectors and to develop specific investment opportunities
• Lead and manage project teams; coach and mentor junior staff
• Collaborate with the World Bank and MIGA in developing sector and/or regional strategies and support related promotion work, including targeting potential investments and policy advisory work

Selection Criteria

• MBA or equivalent qualification
• At least 12 years of experience with a development finance institution (‘DFI’), an international financial institution, a private equity firm or a development organization with tasks related to private sector financing and development
• Proven track-record of sourcing, structuring and closing private sector investment projects in infrastructure sectors, ideally including investments in the MEA region
• Strong business development and client relationship skills, demonstrated by track record; sound business judgment in screening and identifying leads
• Knowledge of Angola and Mozambique and understanding of infrastructure challenges faced by these countries will be a plus
• Deep industry and market knowledge of at least one infrastructure sector (energy, municipal, telecom, transport, waste and water)
• Ability to interact directly and independently with the senior management of potential clients, financial and technical partners as well as senior government officials
• Project finance and equity investment experience is essential; strong credit skills backed by references and deal sheet; demonstrated ability to structure complex debt and equity transactions
• Strong track record of portfolio supervision of complex projects
• Willingness to travel extensively
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English and Portuguese; French as a plus
• Strong inter-personal skills, ability to interact effectively with clients and colleagues from various cultural backgrounds
• Proven ability to mentor junior investment staff
• Highly motivated, committed to highest ethical standards
• Genuine commitment to sustainable development