Job: Senior 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 is recruiting a Senior Investment Officer to lead project development team for IFC InfraVentures in the infrastructure sector of Sub-Saharan Africa. The overall goal of the position is to increase the number of bankable, innovative, developmental and profitable projects in private infrastructure within the poorest developing countries. The job holder may also, selectively, work on regular IFC projects. The position will be based in Nairobi, Johannesburg or Dakar, 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

• Work across all the infrastructure sectors;
• Develop a strong pipeline of project development investment opportunities through anticipating market trends and employing sector/country knowledge;
• Execute IFC's project development investments with a strong focus on achieving bankable projects;
• Lead negotiation for infrastructure project documents, including Concession Agreements, Power Purchase Agreements, EPC Contracts, O&M Agreements, Fuel Supply Agreements, etc.;
• Develop a thorough understanding of the power, transport and utilities sectors, including markets, major operators and technologies;
• Have a good understanding of project and concession financing, policy issues, license conditions, tariff regimes, privatizations, and collaborate on these matters as appropriate with Bank policy specialists and host government regulators and officials;
• Build and maintain strong relationships with local/regional/global infrastructure companies, banking and multilateral partners, suppliers and government officials to further develop the sector, to build consensus around project proposals and develop bankable projects;
• Lead and manage project teams, mentor and develop junior staff;
• Collaborate in developing sector and/or regional strategies and support related promotion work, including targeting potential project development investments and policy advisory work.

Selection Criteria

• MBA or equivalent qualification;
• Significant relevant work experience: At least 10 years of experience of non-routine financing or development of private or PPP infrastructure projects in challenging environments;
• Knowledge of overall infrastructure sector trends; experience in emerging markets a plus;
• Strong business development and client relationship skills, track record and ability to focus on clients' needs effectively and identify potential business partners;
• Ability to generate senior government officials' support and to create sufficient trust and confidence between investors and governments while developing bankable project structures;
• 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; Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English; Fluency in other languages such as French, Portuguese will be a plus;
• Ability to mentor junior investment staff;
• Highly motivated, committed to highest ethical standards;
• Genuine commitment to sustainable development;
• Willingness to travel extensively.

More Info and Application