IFC’s Financial Institutions Group (FIG) is seeking an investment officer responsible for designing and implementing upstream/ advisory projects in the financial sector in Africa, enabling and enhancing investment transactions, shaping markets and driving impact thus setting the stage for mainstream investment. Through employing novel concepts and approaches we are seeking to create conditions that result in the movement of capital into private sector investments in Africa. This is strategic business development in markets or sectors where ready-to-finance projects are not yet available, yet significant development gaps exist.
The successful candidate is part of the North, West and Central Africa Upstream-Advisory Services team and is expected to work across the different Financial Institutions Group practices which may cover (SME Banking, Climate Finance, Digital Financial Services, Gender Finance) while maintaining a primary affiliation to the agri-finance practice group. A key priority of FIG Africa is on enhancing food security across the continent and expanding climate resilience in agricultural production. A key constraint is the lack of access to finance. Through leveraging technology and building sustainable partnerships FIG is expanding financial inclusion and mitigating risks for financial services providers. Roles and responsibilities of the role include, but are not limited to:
Duties and Accountabilities:
Demonstrate a thorough understanding of banking, financial institutions, and related industry knowledge and ability to identify risks and opportunities.
Support the identification and assessment of FIG advisory and investment opportunities based on country and sector strategies and market creation potential.
Contribute to the development of projects and programs, including market studies and client diagnostics, and successfully designing and implementing sector and client level engagements leading to future investments or enhancing existing FIG investments.
Help spot game-changing trends, technologies and business models that can bring solutions to emerging markets, with an emphasis on expanding the role of inclusion, digital and climate finance solutions in agriculture.
Produce regular reports on the assigned portfolio including monitoring progress against project milestones and KPIs.
Contribute to sector-specific data analysis and stress-testing of various operating models to help generate ideas for new projects, new products and platform businesses.
Support investment transactions as required from initiation, due diligence, internal approvals, processing and negotiations of debt and equity investment, actively handling key work and coordinating work of other team members from across multiple departments.
Work with the World Bank to analyze sector and regulatory reforms that are needed to unlock opportunities for private investment.
Assist in the development of the Financial Institutions Group’s knowledge management;
Take responsibility for supervision of one or more investments in the financial industry sector, with particular focus on problem/ restructuring situations;
Mentor and coach less-experienced investment staff and help build talent and grow skill base of staff;
Assist in other project or strategy related activities as the need may arise.
Selection Criteria:
Master's degree and 7-9 years of relevant experience in the financial sector, preferably in an investment-related function and/or the private equity industry.
Experience in project/program management, including executing against implementation plans with defined business development milestones.
Strong experience in the banking and financial sector, including a solid operational understanding of commercial banks and other financial entities in emerging markets with track-record of supporting origination, structuring, processing, negotiating, and closing investments.
Outstanding analytical and critical thinking skills including the capacity to innovate and challenge the status quo and experience in new idea generation, business development, and creating projects/programs from scratch.
Understanding of the financial, agricultural and technology sector and ability to link policy reforms, advisory interventions, investment, and mobilization to deliver solutions at a country level.
Ability to engage with private sector clients, local and national governments and other stakeholders to encourage pioneering business and market development.
Experience in monitoring and reporting on a portfolio of projects/ programs/I initiatives.
Good relationship management skills with proven track record of success in developing client relationships and execution of client engagements.
Strong skills in the evaluation of risk and ability to anticipate short and long term implications of decisions.
Ability to make sound decisions and commit to decisions.
Hold self and team accountable for risk management and outcomes.
Ability to interact directly and independently with the senior management of potential clients, of financial and technical partners as well as senior government officials.
Ability to systematically share with others good practice and learning from lessons from across WBG, clients, and partners.
Skilled in collaboration across boundaries and broadly, ability to bring differing ideas into the forefront.
Excellent business judgment and strong analytical and problem solving skills to identify issues and present creative, practical solutions.
Great team player, able to mentor and train more junior staff.
Capacity to deal with conflicting priorities and deliver high quality work on schedule; facility to work successfully in multicultural teams and across boundaries.
Genuine commitment 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.
