Investment Officer

Description

IFC — a member of the World Bank Group — is the largest global development institution focused on the private sector in emerging markets. We work in more than 100 countries, using our capital, expertise, and influence to create markets and opportunities. Our mission is to leverage the power of the private sector to end extreme poverty and boost shared prosperity on a livable planet. For more information, visit www.ifc.org.

IFC is recruiting an Investment Officer to be based in Dakar, Senegal or Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire as part of the Manufacturing, Agribusiness and Services (MAS) team in Africa. The selected candidate will provide expertise in the Manufacturing and Services (tourism, retail, property, health, and education) sectors to the IFC MAS regional industry (investment) teams in Africa. This role requires strong and demonstrated technical skills in sourcing, structuring, negotiating, and executing transactions and in portfolio management. The Investment Officer will also have a significant role in setting strategies to grow IFC’s Africa Services business, as well as day-to-day responsibilities leading transactions, and portfolio management.

She/he will report to IFC Regional Industry Manager, Services, for West, Central, North Africa, and Horn of Africa.

Duties and Accountabilities

The Investment Officer will work closely with colleagues in the Africa region and in Washington, DC, on business development, transaction execution, portfolio supervision, and client relationship management in manufacturing and services. The responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Develop a strong pipeline of good quality investment opportunities through proactive origination/business development and developing and employing sector/country knowledge.
• As transaction lead], evaluate, structure, negotiate, and close new transactions, portfolio restructurings, rescheduling, capital increases, equity sales, as necessary.
• Develop innovative and appropriate financial structures for complex transactions.
• Lead term sheet negotiation/legal documentation process; use strong negotiation skills to develop solutions and overcome impasses in straightforward and complex transactions.
• Provide high quality client service throughout the project cycle from transaction sourcing and processing to supervision.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with regional clients, businesses, banking and multilateral partners and government officials to further develop the sector and to develop specific investment opportunities. Mentor and develop junior staff.
• Assist in the formulation, monitoring and updating of IFC’s strategy in the Services sectors in Africa region, working with IFC’s industry and regional departments and in close coordination with the World Bank.
• Coordinate closely with social, environmental, governance, and technical assistance colleagues to add value to our clients’ businesses, find pragmatic solutions to the specific sector challenges, and achieve sustainable development impact.
• Support in providing thought leadership within the team, specifically on the Services sectors- tourism, retail, property, health, and education.

Selection Criteria

• MBA, master’s degree in finance or equivalent
• At least 10-15+ years of relevant work experience within IFC or with a major private equity firm, commercial bank or international financial institution with significant emerging markets presence
• Experience in investment transaction (corporate and project finance), with proven success and track record in developing client relationships with the ability to focus on client needs effectively as well as sourcing, negotiating, structuring and closing quality investments
• Expertise in services sectors i.e. tourism, retail, commercial and residential property, health and education sectors
• Knowledge of and experience in investing in emerging markets a plus (particularly in West Africa), established network in the region is a plus;
• Strong business development/origination and judgment in identifying potential business partners and investment opportunities
• Strong financial and credit skills; demonstrated ability to structure a variety of financial instruments (debt, equity, mezzanine)
• Ability to interact directly and independently with the senior management of clients, financial and technical partners as well as senior government officials
• Strong interpersonal and leadership skills, ability to work successfully in multicultural teams and across boundaries and to build networks across the region, including the ability to mentor and coach others to achieve results
• Excellent organizational, administrative, and time management skills
• Strong sense of personal responsibility and accountability. Proven ability to work independently and deliver promptly and efficiently under pressure and meet tight deadlines
• Willingness to travel extensively and geographic flexibility
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English, fluency in French will be an advantage.

Closing Date: 3/5/2025 (MM/DD/YYYY) at 11:59pm UTC.