Chief/Principal Investment Officer – Financial Institutions Group – GH  

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.

Private sector financial development is essential to the promotion of successful and sustainable economies in low and middle-income countries around the world.  Sound and efficient financial markets can ensure that resources are allocated where they are most productive, assisting job creation and spurring economic growth.  IFC’s goal is to prioritize investment in the financial sector because it promotes development in all other sectors.

The Financial Institution Group (FIG) is one of IFC’s key Departments responsible for a significant portion of IFC’s business volume, profitability, and development reach, approximately 45%.  FIG engages in a wide range of sub-sectors including Microfinance, SME, Gender, Climate, Insurance, Capital Markets, Housing, Distressed Assets, and other areas.

IFC is looking to identify an individual who will lead its FIG DARP team to continue to set the strategic direction of the business, identify and scale new and existing opportunities and manage the DARP portfolio, as well as to continue to closely coordinate with the upstream work done across the WBG. The individual will lead the FIG DARP team globally.  The individual will also be responsible for managing and maintaining the relationships with the existing DARP partners globally and identify new partners. 

The position will report to the Global Equity Head within the Financial Institutions Group and will be based in Washington DC.

Roles & Responsibilities:

• Lead and manage the DARP team in order to achieve its objectives;
• Define DARP’s global strategy, prioritize areas of focus, and establish goals for the business and the team;
• Collaborate closely with FIG regional management in developing DARP’s priorities and strategies across regions;
• Help develop a strong pipeline of good quality investment opportunities through anticipating market trends and employing sector/country knowledge;
• Evaluate, structure, negotiate, and close new transactions;
• Manage the relationship with existing DARP clients as well as work closely with the rest of the team to ensure a consistent approach across regions;
• Work closely with the WB’s FCI GP, Upstream and Advisory Regional teams to establish priority areas for joint efforts;
• Oversee DARP master servicing framework (including both pricing and performance monitoring), as well as coordination with existing network of servicers and partners;
• Define and lead the development and implementation of all internal requirements associated to a growing business line;
• Coordinate with other units within IFC to ensure all the required support to efficiently manage both the new investments as well as the existing portfolio.

Selection Criteria

• Master’s degree in finance, economics or other related areas; accreditation as a CFA or CPA is considered a plus.

• Minimum 15 years of experience in finance, with evidence of growing expertise in banking, financial institutions and finance related disciplines;  

• Experience in distressed asset acquisition, management, and resolution, either as investor or servicer/manager. Previous exposure to DARP new transactions and portfolio projects, if candidate is from within IFC, is preferred;

• Ability to see the big picture of where sectors, industries, regions, and countries are, where they are heading, and where IFC can play a role in their development.

• Able to establish senior-level relationships and bring together cross sector and organizational players within IFC, WBG, and other DFIs to define strategically important collaborative interventions (e.g., policy reforms, regulatory changes) to increase financing in emerging markets, reach potential in existing markets, and unlock untapped market opportunities

• Strong financial and credit skills; demonstrated ability to structure a variety of complex financial instruments (debt and equity).

• Ability to interact directly and independently with the senior management of potential clients, of financial and technical partners as well as senior government officials.

• Good management skills with proven track record of success in developing client relationships and 

execution of client engagements.

• Ability to build long-term engagement with IFC’s strategic and top tier clients by engaging with senior management and connecting their strategies and business needs with IFC strategic priorities at sector, region, and country levels.

• Able to have difficult conversations with clients to set reasonable expectations and with team members on their accountabilities or to address performance issues. 

• Ability to deal proactively with and resolve conflicts when misalignment of interests develop between shareholders and sponsors.

• Excellent negotiation and structuring skills demonstrated by proven track record. Can recognize when negotiations no longer serve IFC’s interests and has the conviction to take appropriate actions to protect IFC, which could include walking away from a deal or taking different positions on corporate actions.

• Strong track record of negotiating both plain vanilla and more complex transactions;

• Knowledge and Experience in International Economic Development Arena and commitment to sustainable development.

• 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.

• Excellent oral and written presentation skills in English are required; additional major language such as Spanish would be a plus.

• Willingness to travel. 

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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