Associate Investment Officer

As an Associate Investment Officer, you will provide technical support in the screening, due diligence, structuring, obtaining of approvals, negotiation, implementation and closing of successful direct debt financing, guarantees, equity investments, and technical assistance programs in food and agribusiness companies across ADB’s developing member countries. The incumbent’s core focus will be People’s Republic of China (PRC), which may occasionally include transactions beyond food and agribusiness (e.g. rural tourism, manufacturing, services).

The position is core to the goals of ADB’s New Operating Model, with a stated goal to locate staff closer to clients in the region, making it easier for clients to work with ADB, create new business opportunities, improve ADB’s understanding of local contexts, and create more opportunities for impactful solutions.

You will:

Project Processing:

• Provide technical and coordination support in the identification, development, and processing of transactions to be considered for ADB private sector direct agribusiness investment.
• Support the comprehensive financial assessment, including analysis of audited financial statements, financial modeling including sensitivity analysis, credit rating for debt transactions, and valuation for equity transactions (and lead coordination with PSOD’s Risk Analytics Unit (RAU)).
• Support the comprehensive due diligence on market, commercial, technical, environmental, social, corporate governance, and integrity issues related to the proposed transactions.
• Ensure compliance with internal guidelines, policies, and procedures, as well as with market best practices.
• Support structuring, negotiations, and legal documentation of the proposed financial assistance, ensuring proper risk management is applied.
• Design and processes relevant technical assistance programs to complement projects.
• Draft concept and Investment Committee papers and ADB Board documentation.

Transaction Origination:

• Assist in developing a pipeline for ADB private sector direct agribusiness investment by identifying potential debt or equity transactions presenting both a strong developmental impact potential and robust financial profile.
• Provide industry, market, financial and credit information on targeted companies.
• Lead and nurture active relationships with food and agribusiness companies, financiers, and various advisors in the region, and particularly in the PRC.

Handover of portfolio projects:

• Lead and coordinate the handover of portfolio projects from AIT to PSOD’s Portfolio Management division (PSPM). This includes the preparation of waiver, amendment, and consent (WAC) forms.
• Lead and coordinate the timely handover process. This requires passing on the full documentation and knowledge associated with a transaction.

Strategy and Planning:

• Coordinate work with other PSOD teams and departments on project related and strategy policy matters, including with PSOD’s Risk Analytics Unit (RAU).
• Participate in the New Operation Model’s pilot of closer collaboration with the Agriculture, Food, Nature, and Rural Development Sector Office (SG-AFNR).
• Support PRCM and EARD with the PRC CPS work and other government engagement.

Knowledge Sharing:

• Participate in and contribute to relevant learning events and other activities for knowledge building;
• Draft, review, and provide comments on project, policy, and other papers related to private sector development and operations, particularly for the agribusiness sector;
• Maintain and share knowledge of emerging best practices in the agribusiness sector.

Qualifications:

You will need:

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration or Finance or equivalent. Preferably with a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) certification or a Master’s degree in business administration, finance, or equivalent
• At least 6 years work experience in corporate and project lending and equity investments with exposure to the food and agribusiness sector in Asia
• Understanding of financial modeling, equity valuation, corporate and project finance, and other core banking and investment skills
• Knowledge of ADB’s policies and processes would be advantageous
• Written and verbal proficiency in English and Mandarin Chinese
• Please refer to the link for ADB Competency Framework for National Staff Level 1.

Source:  https://www.adb.org/careers/240268