Investment Officer
Colombo, Sri Lanka
JOB DETAIL
Description
IFC—a member of the World Bank Group (WBG)—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 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, especially in Low Income Countries (LICs) and Fragile and Conflict affected Situations (FCS). This strategy calls for generating our own 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. It also requires capacity to leverage WBG programs and projects to develop our own proactive sector interventions and to imagine and design projects even in the absence of reforms.
The Financial Institutions Group (FIG) is one of three major industry groups at IFC, responsible for managing roughly 40% of IFC’s overall business in terms of volume and capital at risk. IFC is seeking an Investment Officer for the Upstream and Advisory Services department within FIG, with deep investment expertise in the Financial Sector, including Banking, Microfinance, Housing Finance, Trade Finance and/or Insurance. Experience or expertise in the Capital Markets industry/sector is highly desirable.
The selected candidate will be based in Colombo, Sri Lanka and will focus on supporting the development of high-quality Upstream pipeline in the South Asia region. S/he will also support policy work and other interventions across the World Bank Group to prioritize various initiatives and to maximize the impact of Upstream efforts.
Roles and Responsibilities
The Investment Officer will have a wide range of evolving responsibilities in line with strategic priorities of FIG. Anticipated scope of duties and responsibilities during the includes the following:
• Design, develop, and convene suitable teams/functions across the WBG for implementation of high-quality Upstream initiatives and interventions, engaging suitable external stakeholders to convert Upstream efforts into new investment opportunities. These can include large and/or complex project and sector Upstream initiatives and replicable and scalable approaches that can be implemented across countries and regions.
• Work with country teams to create new products involving a specific sector in the market by preparing sector-specific data analysis, stress testing models, engaging in dialogue with stakeholders, and information sharing across the WBG.
• Research untapped markets to identify constraints to private sector investment as input to upstream market creation decisions or country diagnostics.
• Work with WBG to identify and help implement sector and regulatory reforms that are needed to unlock opportunities for private investment.
• Develop feasibility studies and implementation plans for Upstream projects that lead to IFC investments.
• Design and implement scalable solutions and platforms that can be replicated across markets.
• Disseminate knowledge across teams based on both successful and pruned initiatives.
• Contribute to the regional/departmental Upstream budgeting process, including coordinating and aligning with the heads of country offices.
• Manage human and financial resources efficiently across initiatives for optimal impact.
Selection Criteria
• Master’s degree in finance, economics, or other related areas. Candidates with MBA, CPA, or CFA would have an advantage.
• At least 8-12 years of relevant financial markets experience in emerging markets including a proven track record in business consulting, investment banking, or operational experience in the financial sector.
• Capacity to understand, enable, and participate in market creation opportunities by demonstrating long-term perspective, open-mindedness, persistence, innovation, and ability to leverage all available tools; good understanding of the roles and value-add of IFC and WBG in new markets.
• Understanding of relevant country strategies and obstacles to achieving them.
• A broad understanding of the economy, sectors, and regulatory and industry fundamentals and drivers, industry and market benchmarks, the latest trends and changes, and industry standards; or market, including policies and regulations affecting investment and business growth.
• Ability to review the financial analytical work performed by team members for moderately complex transactions based on in-depth analytical and financial modeling skills and experience to know what to look for in efficiently ensuring quality control and directing the appropriate analysis to understand risk factors in a project.
• Build advanced structuring expertise for moderately complex investment or advisory transaction based on experience with diverse financial instruments, a range of clients in different countries, and projects with different complexity factors.
• Capacity to build productive and mutually beneficial relationships and networks internally and externally to identify business opportunities, discuss structuring alternatives, and resolve issues.
• Capacity to build and maintain extensive networks in sectors, country, and region to bring new engagements, and business opportunities.
• Ability to interact effectively with working level WBG staff and participate in collaborative interventions or /projects that enable private sector investment by exercising sensitivity to differences in corporate cultures, priorities, and operating practices and /requirements.
• Ability to participate and constructively contribute in meetings with mid-level government officials on constraints to private sector investment in their countries.
• Commitment to sustainable development.
• Original thinking / quick learning abilities with strong initiative and drive, as well as attention to details.
• Good team player with strong interpersonal skills, and commitment to work in a respectful, team oriented and multi-cultural environment.
• Excellent oral and written presentation skills in English are required.
• Willingness to travel.
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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