Senior Investment Officer, Africa region – Corporate Finance Services (CFS) – GG  

IFCa member of the World Bank Groupis 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 as economies grapple with the impacts of global compounding crises. For more information, visit www.ifc.org.

IFC’s PPP & Corporate Finance Advisory Department (CTA) is composed of two divisions: (i) the Public Private Partnership (PPP) Division; and (ii) the Corporate Finance Services (CFS) Division.

The PPP Division advises governments in designing and bringing to market commercially robust PPP projects that provide high quality, affordable and efficient infrastructure and social services to the public. IFC’s PPP Division also draws on the World Bank’s expertise in institutional reforms, sector structuring, legal and regulatory frameworks, tariff structures and regulation, and international best practice to strengthen and complement IFC’s transaction-oriented approach. 

The CFS Division seeks to provide three categories of services: (A) transaction advisory services to private sector clients, focusing on Mergers and Acquisition (M&A) Advisory solutions and Corporate Restructuring Advisory solutions; (B) the Equity Mobilization Program (EMP), supporting IFC’s investment teams to identify equity investors for IFC’s investment projects; and (C) Strategic Pre-IPO Advisory to clients seeking to undertake a listing on international stock markets.  

Through its M&A advisory, CFS helps clients to attract new partners and investors, and acquire new businesses or spin off businesses. Under its Corporate Restructuring Advisory services, CFS supports clients in the design and implementation of innovative corporate strategies that improve profitability and maximize value.

The EMP services are deployed when Investment Services (IS) teams are considering an IFC equity investment, and the transaction requires additional third-party equity to complete the equity structure.  In such cases, CFS works together with the IS teams to identify and bring in such equity investors (typically in a minority position) to finalize the transaction.  CFS focuses on cross-border transactions, mobilizing third party capital and bringing new and existing clients into new markets.  With this work, CFS contributes to de-risking IFC investments, building new client relationships and generating a systematic deal flow.

Under its Strategic Pre-IPO Business Advisory offering, CFS seeks to offer pre-IPO advisory support by helping clients to prepare and position for a successful process of listing on international stock markets. This involves advising on the listing process, appropriateness, timing, regulations, and relevant key issues; reviewing and advising on current corporate structure, balance sheet structure, valuation, and business planning; preparing detailed timetables for listing, broker selection, and prospectus review; preparing management and the board for listing; and Corporate Governance Group advisory services.

IFC is seeking a Senior Investment Officer with strong market and industry experience to help execute our business strategy in the Continental Africa region, which consists Sub-Sahara Africa and North Africa.  The position will be based in Nairobi, Kenya and will report to the Global Manager, CFS.  The Senior Investment Officer will be the CFS senior staff in the Continental Africa region.  S/he will coordinate with IFC’s Continental Africa regional teams for the purpose of new business development and execution of transactions.

Duties and Accountabilities

•  Origination and execution of strategic pre-IPO advisory mandates. Execution will include advising clients on listing process, appropriateness, timing, regulations, and relevant key issues; reviewing and advising on current corporate structure, balance sheet structure, valuation, and business planning; preparing detailed timetables for listing, broker selection, and prospectus review; preparing management and the board for listing; and corporate governance group advisory services.
•  Origination and execution of buy-side and sell-side advisory; restructuring advisory; and EMP services mandates across Continental Africa.
•  Maintaining strong relationships with internal regional and industry counterparts in Continental Africa, with the objective of identifying collaboration opportunities that enhance business development and delivery that is aligned with IFC corporate objectives.
•  Working closely with clients and with relevant internal resources to help clients to develop a transaction strategy, and to undertake bankability assesment, funding feasibility, financial modelling, business planning/restructuring.
•  Drafting key transaction reports and project documentation (Marketing documents for each transaction, Information memoranda, due-diligence, and transaction structuring reports, and transaction contracts and agreements, etc.).
•  Making effective pitch presentation to companies. 
•  Mentoring junior colleagues and helping them to achieve business targets
•  Contributing to the development and execution of CFS’s strategy for Continental Africa in partnership with regional teams, and where applicable, the World Bank, with a focus on CFS’s strategic priorities, FCS and high impact projects.
•  Supporting IFC’s “brand” in the CFS space, building on IFC’s regional brand and overall communications strategy. 
•  Supporting knowledge management by helping to disseminate CFS’s knowledge and experience in Continental Africa to the CFS team globally.

Selection Criteria

•  An MBA or Master’s degree in finance, business, law, consulting or related discipline.
•  A minimum of 12-15 year of experience in finance, business, law, consulting or relevant background.
•  Seasoned in equity capital markets transactions, as a principal investor, advisor, or underwriter, particularly in taking companies public on major international stock exchanges such as the New York stock exchange, London Stock exchange etc, preferably in the disruptive technology space. 
•  Significant transaction advisory experience in buy side mandates, sell side mandates, restructuring mandates, preferably in the disruptive technology space.
•  Strong track record of delivering targeted results on M&A, Restructuring and Strategic Pre-IPO advisory mandates under stressful timetables and environment.
•  Proven success in developing strong client relationships and executing mandates across-borders and in difficult environments.
•  Experience working with PE firms, Funds, VCs is a plus.
•  Strong track record of business delivery, demonstrated investment experience, superior business judgment and established professional credibility.
•  Excellent team player and demonstrated ability to work effectively with a dispersed team in a dynamic and multicultural environment.
•  Ability to work collaboratively with superior facilitation, and interpersonal skills.
•  Strong written and verbal communications skills in English.
•  Ability to represent IFC externally and to develop and manage relationships with clients, media, donors, and other stakeholders.
•  Commitment to development and alignment with the World Bank Group and IFC’s mission, strategy, and values.

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.

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