Senior 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 Trade and Supply Chain Department (CTS) is one of the industry groups at IFC, with both investment and advisory services delivered to IFC’s clients through IFC’s global network. IFC’s priorities in Trade are: (i) grow investment and advisory solutions in all regions it operates in, while achieving strong profitability and development impact (ii) build new and nurture existing client relationships to make IFC the preferred partner for key clients (iii) manage portfolio of assets for strong profitability and impact; (iv) support local companies, while improving transparency and corporate governance; (v) catalyze foreign investment, including mobilizing B loans, parallel loans, and other forms of capital mobilization; (vi) introduce and develop new financial solutions, products and platforms; (vii) build long-term partnerships with strong regional players; (viii) develop client, sector and country-level solutions through interventions that can be scaled and replicated; and (ix) be a thought leader and innovator of products and client solutions globally. 

Global trade is an engine of growth that creates jobs, reduces poverty, and increases economic opportunities. It is a key driver of integration and opportunities for local enterprises in emerging markets and developing countries. Financing trade is fundamental to the movement of goods at all stages of the supply chain and can have a strong development impact in developing countries. IFC’s trade finance programs offer guarantees, risk-sharing facilities, loans, and other structured products to support trade in emerging markets. Through these various products, IFC has supported more than 400 financial institutions and thousands of underlying companies in more than 100 countries across all regions of the globe. To date, IFC’s Trade and Supply Chain Finance has supported over $200 billion in global trade, all of which is directly linked to the movement of specific goods across emerging market borders. 

CTS manages IFC’s trade and supply chain finance-related products and programs, starting with its flagship program of Global Trade Finance Program (GTFP) and including other products like the Global Trade Liquidity Program (GTLP), the Global Supply Chain Finance Program (GSCF), the Global Warehouse Finance Program (GWFP). These various programs and products, developed for the benefit of all IFC clients, have typically been carried out as partnerships with other departments of IFC, in particular with Financial Institutions Group (FIG), and increasingly  Manufacturing, Agribusiness and Services (MAS) and Infrastructure. CTS is a Global Department. It has delivered US$13 billion of business in FY23.

IFC is seeking a Senior Investment Officer to lead CTS’s strategy in Latin America (LAC)  and represent the Department in the Region. The Sr Investment Officer will be responsible for the delivery of CTS’s program in LAC. This includes leading strategy, business development, mobilization, and implementation for all trade products. He/ She will also expand external and internal business relationships and coordinate CTS’s activities across IFC and the WBG. The Sr. Investment Officer, Regional Lead for LAC, will report to CTS’s Manager and will be based in either Sao Paulo, Bogota, or Mexico City. 

Roles and Responsibilities

The Senior Investment Officer is expected to:

• Have a strategic understanding of the Trade, Commodity, and Supply Chain Finance sectors and of the industry dynamics in LAC.
• Generate and deliver the CTS Program in Latin America and the Caribbean, including GTFP and CTS’s long-term finance products (i.e., GTLP, GSCF, GWFP).
• Have demonstrated success and in-depth experience, preferably in LAC, with a diverse range of trade products, clients, and complex issues, such as work in IDA/FCS countries.
• Have recognized client relationship skills.
• Have demonstrated innovative thinking and the ability to anticipate market trends, and the business sense to develop new initiatives with a high probability of success.
• Have the ability to connect across the corporation and the courage of conviction to succeed in difficult situations.
• Lead a team of Investment Officers, Trade Finance Officers and Analysts of diverse backgrounds and experience, based in different locations. Mentor and Coach; provide development opportunities.
• Share knowledge and experience internally at IFC, with the WBG, and by participating in external events.
• Contribute to CTS’s new initiatives and participate in the Department’s Leadership.

Selection Criteria

• Master’s degree or equivalent professional qualification in Business and/or Finance; Economics, International Development, International Banking.
• Minimum 12 years of relevant experience with a development finance institution (DFI), a commercial or investment bank with tasks related to private sector financial institution financing.
• Demonstrated knowledge in financial institutions, trade, commodity and supply chain finance, credit and risk management, corporate governance, international finance and development issues and market creation advisory work.
• Ability to represent IFC externally and to develop and manage relationships with clients, government, media, and donors, and work collaboratively with the World Bank, other DFIs, and other industry stakeholders.
• 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; strong sense of service to clients and demonstrated business development aptitude; proven success in developing client relationships.
• Ability to plan and manage staff to achieve high-quality results and encourage innovation in an open team-based environment, inspiring trust and influencing and resolving differences across organizational boundaries.
• Ability to develop innovative solutions and challenge the status quo to build the business.
• Excellent people management skills and openness to feedback; new ideas and ability to guide staff to solutions to problems.
• Proactive self-starter, creative and skilled individual with attention to detail; works independently and as part of a team in a dynamic environment.
• Highest standards of ethical integrity, and transparency.
• Excellent writing and research skills.
• Strong communication skills and ability to work effectively independently as well as part of a team; proficiency in English and in Spanish or Portuguese is required.

Source: https://worldbankgroup.csod.com/ats/careersite/JobDetails.aspx?id=28841&site=1