Investment Officer

Job #: req24115

Organization: IFC

Sector: Infrastructure

Grade: GF

Term Duration: 3 years

Recruitment Type: Local Recruitment

Location: New Delhi,India; Mumbai,India

Required Language(s): English

Preferred Language(s): Closing Date: 9/18/2023 (MM/DD/YYYY) at 11:59pm UTC

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 in developing countries. In fiscal year 2023, IFC committed a record US$43.7 billion to private companies and financial institutions in developing countries, leveraging the power of the private sector to end extreme poverty and boost shared prosperity as economies grapple with the impacts of global compounding crises. For more information, visit www.ifc.org.

IFC has embarked on an ambitious new growth strategy, the outcome of which will be to double our volume of business by 2030 and triple the work we do in Low Income Countries (LICs) and Fragile and Conflict affected States (FCS). To do so, IFC will need to deploy its full range of financing, mobilization, advisory, convening and thought leadership skills. This also calls for the need to generate our own opportunities by proactively working “Upstream” to create, deepen, and expand markets and opportunities for the private sector and to imagine, design and implement investment projects. This strategy also relies on a closer WBG collaboration through the “Cascade” approach: working with clients, we will first seek private sector solutions to address development challenges—where such solutions are advisable and can be effective—and reserve public financing for projects only when other options are suboptimal.

The Infrastructure and Natural Resources (INR) Industry is one of IFC’s key strategic priorities. The team delivers financial and technical support to clients in the power, transport, municipal & environmental infrastructure, oil and gas, and mining sectors, from IFC’s own Balance Sheet and through mobilization of other capital. The department also seeks to maintain IFC, as part of the World Bank Group, at the cutting-edge of helping member countries find solutions to new and emerging infrastructure and natural resource issues.

IFC’s priorities in Asia for INR are to: (i) grow business in the region and achieve strong profitability and impact; (ii) build new and nurture existing client relationships to make IFC the preferred partner for key clients; (iii) manage the portfolio of assets for strong profitability and impact; (iv) support local companies, while improving transparency and corporate governance; (v) catalyze foreign investment, including mobilizing B loans and parallel loans; (vi) introduce and develop new financial products; (vii) build long-term partnerships with strong regional players and (viii) develop client, sector and country-level solutions that can be scaled and replicated.

Roles and Responsibilities

The candidate is expected to perform the functions of an Investment Officer at all material stages of the IFC deal cycle, from deal origination to portfolio management, with a focus on building IFC’s infrastructure portfolio in Mumbai or Delhi, India, including to:

•  Develop a strong pipeline of good quality investment opportunities in South Asia by anticipating market trends and employing sector/country knowledge
•  Supervise a commensurate number of projects in South Asia
•  Supervise, leverage and mentor a number of junior staff
•  Work closely with the Country Managers and Officers – joint work to include developing client, country and sector strategies
•  Evaluate, structure, negotiate, and close new transactions, portfolio restructurings, capital increases, equity sales, etc
•  Review and analyze business opportunities, and synthesize information into internal reports for decision making purposes
•  Develop innovative and appropriate financial structures for complex transactions
•  Lead negotiation/documentation; deploy strong negotiation skills to develop solutions and overcome impasses in straightforward and complex transactions
•  Build and maintain strong relationships with clients, global and regional private businesses, banking and multilateral partners and government officials to further develop investment opportunities
•  Coordinate closely with social, environmental, and technical assistance colleagues to add value to our clients’ businesses, find pragmatic solutions to the specific sector challenges, and achieve sustainable development impact

In addition the successful candidate will:

•  Have a reputation for being able to connect the dots across business strategies and portfolio management lessons learned to generate innovative ideas, products, or solutions that can be replicated in other locations
•  Be astute in anticipating where future opportunities and innovation will emerge in markets and sectors, and able to leverage expertise and reputation to connect IFC with those opportunities to grow infrastructure business and open new markets
•  Be able to have difficult conversations with clients to set reasonable expectations and with team members on their accountabilities or to address performance issues

Selection Criteria

•  MBA or equivalent degree with at least 6-8 years of relevant professional experience in investment/corporate banking, project finance, infrastructure project development, and/or equity investing
•  Thorough understanding of economic and commercial trends, investment environment, industry drivers, business/ market development cycles, and how business performance and long-term competitiveness/ viability are measured within the industry and how industry dynamics may evolve in India
•  Demonstrated execution capacity in leading infrastructure projects from business development to financial closing in India
•  Proven analytical, financial analysis, equity valuation, and financial modeling skills to analyze and form conclusions on company financial information or projects and industry indicators. Able to oversee and provide quality control feedback on financial models prepared by investment analysts
•  Capacity to build client relationships/ networks. Ability to identify business opportunities, discuss structuring alternatives, and resolve issues
•  Appreciation and understanding of legal, technical, environmental, social, and other considerations in Infrastructure project and corporate finance
•  Fluent in English
•  Excellent written, verbal communication and presentation skills to effectively influence the perception/ support of clients/ stakeholders
•  Ability to draft documents and reports that are concise, well-organized, and appropriately focused on most critical points that are relevant to the target audience
•  Ability to share valid opinions and new observations relevant to project outcomes with project leaders in a manner that is concise, cohesive, and focused
•  Excellent oral and written presentation skills in English are required
•  Ability to work in culturally diverse and geographically dispersed teams and mentor junior staff
•  Proactive, self-motivated, and well-organized
•  Ability to work well under time pressures with minimal instruction or supervision

World Bank Group Core Competencies

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.

Learn more about working at the World Bank and IFC, including our values and inspiring stories.