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 US$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 has embarked on an ambitious new growth strategy (IFC 3.0) to stimulate more investment activity across emerging markets. This strategy aims to create new opportunities for private investments in riskier markets and sectors by proactively working “Upstream” or at the pre-investment stage (early in the project-development cycle) to create, deepen, and expand markets and design and develop potential investment projects. Implementing this strategy will require a different approach to business development, deal sourcing, and client support that relies on (i) a broader product offering to engage earlier in the project cycle and secure opportunities; (ii) a greater focus on preparing clients in nascent markets and sectors for investment; (iii) a greater focus on value addition and risk management of portfolio investment clients to enhance their performance; and (iv) a longer time horizon and a more patient, longer-term perspective.

Specific “Upstream” pre-investment and early-stage project development products include (i) collaboration engagements through which IFC supports private companies in the evaluation of new investment opportunities or business models; (ii) co-development engagements whereby IFC shares in the cost and risk of developing investment projects; (iii) advisory engagements to assist existing and prospective clients in unlocking investment opportunities or advancing climate and broader sustainability goals; (iv) joint engagements with the World Bank, 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 policy reforms and programmatic interventions at the country and sector level.

IFC’s focus on infrastructure is on (i) increasing access to basic infrastructure services; (ii) supporting local companies while improving transparency and corporate governance; (iii) exploring new equity and debt investment opportunities and catalyzing foreign direct investments, including co-investments and mobilizing syndicated and parallel loans; (iv) introducing and developing new financial products including through Public Private Partnerships; and (v) building long-term partnerships with strong global and regional players.

The Latin America and Caribbean (LAC) Infrastructure department is an open and dynamic team that originates, structures and commits financing to infrastructure projects across several sectors, including energy, transportation, water and waste, telecom and technology, subnational infrastructure, and natural resources.  The department includes new business, portfolio, and upstream (pre-investment) units. The upstream/pre-investment team intrinsically works with investment and portfolio teams generating leads on potential opportunities for IFC.

IFC is seeking an Investment Officer (IO) to support our upstream/pre-investment work in the infrastructure sector in the LAC region, with a particular focus on Brazil and the southern cone.  The IO will drive the pre-investment unit’s efforts to enable investment opportunities by (i) incubating  high-impact projects that require early-stage development and pre-investment support together with private sector clients leading to an IFC investment, (ii) getting potential clients ready for IFC investment through client preparation and development, (iii) supporting business development in coordination with the investment team to identify opportunities with private companies in the relevant infrastructure sector, and (iv) identifying opportunities to work with the World Bank to tackle regulatory and sector bottlenecks that prevent the flow of private capital into productive investments.

The position will be under the supervision of the Regional Upstream and Advisory Manager based in Mexico City and is expected to coordinate their work closely with the Brazil and Southern Cone regional investment lead and other sector leads as needed. The candidate will be based in Sao Paulo.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

•  Play a leading role in upstream (pre-investment) pipeline creation through proactive origination/business development and developing and employing sector/country knowledge.
•  Identify and assess upstream (pre-investment) opportunities based on country and sector strategies, market creation, and investment potential; and sourcing projects and initiatives by engaging with the private sector and WBG colleagues and uncovering needs through strategic analysis.
•  In coordination with the designated regional lead for Brazil and the Southern cone, develop a strategy that leverages upstream (pre-investment) activities to generate new business opportunities for IFC; Build, maintain, and strategically leverage contacts with key players in the region; and participate in deals teams/in the execution of investment transactions originated out of upstream (pre-investment) activities, as required.
•  Lead Upstream initiatives, which includes the development of prefeasibility and feasibility studies, design of new business models, bankability assessment and implementation plans for Upstream projects that lead to IFC investments. Guide teams and clients at all stages of the upstream (pre-investment) project cycle, including support to the design of upstream projects, monitoring and evaluation of upstream portfolio and deliverables, and execution.
•  Perform quality control by providing commercial and sector inputs to ensure that upstream (pre-investment) activities lead to impactful and well-performing investments.
•  Identify potential issues and weaknesses in upstream (pre-investment) projects and help find timely solutions, including delivering complementary activities that increase the chances of conversion to an investment.
•  Engage with stakeholders and form partnerships with staff across IFC, including technical/industry specialists and investment staff, and the World Bank Group, sponsors, and other external parties to enable delivery of regional upstream (pre-investment) projects.
•  Manage, with the support of more junior team members, consultants hired to support the implementation of upstream (pre-investment) activities, ensuring the timeliness and quality of the work delivered.
•  Mentor and coach junior staff and share knowledge, experience, and contacts in the different infrastructure sector. Assist in supervising upstream (pre-investment) activities developed by more junior staff in the regional upstream teams.
•  Help build regional recognition of IFC’s distinctive capabilities in working Upstream(pre-investment) to catalyze a greater flow of investment opportunities in the sector.
•  Work with the World Bank to identify and help implement sector and regulatory reforms needed to unlock opportunities for private investment.
•  Provide inputs to World Bank and IFC country and sector strategy documents concerning developing investment opportunities in the infrastructure sector.

Selection Criteria

•  Master’s degree or equivalent professional qualification in Business, Accounting, Finance, Economics, or Engineering.
•  At least 8 years of experience in the infrastructure sector, with a proven track record  in project/program development producing feasibility studies, hands-on advisory and/or senior consulting functions, or in an investment related function, developing and closing deals.
•  Strong, demonstrated understanding and proven hands-on experience in at least one of the following infrastructure sectors: energy, transport, water and sanitation, waste management, or telecommunications/technology.
•  Strong “deal sense” and understanding of bankability criteria. Experience working with an infrastructure project developer or investor/financier is preferred.
•  Track record of engaging with the private sector and other stakeholders to develop investment projects.
•  Network of contacts in Latin America, or more specifically in Brazil and the Southern cone is considered a plus.
•  Demonstrated capacity for innovating and challenging the status quo to develop business opportunities.
•  Outstanding analytical and critical thinking skills; demonstrated ability to synthesize complex information and make concrete strategic and tactical recommendations.
•  Demonstrated track record in program project/program development and management.
•  Excellent people skills, openness to feedback and new ideas, and ability to guide and motivate others.
•  Strong written and verbal communication skills in English and Portuguese. Spanish speaking ability is 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.