Investment Officer, Upstream Investment, Infrastructure, LAC Region – GG

The International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, is the largest global development institution focused on the private sector in emerging markets. Operating in over 100 countries, IFC leverages its capital, expertise, and influence to create markets and opportunities, aiming to end extreme poverty and boost shared prosperity on a livable planet.

IFC embarked on an ambitious new growth strategy (IFC 3.0) to stimulate more investment activity across emerging markets, especially in Low Income Countries (LICs) and Fragile and Conflict affected States (FCS). This strategy aims to create new opportunities for private investments in riskier markets and sectors by proactively working “upstream” (early in the project-development cycle) to create, deepen, and expand markets and design and develop potential investment projects. It requires taking a systematic approach to understanding the regulatory and sector bottlenecks that prevent the flow of private capital into productive investment in our member countries and addressing these bottlenecks through World Bank Group engagement on policy reforms and programmatic interventions at the country and sector level. It also requires capacity to work with clients to jointly imagine, design and develop projects even in the absence of reforms.

Achieving these growth and impact ambitions at scale requires a different approach to business development, deal sourcing, and client support that relies on 1) a broader product offering to engage earlier in the project cycle and secure opportunities; 2) a greater focus on preparing clients in nascent markets and sectors for investment; 3) a greater focus on value addition and risk management of portfolio investment clients to enhance their performance; and 4) a longer time horizon and a more patient, longer-term perspective.

The LAC Infrastructure Unit is an open and dynamic team, that originates, structures and commits financing to infrastructure projects across a number of sectors including energy, transportation, water and waste, telecom and technology, subnational infrastructure and natural resources. The IFC business cycle, includes client relationship management, upstream/pre-investment activities, business development, deal/transaction execution, and portfolio investment management. The upstream/pre-investment team intrinsically works with investment team generating leads on potential investment opportunities for IFC.

IFC is seeking an Investment Officer to support our upstream/pre-investment work in the infrastructure sector (water and sanitation, transport, telecom, energy, and waste), primarily focusing on Colombia, Central America and the Caribbean, but also willing and driven to work across other countries in the Latin American region. The candidate will be based in Bogota, and will work across the IFC business cycle, with a particular focus on early-stage/pre-investment work and business development by 1) incubating high impact projects that require early-stage development and pre-investment support together with private sector clients leading to an IFC investment , 2) getting potential clients ready for IFC investment through client preparation and development, and 3) doing business development to identify opportunities with private companies in the relevant infrastructure sector. The Investment Officer will work closely with other senior Upstream and Investment staff, all part of the same Infrastructure Unit, to generate and execute new opportunities across the infrastructure space. The position will be under the supervision of the Regional Industry Upstream and Advisory Manager.

Duties and Accountabilities

The role and responsibilities of the position will include but not be limited to:

• Work closely with the Colombia, central America and Caribbean Infrastructure Subregional Lead, to advance regional infrastructure business development activities and help develop a strong pipeline of investments by assessing business leads, anticipating market trends and employing deep sector/country/market knowledge.
• Lead pre-investment and advisory initiatives in the region, under guidance from senior team members, to create a pipeline of future investments for IFC by spotting emerging opportunities for private investment and converting them into bankable projects through technical assistance and co-development of projects.
• Work closely with the Subregional Leads, the Country Managers and officers to develop and deepen key public and private sector business relationships.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with clients, global and regional private businesses, banking and multilateral partners and government officials to further develop the sector and to develop specific investment opportunities.
• Evaluate new business leads and structure potential new transactions, deploying IFC’s full range of pre-investment and investment products, with a particular focus on renewable energy, subnational/urban infrastructure, transport and logistics, e-mobility and digital sectors.
• Lead internal processing of pre-investment and advisory initiative as well as investments. Help develop innovative and appropriate financial structures for complex transactions in challenging market conditions.
• Lead negotiation/documentation for pre-investment and investment projects; use strong negotiation skills to develop solutions and overcome impasses in straightforward and complex transactions.
• Take a lead role in helping provide infrastructure-related inputs to reform processes and regulatory changes, coordinating with internal and external stakeholders as necessary.
• Coordinate with World Bank colleagues and help create opportunities for investments for the private sector.
• Disseminate and absorb knowledge and experience across the regional industry department and global teams to support adoption of new approaches and best practices.

Selection Criteria

• Master’s degree or equivalent professional qualification in Business, Finance, Economics, or other relevant field.
• At least 8 years of relevant experience in infrastructure project development, advisory or investment activities.
• Ability to interact directly and independently with potential clients, financial and technical partners as well as senior government officials.
• Genuine commitment to development and to the World Bank Group and IFC’s mission, strategy and values.
• Strong business development and client relationship skills demonstrated by track record and ability to focus on clients’ needs effectively. Proven ability to convert early business leads into investment mandates.
• Capacity to innovate and challenge the status quo. Experience of sourcing, negotiating, structuring and closing investments in infrastructure sectors.
• Good understanding of at least one infrastructure sub-sector, such as power, subnational/urban infrastructure, transportation, telecoms.
• Experience engaging with private sector clients, local and national governments and other stakeholders to encourage pioneering business and market development strongly desired.
• Excellent people skills and team player, and ability to work in a multi-cultural environment, openness to feedback, new ideas, and ability to guide, and motivate others.
• Pro-active, motivated and able to multi-task under time pressure.
• Strong written and verbal communications skills in English and Spanish. Knowledge of Portuguese is a plus.

WBG Culture Attributes:

1. Sense of Urgency – Anticipating and quickly reacting to the needs of internal and external stakeholders.
2. Thoughtful Risk Taking – Taking informed and thoughtful risks and making courageous decisions to push boundaries for greater impact.
3. Empowerment and Accountability – Engaging with others in an empowered and accountable manner for impactful results.

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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