Senior Investment Officer – GG  

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.

IFC’s Transaction Advisory Services Department (CTA) is housed in the IFC Cross Cutting Solutions Vice Presidency (CCSVPU) and consists of two business lines:  

I. PPP Transaction Advisory (C3P) offers transaction advisory services to governments, designing and structuring PPP transactions in infrastructure with focus on electricity, water, transportation, telecommunications, etc. and social services such as health and education, to assist client governments to partner with the private sector in sustainable long-term projects providing high quality, affordable and efficient public and social services to economic agents and the population, in general. 

II. Corporate Finance Services (CFS) has three key product offerings: (1) M&A Advisory: advising on buy-side / sell-side transactions; (2) Equity Mobilization Program (EMP): supporting third party equity mobilization alongside IFC investment; (3) Asset monetization involving listed or listing public entities. 

CTA mobilized $4.7B of private investment in FY24 and has a target of $5.9B for FY25 which translates into almost 25% of IFC’s total core mobilization. Drawing on over 25 years of experience and over 120 staff across the globe, CTA manages currently over 100 active client engagements. Africa has 25 to 30 staff distributed in five regional hubs located in Johannesburg, Nairobi, Dakar, Cairo, and Abuja/Lagos. The CTA department is expected to continue playing a leading role in mobilizing private capital on behalf of the WBG.  

PPP Transaction Advisory is seeking a Senior Investment Officer (SIO) with significant market and industry experience to manage the hub to be established in Abuja/Lagos, Nigeria with the main objective of developing the PPP business in Central Africa. The work of the SIO will be carried out in close consultation with the Africa Regional Manager and in collaboration with the other hub leaders, as necessary. He/she will be part of the collective decision-making process regarding strategies for business growth, pricing, targets, staffing, recruitment, etc. The Central Africa hub will be established with 3 team members that will work on both business development and execution of transactions. Further to acting as the Central Africa hub leader and team leader in the projects to be executed, he/she could also be required to work across the broader Africa region, depending on the portfolio/business needs. The Central Africa Region covers 9 countries, including Nigeria, Ghana, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Cameroon, Republic of Congo, Gabon, Central Africa Republic, Equatorial Guinea, and Sao Tome & Principe. 

The PPP team focuses on advising on the following types of transactions across all infrastructure sectors:  

•  Public-Private Partnerships e.g. BOT type concessions. 

•  Restructuring and privatization of state-owned enterprises. 

•  Corporate Finance type activities (equity raising, M&A, pre-IPO support). 

Besides ensuring consistency regarding the WBG countries’ strategy, the origination activities and the preparation work of complex PPP transactions may require close collaboration with the World Bank to access expertise in institutional and sector reforms, and development of legal and regulatory frameworks including tariff structures, and others.  

The position is based in Abuja/Lagos, Nigeria and the SIO as hub lead of Central Africa will report to the Regional Manager for PPP Transaction Advisory Services in Africa. 

Role & Responsibilities: 

The SIO’s work will involve the management of the Central Africa hub, leading the team in the implementation of advisory mandates of a variety of types, including business development, interactions with government clients, supervision of consultant hiring, preparing and delivering presentations, overseeing financial modeling and due diligence, transaction structuring, leading and supervising the drafting of bidding documents and assisting  government clients managing bidding processes, supporting and advising during negotiations and interacting with potential investors. Duties will include, but will not be limited to:  

•  Establish the central hub expected to start with 3 staff members and prepare a strategy to develop the market in the region, starting from the accumulated experience and existing portfolio. 

•  Interact with the other hub leaders in Africa to fine tune and draw on accumulated experience and expertise. 

•  Lead the origination and marketing activities in the Central Africa Hub, managing marketing activity in assigned countries/strategic areas, including collaborating with other WB/IFC teams to identify opportunities based on country strategies and market creation potential and supervise the preparation of commercial proposals, mandate negotiation with clients, etc.

•  When appropriate, undertake project scoping to assess feasibility of potential projects 

•  Prepare/review memos and documentation for internal approval and consultant procurement processes, as well as managing project budget.

•  Foster strong relationships with World Bank Group counterparts to identify collaboration opportunities and to enhance business delivery at the country level.  

•  Develop client relationships and project leads in CA region.

•  Understand the political, legal and regulatory impediments for private sector participation in the working countries and work closely with the other parts of the WBG to overcome these.

