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. Our mission is to leverage the power of the private sector to end extreme poverty and boost shared prosperity on a livable planet. 

The Manufacturing, Agribusiness and Services (MAS) Group is a key industry group at IFC, responsible for managing a large part of IFC’s overall business in terms of investment volume and capital at risk. MAS engages in a wide range of industries including light and heavy manufacturing, agribusiness, health, education, property, retail and tourism, and other areas, with both investment and advisory services delivered to IFC’s clients through IFC’s global network. Investing in the manufacturing sector has been a profitable and impactful business for IFC, and the Latin America and Caribbean region (LAC) is experiencing strong growth.  

• Within MAS, the Manufacturing sector encompasses chemicals, fertilizers, steel, cement, glass, automotive, electronics, textiles, and other light manufacturing value chains. A key aspect of IFC’s strategy is to support the decarbonization of “hard to abate” sectors such as cement, steel, glass, and chemicals, with the goal of supporting companies and countries in reducing carbon emissions. The Manufacturing team also supports decarbonization of transportation and mobility sectors through engaging, among others, with automotive and other light manufacturing companies, as well as in the production of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), Green Methanol, Green Hydrogen and other new energy sources. Circularity is also a key theme, especially when it comes to reducing plastic waste through recycling or alternative solutions. Finally, Manufacturing being an important sector for employment, IFC focuses on productivity improvement and sustainable transformation of value chains.
• The MAS LAC team is looking to recruit a Principal Investment Officer with considerable experience in emerging markets to lead our business development efforts in the Manufacturing sector in the region.  The position will be based in Mexico City.
• Additionally, the Principal Investment Officer will be “Hub lead” for Mexico. In that respect, the candidate will work closely with colleagues in the Manufacturing, Agribusiness, and Services sectors in Mexico, ensuring coordination across sectors, providing key inputs on the Mexico strategy for MAS sectors, as well as supporting business development, transaction execution, portfolio supervision and client relationship management as needed. The candidate will also be in close contact with the Mexico Country Manager.
• Note: If the selected candidate is a current Bank Group staff member with a Regular or Open-Ended appointment, s/he will retain his/her Regular or Open-Ended appointment. All others will be offered a 3-year term appointment.

ROLES AND RESPONSABILITIES:

• Establish and lead the business development strategy and efforts for the Manufacturing sector in LAC, with a focus on decarbonization, circularity, productivity and sustainable value chains.
• Collaborate with MAS LAC and LAC teams to determine target clients, define and discuss key business development priorities with country offices and global industry teams.
• Contribute to country and industry strategy discussions and support the preparation of LAC country and global strategies for Manufacturing.
• Hub Lead for Mexico.
• Develop and maintain quality relationships to foster repeat business and access to new opportunities / relationships with clients.
• Analyze operational and financial performance of potential client companies; review investment proposals, evaluate the benefits and risks of new transactions, conduct project discussions with clients and assure quality follow-up within IFC as well as with external counterparts.
• Identify, communicate internally and as appropriate, act on trends and developments that affect clients, companies and the industries in which they operate.
• Develop, lead and support the Manufacturing LAC team in developing a number of high-quality and impactful investments for IFC in the Manufacturing sectors across the LAC region.
• Support if needed the due diligence, internal approval process and documentation for new investments.
• Work across Manufacturing sector team on sector wide tasks.
• Contribute to the identification and selection of Manufacturing LAC Upstream opportunities for development beyond investment projects.
• Proactively work towards MAS, LAC and Global Manufacturing collective target in terms of mainstream, upstream and advisory initiatives, by allocating resources where needed.
• Coach and mentor junior staff in the field office during IFC’s process cycle.
• Guide more junior staff in IFC career management with the goal to make colleagues bring their best delivery and make the most professional development while at IFC.
• Support dissemination of best practices within the team.
• Undertake corporate and MAS activities as needed (e.g., recruitment, representation, conference participation, seminars etc.).
• 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.

Selection Criteria

• MBA finance or equivalent degree and a minimum of 12 to 15 years of relevant professional experience in finance with a proven track-record of sourcing, structuring and closing investments.
• Existing relationships and credibility across a broad range of manufacturing, agribusiness and services industry sectors; knowledge of manufacturing sectors preferred.
• Deep understanding of the challenges of investing in emerging markets.
• Understanding of, and interest in, development impact and IFC’s mission.
• Proven track-record in business development and portfolio management, including developing and maintaining strategic client relationships.
• Excellent financial and credit skills; demonstrated ability to structure a variety of complex financial instruments (debt and equity).
• Experience of working with multilateral agencies.
• Robust analytical and problem-solving skills to identify issues and present creative and practical solutions.
• Sound business judgment to identify potential business partners.
• Highest standards of transparency and integrity.
• Ability to interact directly and independently with the senior management of potential clients, business partners, senior government officials as well as other stakeholders.
• Proven track record in mentoring junior investment 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 verbal and written communication skills in English.
• Candidates with fluency in either Spanish or Portuguese preferred.
• Willingness to travel extensively.

Source: https://worldbankgroup.csod.com/ats/careersite/JobDetails.aspx?id=29207&site=1