Job: Investment Officer - Infrastructure

Location: Sub-Saharan Africa, To Be Determined
Deadline: Sunday, 01 December 2013

Background / General description

The International Finance Corporation (IFC), the private sector arm of the World Bank Group, is a global investor and advisor committed to promoting projects in its developing member countries that are economically beneficial, financially and commercially sound, and environmentally and socially sustainable. 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 governments and businesses in the developing world. IFC's Board of Directors has recently approved the second phase of IFC's Global Infrastructure Project Development Fund ('IFC InfraVentures' or the 'Fund'). IFC InfraVentures is a fund of $150 million which provides: (i) risk capital to fund the early stages of the development of infrastructure projects in IDA (International Development Association) and selectively in Middle Income Countries through a variety of financial instruments; and (ii) expertise in critical areas of project development, in order to successfully bring private and PPP infrastructure projects to the financing stage. IFC InfraVentures is recruiting a new Investment Officer to identify business opportunities, execute transactions and actively manage portfolio of infrastructure projects in Sub-Saharan Africa. The overall goal of the job holder is to maximize the impact of IFC's intervention and to execute innovative, developmental, and profitable investments for IFC. The Jobholder will work on IFC InfraVentures projects and may also work on regular IFC infrastructure projects. The position will be based in Nairobi, Dakar, or Johannesburg in the Infrastructure & Natural Resources Department, with coverage of Sub-Saharan Africa. Applicants should be aware that the success of the IFC InfraVentures approach will place a premium on entrepreneurship, drive, ability to work in challenging situations and appetite for risk. Candidates should be aware that much more emphasis will be placed on these qualities than for IFC's regular investment officer positions.

Duties and Accountabilities

• Specific responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
• Evaluate, structure, negotiate and close new transactions, and in particular IFC InfraVentures transactions;
• Develop innovative and appropriate financial structures for straightforward transactions ;
• Participate in negotiations; use negotiation skills to overcome impasses;
• Works with senior staff and other colleagues to contribute to the development of a strong pipeline of good quality IFC InfraVentures investment opportunities;
• Build and maintain strong relationships with clients, global and regional private businesses, banking and multilateral partners and government officials to further develop the sector;
• Coordinate closely with social, environmental, and technical assistance colleagues in order to add value to our clients' businesses, find pragmatic solutions to the specific sector challenges, and achieve sustainable development impact;
• Identify and evaluate opportunities to increase the social development impact of new or portfolio projects.

Selection Criteria

• MBA or equivalent qualification;
• At least 4-6 years of experience in project finance with a proven track-record of sourcing, structuring and closing investments;
• Knowledge of relevant industry sector trends, experience in emerging markets a plus;
• Strong financial and credit skills; demonstrated ability to structure a variety of financial instruments (debt and equity);
• Business development and client relationship skills, track record and ability to focus on clients' needs effectively;
• Ability to interact directly and independently with the senior management of potential clients, of financial and technical partners as well as senior government officials;
• Strong inter-personal skills, ability to interact effectively with clients and colleagues from various cultural backgrounds;
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English; Fluency in other languages such as French, Portuguese will be a plus;
• Highly motivated, committed to highest ethical standards;
• Genuine commitment to sustainable development;
• Ability to deliver high quality work within tight deadlines;
• Willingness to travel extensively.

More Info and Application