•  Lead the day-to-day management of project preparation, leading teams working on sell-side PPP mandates, including managing legal, technical, environmental and other consultants and review their outputs, reports, analysis and financial models.

•  Develop transaction structure options for PPP projects, provide innovative solutions and present recommendations to IFC management and clients; 

•  Develop the transaction structure aiming at innovative PPP projects, addressing the client problem with practical and bankable solutions and present such recommendations to management and clients, while managing expectations  

•  Participate/lead meetings with government clients and investors

•  Assist in the organization and management of the tendering process of projects, including marketing of projects, participating in road shows, drafting of Prequalification and Request for Proposals documents. Moreover, assist on the selection and project award processes and final negotiation of project agreements leading to closing deals. Strong negotiation skills to develop solutions and overcome impasses in transactions is paramount. 

•  In the preparation of the Projects, coordinate closely with other parts of IFC including environmental, social, legal, other advisory and, if appropriate, investment and World Bank colleagues to provide bespoke solutions to ensure Projects achieve expected sustainable development impact. 

•  Develop, coach, motivate and manage junior members of the team.

•  As appropriate, participate in the development and implementation of upstream activities in line with IFC 3.0 to create, deepen and expand markets with the regional and global team from across IFC and the WBG.

•  As appropriate, contribute to the elaboration of the sub-regional strategy, and HR/staffing related matters.

•  Support/intervention on Corporate Finance related mandates, both in terms of origination as well as execution that may include prepare and deliver pitch presentations to companies, reviewing and advising on corporate structure, balance sheet structure, valuation, prospectus review, corporate governance, etc. 

•  As requested, participate in the preparation of the regional strategy for the PPP Division’s advisory business, in partnership with the Country Managers, Upstream and Industry Departments as well as where applicable, the World Bank, with a focus on the PPP practice strategic priorities, mobilization of private investment, and development of climate-friendly and high impact projects. 

•  Support knowledge management by helping to disseminate PPP and CFS knowledge and experience and, 

•  Assist in other projects or strategy related activities as the need may arise. 

Selection Criteria

•  MBA or equivalent Post Graduate degree in business, finance, or economics

•  Minimum 10-12 years of relevant experience in PPP transaction advisory on buy and/or sell side, investment banking, project finance or corporate finance with a leading institution. PPP transaction advisory work experience in the region is desirable. 

•  Minimum 3-4 years of experience of sell//buy-side M&A advisory is a plus

•  Knowledge of overall infrastructure sector trends and experience in infrastructure transactions/PPPs preferably in Africa

•  Business development and client relationship skills, record of accomplishment in origination and ability to focus on clients’ needs effectively 

•  Proven track-record in originating, advising, structuring, and executing infrastructure transactions  

•  Strong grasp of legal documentation including risk allocation related to PPP projects including concessions and privatizations, ensuring prudent and sustainable risk sharing among all parties. 

•  Sound business judgment in identifying potential business and development partners and other key stakeholders and ability to interact directly and independently with senior government officials, potential investors. Strong existing relationships with government officials and investors in the infrastructure space in Central Africa is preferred

•  Ability to manage teams in multiple transactions, delivering high quality work within deadlines, and to meet objectives; 

•  Strong analytical and financial modeling/structuring skills and demonstrated ability to lead a variety of transaction advisory, including debt, and equity transactions

•  Proactively address and resolve client challenges with a solution-focused approach, effectively engaging decision-makers when necessary 

•  Strong analytical and conceptual skills and ability to communicate ideas clearly and confidently (written and oral)

•  Ability to operate in large, culturally diverse, and geographically dispersed teams

•  Proven experience building productive relationships and fostering open communication across diverse teams and organizations to share knowledge and resources.  

•  Strong interpersonal skills with demonstrated record of accomplishment in leading, motivating and managing multidisciplinary and multicultural teams 

•  Strong commitment to project success, delivering innovative and sustainable solutions, while overcoming obstacles. 

•  Building organizational capacity through system and process improvements 

•  Ability to work under pressure, travel on short notice and frequently, and deliver high quality work within deadlines to meet team objectives; 

•  Highly motivated, committed to the highest ethical standards, and aligned with the World Bank Group and IFC’s mission, strategy, and values, and 

•  Excellent oral and written communication skills in English, and knowledge of French or Portuguese is referred. 

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.

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