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. 

IFC’s Financial Institutions Group (FIG) Department is looking to hire a Senior Investment Officer to join IFC’s FIG investment team Africa Region to be based in Lagos, Dakar or Cairo. The selected candidate will provide expertise in the equity and convertible debt investments to the IFC FIG regional industry teams.  This role requires strong and demonstrated technical skills in sourcing, structuring, negotiating, and executing equity and convertible debt transactions and in portfolio management. The Senior Investment Officer will also have a significant role in setting equity strategies, day-to-day business operations, equity and convertible debt business growth, and portfolio management. He/she will work in close collaboration with the Global FIG Equity team as well as the Africa FIG Management team to: (i) formulate IFC’s strategies for investing equity and convertible debt investments across the financial institutions sector; (ii) engage in business development; (iii) structure and execute transactions; (iv) manage assets from origination until exit; and (v) lead knowledge management on equity and convertible debt investing.

Roles and Responsibilities  

 The role and responsibilities of the Senior Investment Officer will include, but will not be limited to:

 New Business

• Lead Support and drive business development in the specific region   in line with FIG’s strategic equity and convertible debts investment themes
• Understand and analyze macro developments and industry-level developments in the respective countries and think through how they might offer opportunities (or present risks to be mitigated) for FIG to consider equity and convertible debt investments
• Develop and leverage extensive networks with industry players and other investors, and working closely with the global equity team regional industry management, make pitches as appropriate, to create a healthy flow of early equity and convertible debt leads and then work with colleagues to refine them and identify an investable pipeline
• For new equity and convertible debt investments, work closely with the global equity team and  articulate: (i) Investment thesis;(ii)Investment structure and valuation; and (iii) Equity management plan including exit strategy
• Lead execution of equity and convertible debt investments,  and provide expertise and guidance to teams executing smaller investments
• Provide inputs to, and incorporate guidance from Regional Industry Managers, Regional Industry Heads, Global Equity Heads, and other management members to develop and execute a profitable equity investment program
• Follow quality standards, structure robust equity and convertible debt investments, and set return targets for such investments

 Portfolio Management and Value Creation 

• Take leadership and responsibility in managing high-value/complex equity and convertible debt portfolio, including exit strategy formulation and exit execution, working closely with deal teams, the global equity team, and the Africa FIG Management
• Drive value creation at investee companies
• Devise and execute equity sales ensuring consistency with portfolio strategy
• Provide expertise and guidance to teams in managing smaller equity and convertible debt investments
• Support Regional Industry Managers in ensuring that the right candidates are appointed as nominee directors on the boards of IFC investee companies and assess their performance

Selection Criteria

• A Master’s degree or equivalent professional qualification in finance or business and a minimum of 12 years of investment experience
• Minimum five years of active private equity/ convertible debt/  investment experience at a private equity or debt fund setup, in-house private equity team of a reputable asset manager, or private equity investment teams of sovereign wealth funds, etc.
• Proven track record in sourcing, leading, negotiating, executing, and exiting private equity and convertible debt investments. FIG equity investment experience in the Africa Region is a plus
• Strong network of contacts among reputable M&A firms, investment banks, financial institutions, private equity firms, institutional investors et
• Sound investment judgment, demonstrated ability to deliver high-quality work and results under time pressure
• Ability to develop innovative solutions and challenge the status quo to build the business
• Recognized as a Good team player strategic thinker and thought leader
• Strong written and verbal communication skills; Fluency in English essential
• Ability to collaborate closely with development finance institutions, banks, microfinance institutions, non-bank financial institutions, and other strategic, financial, or institutional investors
• Ability to develop and manage relationships with C-Suite professionals, board of directors, and shareholders of investee companies
• Strong sense of service to clients and demonstrated business development aptitude
• Good “deal sense” based on demonstrated strong analytical skills and sound business judgment, especially in Equity and Convertibles debt investments
• Willingness and flexibility to travel and work across time zones

Source: https://worldbankgroup.csod.com/ats/careersite/JobDetails.aspx?id=28802&site=1