Senior Investment Officer at World Bank Group

Job Description

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); The World Bank Group (WBG) is a family of five international organizations that make leveraged loans to developing countries. It is the largest and most famous development bank in the world and is an observer at the United Nations Development Group. The bank is based in Washington, D.C. and provided around $61 billion in loans and assistance to “developing” and transition countries in the fiscal year. The bank’s stated mission is to achieve the twin goals of ending extreme poverty and building shared prosperity.

Duties and Accountabilities:

 Play a senior client leadership role for business development across all infrastructure sectors.  Develop a strong pipeline of good quality investment opportunities, predominantly in Southern and East Africa, 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, and 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 in straightforward and complex transactions.  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.  Supervise a commensurate number of existing investments in the Africa 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

 Master’s degree in finance or similar relevant education.  At least 12 years of experience with a development finance institution, a commercial bank, an international financial institution or a private equity firm with tasks related to private sector infrastructure financing and development.  Proven track record of sourcing, structuring, and closing private sector investment projects in infrastructure sectors, ideally including investments in the Africa region.  Strong technical and operational skills demonstrated by a track record of structuring and closing investments in infrastructure sectors and portfolio supervision of complex projects.  Knowledge of the various infra core sectors (power, transportation, utilities, telecoms, natural resources); project and/or corporate finance experience.  Strong equity and/or Telecom sector investment experience is a plus.  Prior work experience in Africa and good knowledge of sector issues in the region is a plus.  Ability to interact directly and independently with the senior management of clients, financial and technical partners as well as senior government officials.  Strong track record of portfolio supervision of complex projects  Willingness and ability to travel.  Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English; French and/or Portuguese as a plus.  Genuine commitment to sustainable development.