Principal Investment Officer

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.

The Manufacturing, Agribusiness and Services (MAS) Africa Department is recruiting a Hub lead New Business, Manufacturing & Services (M&S) to join the M&S team, which is responsible for sourcing and executing investment transactions in the M&S sectors. The Hub lead would cover the Lagos, Cameroon, and Ghana CMU clusters.

This is a senior role that requires strong and demonstrated technical and structuring skills as well as leadership, resource and change management, and relationship skills.  The Hub lead will be based in Lagos (Nigeria) and will report to the Regional Industry Manager, Manufacturing for West, Central, North Africa, and Horn of Africa.

ROLE & RESPONSIBILITIES:

The Hub lead, PIO, will work closely with colleagues in the country offices, and in Washington DC, on M&S sector strategies, business development, transaction execution, portfolio supervision, and client relationship management. The responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Lead the M&S business (with emphasis on business development and also execution of strategic transactions) in the country clusters under coverage by deepening the strategic approach across the different sub sectors and in alignment with the overall strategies in Africa and relevant countries under coverage in close collaboration with the team and across relevant WBG units.
• Work closely with the sector leads and managers of the M&S team to jointly develop a strong business pipeline.
• Assess the attractiveness of specific investment opportunities with a strong focus on credit quality and development impact and make recommendations to IFC’s management in order to build an overall strong M&S portfolio. Periodic knowledge management sessions to develop team capacity in assessing opportunities.
• Proactively identify potential investment partners and opportunities based on industry experience, reputation, market potential, financial capability, and strategic fit.
• Support the team in developing strong relationships with key counterparts in the private and public sector as well as development partners and manage key strategic client relationships.
• Execute loan, equity, and mezzanine financings including processing mandates, conduct due diligence, structuring deals, negotiate terms and documentation, arrange syndications, and process internal approvals. Main focus on execution of strategic transactions in this role and supporting the teams on execution of transactions.
• Work closely with IFC’s specialists to manage environmental, social, technical, legal, insurance, corporate governance, and other risks in projects and champion IFC’s sustainability offerings to clients.
• Monitor clients’ compliance with the terms of investment agreements, prepare timely supervision reports, identify early warning signs, and, when necessary, formulate/implement strategies for work-outs, restructurings or rescheduling.
• Provide high quality client service throughout the project cycle from transaction sourcing and processing to supervision.
• Supervise and mentor more junior colleagues in the different relevant offices of the coverage.

Selection Criteria

• MBA, Master’s degree in Finance or equivalent
• At least 12-15 years of work experience for a major commercial or investment bank with significant emerging markets presence, an international financial institution or a private equity firm
• Experience in investment transaction, with proven success in developing client relationships as well as sourcing, negotiating, structuring and closing quality investments and strong knowledge and prior experience in the tourism, retail and property sectors
• Knowledge of and experience in emerging markets a plus (particularly in Africa)
• Strong business judgment in identifying potential business partners
• Strong financial and credit skills; sound business judgment and demonstrated ability to structure a variety of financial instruments (debt and equity)
• Client relationship skills, track record and ability to focus on client needs effectively
• Ability to interact directly and independently with the senior management of clients, financial and technical partners as well as senior government officials
• Strong people management, interpersonal and leadership skills, ability to work successfully in multicultural teams and across boundaries and to build networks across the region, including the ability to mentor and coach others to achieve results
• Excellent organizational, administrative, and time management skills
• Proven ability to work independently and deliver promptly and efficiently under pressure and meet tight deadlines
• Willingness to travel extensively and geographic flexibility
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English.  Fluency in other languages, particularly French is a plus.

Source: https://worldbankgroup.csod.com/ats/careersite/JobDetails.aspx?id=27836&site=1