Principal Investment Officer

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Description

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• Play a senior leadership role for the Africa Infrastructure team with a foreseen emphasis on power and transportation sub-sectors with added responsibilities for business development across all infra sectors
• Develop a strong pipeline of good quality investment opportunities in the Africa region by anticipating market trends and employing sector/country knowledge
• Supervise a commensurate number of Infrastructure projects in the Africa region
• Work closely with the country managers and officers – joint work to include developing client, country and sector strategies
• Support the development and execution of selected early-stage project ad sector development initiatives and projects 
• Work closely with the Africa INR Portfolio team to ensure a sound portfolio including generation of repeat business
• Evaluate, structure, negotiate, and close new transactions, portfolio restructurings, capital increases, equity sales, etc.
• Review and analyze business opportunities, synthesize information into internal reports for decision making purposes 
• Develop innovative and appropriate financial structures for complex transactions
• Lead negotiation/documentation teams; use strong negotiation skills to develop solutions and overcome impasses in straightforward and complex transactions
• Build and maintain strong relationships with clients, global and regional private businesses, banking and multilateral partners and government officials to further develop investment opportunities
• Lead and manage project teams, mentor and develop junior staff in the tea
• Coordinate closely with social, environmental, and technical assistance colleagues to add value to our clients’ businesses, find pragmatic solutions to the specific sector challenges, and achieve sustainable development impact.

• MBA or equivalent qualification;
• At least 15 years of experience with a development finance institution (DFI), a commercial and investment bank or a private equity firm with tasks related to private sector infrastructure financing;
• Proven and recent deal track-record of sourcing, structuring and closing investments in infrastructure sectors, including investments in the Africa region;
• Regional knowledge of countries and understanding of infrastructure challenges faced by countries within the region;
• Knowledge of the various infra core sectors (power, transportation, utilities, telecoms, natural resources); equity investment, project finance and renewable energy finance experience is essential; Prior exposure to the transport sector is a plus;
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in both English and French, either or both of Portuguese and Spanish would be a plus; 
• Strong credit skills backed by references;
• Strong business development and client relationship skills, demonstrated network relevant for the team’s business, track record and ability to focus on clients’ needs effectively;
• Willingness to travel extensively;
• Financial skills: demonstrated ability to structure a variety of complex financial instruments (debt and equity);
• Strong track record of portfolio management of complex projects;
• Sound business judgment in identifying potential business partners;
• Ability to interact directly and independently with the senior management of potential clients, financial and technical partners as well as senior government officials;
• Strong inter-personal skills, ability to interact effectively with clients and colleagues from various cultural backgrounds;
• Proven ability to mentor junior investment staff;
• Highly motivated, committed to highest ethical standards;
• Genuine commitment to sustainable development.

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