Description
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 $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 on a livable planet as economies grapple with the impacts of global compounding crises. For more information, visit www.ifc.org.
IFC has embarked on an ambitious new growth strategy (IFC 3.0) to stimulate more investment activity. This strategy calls for generating unique opportunities by proactively working “Upstream” to create, deepen, and expand markets and to imagine, design and implement investment projects. It requires taking a systematic approach to understanding the regulatory and sector bottlenecks that prevent the flow of private capital into productive investment in our member countries and addressing these bottlenecks through World Bank Group engagement on policy reforms and programmatic interventions at the country and sector level. This strategy also calls for working with Governments and World Bank colleagues to first seek private sector solutions to address development challenges – where such solutions are advisable and can be effective – and reserve public financing for projects only when other options are suboptimal. This approach is called the “Cascade”.
IFC’s Infrastructure and Natural Resources (INR) Department is looking to hire a Senior Investment Officer to join IFC’s infrastructure investment team covering the MCT Region (Middle East, Central Asia, Türkiye, Afghanistan and Pakistan) to be based in Almaty, Istanbul or Tashkent. The selected candidate will provide expertise in the equity and structured mezzanine investment to the IFC Infrastructure regional industry teams primarily for the Central Asia and Türkiye (CAT) sub-region. This role requires strong and demonstrated technical skills in sourcing, structuring, negotiating and executing equity and structured mezzanine transactions and in asset management. The Senior Investment Officer will also have a significant role in setting equity strategies, day-to-day business operations, equity and structured mezzanine business growth and portfolio management. He/she will work in close collaboration with the Global INR Equity team as well as the MCT INR Management team to: (i) formulate IFC’s strategies for investing equity and structured mezzanine investments across the INR sectors; (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 mezzanine investing.
Roles and Responsibilities
The roles and responsibilities of the Senior Investment Officer will include, but will not be limited to:
New Business
• Responsible for the development of equity strategies and investment themes to target and grow the equity & structured mezzanine business of MCT INR, CAT sub-region in line with current trends in countries and sectors, and IFC strategies (corporate, industry, and country).
• Lead equity & structured mezzanine business development activities primarily in the CAT sub-region in line with investment themes.
• Lead and/or provide expertise and guidance to teams executing equity and structured mezzanine investments.
• Reinforce quality standards, structure robust equity / quasi equity investments and set return targets for equity/ quasi-equity transactions.
Equity and Structured Mezzanine Debt Portfolio Management
• Take leadership and responsibility for high-value/complex equity and structured mezzanine debt portfolio, including exits strategy formulation, working closely with deal teams and the MCT INR Management.
• Ensure IFC delivers value creation at investee companies.
• Provide expertise and guidance to teams managing smaller equity investments.
• Support deal teams and MCT INR Management to devise and execute equity sales, ensuring consistency with portfolio strategies.
• Work with deal teams and MCT INR Management to identify, appoint and support IFC’s nominee directors to the boards of IFC investee companies.
Leadership and Knowledge Sharing
• Engage in mentoring and coaching of junior staff, provide on-the-job learning opportunities and ensure efficient and effective use of resources.
• Ensure quality control of work products.
• Support a comprehensive program for increasing the knowledge and learning of equity and structured mezzanine investments execution and asset management.
Selection Criteria
• A Master’s degree in finance or business and minimum 12 years of investment experience.
• Minimum 5 years of active principal investment experience at a private equity fund set up, in-house private equity team of a reputable asset manager or principal investment teams of sovereign wealth funds.
• Proven track record in sourcing, leading, negotiating, executing, and exiting private equity and structured mezzanine investments. Infrastructure investment experience in Central Asia and Türkiye is a plus.
• Strong network of contacts among reputable M&A firms, companies in the INR sectors, private equity firms and institutional investors.
• Ability to develop innovative solutions and challenge the status quo to build the business.
• Ability to deliver high-quality work within deadlines and to meet team objectives.
• Sound investment judgment, demonstrated ability to deliver results under time pressure.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and openness to feedback.
• Recognized as a team player, strategic thinker and thought leader.
• Strong written and verbal communications skills.
• Ability to collaborate closely other development finance institutions, strategic investors, commercial financial institutions, and institutional investors.
• Ability to develop and manage relationships with C-Suite, board, and shareholders of investee companies.
• Willingness and flexibility to travel and work across time zones.
World Bank Group Core Competencies
The World Bank Group offers comprehensive benefits, including a retirement plan; medical, life and disability insurance; and paid leave, including parental leave, as well as reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities.
We are proud to be an equal opportunity and inclusive employer with a dedicated and committed workforce, and do not discriminate based on gender, gender identity, religion, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or disability.
Learn more about working at the World Bank and IFC, including our values and inspiring stories.