IFC has embarked on an ambitious new growth strategy (IFC 3.0) to stimulate more investment activity in frontier markets. This strategy calls for generating our own opportunities by proactively working “Upstream” to create, deepen, and expand markets and to imagine, design and implement investment projects. It requires taking a systematic approach to understanding the regulatory and sector bottlenecks that prevent the flow of private capital into productive investment in our member countries, and addressing these bottlenecks through World Bank Group engagement on policy reforms and programmatic interventions at the country and sector level. It also requires capacity to leverage WBG programs and projects to develop our own proactive sector interventions and to imagine and design projects even in the absence of reforms.
At the same time, IFC has pledged to significantly increase its investments in climate-related projects, as a way to further sustainability and inclusiveness in emerging markets. IFC plans to deliver on these commitments by working with clients to help them develop and implement their own climate strategies and projects. Key areas of focus include the promotion of low-carbon solutions, including renewable energy, decarbonization, circularity, and resource efficiency, amongst others.
In this context, IFC is seeking an Associate Operations Officer or an Associate Investment Officer for the Latin America & Caribbean (LAC) region with familiarity primarily with the development and financing of manufacturing investments (spanning various verticals including chemicals, fertilizers, plastics, automotive and electrical components, light manufacturing eg. textiles and construction materials e.g. cement, glass, marble). Under the supervision of the Regional Upstream and Advisory Lead for Manufacturing, the selected candidate would focus on supporting the development of a pipeline of high-quality manufacturing-related investment opportunities. The selected candidate will be expected to support senior staff in the origination of these climate transactions which are essential to build the pipeline of future IFC investments. S/he would also work across IFC business lines and support policy work and other interventions across the World Bank Group to prioritize various initiatives and to maximize the impact of IFC’s efforts.
Roles And Responsibilities:
Support transaction execution and in selected instances, lead the execution of early-stage opportunities and substantiate their investment thesis considering their potential for scalability and replicability.
Help spot new trends and business models that further the climate goals of the World Bank and can address development challenges in emerging markets.
Contribute to data analysis and stress-testing of various operating models across sectors to generate ideas for new projects, products and platforms. The selected candidate will be expected to focus on scalable models which support the significant growth ambitions of the regional business.
Support the identification and assessment of impactful and innovative potential investment opportunities based on country and sector strategies and market creation potential.
Determine and implement the appropriate IFC Upstream interventions from the Upstream toolkit spanning advisory services, project development and pilot investment capabilities.
Support World Bank and IFC colleagues to analyze sector and regulatory reforms needed to unlock opportunities for private investment.
Manage and process transaction activities, collaborating closely with relevant climate investment teams to ensure alignment.
Produce regular reports on the assigned portfolio including supervising progress against project milestones and key performance indicators.
Selection Criteria:
Master's degree or equivalent professional qualification in Business, Finance, Real Estate, Economics, Science, Engineering, or another related field.
4 - 6 years of relevant work experience
Experience in the project development, transaction execution and financing of real assets of private sector clients in one or more manufacturing verticals in which IFC invests. Familiarity in the financial and commercial structuring, risk allocation, and execution of these types of projects is preferred.
Experience with financing of decarbonization solutions for the real sectors particularly with topics such as green hydrogen and its derivatives, resource efficiency, circularity and supply chain/value chain integration as it applies to one or more manufacturing verticals will be valuable.
Experience in other sectors (such as agribusiness, manufacturing, health, education, tourism, retail, and/or property) in addition to manufacturing will be a plus.
Familiarity with finance: sourcing, structuring, and/or closing investments across various financing instruments (debt, equity mezzanine, convertibles etc) and/or familiarity with carbon finance and sustainability linked finance is a plus.
Appreciation for how policy reforms, advisory interventions, investment, and mobilization can be linked to deliver solutions at a country level.
Ability to support engagements with private sector clients, local and national governments, and other partners to encourage pioneering business and market development.
Experience with project and/or program development, executing against implementation plans with defined business development achievements.
Experience with standard corporate finance, project finance contracts, financial modeling, commercial negotiations and risk allocation is a plus.
Experience in financial modeling, monitoring and reporting on a portfolio of projects, programs, and or initiatives.
Outstanding and demonstrated history of analytical, creative problem solving and critical thinking skills.
Strong written and verbal communications skills in English. Proficiency in Spanish and/or Portuguese strongly preferred.
Genuine dedication to development and to the World Bank Group and IFC's mission, strategy, and values.
Understanding of IFC’s strategic priorities and changing business model against the backdrop of IFC 3.0.
