Job: Senior Investment Officer

Location: Johannesburg, South Africa 
Deadline: Wednesday, 16 October 2013 

Description

Background / General description

The International Finance Corporation ('IFC' or the 'Corporation'), the private sector arm of the World Bank Group, is the largest multilateral provider of financing for private enterprise in emerging markets. IFC provides loans, equity, structured finance and risk management tools as well as advisory services to build the private sector in developing countries. IFC invests in private sector projects that are financially and economically viable and have a substantial development impact. The Manufacturing, Agribusiness and Services Department ('MAS'), one of IFC's industry departments, supports investments in the real sector to fuel economic growth in client countries and enhance IFC's developmental impact. The MAS department is recruiting a Senior Investment Officer ('SIO') to join the Portfolio Team which manages and monitors IFC's investments in Sub-Saharan Africa ('CAF'). IFC Investment Officers are an integral part of multidisciplinary teams of highly qualified professionals who have expertise in the regions and/or sectors in which we do business. Investment teams consist of lawyers, environmental and social specialists, and economists, as well as technical specialists. The selected candidate will be based in Johannesburg, South Africa, and will work under the oversight of the Portfolio Manager for MAS CAF.

Duties and Accountabilities

The SIO's primary responsibilities will be:

(i) performing portfolio management duties;

(ii) acting as proxy to the Portfolio Manager;

(iii) working with other team members to generate, structure and negotiate a solid and well balanced investment portfolio;

(iv) working with other team members to evaluate, structure, negotiate, new equity transactions, portfolio restructurings, rescheduling, capital increases, equity sales, etc.;

(v) coordinating closely with social, environmental, and advisory services colleagues in order to add value to clients' businesses, and achieve sustainable development impact; and

(vi) providing support and guidance to teams processing investments.

Specific responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Maintain and nurture good relationships with existing clients. Understand and proactively manage client needs while looking out for IFC's interest
• Liaise with support departments such as Legal, Credit and Environment & Social to ensure the existing projects are adhering to IFC's policies and standards
• Help the Portfolio Manager formulate and execute client strategies
• Understand and apply IFC's Portfolio Operations and Supervision processes
• Independently process disbursements, waivers and other ongoing project related activities
• Prepare quarterly internal supervision reports for the assigned projects
• Monitor and ensure compliance of existing investments with the investment agreements
• Effectively value existing equity investments (strong financial modeling skills are required)
• Identify early warning signals for the assigned projects and where necessary, formulate and implement intervention strategies for work-outs, restructuring or rescheduling
• Monitor equity holdings and develop and implement sales strategies to maximize IFC's return and development impact
• Ensure any downside risk is mitigated via relevant strategies, appropriate management actions, or through use of market based risk management instruments and strategies;
• Identify opportunities for further business with existing clients in the areas of investment, technical assistance activities (e.g., sustainability) and financial services (e.g., clean technology)
• Conduct sector and market research and assist in the preparation of country and sector strategy papers, briefs and project profiles. This would require working closely with the World Bank country and sector teams
• Extract and feedback lessons of experience from IFC's earlier investments.

Selection Criteria

• MBA, Masters Degree in Finance or Equivalent
• 8+ years of experience of which at least half time working for a major commercial or investment bank with significant emerging markets presence, an international financial institution or a private equity firm
• Experience in portfolio supervision and/or investment transaction, with proven success in developing client relationships as well as sourcing, negotiating, structuring and closing quality investments
• Knowledge of and experience in emerging markets; knowledge of the manufacturing, agribusiness or services sector(s) a plus
• Strong financial and credit skills; sound business judgment and demonstrated ability to structure a variety of financial instruments (debt and equity)
• Client relationship skills, track record and ability to focus on client needs effectively
• Ability to interact directly and independently with the senior management of clients, financial and technical partners as well as senior government officials
• Strong interpersonal and leadership skills, ability to work successfully in multicultural teams and across boundaries and to build networks across the region, including the ability to mentor and coach others to achieve results
• Excellent organizational, administrative, and time management skills
• Proven ability to work independently and deliver promptly and efficiently under pressure and meet tight deadlines.
• Willingness to travel extensively and geographic flexibility
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English; fluency in other languages (French, Portuguese or Spanish) a plus. IFC's Recruitment and Employment Policies reflect its strong values for cultural, racial and gender diversity: IFC encourages women to apply. Note: If the selected candidate is a current Bank Group staff member with a Regular or Open-Ended appointment, s/he will retain his/her Regular or Open-Ended appointment. All others will be offered a 3 year term appointment.

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