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 2022, IFC committed a record $32.8 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 has embarked on an ambitious new strategy to stimulate more investment activity, especially in Low-Income Countries (LICs) and Fragile and Conflict-affected States (FCS).   This new strategy aims at creating our own opportunities for private investments in riskier markets by proactively working in these countries to create, deepen, and expand the markets themselves.   Delivering this strategy requires a different approach to delivering integrated and scalable solutions that create new markets through Upstream engagements and the implementation of the Cascade, in very close collaboration with World Bank colleagues at the country and sector level.   Ultimately, it is about creating a new pipeline of bankable operations/ projects.

 The Manufacturing, Agribusiness, and Services (MAS) Industry Department is one of IFC’s key strategic priorities. The team delivers financial and technical support to clients in the manufacturing, agribusiness, tourism, retail, property, health, and education sectors, from IFC’s own balance sheet and through the mobilization of other capital.

IFC’s Manufacturing, Agribusiness, and Services Department is seeking an Investment Officer to be based in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire reporting to the Portfolio Manager.  The selected candidate will work primarily with IFC’s teams based in Sub-Saharan Africa to assist with MAS sectors in the region.  The position provides an opportunity for the candidate to obtain broad sector experience.

Duties and Responsibilities:

The Investment Officer will have a wide range of evolving responsibilities in portfolio supervision and new business, which will be exclusive or shared with other team members.  The anticipated scope of duties and responsibilities includes the following:

Portfolio:
•  Stay Abreast of Context: Monitor macroeconomic indicators of sector and country market conditions as well as social and political information that are relevant to assigned portfolio.
•  Monitor: Perform credit and risk assessments, financial projections, covenant compliance reviews (debt), and monitor changes to risk flags for determining performance assigned to a portfolio, with limited supervision.  Perform assessment of project development impact and articulate realization of anticipated impact measurement and monitoring (AIMM) story and market creation impact, if any.
•  Manage Compliance: Responsible for doing rating reviews of loan loss reserve on a quarterly basis for the overall assigned portfolio.  Run models for equity valuations to determine the need to modify exit strategy.
•  Reporting: Prepare quarterly portfolio reports that include analysis of trends over time, key issues, and areas of potential concern.
•  Knowledge Sharing: Prepare brief documents summarizing post mortem insights from portfolio reviews and reporting to identify improvement opportunities and best practices.
•  Business Growth: Look at prior transactions and track record with specific clients to develop input to future business possibilities and identify new business opportunities. Prepare concept notes for repeat business
•  Problem Resolution: Prepare memos to seek approval on recommendations related to portfolio projects/clients or to update management of portfolio developments. Independently handle waivers, amendments, and equity sale approval memo (ESAM) for straightforward portfolio projects (in coordination with relevant departments) under the general supervision of more senior investment officers.

New Business:
•  Proactively identify potential investment partners and opportunities based on industry experience, reputation, market potential, financial capability, and strategic fit
•  Assess the attractiveness of specific investment opportunities with a strong focus on credit quality and development impact and make recommendations to IFC’s management
•  Execute loan, equity, and mezzanine financings including processing mandates, conduct due diligence, structuring deals, negotiate terms and documentation, arrange syndications, and process internal approvals
•  Excellent financial, credit and equity skills; demonstrated ability to creatively structure a variety of complex debt and equity instruments
•  Ability to interact directly and independently with the senior management of potential clients, financial and technical partners, as well as senior government officials.

Selection Criteria

•  MBA, master’s degree in finance or equivalent.
•  At least 4-8 years of relevant work experience with significant emerging markets presence; relevant sector experience is a plus.
•  Understanding of relevant sector drivers, business, and market cycles, how business performance and long-term competitiveness and viability are measured within a sector and how sector dynamics may evolve within a country or region.
•  Proven analytical, financial analysis, equity valuation, and financial modeling skills to analyze and form conclusions on company’s financial information or projects and industry indicators.  Able to oversee and provide quality control feedback on financial models prepared by analysts.
•  Strong credit skills; sound business judgment and demonstrated ability to structure a variety of financial instruments (debt and equity).
•  Strong client relationship and business judgment skills – ability to focus on client needs effectively and capacity to identify potential business partners.
•  Excellent written, verbal communication, and presentation skills and active listening skills including capacity to ask the right questions to clarify client and stakeholder needs and gather and analyze required information.
•  Ability to (i) draft documents and reports that are concise, well-organized, and appropriately focused on most critical points that are relevant to the target audience; and (ii) utilize charts, graphs, and other presentation techniques to simply communicate complex data and concepts.
•  Able to share valid opinions and new observations relevant to project outcomes with project leaders in a manner that is concise, cohesive, and focused.
•  Ability to tailor explanations of IFC’s value proposition to specific clients and share relevant information on industry practices.
•  Proficient in English and French language.
•  Specific experience in Africa would be a plus.

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.