IFC is looking to recruit an Investment Officer for its Africa Infrastructure department. The hiring group is responsible for sourcing, executing, and supervising investment transactions in the energy, transport, telecoms, and municipal & environmental infrastructure sectors in Southern Africa. IFCs Investment Officers are responsible for the origination, negotiation, structuring, and subsequent supervision of IFCs investment projects. This position is expected to cover all infrastructure sectors and is based in Johannesburg, South Africa. The selected candidate will report to the Manager Infrastructure, Southern Africa.
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.
Duties and Accountabilities:
The Investment Officer will identify new investment opportunities, execute transactions and actively manage portfolio projects predominantly in Southern Africa.
- Business Development: Source and assess opportunities, identify bankable projects anticipating market trends and employing sector/country knowledge; synthesize information into internal reports for decision-making purposes.
- Structuring and Negotiation: 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.
- Deal Execution and Transaction Management: Deliver all transactions and accountabilities of the role efficiently, on a timely and expeditious basis, and using best practice standards. Ensure that defined transactional requirements recorded in the documentation are executed accordingly. Monitor the portfolio and report development results internally and externally. 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.
- Strategy Development and Knowledge Sharing: Contribute to drafting strategies for sectors, countries, or regions for business development; and develop and execute strategies for more complex client engagements with the objective of building a robust investment pipeline. Build IFC's knowledge base for best practices and participate in knowledge sharing and dissemination. Initiate collaboration and share expertise as a subject matter expert, providing advice, peer review, and contribution to knowledge products across WBG to strengthen internal and/or external client solutions. Promoting the IFC brand and representing IFC at various conferences and workshops.
- Coordination with WBG: Support World Bank and MIGA colleagues on sector reform and unblocking constraints to attracting private sector capital.
- Mentoring and coaching of less-experienced colleagues to help build talent and grow the skill base of staff.
- Master's degree in finance or similar education relevant to infrastructure investments.
- 5+ years of experience with a commercial bank, a financial advisor, a development finance institution, or a private equity firm with tasks related to private sector project development or financing.
- Proven track record of sourcing, structuring, and closing private investment projects in infrastructure sectors, ideally including investments in Africa.
- Strong business development and client relationship skills demonstrated by track record; sound business judgment in screening and identifying leads.
- Deep industry and market knowledge of at least one infrastructure sector (energy, transport, telecoms, or municipal & environmental infrastructure); telecoms experience is a plus; understanding of infrastructure challenges faced by countries within the region.
- Ability to interact directly and independently with the senior management of potential clients, financial and technical partners as well as senior government officials.
- Project/corporate finance and/or equity investment experience.
- Track record of portfolio supervision of complex projects.
- The position requires regional and international travel; hence the candidate should be willing and open to travel.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English; French or Portuguese is a plus.
- Strong interpersonal skills, and ability to interact effectively with clients and colleagues from various cultural backgrounds.
The World Bank Group offers comprehensive benefits, including a retirement plan; medical, life and disability insurance; and paid leave, including parental leave, as well as reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities.
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.
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